P2 transcode - G4 or G5 difference? Check this out...

S

sukram

Active member
http://www.studiodaily.com/main/minisites/ag-hvx200/f/mreviews/6155.html

I found this website a while ago, but I have been struggling to understand this quote:

Tips for Working with the Panasonic HVX200
INGEST:
The HVX200 has two options for posting:
1. P2 inserted on set to G4 laptop via PCMCIA slot
- Do NOT transcode the P2 media (wrapped as an MXF file) via a G4, as the G5's handle the transcoded wrapper with much less visible compression


This review was based on PlasterCITY opinions, so its obviously a well informed/experienced source. I just don't understand why the QT conversion of MXF files would be any different on a G4 versus a G5 (or intel for that matter?)?

Help please?

markus
 
I think they were using ann earlier version of the transcode software when they wrote this. I've seen no diffrence and I use both all th time.
 
Evinsky - thanks for a quick reply... Sorry to act stupid here, but what transcode software are you talking about. I just thought this was a matter of re-wrapping mxf files into quicktime files, and that this function was accomplished using some quicktime codec. I didn't know there was such a thing as a specific "transcode software." Maybe I am mixing up too many things here.... If you have the time over this labor day weekend, could you explain?

Thanks again.

markus
 
It has to do with versions of FCP, not the CPU. They are not really presenting acurate info on this one. FCP 5.0.4 is needed minimum to ingest the P2 data into FCP with any really good results. But 5.1 upgraded this process and does a MUCH better job. Again, it's the version of FCP, not the CPU. A G4 will do it, just slower. CPU has nothing to do with quality of compression, just speed of compressing.

I just read the article, and I won't go into the many inaccuracies. In FCP, adding filters and transitions does nothing to the original image quality until you output it. Once you hit render, it makes no difference if you're on-line or off-line, it's all the same.

Just a really shallow article, and a shame, cause I love Studio Daily.
 
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The quote is rumored to be regarding a beta of FCP 5.0.4.

Render quality can indeed be affected by the Processor used. Some altivec instructions or GL driver differences can and has affected the results of renders in earlier versions of FCP. Occationally I have had differences between my Powerbook G4 and My G5. This was back in FCP 4.1 though.
Most functions inside FCP has different code implementations on G3, G4, G5, Intel depending on what runs best.

The weird this about this quote is that no compression occurs when re-wrapping DVCPRO HD from P2.
HDV does get some recompression but not DVCPRO HD.
 
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