C100: Proxy workflow: C100 Mark II (or 1, or any avchd camera for that matter)

Z

zwarte_kat

Active member
So I am loving my new C100 MarkII. One of the things I enjoy best is that the nice looking video files are still small. It saves me so much disk space and allows me to do many projects directly on my macbook (13 inch).

However,
Though the files are small, I do notice my macbook having some difficulties, and I don't really like the whole conform stuff either, it leaves loads of cache files all over my small hard disk (256GB).

I know right, never satisfied haha!
I should buy a faster macbook, but for now I am using this (I like that it's small) and one of the reasons I spend more money on the C100 is that I can save on disk space and processing power. (compared with GH4s or Black Magics)

Well, I tried making prores proxies, but they are actually much larger than the original (which I guess just tells us how good that AVCHD codec is).

Do any of you use a workflow where you convert to a more edit friendly format that is either the same size or ideally even smaller? I don't mind if the quality gets a hit. I just want smooth playback.

I know, get a faster system yes yes. But for now anyone has an idea?

I use Premiere pro but wouldn't mind using other software to make the proxies.

Cheers!
 
CineForm is smaller than ProRes 422 and from what I can see no difference. Plays back very well too. As soon as you add filters or plugins to AVCHD it gets ugly. Yes those small files are small for a reason.

If you want to go proxy then go with ProRes Proxy. Test out a few transcoded files to see if it works. I haven't edited with proxy's in a long time and I'v heard Premiere Pro has issues when relinking to original footage. I think since Premiere Pro was designed for native codec editing Adobe wasn't thinking people would want to use proxy editing anymore.
 
Thanks for the replies. I have tried Final cut pro x on a few projects, but I need more flexibility with sharing project files and using other adobe files like illustrator and after effects. (love the tagging features though). I have no problems working with proxies on either software. Premiere is more flexible, FCP is more build in and automatic)

I agree that lowering the playback resolution in premiere works great, and I usually do this. Was just wondering if anyone was using a really small shitty quality codec (maybe photo jpeg or something) to go through the inial editing phases on a slow laptop with limited space.

Will check out cineform though!

I think there is simply no way around getting a faster system, and sucking it up till I do (waiting for the update for the 15 inch mac pro).

Cheers!
 
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