Best Codec Sticky

siniarch

siniarch

Veteran
Ok,

I've been searching this forum, specifically this section and cannot find a clear answer to all the codecs and their strengths and weaknesses.

What I'm looking to do is to archive footage into Hard Drives. I shot in either 720p or 1080i with the HVX. so I have MXF files. The problem is deciding which codec to use for each project.
For example:

I have a 67gb directory of Auditions with 3hrs worth of footage. I've already created a Single Layer DVD, and a Double Layer DVD. (so I've compressed the 67gb to 4gb and 8gb approx) But I have these 40gb Hard Drives Laying around. So I'd like to compress the file to maybe 20gb as an AVI or MOV with the best quality.

Then I have another 87gb directory with 9hr of Standard Def DV that I'd like to compress to 40gigs. to fit into another empty hard drive. With the best quality.
I've already made 5 Single Layer DVDs of the footage (which equals to about 20gb total) but I'd like to archive a better quality at 40gb.

I think if we could make a sticky on this section of DVXuser with a chart of all the know codecs, and their qualities (lossless, lossy, etc...) and their strengths and weaknesses, maybe the estimated size at 100% and at 50% quality for a 1hr 1080i, 1hr 720/24p, etc.. it would be very helpful to all of us.

Thank you,
Luis

These are the ones that I have to choose from when making an AVI:

  • uncompress(RGB) - ok, I get this one.
  • Canopus HQ Encoder
  • DV Video Encoder
  • Indeo (r) Video 5.10 Compression Filter
  • "MainConcept (Adobe2) H.264/AVC Video Encoder"
  • "MainConcept (Adobe2) MPEG Video Encoder"
  • MainConcept DV Video Encoder
  • MJPEG Compressor
  • DVCPRO50
  • Canopus DV
  • DVCPRO HD
  • CineForm HD Codec V2.5
  • Canopus Lossless
  • Canopus HQ
  • Cinepak Codec by Radius
  • DivX Pro 5.0.2 Codec
  • Intel Indeo(r) Video R3.2
  • Intel Indeo(r) Video 4.5
  • Indeo(r) video 5.10
  • Intel IYUV codec
  • Microsoft Video 1
  • DVFilm Raylight
  • TechSmith Screen Capture Codec
  • YUVsoft's Lossless Video Codec 1.0.3
 
Canopus HQ is a very high quality codec that should be smaller than the MXF's... I take it you are wanting a different codec to keep down on size?

Canopus HQ is at least equivalent to DVCPRO HD, so there shouldn't be much loss if at all. Canopus Lossless being the best (between those two), but it won't be any smaller in terms of filesize... I haven't used a lot fo the others so I can't help you there.

Jason
 
Thanks Jason.

I'm trying one of the ones posted above. I can't remember if it was DivX5.02 or Indeo 5.1. Its 3hrs worth of footage and its taking about 3.5hs worth of compressing. I guess I should render out about 5 mins. and try different codecs that way.

Also I found that there is a newer version of DivX. I think is 5.1.1 which is faster and better I think. so I'll take a look at that.

I'll aslo take a look at Canopus HQ and see how much savings in space that comes out to be.

Thanks,

Luis
 
You should ask Brandon over in the EDIUS section here about Canopus HQ and Lossless file sizes. I believe he has mentioned it before. Or, THoff might come in and lay it down. That dude is a sponge. If it's been said, he remembers it :)

Jason
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top