Format Change when importing dv clips?

[kmcgrath]

I'm brand new to Avid Express Pro, so please bear with me.

When I import a dv clip into my Avid project, there seems to be a conversion to Quicktime format. Is this correct? Is this done just to reduce cpu load during editing.

When I go to render my project (say, to MPEG-2), does it render the Quicktime file (if that is what it is), or does it use my original avi files (e.g., my captured dv files) when rendering to MPEG-2?

Thanks much for any assistance on above questions!!

 

[sean90291]

need more info...

need more info...

What is the file format you're importing? Do you mean you're capturing a dv clip into Avid from the MiniDV tape? Or do you mean you're importing into Avid an already caputured/edited/compressed file?

 

[kmcgrath]

I've already captured the (mini dv) file to my hard drive. So what I am referring to above is when I import this (avi) file into Avid, the Avid projects seems to be converting it to a Quicktime file before it brings the clip into my bin in Avid.

 

[kmcgrath]

The reason I am thinking that it is converting my dv (avi) file to Quicktime format during the import into Avid is because a box displays "Fast Import of video from QT". Is this display normal for an import of a dv clip into Avid??

 

[dakotapod]

Avid uses it's own format "OMF" - The convert is normal when bringing in previously captured AVI files.

 

[kmcgrath]

Whew, I was getting a bit nervous. Thanks for that clarification.

 

[editron5000]

I've already captured the (mini dv) file to my hard drive. So what I am referring to above is when I import this (avi) file into Avid, the Avid projects seems to be converting it to a Quicktime file before it brings the clip into my bin in Avid.

When you captured the clip from the tape, why didn't you just capture it using Avid? It would've saved you the process of having to import it afterwards.

Also, you may be introducing some slight compression (if you capture as an AVI, then import it)... just curious as to why this is your preferred workflow?

 

[kmcgrath]

I just got the software, so I have not yet tried to capture using Avid. I just wanted to start playing with the software, so I used some footage that I had previously captured using Vegas.

With regard to your second comment, I was under the impression that whenever you captured from mini DV tape the file is stored as an avi file and that no compression is done on it (hence my description above) and that simply an "avi wrapper" is placed on the file. Is that not correct? Also, is there a difference between footage captured by Avid and Vegas?

Thanks much!!