Encoding HVX files for web streaming

P

Peter Reynolds

Well-known member
Hi there.

I have an upcoming video project that will require all the edited video clips (each about 2 minutes long) to be placed on the clients website.

I've done this before using SD footage, and I'm wondering what the differences are using HD footage. Assuming for the moment that I have the proper computer and editing system. Here are the basic questions I have.

1. Once encoded, will the HD video clips be of higher quality? I'm assuming the better video you start with the better you'll finish with? The camera I used before was the DVX100b

2. If I'm encoding as Windows Media, Real Media, Quicktime or Flash, is there a different file format for HD? Or is it the same as SD?

To clarify that last question, when I now encode a video to Windows Media, the file extension is WMV. Would it be the same if I encode HD video? I'm worried that it will have a weird extension like WMV_HD and regular media players won't play it.

3. How much bigger will HD encoded files be? Right now, a high quality SD file is encoded at 2 MB per minute. What can I expect with HD?

Thanks in advance for you help. This is a pretty big job and I'd like to give him the best possible quality. If it turns out that the HVX will give me better quality , using the same file format, without a huge increase in file size, I'll go right out and buy an HVX.

Looking foward to your response.

PR
 
Well, no responses as yet...

I wonder if Vegas or Premier Pro will let you encode HD straight from the timeline.

That way you can create a WMV, RM or FLV file directly without having to downconvert first.

Any thoughts?

PR
 
Not sure what you're running, Mac or PC. I use Sorenson Squeeze to compress my files for the web (and other formats). My workflow is PC based and I've been alternating between Xpress Pro and Broadcast. I may be misunderstanding you but, if you're going to the web you're basically going to be posting SD anyhow. HD files (in comparison) would be huge and probably wouldn't stream. Maybe you can post a standard file and offer an option for downloading an HD file (but you better have some bandwidth), Sorenson, BTW, will encode to WMV, QuickTime, and Real. Hope this helps in some small way. Good luck!
 
Hi
I have just the same case as You "Me Myself.." One part of my work is to produce streams to net. Up to date they have been shot with Pana 100... cameras & edited with LE and compressed to wmv-files (756x576 Pal).
For a few reasons I have changed Pana 100's to HVX200. Most important reason was the varicam feature: We work a lot in sports enviroment and better slowmotion in after edit a our goal. Better Zoom, faster workflow without digitizing, and (I assume) better picture quality even after compreson back to "SD size" footage were my points to change to HVX.

Right now we are mostly on the summer break and use still SD (downconvert from P2 cards to tape or use Firestore and DVCPRO 50) when shooting. Looking after proper NLE to start HD editing. In PAL land not much choices for 720 50P editing, waiting the good news...

Your question about compresson & quality is very actual also for me, we'll post when something happends!
jussi
 
hey journalist,

good news..check edius 4 broadcast, its out now and fully supports the hvx pal settings!
Working in realtime and no "conversion" like in fcp needed, works directly with mxf...he haaa!
 
Hi dregenthal.

Thanks for the input.

I'm working on a PC, currently running Premier, though I realize I'll need to upgrade to an HD NLE (most likely Avid Express HD since I'm familiar with Avid).

Sorenson Squeeze looks terrific. Let me ask you a question about workflow:

- Once you've edited your HD footage in Avid, what do you output it as to work with Sorenson? Is it an AVI file?

You are correct that all my streams would be SD not HD, I'm just wondering if I have to downconvert first before using Sorenson or does Sorenson encode HD files into SD streaming files.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.
 
Last edited:
Hi Journalist

We do seem to have a similar production module. I'm happy with the quality of the DVX100b, but when it comes to the web, the better image you begin with, the better you'll end with.

From what I've heard so far, it looks like you can shoot HD and then downcovert to a streaming SD format like Flash or Windows Media. The downcoverted HVX footage should give better results than straight DVX100b footage.

Hopefully this thread will continue and we'll get some more good advice.

Take care,

PR
 
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