AVID up to speed for AVCCAM and other HD?

D

Denwa

Well-known member
This might be in the wrong place, but since my HMC150 arrives next week and I will be doing a lot of editing of AVCCAM.....


How is AVID keeping up with it's competitors now a days, particularly with HD codecs like AVCCAM? (AVC-i)

I have been using AVID since 2002 but since I need to upgrade hardware and software for HD I am looking at options. I like AVID, but they are not always up to speed on new technologies.
 
If I understand correctly, Avid Media Composer 4 supports AVC-Intra, but not AVCHD. You will still have to go through the Panasonic transcoder to use HMC150 footage in Media Composer.

Personally, I'm still running MC version 3.1.3.
 
Isn't Panasonics rendition of AVHD AVCIntra anyway just at 21-24 Mbs instead of 50 or 100?
 
They are right, Media Composer 4 only support AVC-Intra. I also have MC3.1.3 and really think that Avid should support AVCHD.

The free Panasonic MainConcept transcoder will work well by creating a DVCProHD virtual P2 card.
 
SPrimeau said:
They are right, Media Composer 4 only support AVC-Intra. I also have MC3.1.3 and really think that Avid should support AVCHD.

The free Panasonic MainConcept transcoder will work well by creating a DVCProHD virtual P2 card.
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I'm sure they're trying but they have to deal with inter-frame recording and all that crap (like HDV) that the AVCHD codec has. Basically with AVCHD if you make a cut at a point that isn't a whole frame, Avid would need to re-render that frame from the surrounding frames to obtain a complete frame. Intra is pretty easy to add support for, cause each frame is independent. Not only are they working on AVC-Intra and AVCHD, but remeber they've been try to work out the RED workflow as well.
 
Andrew McCarrick said:
I'm sure they're trying but they have to deal with inter-frame recording and all that crap (like HDV) that the AVCHD codec has. Basically with AVCHD if you make a cut at a point that isn't a whole frame, Avid would need to re-render that frame from the surrounding frames to obtain a complete frame. Intra is pretty easy to add support for, cause each frame is independent. Not only are they working on AVC-Intra and AVCHD, but remeber they've been try to work out the RED workflow as well.
Click to expand...

Indeed. To be honest, the current transcoder workflow doesn't bother me too much (although it's not ideal). Gives me an excuse to take a nap or do something else for a little while. Everything remains lightning fast after the P2 transcodes when it really matters: during editing.

It will be interesting to see how Avid approaches the AVCHD format.
 
Yes you need to transcode the footage and it gives bigger files, but DVCProHD is faster and easier to edit.
 
NetHead said:
No. This page gives a good explanation -> http://www.elementaltechnologies.com/blog/company/primer-inter-vs-intra-frame-video-compression
Click to expand...

Ah. I must have gotten confused when I read the following:

Intra-Frame Prediction
This process generates predictive pixels based on the adjacent pixels within each frame. It then selects the optimal predictive mode. The generated predictive image is subtracted from the original input image, and the residual data is compressed and recorded at a low bit rate. The entire process is conducted within the frame, so prediction accuracy remains high even with fast-motion images.​

So this is just how it predicts the pixels in a long GOP sequence of frames?
 
AVID is supposed to be the no.1 professional editing software, its about time to be able to support AVCHD and Red when other NLE does.
What is the use of using the SD cards when the workflow gets longer that the old mini DV tapes. First you have to transcode to P2 DVCPro which takes real time if not more. When ready you have to import in AVID again, take as long to import again if not working on virtual disk. Double the time! Very irritating! I do not have time for any naps!
AVID for Gods sake...
 
It is not long to import DVCProHD in Avid. When you transcode the footage, you have to choose, File / Import P2 / Clips to Bin. The process is fast because it doesn't copy the footage, but you may have to re-import the clips every time you open the project.
 
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