Clipwrap any good?

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photomb

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http://www.clipwrap.com/overview.php

Anyone try this, or know if in theory this should actually do what it says? Can you really just simply edit the AVCHD footage directly in FCP by using this without Log and Transfer agony? Yes, I have on some other posts that people are saying it's good, but then others are implying that it slows you down later. Can anyone explain just how this really works?
 
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I have it but haven't tested deep enough, as the name implies (and as I think it works) it only ❛fakes❜ the container but the original H.264-AC3 files are there untouched, so it's like working with the original .mts file and all its consequences.
 
H.264 is a heavily compressed, interframe codec. That means that it's a fairly large amount of work for the computer to decode each frame, and a lot more work for the computer to RE-encode each frame. And, since it's an interframe codec, the computer must do a LOT of re-rendering even around simple edits, because the entire GOP (usually 17 frames, I think) must be rebuilt. So the consequences are that the computer must work a LOT HARDER when working with H.264; with transcoding, there's more effort up front for the initial transcode (and more storage required), but the computer is less taxed (which means, can handle more real-time streams/effects/etc.) during the editing process.
 
I've just recenlty used it with great success, I'm working on an old g5 with FCP 5 so I had no choice but to convert when exporting and editing with my AVCCAM footage. I highly recommend clip wrap!
 
So David, are you using CW2 on AVCHD footage? What's the performance like, for a rewrap, and for timeline performance -- and on what hardware?
 
So it sounds like maybe I should still consider. Would love to hear David S on use with AVCHD. In my case, on locations, I tend to do the transcoding to ProResLT on my MBP a lot (ESATA media drive and an External FW800 drive). That computer gets hot as hell in the process (frequent 30 minute clips). So I'm wondering if re-wrapping will be smarter or not.
 
I don't see the point of using clipwrap, except if you want to view the footage with quicktime player or a player that can't play back AVCHD. (VLC can play AVCHD on a MBP ok)

As stated above you can't edit H.264, not for stuff with more than one video channel so why bother. I actually emailed the same question to them, they replied but never really answered the question.

There is no free lunch here. None on my Mac that I've been able to figure out that makes me able to edit these native AVCHD files. (Perhaps with Windows 7 with Graphics card acceleration mojo it's a different story) - Transcode mate!!

(Ok, just noticed someone who's got an older / slower machine with an older version of FCP so perhaps that's a reason to use it but trying to edit AVCHD video without using the latest fastest processors is asking for trouble - go with a P2 / Sony camera card based instead)
 
thabo said:
I don't see the point of using clipwrap, except if you want to view the footage with quicktime player or a player that can't play back AVCHD. (VLC can play AVCHD on a MBP ok)
Click to expand...

Intel Macs convert AVCHD either in the NLE (the latest FCP, FCX and iMovie all do this) or it has to be done in a program before it gets to the NLE. What Clipwrap does is quickly wrap it in a container that Apple computers recognize. This is much quicker than transcoding, but has it's own limitations from what I've been told.

But G4/G5 macs will not edit ACVHD, (this is a software limitation not really a computer limitation in my eyes) but G4/G5 macs will edit files converted via Clipwrap or other conversion software. I've had decent luck with a Toast 10 test. I'm considering looking into Shedworx. The only reason I'm leery of Clipwrap is because I was told it wouldn't be good for features or long projects. I don't know if this has changed now.

-Nate
 
Barry_Green said:
So David, are you using CW2 on AVCHD footage? What's the performance like, for a rewrap, and for timeline performance -- and on what hardware?
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It differs depending on how transcode.

A unwrap and rewrap with conversion to h.264 is two or three times RT.

Going to ProRes and DVCProHD takes about 1x.

Interestingly, I also transcoded some 1080/60p 28 mbits/s TM700 footage to ProRes 422 and it was about 1.5 RT.

MacPr 2.26 dual quad core.
 
"Going to ProRes and DVCProHD takes about 1x."

I am just curious to know how you transcode to ProRes from AVCHD. Thanks.
 
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