What do the downloaded files look like? Proprietary wrapper?

[Ripple]

Do individual clips on these VDSLR's already have a Quicktime wrapper (or something similar)?

Is it possible to view clips from these cameras (after downloading them) without using log and transfer in FCP (or other cutting app)?

Can I move individual clips from one folder to another without opening FCP (after the clips are downloaded and the camera is disconnected)?

Do individual clips contain metadata regarding when they were shot?

I thought I heard that these files must be transcoded into ProRes or similar before they can be edited, which is fine with me. Does the process go relatively smoothly?

Thanks in advance.

Where I'm coming from:

I'm currently using a Canon HF-100. It's been OK for my purposes.

Something strange happened when I was downloading pictures from my wife's Panasonic Lumix LX-3. I found I could open and watch the video clips directly, simply by double-clicking on them. Additionally, I could move them individually from one folder to another. Apparently, they already had Quicktime wrapper.

Until then, I'm not sure I fully appreciated what an unnecessary pain postproduction prep has been with my HF-100. As many of you know, the only way to even watch a single clip full screen (after it's downloaded) is by importing entire folders using the log and transfer window in FCP, transcoding them into ProRes, and then round-tripping them back and forth to Compressor to remove the 24p telecine.

 

[PerroneFord]

Wow! I thought Macs were supposed to be easy? I can see any clip from the HF-S100 or the 5D/7D/T2i simply by double clicking it on my laptop or desktop PC. Piece of cake.

The DSLRs (Canon's) are already in .MOV wrappers. Not much metadata there though I am afraid.

 

[Ripple]

Wow! I thought Macs were supposed to be easy? I can see any clip from the HF-S100 or the 5D/7D/T2i simply by double clicking it on my laptop or desktop PC. Piece of cake.

The DSLRs (Canon's) are already in .MOV wrappers. Not much metadata there though I am afraid.

Hugh. I'll double-check on a PC to see if I can watch the files full screen without importing them. I'll also check to make sure my drivers are up to date.

Could you sort individual clips in different folders, then import into log and transfer individually? I assume you're using Avid Media Composer or Premier? Do you edit the HF-100 ACHD clips and Canon VDSLR clips in their native codecs, or do you transcode to another codec?

Many thanks for your time.

 

[PerroneFord]

I have VLC (Video Lan) installed as a reader, and I use it to view 5D/7D files all the time. Should work on a Mac as well.

I have no idea why you'd want to sort clips into different folders. I've done this in Avid and with Vegas, and there's just no need. And *NO* I do not edit the native codec. That's silly, and in most cases horribly slow even with powerful machines.

 

[floop]

I'm not sure if your questions is regarding hf100 or vdslr clips. On the 7d, i don't use the canon software. I stick the cf card into a reader (mac or pc) and can view the clips
in quicktime. I copy the files to my hard drive, move them around and sort them how i see fit before converting/importing.

The biggest gain for converting to intermediate codec is the codec itself. The 7d records using a long gop, so the computer has to read a whole buncha frames to display a frame. This often makes editing very slow. The native codec is also is fairly lossy and if you do much color or effect layering, it gets ugly, quickly. By dumping it to intermediate codec first it makes editing fast and makes heavy processing a little nicer/smoother.

hope that helps or something.

Hugh. I'll double-check on a PC to see if I can watch the files full screen without importing them. I'll also check to make sure my drivers are up to date.

Could you sort individual clips in different folders, then import into log and transfer individually? I assume you're using Avid Media Composer or Premier? Do you edit the HF-100 ACHD clips and Canon VDSLR clips in their native codecs, or do you transcode to another codec?

Many thanks for your time.