FS7: XAVC-i to DXnHQ

[Publimix]

I followed some threads about Davinci Resolve and XAVX-I. Now it seems to me that DXnHQ works better in Resolve than XAVC-I because xavc-i codec needs more computer power.

I work on a PC so transcoding to prores is not an alternative. Sony Catalyst Prepare does not transcode XAVC-I to DXnHQ (4K). !!!!

In Davinci Resolve I can transcode to DXnHQ but then the 25p changes into 29.97. There is no other option to choose from. (Edit: Yes there is).

Question 1: it worth transcoding xavc-i to hnxhq for a better/faster workflow
Question 2: and if so, what should be the best tool to transcode.

 

[Nirv]

Publimix

Have you explored Proxies in Resolve?

Resolve will transcode to DNxHD ProRes etc just select the type of Optimised Media and Select the clips you want to transcode in the Media manager and let Resolve handle it behind the scenes. No need to use a 3rd part tool. Check you Project Settings if you are getting the wrong frame rate.

 

[BeeHop]

Publimix

Hands down EditReady is the app your after. Its super fast, you can transcode to any flavour of ProRes or DXnHQ (4K) and will also down convert 4K to HD, also has an option to delete unused audio tracks whist transcoding. You will get much better performance in editing by getting out of the more compressed XAVX-I codec.

http://www.divergentmedia.com/editready

 

[starcentral]

option 1 ) edit and deliver in resolve. But you said you don't want to stay with native XAVC because of performance, so if your machine is slow then it probably will be with transcoding as well and that might be painful for you too. Can you consider some type of hardware upgrade? Or do you have the luxury to run transcodes overnight or for 24-48 hours?

option 2 ) create low quality proxy files in whatever codec you do have (H.264 will work and available on PC or Mac), edit to your heart's content, then export edit in EDL or XML from your NLE and import and relink inside Davinci Resolve for final output. (Roundtrip workflow).

option 3 ) What I did 4 years ago was invest in a macbook pro for access to ProRes. I don't need it for all jobs or clients but sometimes I do and hands down, no matter what even though I can't stand Apple's mantra, when you use something as common and foolproof as ProRes is just works and introduces very little problems later on in the post workflow pipeline. My macbook is now 4 years old and not really all that fast for transcoding 4K files from my F55 and I wanted a new powerful workstation so instead of buying a new mac pro workstation, I built a mac clone (Hackinstosh) for 1/3 the price. You read about that journey here


[EDIT:] By the way I have 23.98 and 24p options in my DNX output in Resolve, so it there something with your project setup that can be limiting you to 29?

 

[Publimix]

Nirv, Thanks. I started trying proxies but have to dig into the manual (and invest in more ssd?) The computer I use is a fast one Intel I7, 5390, 32mb ram 500mb ssd nvidia geforce 970 etc. Working in XAVC-I goes well. So it is not urgent. But a bit more speed would be nice. I checked the project settings and imported all files again. Now it works, can convert to DNxHQ in the propper framerate.


Dennis; I thought about the mac option, my pc should be easy to convert into a Hackintosh, but I am afraid that is not worth the effort. But being able to use both Prores and DNxHQ is nice. And mac is more common for editors as I learned. I sold mine a few years ago when Adobe photoshop and Indesign became interchangeable. (used for publishing). I expect catalyst prepare to have the option for dxnhq, maybe after an update.

BeeHop: What is the performance boost with Prores or DNxHQ? I would like to try Editready, but lack a mac. I read the website: EditReady takes advantage of hardware H.264 encode/decode functionality (this includes most modern Macs). Do you know if it works well on a hackintosh ?


Edit: BeeHop, I just managed to transcode the files in resolve so now I can test it. But still like your opinion about the performance.

 

[starcentral]

My plan is dual boot; osx on one SSD and Windows on another. I use PC more for my editing but lately OSX for Resolve and access to ProRes.

 

[Publimix]

Best of both worlds.
I think I'll ask my dear 17 year son to stop gaming and start turning the pc into a hackintosh.

 

[antcaladine]

If your transcoding to a DNx codec whether HD or 4K from a 10bit codec you need to make sure you choose the one with an X next to it.
X means 10bit. As you've been shooting XAVC-I then you've shot 10bit so choose DNxHQX else you've transcoded to 8.bit

 

[BeeHop]

ProRes & DNxHD are edit friendly codecs because they are relatively simple and use low compression ratios. XAVC has a more sophisticated algorithm which improves the quality at a lower bit rate than ProRes or DNxHD. So XAVC needs more computing power - but having said that people are finding similar results editing XAVC IntraFrame coz working with much smaller files kinda compensates for the extra computing load.

I choose ProRes because its simple, I find renders are a little quicker and grading better on my 27' 3.4Ghz i7 32GB RAM iMac. I also use ProRes coz i swing between FCP7 & Premiere. FCP7 doesn't support XAVC and i don't like FCPX.

But performance does depend on yr computer, and some PC's are super powerful compared to my iMac

 

[Publimix]

If your transcoding to a DNx codec whether HD or 4K from a 10bit codec you need to make sure you choose the one with an X next to it.
X means 10bit. As you've been shooting XAVC-I then you've shot 10bit so choose DNxHQX else you've transcoded to 8.bit

Just made that mistake, transcoded it and now it is 8 bit. So now I have some `write now while computer is doing it all again but then in 10 bit.

Some footage is 60fps and resolve couldn't playback very well, played between 10 fps and 18 fps. With the (8bit DXNHQ) is was a good 25 fps. In a few minutes I know how much faster DXnHQX is. (to XAVC-I)

(Edit 10 mins later) and it is faster! And more stable.