F55: Sony Catalyst Browse & Catalyst Prepare review, comparison and write-up

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Below is full copy extract from my blog http://cinetiny.com/nsR5zlrP

prepare-screen-shot_zps327f96c8.jpg


I had a chance to test drive Sony's Catalyst Browse and Catalyst Prepare this month. Catalyst Browse was released by Sony on September 30th, 2014 and is completely FREE to use and download. Catalyst Prepare was released about a month later and costs $199 USD. The versions I tested were Catalyst Browse 1.0.3 build 338 for PC and Catalyst Prepare 1.0.2 build 207 also for PC. PLEASE NOTE; V1.1 were released after I completed my review so some new additional features have been included and some of my findings with respect to “issues” may no longer be valid. I’ve since included an addendum at the end of my post.

Anyone familiar with digital "developing" software such as Adobe Lightroom (for RAW stills), REDCineX (for video footage shot on RED), as many other software packages which perform similar functions, will quickly appreciate you'll be able to do with your footage shot on the Sony CineAlta line of cameras.

Both versions of Catalyst can be extremely useful to preview your dailies and further "de-log" your footage shot in S-Log by either converting to a traditional Sony gamma; 709(800), HG8009G33, HG8009G40, or by applying one of four default Sony Look Profiles (Sony's 4 published LUTs: LC-709, LC-709A, Slog2-709, Cine+709). This really gives freedom to more shooters who might have otherwise been afraid of recording in native S-Log, or were baking in Looks or Gammas to avoid dealing with S-Log afterwards.

One really great advantage of using the Catalyst series of software is if Exposure Indexes were used during shooting. The software will preserve that information so later whoever is looking at the footage will know it was over or underexposed intentionally. At present data Davinci Resolve does not do this but in future updates or versions I suspect Black Magic Design will adapt to make use of the metadata much like they have done with RED R3D files.

Using a combination of sliders and wheels both versions allow you to perform some basic color adjustments currently limited to: saturation, exposure, color temperature, tint, curves, lift, gain and gamma. Both versions will also allow you to transcode your clips with or without the color adjustments into many popular video codec formats including AVC/ACC MP4, DPX, OpenEXR, and XAVC. ProRes as an option on MAC. Exporting with the DNxHD codec is only capable in Catalyst Prepare and only Catalyst Prepare allows you to transcode into a variety of resolutions ranging from Internet 360p to 4K 4160 x 2048 60p.

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[size=+2]Other differences between Browse and Prepare:[/size]

"Catalyst Browse" as clearly stated in the name, is quite specifically meant more for "Browsing" footage and this FREE version is limited in functionality such as the ability to batch export or apply different color adjustments to different clips.

"Catalyst Prepare" offers exporting to various resolutions, batch exporting capability, and you can apply separate color adjustments to individual clips if desired. This is great incase you know there are some clips where you need to make specific adjustments separate from the reset of the clips - for example you rated the camera ISO higher or lower for the purpose of over or underexposing, or maybe it was just an accident. :)

One catch with Catalyst Prepare is by default it may prompt you to import and copy all of the clips to your hard drive which you may already have on your hard drive. I talked with Sony about this and they have instructed that if the files are already copied or otherwise present on the system, go to Organize and select Folder-->Add Existing. That folder will be added as a Source and you can transcode or copy from there withoput having to do an Import.

[size=+2]More features:[/size]

I should mention the metadata window which contains everything you would expect; frame rate, gamma, ISO camera setting and Exposure Index, ND filter setting, shutter angle, shutter speed, color temperature, db gain, camera master black level, time/date, and more!

metadata.png


Other features I found while testing the software were customizable video scopes (waveform, RGB parade, histogram), anamorphic support (x1.3, x2), zoom, x or y flip, the ability to import/export color adjustments into ASC-CDL or 3D LUT.

[size=+2]Missing:[/size]

I've put together a short list for Sony on their forums of what I recommend be implemented in future updates to make this software even more powerful. Mainly; highlights recovery slider, multi-undo/redo, more granular levels of adjustments to color control and the ability to type values in manually if desired, "resets" for all the separate color adjustments (currently global), method to delete nodes created via tone curves interface.


[size=+2]Addendum:[/size]

[size=+2]Catalyst Browse[/size]

Browse 1.10:

Added a Vectorscope tool to the Adjust Color workspace.
Added support for multifile transcoding when all source files use the same source settings.
Added support for reading DNxHD clips.
Added support to combine to one file when copying a spanned AVCHD clip.
Added support for reading SD MPEG-2 clips.
Added support for writing XDCAM EX clips to SxS memory cards.
Added support for transcoding to interlaced XAVC formats.
Added the Transcode button to the Adjust Color workspace.
Added Brightness and Contrast sliders to the Adjust Color workspace.
Added support for reading Apple ProRes 422 files (Mac only).
Added support for showing source clips from the Media Browser. Select a file, click the File button at the bottom of the Media Browser, and choose Show in Finder (Mac)/Show in Explorer (Windows).
Added support for showing additional metadata values in the Media Browser.
Fixed a bug that could prevent color correction settings from being applied to all clips in a clip list.

Browse 1.1.1
Added Japanese and Simplified Chinese language support.
Fixed a bug that prevented some unsupported files from displaying their unsupported status correctly in the Video Preview (Mac only).
Improved image quality for files transcoded to XAVC format.

Browse 1.2
Added support for transcoding to XDCAM HD and HD422 formats.
Added support for transcoding to long-GOP MPEG-2 formats.
Added support for transcoding to SStP format.
Added support for transcoding to XAVC Intra formats using the Sony XAVC encoder. Presets are now labeled to indicate whether they use the Sony or MainConcept encoder.
Added 720p and 1080i presets for transcoding to XAVC format.
Added 720p and 1080i presets for transcoding to Apple ProRes format (Mac only).
Added support for transcoding clips between the mark in/out points of the source clip.
Added support for copying a snapshot of the current frame to the clipboard.
Added support for adding, deleting, and editing essence marks.
Added support for sequentially previewing multiple selected clips.
Added support for scaling the video preview in the Adjust Color workspace.
Added support for HiDPI displays when running under Windows.
When adding clips to a clip list, subclips now inherit title and description metadata from the source clip.

Browse 1.2.1
Updated Japanese and Simplified Chinese language support.
Fixed a bug that could cause 4K clips shot on the Sony F5 camera to incorrectly display an error icon in Catalyst Browse.
Fixed a bug that could cause the application to incorrectly state that installation was successful when attempting to install to a disk with insufficient space.


[size=+2]Catalyst Prepare[/size]

2.0 What's New
Notable fixes/changes in version 2.0
Added presets for exporting Apple ProRes clips (OS X only).
Added support for XDCAM PD proxy files when browsing PDW-700, PDW-800, and PDW-850 flash memory.
Added support for copying a snapshot of the current frame to the clipboard.
Added support for adding, deleting, and editing essence marks.
Added support for sequentially previewing multiple selected clips.
Added support for scaling the video preview in the Adjust Color workspace.
Added support for HiDPI displays when running under Windows.
Added audio channel configuration controls to the Summary tab in the Inspector.
Added audio channel tools to the Summary tab in the Inspector to allow you to load and save channel-configuration presets or copy channel assignments and paste them to multiple selected files.
Thumbnail images now reflect color correction settings.
Fixed a bug that could cause the application to crash when canceling an import operation.
Fixed a bug that could cause the application to freeze when exporting a storyboard to Adobe Premiere on a computer with a French or German operating system.
Fixed a bug that could cause transcoding to fail when the source media resolution did not match the target resolution.
Fixed a bug that could cause incorrect timecode values when transcoding an SD clip to an HD format.
Fixed a bug that prevented some unsupported files from displaying their unsupported status correctly in the Video Preview (OS X only).
Fixed a bug that could cause the Grade in drop-down list in the Options menu to be empty when you first start the application.
Improved image quality for files transcoded to XAVC format.
Catalyst Prepare 2.0 is a free upgrade to owners of Catalyst Prepare. If you purchased and registered any previous version of Catalyst Prepare, a new Catalyst Prepare 2.0 serial number will be created in your My Account profile on sonycreativesoftware.com.

For online registration, just log in on the registration web page after starting Catalyst Prepare 2.0, and the serial number will be preselected for you.

For offline registration, log in to the web site from another device and find your serial number (https://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/myaccount/mysoftware).

Version 2.0 serial numbers will also be provided to registered owners via e-mail.
Features in version 1.0
Catalyst Prepare is the fast, simple, reliable path from camera to post.
In Import mode, you can browse your computer for media files that you want to import to your media libraries.
In Organize mode, you can browse and organize the clips in your media libraries.
In Edit mode, you can preview media, mark in and out points, and apply color correction.
In Export mode, you can export clips to additional volumes or devices and transcode files.
Notable fixes/changes in version 1.2
Added support for rendering to XDCAM HD and HD422 formats.
Improved performance for previewing RAW video.
Notable fixes/changes in version 1.1
Added a Vectorscope tool to the Adjust Color workspace.
Added Brightness and Contrast sliders to the Adjust Color workspace.
Added support for reading Apple ProRes 422 files (OS X only).
Added support for exporting DNxHD clips.
Added support to combine to one file when copying a spanned AVCHD clip.
Added support for reading SD MPEG-2 clips.
Added support for writing XDCAM EX clips to SxS memory cards.
Added support for transcoding to interlaced XAVC formats.
Added support for showing additional metadata values in the Media Browser.
Fixed a bug that prevented the application from reading some files recorded by the PXW-FS7 camera.
Fixed a bug that could prevent color correction settings from being applied to all clips in a clip list.


www.sonycreativesoftware.com/catalystbrowse

www.sonycreativesoftware.com/catalystprepare
 
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I think your (of course sensible and desirable) wants are noise for now.

Simply we need to be able to dump with a client and have them Delog,Sustain EI and transcode to their resolution/codec for free.

For deeper stuff I think Resolve will win.

Even RCx is basically useless, well was last time I checked, because it does not allow tracked dodging and burning which is really what opens the power of a fat codec.

BTW you can reset stuff non globally the icon under the curves, for example will just reset the curves?

One thing - audio - ive configured Resolve to transcode without the 6 empty audio tracks and unlinking the first two from stereo pair to dual mono - to creat real edit ready stuff - If sony actually care they should look at that.

To me a clear agenda.
CatBrowse - free does sony cameras - for clients
CatPrepre - costs - does all/most cameras - for professional DITs

S
 
Should it be free but not work well?

While the free/not-free debacle gets sorted out, me personally I'd rather worry about the tools set actually being useful, professional and comparable to what people are already familiar with.

Yes "Tone Curve" can be reset independently but no other controls. Also if you add a node it can not be removed. Sliders and wheels are not granular enough thus with certain grades you can not precisely place your pedestal, mid tones or highlights.

It's bad and borderline useless. Sony needs useable software before worrying it is free.
 
What I want most out of this software is to batch export into dnx or prores and delog or create lut settings to hand over to post. I find it hard to pay $199 for that and my wants lie between the browse & prepare features. I'd pay a small fee to unlock batch processing and all resolutions in browse or i'd pay the full $199 for a more comprehensive colour suite features. Right now the products land just outside of my desires.
 
starcentral said:
Should it be free but not work well.
Click to expand...

The free client one does not need to be deep - just a simple route from LogEi to PunchyLutted ProRes (etc)

The paid one needs to be vey deep to beat resolve!
====

My vision..

Client "can you shoot baked"

Me; "really trust me - If I shoot LogEI you can get a look in a completely automated manner - the same as you will see on your onset monitor- just open the software and transcode - no button pressing or grading for you"

Me; "the thing about doing it like that is if we need or want to we can revisit the footage later and colour it if you have a budget or need to use the footage in a more colour critical project, by baking we are throwing away our options for the future"


The job
Shoot
Dump to client HD
Client opens the software, appleA transcode all, has some tea.
Client now has edit ready footage, and likely a 4k log master for the future

Now the client may also have a little fiddle and start to think 'hey this is cool' I love the Temp Tint and Exposure sliders just like I play with my pictures at home in Lightroom"

Future, client hires Mr C300 "where are my sliders" C300 owner - "sorry not possible"

Next job client phones Sony owner :)

To me the critical USP is that CB gives the client a direct and simple route from onset monitor to prores in their NLE that match.

Id take basic but functional and free as the top priority.

S
 
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RatLabProductions said:
What I want most out of this software is to batch export into dnx or prores and delog or create lut settings to hand over to post. I find it hard to pay $199 for that and my wants lie between the browse & prepare features. I'd pay a small fee to unlock batch processing and all resolutions in browse or i'd pay the full $199 for a more comprehensive colour suite features. Right now the products land just outside of my desires.
Click to expand...

According to Sony, the beta version of Catalyst Browse did have batch export while the new release of Catalyst Browse did not so it's very likely we will see batch export come back on a subsequent release.

I think this software is great otherwise and on the right track but its not ready for prime-time.
 
We all have different priorities but I dont think it will ever be ready for "primetime" vs Resolve with secondaries, tracking, basically everything. Id just like to see it work.

If you are planning to shoot SlogEI there is currently NO way to pass your meta data/intent to the client apart from CB and CP (I have contacted resolve about EI support) and with clients not knowing your intent.. well the situation is very open for placing eggs on faces (and keeping the C300 king of the hill)

Imagine if Red stuck all footage as 800/3200 or whatever - basically the camera would have been a fail, but RCx carries the operator intent (ISO,Cbalance) in to post.

Im serious about the work Sony need to do to make their cameras client friendly - it is really really important for them and more important us - there is a reason the C300 is so big and it is not the image!
 
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IMPORTANT UPDATE: It is in fact possible to use Prepare on existing footage already copied to the hard drive. Ian from Sony has indicated if the files are already copied or otherwise present on the system, go to Organize and select Folder-->Add Existing. That folder will be added as a Source and you can transcode or copy from there withoput having to do an Import.
 
Sam - you will get what you want with Catalyst Browse, Sony is going to address batch export so you will have your quick and free speedy add a Look Profile and immediately export solution.

But go adjust the gain and gamma upwards then try the "lift" control to reduced shadows - suddenly the adjustments become to coarse and you can not get precise with it. It's a bug and if i'm going to pay $199 for Prepare which is faster than Resolve and gives me more access to Sony meta-data plus ease of adding Look Profiles - I want it to work.
 
Absolutely for Prepare to be worth anything it must work to the highest demands of pros - but I still think that they will never catch resolve.

I note your comment on speed too.

I hope you are right about Browse.

Your requests are not dumb - Im just super panicking about the fact that Browse really needs to work before I do my first job next year.

I see the camera as kind of incomplete without CB working.

Just like our new 7d2 was 'unusable' for (stills) work until Canon released the patch for Lightroom. Seriously we had a brand new camera sitting on the desk that we would not use because it did not fit our workflow.

S
 
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On a crap computer I can play 4K XAVC files in Catalyst no problem but on the same computer Resolve chokes. I should have put that in my review.

Catalyst seems to fly..

Anyway Ian from Sony seems to be quite responsive and on the ball in terms of Catalyst. It's all progress and just when I felt down on Sony I am constantly impressed with what they are doing and getting more confident in my CineAlta investment.


Side note: Are you going to sell your F3 now?
 
Yes I got a message this morning when I fired up the old computer, haven't had a chance to try it out yet.

Let us know your findings, hopefully "batch" is back. ;)
 
FRESH OFF THE PRESS 15 minutes ago, V1.1 released and announced. Details are:

We just posted some new updates to Browse and Prepare.

Batch Transcoding has been restored in Browse (provided source clips are in the same format). Thanks to all who helped me lobby to get this restored asap. It was always part of the feature set but was temporarily removed for development reasons (admittedly at the worst possible time...)

There is a lot more in the works so stay tuned..



Browse 1.10:

Added a Vectorscope tool to the Adjust Color workspace.
Added support for multifile transcoding when all source files use the same source settings.
Added support for reading DNxHD clips.
Added support to combine to one file when copying a spanned AVCHD clip.
Added support for reading SD MPEG-2 clips.
Added support for writing XDCAM EX clips to SxS memory cards.
Added support for transcoding to interlaced XAVC formats.
Added the Transcode button to the Adjust Color workspace.
Added Brightness and Contrast sliders to the Adjust Color workspace.
Added support for reading Apple ProRes 422 files (Mac only).
Added support for showing source clips from the Media Browser. Select a file, click the File button at the bottom of the Media Browser, and choose Show in Finder (Mac)/Show in Explorer (Windows).
Added support for showing additional metadata values in the Media Browser.
Fixed a bug that could prevent color correction settings from being applied to all clips in a clip list.


Prepare 1.10:

Added a Vectorscope tool to the Adjust Color workspace.
Added Brightness and Contrast sliders to the Adjust Color workspace.
Added support for reading Apple ProRes 422 files (Mac only).
Added support for exporting DNxHD clips.
Added support to combine to one file when copying a spanned AVCHD clip.
Added support for reading SD MPEG-2 clips.
Added support for writing XDCAM EX clips to SxS memory cards.
Added support for transcoding to interlaced XAVC formats.
Added support for showing additional metadata values in the Media Browser.
Fixed a bug that prevented the application from reading some files recorded by the PXW-FS7 camera.
Fixed a bug that could prevent color correction settings from being applied to all clips in a clip list.

The apps should prompt for an update but if they do not you can update from Options-->About-->Check For Updates or by downloading from the below links and installing manually..

www.sonycreativesoftware.com/catalystbrowse

www.sonycreativesoftware.com/catalystprepare
 
morgan_moore said:
Even RCx is basically useless, well was last time I checked, because it does not allow tracked dodging and burning which is really what opens the power of a fat codec.
Click to expand...

That is never what Redcine-X was intended for and to completely dismiss such an incredible piece of free software because it doesn't have a tool usually found in finishing software is a touch disingenuous.

Extensive 'onelight' grade potential, great tool for prepping material, proxies, syncing to broadcast audio metadata editing etc.

Sony/Catalyst could learn a lot from what Redcine gets right to be honest.
 
Ben Scott said:
finishing software is a touch disingenuous.
Click to expand...

When I nearly bought a Red (before I didn't buy an F5!) i evaluated RCx as finishing software.

Obviously It is in another class to CB/P and yes Sony should download and digest. Esp if I was a 55 owner Id be none too pleased even of the GUI of the Sony ware which looks cheap, RCX at least looks the part.

Im looking at the Sony as a smash it out/proxies solution, it seems to my eye to be one step from there all good but batch colour kills it.

S
 
Regarding batch color on free version of Catalyst, you can just select the clips you want to transcode with the same color, then select your next chunk of clips with new color ,etc.. I really don't see it as big deal.
 
Great point. I dont know if there is a way of grouping them.

Simply in stills I have a very nailed workflow for 'smash it out' jobs - which is nearly everything-apart from HDR special jobs.

Consider my 'day at a school'

I open Capture one and usually correct image 0001 which might be of the woodwork room , I then copy that correction, I then paste that correction on to all the woodwork room shots, now I might go back to a couple of woodwork shots and make a further adjustment if my exposure was wonko. I then paste that correction to the first 'kitchen' shot - if it does not work (and in our situation we would hope it would becuause we are trying to shoot it for a single pass grade) I would then tinker this, kitchen frame, once that is right I move on to the Gym taking the last kitchen shot as a start point. I then export all.

Repeat and rinse, three days a week for a decade and you get fast at that.

Same in Resolve where the = and - keys rock.

But that is a very good way of getting out of the hole.

S
 
you can drag over a group of clips or hold down SHIFT key and click away.

Great thing about Catalyst is it's fool proof to use. No pages and pages of buried options like Resolve, so honestly for transcoding and simple de-logging where you're not getting into an extensive "grading session" I will be switching to this moving forward.

I'm getting the full version of Prepare regardless, I think its fantastic.
 
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