DVC Pro to Beta SP workflow

I have 4 hours of footage shot on DVC Pro 25 NTSC 29.97 that I have to send to a client out of state. It will end up being mastered to Beta SP on Final cut with a Kona card output. He needs me to convert to a format he can work from, he does not have a DVC Pro deck.
I have one of those half rack DVC Pro viewing decks that does not have a firewire out. In theory I could go analog out from that deck, through my DSR-11, then firewire out of that and capture to an external hard drive, then ship that to the client. I only have firewire for input. Just looking at this workflow screams "Multiple Conversions, Lousy Quality!". I can't output to Beta so can't really test the full workflow myself.
So for someone who works with multiple formats, is this a bad plan and should I just resign myself to going to a dub house? Or is there a chance this will work. The final product will be for broadcast, and they will add graphics (I know a problem with DV).
Thanks

He is editing on FCP, not worried he can see it. I'm more worried about the quality of the video after going through the DVC Pro >analog > DV Firewire > Beta SP conversions. He will output thfough his Kona, I don't have one.
I'd love to be able to ship the tapes and let them capture, but it's not an option. They are in a small town and don't have nearby resources to get DVC Pro eqipment. I'm not running across anyone I know who shoots in DVC Pro, and renting a deck would run about the same as dropping off and getting the tapes dubbed.
Will probably try a test run tonight and see what the video looks like if I take in in through my decks.

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DVC PRO HD workflow questions

I am about to edit a music promo shot using the Panasonic Varicam. I have a few questions.
We shot at 24, 25 (for a double speed track playback) and 60 fps are there any issues with this or things to consider when using the frame rate convertor in FCP. I am a bit concerned about the 25fps stuff, I notice that the DVC PRO HD settings in FCP are 24P.
Are there any other concerns with particular decks and FCP. I have done some searching, but none of it seems conclusive. From what I can see I will be fine using FW 400 to get it into the mac.
Any thoughts and experiences appreciated.
Keith

I'm with Tallguy...why did you shoot 25fps? That is a decidedly PAL format. That won't mix well with 23.98fps (24p) and 60p. YOu might have to use the Standards Converter from www.nattress.com in order to get it to play nice. Although thats for mixing 30fps and 25fps...not sure about 24fps and 25fps.
If you use the DVCPRO HD FRAME RATE CONVERTER you'll get great results.
Capture with a capture card via HD SDI if you can. Audio will be ahead of video by two frames if you capture via firewire. You'll have to slip it on the timeline when you edit...every clip.
Shane

Do I need to up my rig for DVC Pro or XDCam?

Hi, all.
I've been editing ACVHD shot with a Canon Vixia camcorder, which hasn't been much of a problem in terms of file sizes and processing. We're looking to improve our video capabilities and I've started shopping for a decent pro-sumer video camera. I'm looking mostly at Panasonic and Sony cameras and would like to know something about how the DVC Pro or XDCam formats work with AE and Premier. I'm assuming that these formats will produce much larger files, requiring more storage and possibly more processing power. At the moment I'm running a Dell Precision 490 tower with these specs:
Windows 7 Enterprise - 64 Bit OS
Processor: Intel (R) Xeon (R) CPU 5160 @ 3.00GHz (2 processors)
4.00 GB RAM
150GB HD
I've been running CS5, but an upgrade to CS6 is on the way. Project files have been stored on a network server, so the small HD hasn't been a problem, but I'm usually writing and reading over ethernet. Our finished videos usually run about 3-5 minutes, but occassionally we might do something running between 20-30 minutes.
So, my questions:
- will this system, as is, be able to handle prosumer video formats? If not, what kind of system or external hardware would I need to bring me to at least entry level specs for this kind of work?
- will working over the network be an issue? If so, what will I need for internal/external hard drives?
- are there other questions I should be asking? What am I not considering?
I don't know how much money I can get for this, so I need to bring my bosses a number that won't scare the hell out of them. I can probably bring the camera and assessories in for under $10,000, but I'm guessing that adding two new high-powered work stations might double that figure. Not sure exactly where the line is. Can anyone offer any insight or advice? I certainly don't want to invest in a decent camera only to find I don't have the muscle to edit the footage.
My thanks in advance for any help or information.

Well, the deal is that I work for a State agency where I produce videos for public consumption via our YouTube channel as well as training DVDs and some other applications. It took me about seven years to get any money to work with (used my own personal cameras until then), and even then was given only $3000 to buy a video camera, DSLR, lighting, and teleprompter. After a three more years of whining, they've finally decided to "resource" our production effort.
I suspect I can wrangle about a $10,000 budget, but I'm hoping I might be able to get as much as $15-20,000. This has to buy a camera, accessories, and anything else I may need for the foreseeable future. Renting isn't really an option and whatever I get now is probably what I'll be working with for the next 6-10 years (if I don't get a better job or hang myself before then), so I want to invest in technologies or formats that have staying power.
That's why I'm asking whether I need faster machines to handle these pro and prosumer formats. If I need to factor new workstations or other hardware into my calculations, I'll need to plan for that now. From what I'm reading, it seems that it'll actually take less processing power to work with intraframe compression, but this may be offset by the much larger file sizes.
By the way, I really appreciate everyone's responses. This community has unquestionably been my most reliable resource for over fifteen years now.

Looking for best soluce to compress a DVC Pro 25 movie 3min

Hi,
(sorry for my poor english, i'm french...)
I am looking for a good soluce to compress a DVC Pro 25 movie (during 3minutes).
I must to compress this movie to reduce the time to transfert by FTP a 750Mo file,
when the file is transfered, i must decompress to create a "new" DVC pro 25 for editing with final cup.
i think (but i'm not an expert in this domain) it is possible to obtain a good compression ratio ( 25%, 50%, or better ?)
Can you respond to me :
1) What is the better soluce , compressor ? or ohter software ?
2) What is the codec to use ? MPEG2, ... ?
3) What is the possible ratio
4) what is the time to compress on a mac pro ?
Thanks for all,
Best regards

Hi,
Thanks for your answer,
but my "problem" is that i dont have a mac,
i try to obtain a soluce for this situation to transfer quickly
and after the user must to edit the movie (letter, logo,...)
so, the quality must be "good" or "very good"
Are you sure the MPEG2 H264 codec is good for this ?
I know, i can with bitrate, adjust the quality, but i can't make a try...
If somebody can't try for me, just to inform the size after,
Thanks for all,
bests regard,
Laurent

DVC Pro 50 dubb with 4 channels of audio on AJHD1200AP deck

I have captured Digi Beta footage at Prores 422HQ with 4 channels of audio using a Kona card through SDI. Is it possible to create a DVC Pro 50 master with 4 channels of audio (the 4 channels in the timeline go to the channels they are assigned to) using firewire. I have never been able to capture any DVC pro 25 or 50 from this deck using firewire. I have only been able to capture HD footage. Also would this be easier if I purchased the HD SDI/SDI optional card?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

maybe this does a better job of explaining:
I edited a film without syncing the sound first, and the video files only had 2 audio channels. After syncing they have 4, but when I import them back into premiere it only allows me to use to of the audio channels, is there anyway to get them back in to premiere with all 4 channels attached.

Export Quicktime from a DVC Pro HD 720p60 Project

I've read the discussions and am still looking for some solid answers on this and /or confirmation that I've done it correctly.
I'm working in a DVC Pro HD 720p60 project
Sequence setting frame size is 960x720
(no I don't know what it was shot on)
The cuts are :30 spots and I'm looking to do 2 things for my producer.
1) export the spots so that he can compress them as desired for his reel on his website, for which I've done the following:
File - Export - Quicktime Conversion - Settings, H.264, size 1920x1080
Is this the best way to do this?
2) export the spots so that he can add them to his reel when he wants to on dvd, for which I've done the following:
I created a new DV50 project and cut the spots into them.
File - Export - Quicktime Movie - Current Settings
I also tried:
File - Export - Quicktime Conversion - Settings, H.264
The strange thing was that the H.264 on this looked better than the quicktime movie.
Any thoughts? Much appreciated!

Well, if you need to get it to the web guy to compress as he sees fit, then you will need to provide him with...well, what he wants. You need to ask him (her) what they want you to give to them.
And the dimensions would be 1280x720. 960x720 is squeezed anamorphically. and going to 1920x1080 is makig it bigger than the original.
As for the H.264 for DVD. Compressing it like that, then compressing again for DVD...icky. It looks better? Well then, maybe it darkened or brightened the footage as it compressed it. You might consider color correcting your main footage if you like that look.
And you weren't in a DV or DVCPRO 50 project, you were in a DVCPRO HD project. Why cut it in a one of those settings? it won't look any better, in fact, it will look worse. And compressing it for DVD ro the web wouldn't be any easier. Sorry, I guess I don't understand your reasoning here.
DV 50 isn't what it was shot nor edited at. It is DVCPRO HD...DVCPRO 100. Export self contained using sequence settings and it is EXACTLY the same quality as the original footage in the timeline.
Shane

35mm, DigiBeta or DVC Pro HD (1080/60i)???

Looking for some guidance .......
we edited a short file that was originally shot on 16mm, but the filmmaker decided to transfer it to DV cam for some unknown reason. We logged and captured with a DV deck and naturally assumed that the final output would be DV cam again. But now the filmmaker advised that it is needs be in either 35mm, DigiBeta or DVC Pro HD (1080/60i) for their screening.
We know already that 35mm is crazy expensive. How would go about Digibeta or DVC Pro HD? Can we rent a deck? Any idea how much? Or is it better to burn to DV tape and do an outside transfer? If you need futher details, please feel free to email me at [email protected] or aol IM at paknyc
Thanks,
joeyngloria

well of course that's the cheapest and easiest way to go but you shot FILM! It deserves much better treatment that a DVCam xfer.... but if ya don't have the $$$$ then that's another story.

Upconverting from DVC Pro HD to a 10-bit codec

Hi,
I'm working on a project that has been edited in DVC Pro HD (720p). There are a lot of layered effects and color adjustments. We want to move the project to a 10-bit codec for final rendering and mastering.
What is the best way to make this transition?
Is it better to use the Media Manager to make a recompressed copy of the project, change the codec in the Sequence Settings and force a rerender, or simply export a quicktime movie with a 10-bit codec? (will simply exporting re-render the effects in 10-bit color space?)
We're using FCP 5.1.4 and a Kona LHe card on a MacPro Quad G5

dwburman wrote:
We're using FCP 5.1.4 and a Kona LHe card on a MacPro Quad G5
What do you mean by final rendering and mastering? I ask because I'd argue that the benefits of going 10-bit (vs 8-bit, in most cases) only apply to smoother gradients and intensive color correction (where you're aggressively altering color balance, recoloring shots or greatly adjusting contrast). If all that has already been done, I'm not sure that I, personally, see the benefit in what you're looking to do.
Also, since you're working with FCP 5.1.4 - and cannot go ProRes422 - can you afford the extra hard drive space and drain on your resources? Correct me if I'm wrong, but your only choice would be to go from DVCProHD to 10-Bit Uncompressed. Which means files, what, about 4-5x larger?
All those doubts aside - meaning you have the drive space available and have yet to do color correction - I'd use Media Manager to create a new project using only the media referenced and, as mentioned by ap_TonyTony, use FCP to render out in 10-bit.
If you're also looking to uprez the material (going up to 1080p, for instance) then I'd dump those new clips into Compressor, crank up the Frame Controls and let the machine churn out files for the next 3 days. Once that's done, I'd go into your fresh Media Manager-created project and do a manual reconnect to your 1080p stuff.
Or am I totally lost on what you're attempting to do?

Converting DVC PRO HD to NTSC 720x486

Help
I shot my project in DVC PRO HD 720p24 and I want to transfer it to a 720 x 486. What is the best way? I have to export to a QT so is it best to crop it or can I keep the image as is and let it just letterboxed. If the second option is better how do we go about doing so? Thanks for any help in advance.
Guy

Create a new sequence, either 8-bit Uncompressed SD or 10-bit Uncompressed SD.
Drop your DVCProHD sequence into the new sequence. It should automatically scale and letterbox.
If you're happy with letterbox, you're done. If you want to crop the left & right, simply adjust the scale setting.

Using DVC Pro HD with FCP 5.1.4

Hey everyone!
I'm planning a new project and both the client and myself would like to use DVC Pro HD for filming. I'm just a little worried about how FCP 5 will handle the gig. As well I like to know if any other gear such a Raid drives are necessary. I would really appreciate any advice.
Thanks in advance

Hi Shane,
You answered a questioned I posted on the apple discussion site about editing in DVCPRO HD, I guess because my gig is rapidly approaching and I want to get things done right I have another question. I hope you don't mind.
I have a MacBook Pro 2.16GHz with 1 gig of ram, I was planning on using an AJ HDX900 or 400 for shooting. I'm going to purchase an Apple 23" inch cinema display and most like a Matrox MXO as you suggested I would probably need. " Buy what you need when you need it" or something like that right! You can see I have been reading your blog. Back to the matter at hand, I was wondering if my set up is fast enough and powerful enough to edith the material and do I use the Matrox to output to a betacam deck afterwards? Sorry my questions may seem a little or very simple but I am rather new to the industry.
Thanks for any help,
Guy
PS I also mailed this to you so just ignore one or the other, thanks again and happy Canada day!

Transfer vision from DVC PRO 50 to XDCAM for Final Cut Express

Hi there friends....
I would like to transfer vision from DVC PRO 50 to XDCAM 700.
Can you please advise the best/quickest method.
Regards

Hi Flore
This a huge debate. There are very few advantages to the new AVCHD camera's and the vgery long list of negative aspects of AVCHD camera's outweighs any usefulness of them. They are designed for Grandad to pick up and shoot good quality pictures and not for editing.
I have posted below the wiki address for AVCHD, please read the page. It is very important you do read it. It explains in depth about AVCHD.
I feel the is no real place for the hard drive based AVCHD camera. There is a place for a mini-dv tape based camera.
Life will be very hard if you go the Hard-drive camera route. Stay with tape.
Tape is cheap, hardy and easy to move around. Hard drives not so!!!
Take some time to read the following wikipedia page...PLEASE READ THIS PAGE!!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVCHD
You will see that AVCHD is not all the bee's knee's.
I personally hope it dies an extremly painful agonising drawnout death.
AVCHD has no place in the professional domain.
Justin... Durban.. South Africa

DVC Pro Tape and DV tape not good in Final Cut Pro 5?

I have a DVCPro tape along with a deck as well as a DV tape along with a deck for that.
I started final cut pro and used the NTSC easy setup. I first captured the DVC Pro, when it was done i tried to play it in the viewer and it would play for less then a second then stop. However when i brought it down to the timeline it played fine in the canvas.
So i when ahead a captured the DV tapes onto the same project. When it was completed i tried to play it back using my DV hardware to my TV but i would only see picture and no audio. ALl my settings were correct and the audio would only play on Mbox or the internal speaker in a G5. I thought i had a bad connection but the DVC Pro tape worked fine with audio. So i figured i go back to the DVC File i captured and when i pulled it up in the viewer everything is green and no picture what so ever.
Can anyone please help

#8 External Monitor Viewing.
Shane's Stock Answer #8:
A simple path is mac > firewire > camera or deck > rca cables > tv
Then start up your camera and tv, then open fcp.
Then go View > External video > all frames
Video playback should be Apple firewire NTSC (If you are using an NTSC set)
Audio playback should be Audio follows Video
Techinially, this should send synched video to your TV
If for some reason you can't view your timeline on your external monitor, there are a few things to try:
1) Make sure that the camera/deck is connected and powered on BEFORE you open FCP.
2) In the Final Cut Pro menu select AUDIO/VIDEO Preferences and make sure your signal is being sent out thru Firewire DV.
3) Go to the menu and select VIEW>EXTERNAL>ALL FRAMES.
4) Click in the % box above the image and select FIT TO WINDOW.
5) Go to VIEW->refresh A/V devices
6) Make sure the Log & Capture window is closed
If you want it to play in both the canvas and the external monitor you need to go to the FINAL CUT PRO menu and select AUDIO/VIDIO settings and make sure MIRROR ON DESKTOP is selected under the PLAYBACK OUTPUT section
Shane

White screen issue with DVC Pro HD

I have a G5, have Final Cut HD and have upgraded to QT 7 Pro. I am trying to open an HD file I shot last year, which was edited on another system. When I try to open the clip, it is a white screen with audio. The movie info is as follows.
DVCPRO HD (720p60), 1280 x 720, Millions
16-bit Integer (Big Endian), Stereo, 48.000 kHz
Any ideas on why it is not playing? Thanks!
John M

ok... i just got this on mine. yesterday i was just getting ready to log subclips from fcp5, and when i opened the project file, i noticed that all my subclips i created and orignal clip where all red / out. so i closed fcp5 and went to the location of the file. i double clicked it, and behold, white screen, audio only.. so i had to completely redo the convertion of the orginal file.
next day
I was looking for a subclip that i had already extracted from the main file, and when i double clicked it showed the video. after that closed the window, and someone asked me to reopen the quicktime file again, i double clicked it, and all of a sudden the video was white, and only audio.
ive spent about 4 to 5 hours researching with someone else on this issue and have yet to find anything such as a fix, or work around, but my video keeps disappearing which is disturbing. from what we have come down to the issue is deals within quicktime are below...
we believe that quicktime is somehow changing the codecs DVC PRO and changing it to "Integer (Big Endian), Timecode, Video.." that is what it says.. and comepletely removing the codec for the video, and deleting the video footage, but keeping the audio in place perfectly. now, we also used metadatahootenanny to inspect a copy of the file and low and behold severe corrupt of the meta data in the quicktime file. the issue be with quicktime interaction with storage, or a bug quicktime behalf. we need to find a solution to this issue. we are currently in contact with apple tech support and hopefully we will be posting a answer soon.

MAC pro is BETTER??

Hey again. I was considering purchasing an alien-ware desktop computer, either the area-51 7500 or the aurora 7500 with the default setups. However, after seeing the Mac Pro, I was hesitant about making that purchase.
Would the MAC Pro be better than these two machines. ?
Both would have one dual core processer, 1 GB ram.
Ignore the video cards and hard drive sizes.
I plan to use Windows XP.
The SATA hard drive problem will soon be fixed so I am not worried about that issue.
Thanks!!
(this may be the deciding factor on the purchase)

For me, support is everything... over the last 2 1/2 months, I've had troubles with my machine and had it at the Apple Store for quite a while. I did a lot of complaining to the folks at Apple about certain things and to make a long story short, they've taken care of me. The MacPro is incredibly quiet, and runs beautifully. Of course this is with OSX and not Windows, so your experience might differ.
While I was going through the headache, I did some research into other machines, mostly Alienware and Dell. What I found out about Alienware scared me good and far away from their products. I simply Googled Alienware and found a lot of customer reviews about their support and customer service and it was not pretty.
I'm sure if you get a machine that works flawlessly, you may never have to experience these short-comings, (not that the reviews about buying were good at all), but if you don't, it sounds like they're very contentious and if you return the machine, you're slapped with a $250.00 re-stocking fee.
Of course this is just my 2¢; do the research, it won't be hard to find, and come up with your own conclusions, just be aware of what you might have to go through.
The service you get after you buy is just as critical as the treatment you receive when shelling out the money.
Good luck.
-Vincent
Mac Pro 2.66 Mac OS X (10.4.7) 1 GB RAM

Hello, I am contemplating buying a video camera, used. Its a PANASONIC DVC PRO AJ– D 200 BROADCAST QUALITY CAMCORDER.

Hello, I am contemplating buying a video camera, used. Its a PANASONIC DVC PRO AJ– D 200 BROADCAST QUALITY CAMCORDER.
I see it uses S-video 4-pin x 1, to transfer from the tape. I do not know if I can do this with my intel imac. Would I need a special cable?
I have no clue. thanks
Ann

Hello, I am contemplating buying a video camera, used. Its a PANASONIC DVC PRO AJ– D 200 BROADCAST QUALITY CAMCORDER.
I see it uses S-video 4-pin x 1, to transfer from the tape. I do not know if I can do this with my intel imac. Would I need a special cable?
I have no clue. thanks
Ann

DVC Pro to Beta SP workflow

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