How to share dvcproHD footage w/ non FCP clients?

L

Lkorver

Well-known member
I shot hvx200 HD footage for a client and would like to give them the .mov files since I will not be editing.. However, its is my understanding (and I've tested this) that if they do not have FCP they will not be able to view the footage (they'll get the all white or all black screen w/ audio but not video and a codec warning from QT).

I've searched this forum head to toe and have yet to find a good solution to this problem. Can I just bundle the proper dvcprohd codec with the drive and have them install that in their QT folder on their end? If so, where would I find something like this or does anyone have any other solutions?

thanks in advance!
 
Nope- unfortunately you don't get that codec legally without installing FCP- it's part of the package. I'd suggest finding out what they're editing with instead. Most editing apps support P2 import directly and shouldn't be an issue. If for some reason they are on an NLE with no P2 support, find out what formats they can take and drop all the clips into Compressor for rendering to that format. Preferably ProRes for the least amount of quality loss.

Noah
 
noah...

noah...

thanks for the advice Noah...

I'm assuming its just office people who want to watch the footage and then probably hire their own editor...

-Do you think the ProRes compression is viewable on most computers with QT?
-Should I give them the mxf's too for the editor?

thanks
 
I copied the dvcproHD component files out of the Library-Quicktime folder and copied them over the non FCP computers and the files work.
 
When we need to do this for the client to view, we burn them a video DVD off a timeline we drop the clips into, (at a cost of course). :beer:

When we give them footage, we drop the entire cards and associated files to a hard drive that we sell or loan them. We also charge for data handling as well. :thumbup:
We used to burn dual layer data DVD's but it was more work than we could charge for. Drives are cheap enough and we always have a few 500gig USB drives on standby.
Hope this helps.
 
Lkorver said:
I copied the dvcproHD component files out of the Library-Quicktime folder and copied them over the non FCP computers and the files work.
Click to expand...

This sounds interesting. Which files and where do I find them? I always had to do conversions before.
 
Sumfun said:
This sounds interesting. Which files and where do I find them? I always had to do conversions before.
Click to expand...

As Noah as stated and as the licensing indicates, you are not permitted to copy codecs from your install to someone's else computer.

I suggest converting to a common codec.
 
Sumfun said:
This sounds interesting. Which files and where do I find them? I always had to do conversions before.
Click to expand...

Just an FYI- those codecs are licensed specifically for your copy of FCP. By passing those onto clients you could be liable for a licensing violation. Not that it's likely at all to happen but you should be aware.

Noah
 
"Thanks for pointing that out guys. I'd rather conduct my business on the right side of the law."

Very true, I think I'm just going to dump all the clips to proRes. Should a mom and pop computer be able to playback ProRes with the basic quicktime app?
 
Lkorver said:
"Thanks for pointing that out guys. I'd rather conduct my business on the right side of the law."

Very true, I think I'm just going to dump all the clips to proRes. Should a mom and pop computer be able to playback ProRes with the basic quicktime app?
Click to expand...

As long as they're running the current version of OS X, QT and a reasonably fast machine.

-Noah
 
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