Odd Request for HDV users

rapsucks

rapsucks

Well-known member
I am seriously considering getting the Canon HV20 when it comes out in April--but I've never edited HDV footage before. I've done DVCPRO HD in 1080 before, but I know that the HDV requires a lot more processor power--which I don't exactly have in spades.

My request is twofold: as a matter of survey, how much more processor speed does HDV require than DVCPRO HD? And secondly, does anyone have some raw HDV 1080 footage lying around and some hosting space where they could upload a short clip for me and anyone else who is thinking about going HDV to download? Even a 10 second clip would at least let me throw it into FCP and see what I can do to it before it needs rendering.

I know that even if I can't really handle editing the HDV I can use an online-offline editing flow, but unless it's a longer project that seems annoying to me (I haven't yet done it for any of the HVX stuff I've edited).

Thanks in advance for the help.
 
So i really dont think that HDV requires that much more processing power to edit than DVCPRO HD. Where it does require the extra power is in "conforming" the video. Since HDV is based on mpeg2 which is an interframe codec, everytime you make a cut, final cut has to adjust the compression i frames in real-time. Luckliy this process is completley transparent. When you render, final cut has recalculate the mpeg2 compression.

In short this means that rendering HDV is longer and every project requires a long render at the end. The 19 min project I am working on takes about 2hours in high precision YUV mode to conform.

I will look for an example clip and post it somewhere for you shortly.

Steve Ellington
http://www.ellingtonmedia.com/blog
 
Also, from what I've seen posted a lot on this forum, if you want to edit at the full resolution, bring the HDV codec in using the Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC). I don't know the ins and outs about it, but apparently using it as your codec for HDV makes FCP, and thus you, a lot happier. You can search around this forum for threads on that, I'm sure a few are kicking around.

cheers.
 
Besids having to conform it takes longer to render stuff in the timeline over 720p 60 DVCPro as well, not sur about 1080i DVCPro material though
 
Steve,

Thanks for the clip. I'm downloading it now and I'll post back on my findings.

I'll do some research about the intermediate codec, too. If I find something succinct and useful, I'll post a link to it.

I love communal knowledge.
 
No problem. The clip is 1080i50 by the way so you can set up your timeline. As far as I know the only thing the AIC does is let you conform the whole file upfront. It doesnt have anything to do with quality. It may or may not be benefitial for you.

Steve Ellington
http://www.ellingtonmedia.com/blog
 
The Apple HDV Intermediate Codec is super easy to use. Use it to capture, use it to edit, it's really that simple. Instead of an HDV capture/edit preset, just use the AIC. Seriously, it's that simple. And no image quality loss at all. Bascially just changes from Long GOP to all I-Frames.
 
So, to interpret BenB's statement:

It is useful to use the AIC when capturing from tape.
It may not be useful when using DTE files (like the one Steve was kind enough to send me). In that case I suspect that it would be best to edit as-is and let FCP do the hard work on the exporting.

Corrections?
 
Or use Compressor to convert your HDV originals from the DTE to AIC. But then you have all those issues to deal with. High Def is just a mess, plain and simple. It'll be some time before any HD format comes along that is as easy and reliable as Mini-DV tape without a Long GOP or some proprietary format like P2. At least it's affordable in it's current forms, and I look forward to the day with HD is as easy and bullet proof as SD to handle from shoot to final product to archive. I sure to miss tape...
 
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