.avi or .mov in SD

M

MLVinc

Member
hi..i quickly scanned the threads so please forgive me if this is asked and answered elsewhere.

when i use a firestore with my HVX200 and capture in 480 for eventual output to 4:3 SD DVDs, i can choose .avi or qucktime.

when i connect the same firestore to a Supercam, it will not recognize the unit in quicktime. the FS has to be set to record .avi

is there a reason behind this? it could suggest that a SD quicktime file is superior in some way to a similar .avi file

the guy who does my NLE work says he sees an additional audio track in QT. is this track identical or in any way different/superior to the audio track in a .avi file??

thanks
 
The same data is in either an AVI or QT. It's in a different container. There are benefits and disadvantages to both containers.

See the following:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Container_format_(digital)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codecs

Simple version: Codecs go into containers. Containers hold multiple streams of data (audio + video + metadata)

In your case it's a good idea to use the AVI container in a windows based workflow, and use the Quicktime container in an OS X based workflow. There may be exceptions. Do a few tests before committing your entire shoot to a container.
 
hi demi

we're based in Edwardsville, not far from you.

We have been PC/windows based since we first started.

we are about to make major upgrades and will be shooting with the HMC 150. our workflow will be mostly 720/60p converted to 4:3 SD DVDs. Some of our work will stay in HD but rendered to SD DVD.

we also want to upgrade our Dell workstation..is there a major reason to consider going Mac or is it best to stay with what we already have so much invested in?
 
When you invest money into your systems you want to do any combiniation of the 3 if possible:

1) Save money in the long run
2) Speed up workflows/Save time
3) Deliver better results

Since you've chosen to shoot with the HMC150 it can throw a monkeywrench into your workflow since it captures to h.264 video. One of your biggest investiments that you can make is Premiere Pro Cs5 because it can work with that HMC150 footage in real time without transcoding. Most of the time if your hardware is less than 2-3 years old, the software upgrade will make a better editing performance increase than hardware alone will. Hardware + Software will make a huge jump in workflow efficency.

Now when you're downconverting to SD, there are many problems along the way you can run into with scaling, color space conversion, and encoder efficency. All three are weaknesses of Premiere Pro Cs4 and earlier. CS5 improve upon scaling and color space conversion, however the encoder efficency hasn't been improved. Depending on your timelines and budgets, and your clients desires, you will want to either get a compression expert that you farm out content to, or hire someone who knows about compressing those files down to DVD resolution properly.

The Adobe Workflow is great for single use workstations, but tends to break down when it comes to handing off high quality assets to other editors, since you can't create Prores with Media Encoder, and your project files will need to be exported as FCP XMLs to have an EDL. It's quite a few steps when it comes to prepping a timeline to go to an outsourcer who is doing more work on top of yours.

The current Version of Final Cut studio has issues doing a proper downscale, and the encoder efficency isn't the best due to it not having scene detection. I have many clients who do top notch work with FCP but still rely on an outsourcer to create proper downconversions. Keep that in mind when upgrading.

The Apple workflow does offer benefits if you have other people that also work with the Apple workflow when it comes to sharing projects. You won't spend time trying to get your project to look correct in their timelines. Most people doing feature film work have an Apple workflow.

There is an allure to having Apple products because they look and feel high end. In your application, they may not do the 3 things I listed above so keep that in mind when making any investment.

You might want to hear other people's opinions, because most of what I told you is mine.
 
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