HDV or XDCAM timeline - graphics 1440x1080 or 1920x1080?

If I am creating graphics in Photoshop for an HDV or XDCAM 1080p timeline, both which are 1440x1080, does it matter if the graphics are 1440x1080(1.33) or 1920x1080(square)? Which size creates the highest quality?
Thanks for your help!
John

Hey Andy
FCP X will handle the realtime transcode of the native XDCAM source footage (to ProRes) for playback and effect handling, thereafter any render files will be physically created in the ProRes format, so technically you'd be fine sticking with XDCAM ... in FCP 7 lingo the FCP X workflow is akin to editng your native XDCAM footage in a ProRes timeline (with Umlimited RT turned on), which was often the preferred workflow for that format. That said, others preferred to get out of the XDCAM format altogether as quickly as possible, and transcoding to ProRes (or Optimizing Media as FCP X likes to call it) will certainly provide you with better timeline, playback and effect handling performance.
Given what you've told us about the project, Id be inclined to stick with the former method and forgo the probably unecessary transcode.
Just my opinion of course, others may have good reason for suggesting otherwise.
Cherers
Andy

Similar Messages

Long HDV and XDCAM clips through Final Cut Server

Hi,
I know that I could post this in Compressor and/or Quicktime and/or Leopard/Tiger Forums, but as this problem it`s causing my Final Cut Server to not working well, I think it makes sense to post here.
To resume: HDV and XDCAM clips (all on original codec, only xdcam transferred to mov in xdcam transfer) with file size bigger than exactly 4GB always FAILS in "Final Cut Server"/"Compressor alone in ANY machine installed from scratch"/"Anything that uses Quicktime". Source and Destination being localy or networked. DV or DV50 can get bigger than that, I`ve never seen this error with DV`s codecs.
I had seen this problem before I bought final cut server. When I was transcoding our interviews for transcription. We always worked with BETA SP and captured in DV or DV50. We were starting to go to HDV and now to XDCAM and this error has started to appear.
I have a "proxy" made a year ago from a HDV and it`s original has 8GB. I tried this file again and as I expected didn`t work. In ANY computer with any installations with only the latest updates. I`ve remembered that I was using Tiger at this time, and Quicktime/Tiger/ProApps had a old version.
My two cents are that some update from Tiger/Leopard/QuickTime/ProApps made this happen.
So ANY HDV/XDCAM file bigger than 4GB it`s FAILING in ANY system. (Tiger or Leopard, With or without FCP and QT PRO, Installed from scratch and updated every thing).
Some tests I`ve made:
-Compressor works with this two codecs to lower res in TIGER and with QuickTime Version 7.4.0 and LOWER. (had to be tested, but I think that was my version of QT when I managed to make the proxy of this two codecs).
-Compressor doesn`t work on any system with QT above 7.4.0.
-CATDV (http://www.squarebox.co.uk/) version 6 can make proxy versions of this two codecs in TIGER ONLY! They already know of this problem and CATDV 7 works on both.
-Compressing in compressor with H.264 (same codec as the FCSvr proxy) BUT without changing the resolution, size and etc. Works OK in both Tiger and Leopard.
-Exporting through QT works in ANY system BUT I loose TC, so it`s not an option (and I can`t input this workflow in FCSvr without using compressor).
-Exporting from FCP as QuickTime Movie with H.264 doesn`t work on Both (Tiger and Leopard).
-Exporting fro FCP as QuickTime Conversion with H.264 works but as exporting from QT I loose TC and can`t input this into FCSvr workflow.
Error message are always: "QuickTime error = -50" or "QuickTime error: corrupted data" (and of course it`s not corrupted because it`s used - even in FCP to edit - and opened viewed, catdv can do proxy and everything).
I`m surprised not to see anyone freaking out about this issue... I don`t think that It`s only me.
This is some problems that I came across while trying to find a solution:
http://www.paulescandon.com/blog/?p=39
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4912265&#4912265
http://www.squarebox.co.uk/faq155.html
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=5513003&#5513003
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1903644&tstart=0
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1780228
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1853507
As you can see this is not the first time I`ve posted about this issue.
I`m sending a bug report as well.
Thank You all in advance.
Regards

Hi Chará!
We should, but I think the others will be disappointed eheheheh.
It doesn`t matter what version of Leopard I`m using (right know I`m using Leopard Server 10.5.6, but this issue has happened even with 10.4 if QT is updated and all updates of 10.5 up, as I`
ve mentioned above).
What file size are those clips that are longer than 10min?
I really don`t get, how it`s possible that just the two of us has HDV and XDCAM files with file size longer than usual? Maybe people that do interviews don`t like to record the entire interview and when capturing those clips would be under this file size limit? Or maybe we are the only ones in the whole world that transcode longer HDV and XDCAM clips (it`s funny that it doesn`t even need to be FCSrv, with only ONE machine and compressor this issue happens all the time).
I`m convinced that I have to install a Tiger version in a virtual machine with compressor and doesn`t update anything to test this further on. But I`m certain that with TIGER and CATDV this works ok! And I think that CATDV uses QT engine to do this transcodes.
This is too much of a mystery to me. Maybe it`s time to spend 24+ hours with apple in a international call and probably not getting anywhere.
I`m only posting this here in FCSrv forum because this issue it`s must worse when you have hundreds of clips with this issue and if you bought the package it doen`t matter if it`s a problem with QT+OSX or whatever, apple has to solve it for FCSrv use.
Do you reckon?
Let`s get in touch through email: lucas at rwcine.com.br
(at = @ and delete spaces).
Regards

Gypsy-rigging a fast, "fake" XDCAM timeline export

I work in a training environment of a production facility where we currently shoot and edit XDCAM 1080/60i 35VBR footage. We started out shooting on DV and editing on Final Cut Pro G4 laptops, and gradually upgraded to XDCAM footage over a few years, and are now editing on macbook pro's, which are designed to handle XDCAM.
As a training department, I don't always have access to the newest equipment and have inherited alot of the older, retired, G4 powerbooks to use as training vehicles to bring staff up to speed on Final Cut Pro editing. While I start staff on standard definition DV material, we gradually work our way up to XDCAM, as that's the format they'll encounter when shooting real material.
Although it's a given that the G4's were never meant to edit HD XDCAM footage, when installed with FCP6, the G4's can handle the editing of XDCAM timelines fine, as long as you're doing mostly cuts. Any rendering is obviously extremely slow.
The big problem is exporting the timeline out as a quicktime file. That takes FOREVER on a G4. However, I suspect that if I change the paramaters of the export so that I'm not trying to export a 1440 x 1080 XDCAM file, I hope I can speed up the time it takes for the G4's to export that timeline. The end product they're exporting will never be used...it's just a practice package timeline, therefore, it doesn't really matter what the end format and size dimensions of that exported timeline are. I'm just trying to get them familiar with the export workflow.
So here is my question...can anyone recommend a particular spec I can use for exporting that XDCAM timeline that will speed up the export? I need to try to do the same thing for exporting XDCAM via COMPRESSOR...finding a droplet / codec or creating one, that will export a 2 minute XDCAM timeline in around 5-10 minutes, instead of the 30-45 minutes it would take to actually export it full size. Again, I'm not trying to make it end up as an XDCAM exported file. Any format and size will do...I just want the export to go faster on these older machines.
Any input or thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

If you haven't already, you might want to post this question in the FCP discussion at http://discussions.apple.com/forum.jspa?forumID=939

Timeline Graphics Glitch

I imported an Elements project into Pro CC, and everytyhing seemed to be fine. But the timeline graphics and icons become garbled and do not refresh whenever I try to resize or zoom, making it unusable. My PC laptop meets all of the minimum requirements.

Adobe Community: FAQ: What information should I provide when asking a question on this forum?

Mix 1440x1080 with 1920x1080 Footage in FCE?

Last week I accidentally shot footage in 1440x1080 16:9 instead of 1920x1080 16:9. The rest of my footage is in 1920x1080 16:9. Can I combine both formats in FCE and create a 1920x1080 movie?
Thanks!

The HDV specification is 1440x1080 interlaced displayed as 1920x1080. Or 1280x720 non-interlaced. Some manufacturers thought they'd be smart and make the camera shoot 1920x1080 interlaced and sell it as better resolution. The AVCHD spec supports both, but as FCE only supported the original HDV spec it doesn't include the 1920 specification for AVCHD.

Export for Blu-ray: 1440x1080 or 1920x1080?

When choosing my 1080i H.264 settings in Media Encoder, I can select either 1440x1080 (1.33 PAR) or true 1920x1080. Does it matter? Will any Blu-ray device play either one?
I'm coming from a DVCPRO timeline which is actually 1280x1080 (with a 1.5 pixel ratio).

My advice is to get to square pixel dimensions as soon as you can and then keep them square. So exporting to 1920x1080 from your DVCPro sequence should work best/easiest, provided that the export doesn't introduce artifacts or empty areas of the frame.
Do a short test export to find out for sure.
Jeff

Mixing HDV with XDCam

Everything has been captured. The original film was shot in HDV ... to which I want to add a bunch of XDCam footage. The show is amost finished (edited on a HDV timeline).
I'm planning to run the whole show through Color for grading at the end, and will be trying to make it look as much like film as possible, or at least trying to get the 'video' look out of the HDV footage.
Wondering what my best options would be?
My first inclination would be to create a ProRes 422 HQ timeline and drop the HDV with the XDCame right into this timeline to output the show as ProRes 422 HQ. The HQ may be overkill I realise.
Just wondering if anyone else might have some ideas...?
Ben

Hi X,
How does one do the 'quote' thing, I don't even know what it is called.
Have I got this right?: I should convert the whole show to the ProRes before sending to Color?
X: "Yes. But then again, I never would have editied with native HDV."
The first edit was done a long time ago. And was so close to a good edit, that when I came to finish this up it seemed like a logical thing to do (just stay with HDV). You are absolutely right, I should have converted everything before starting to finish this off.
I'm trying to get an output (final master) that might slip by a network's mandate for full HD ...
X: "If someone says "full HD", I have no clue what that means. If you have a network spec sheet that says "ProRes 422 HQ", then that is what you deliver. You can do the conversion from LT to HQ for the final using Compressor."
I haven't been doing TV for a long time; so I'm in a learning curve - some are still asking for tape, some for .mov files on a drive - whatever the codec. I'll be doing the rounds in a week ... and will get the uptodate spec sheets then.
Thanks mucho for your help,
Ben

Mixing resolutions - 1440x1080 and 1920x1080

Hi
Thanx in advance for your help.
I will be shooting a band concert using three cameras, all Sony. An FX100, a V1U and an AX2000. The V1U and FX1000 do 30p at 1440 x 1080. The AX2000 will also do 30p at 1440 x 1080 but where the first two cameras max out at 1440 x 1080 the AX2000 is more native at 1920 x 1080.
I would like to use the higher resolution (1920 x 1080) on the AX2000 but will be combining the output from the 3 cameras into a mutli-camera sequence and editing it as mutli-camera.
Is there a way to "successfully" use these different resolution video outputs in the same CS4 sequence??
Thanx,
Mel

As most of the shooting will be done in HDV i would set the timeline up in HDV. The 1902x1080 files will drop nicely into the timeline.
Rendering to dvd will be unnoticable. Rendering to BlueRay it doubt you will see any difference when it had been edited in a AVCHD timeline.

HD TO SD PROBLEM???

I have posted a couple of times about taking a HDV or XDCAM timeline and making a SD DVD with the footage and the troubles I have been encountering. There seems to be a problem with the jagged edges and aliasing going on in the SD video. My clients are starting to think that there is a problem and I can't get it done without this problem. I have tried the "Bonsai Method", but it seems to blur things too much. I have tried the "Shift Field +1" method, but it still has the bad edges. I start with 1080i60 and need to get it to 720x480 SD. Is there a secret I am missing? Do I need to upgrade to Studio2? Anymore suggestions would be great!
Thanks,
John

If you're using the laptop to post with then you need to insure that your system is working properly. I would make sure the external drive is not too full and video streams are normal in Quicktime. There are lots of Compressor setting and search is your friend.
Good Luck
Z1

Mixing XDCAM and HDV?? Outputting to SD DVD...

Hi
Earlier this year we shot a documentary on a Sony PDW-F350L HD XDCam (great camera, stunning footage - 35Mbps). Working in FCP has been fine.
We're doing a follow up and budget and logistics dictate that we sadly can't use 350s again (where we're going, carrying 2 Z1s for example is going to be a lot easier). We're also on a fairly steep learning curve (being relatively new to FCP, Compressor etc).
So I'm looking at options. We know that there are significant differences between say a Z1 and a 350 but from my research so far and from some relatively simple testing mixing Z1 footage (native) and 350 footage on FCP, at least editing on the timeline doesn't seem like it's going to present any problems (although thoughts on that welcome).
The issue seems to be outputting. In the first instance we'll be outputting to SD DVD. Yes, that old gem...
Searching round various forums, it seems this problem (HDV - SD) is fairly universal. Solutions seem to range from not working in Native HDV (suggestions vary on the format to ingest in - AIC etc); outputting to different formats first (eg DVCPro HD) and then to MPEG-2; outputting the timeline to tape (DV), re-importing; using some thing like a Matrox MXO to output and others...
We're aware of the shortcoming of HDV and the compressed nature of the format and our expectations, given our kit are realistic. I've even tried putting some PD150 footage on the timeline but that's just not going to cut it.
So, I've got to put a kit list together by next week and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on:
1) Mixing XDCAM and HDV on the timeline and any gotchas we should watch out for.
but more importantly
2) Any suggested routes I can look at to get some reasonable output with these two formats on the timeline - particularly HDV (don't think we'll have time to look at the Matrox route right now).
Many thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Cheers

Thanks Andy, Michael
That's good input. From an editing point of view we seem to be ok. Although, Michael, I take your point and that's a good suggestion.
The main problem is the workflow to create a decent SD DVD without the artefacts caused by compression/motion etc in HDV (and to some extent XDCAM).
Have read the prores whitepaper at
http://images.apple.com/finalcutstudio/resources/whitepapers/L342568A_ProResWP.pdf
And looked a little more into understanding GOP structures and it seems that ProRes will help in terms of editing.
The white paper seems to suggest that converting to ProRes, because it uses I frame–only encoding "Ensures consistent quality in every frame and no artifacts from complex motion. "
We'll try some tests but, does anyone know if this is true?
But it also seems that deinterlacing may solve some of the horrendous vertical edge rippling we're getting on the HDV footage when outputting to SD DVD - although if I'm honest I'm not sure how we achive that with our current setting.

HDV outputting to SD DVD... + mixing with XDCAM

Hi
Earlier this year we shot a documentary on a Sony PDW-F350L HD XDCam (great camera, stunning footage - 35Mbps). Working in FCP has been fine.
We're doing a follow up and budget and logistics dictate that we sadly can't use 350s again (where we're going, carrying 2 Z1s for example is going to be a lot easier). We're also on a fairly steep learning curve (being relatively new to FCP, Compressor etc).
So I'm looking at options. We know that there are significant differences between say a Z1 and a 350 but from my research so far and from some relatively simple testing mixing Z1 footage (native) and 350 footage on FCP, at least editing on the timeline doesn't seem like it's going to present any problems (although thoughts on that welcome).
The issue seems to be outputting. In the first instance we'll be outputting to SD DVD. Yes, that old gem...
Searching round various forums, it seems this problem (HDV - SD) is fairly universal. Solutions seem to range from not working in Native HDV (suggestions vary on the format to ingest in - AIC etc); outputting to different formats first (eg DVCPro HD) and then to MPEG-2; outputting the timeline to tape (DV), re-importing; using some thing like a Matrox MXO to output and others...
We're aware of the shortcoming of HDV and the compressed nature of the format and our expectations, given our kit are realistic. I've even tried putting some PD150 footage on the timeline but that's just not going to cut it.
So, I've got to put a kit list together by next week and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on:
1) Mixing XDCAM and HDV on the timeline and any gotchas we should watch out for.
but more importantly
2) Any suggested routes I can look at to get some reasonable output with these two formats on the timeline - particularly HDV (don't think we'll have time to look at the Matrox route right now).
Many thanks in advance for any thoughts.

Thanks Andy, Michael
That's good input. From an editing point of view we seem to be ok. Although, Michael, I take your point and that's a good suggestion.
The main problem is the workflow to create a decent SD DVD without the artefacts caused by compression/motion etc in HDV (and to some extent XDCAM).
Have read the prores whitepaper at
http://images.apple.com/finalcutstudio/resources/whitepapers/L342568A_ProResWP.pdf
And looked a little more into understanding GOP structures and it seems that ProRes will help in terms of editing.
The white paper seems to suggest that converting to ProRes, because it uses I frame–only encoding "Ensures consistent quality in every frame and no artifacts from complex motion. "
We'll try some tests but, does anyone know if this is true?
But it also seems that deinterlacing may solve some of the horrendous vertical edge rippling we're getting on the HDV footage when outputting to SD DVD - although if I'm honest I'm not sure how we achive that with our current setting.

XDCAM to HDV output to HVR25U

We have been producing content with the Sony Z1U, editing natively in FCP 6x, outputting to HDV tape with the Sony HVR25U that was sent to the DVD producer for SD DVD's. Maybe not the best workflow but worked moderately well.
Recently we replaced our Z1's with a couple EX3's and an EX1 and edited XDCAM natively in FCP. That worked great, unfortunately you can't export an XDCAM sequence to the M25U. So we exported an HDV Quicktime from the XDCAM sequence and then placed that Quicktine into an HDV sequence and tried to print to tape from there. The resulting Quicktime played fine in the timeline but it kept pausing/freezing in the M25U.
To get around this problem we copied the XDCAM timeline and pasted it into an HDV sequenced and then rendered AND THEN conformed for a print to video. It worked but this process took more than five hours for a fourty minute sequence.
Anyone else experience this? Any ideas why FCP would have any trouble printing to tape an HDV Quicktime that it generated from and XDCAM sequence?
We have 2.66MGHz Mac Pro's with 5GB RAM, served by a shared file system that is running about 280MB/s per work station.
Thanks in advance for any help.

its a 40 minute sequence and from the XDCAM time line I exported an HDV 1440x1080i 60 Quicktime which took about three hours to render. I then opened a new project with an HDV sequence and tried to print to tape from there.
When that didn't work I copied all from the XDCAM sequence and pasted it into an HDV time line rendered for about 2 hours and then conformed for at least another 2 hours but it did print to tape successfully.
I would have thought that the rendered self contained HDV Quicktime would print to tape without any difficulty.
In the past I have had this problem trying to print an HDV Quicktime to tape from a firewire attached Lacie, and thought it might be a fragmentation issue. But this Quicktime was stored on our shared file system via fiber channel. So I don't think this is a bandwidth issue but I'm at a lose on this.

Best "Capture" workflow for projects mixing HDV tape and XDCAM footage

I'm trying to determine the best workflow for projects that combine XDCAM and HDV footage.
I'd obviously do the editing in a project designed for XDCAM, as that's the higher quality footage,
and render the HDV clips in the XDCAM timeline...ending up with an XDCAM end product.
I'd use SONY'S XDCAM TRANSFER to get the clips into FCP.
My question concerns capturing the HDV footage in this scenario. I've never been able to get
the Log and Capture feature for HDV footage to work, unless I've created an HDV project and am capturing into that HDV project.
So, generally, I create an HDV project, open the log and capture utility which is now set to capture HDV, and then capture the footage. I then close that project and create a new project, designed for XDCAM footage. I use XDCAM Transfer to get the XDCAM footage into the project, and I import
the previously captured HDV footage into that browser and start editing, rendering the HDV in the XDCAM timeline.
My question...do I really have to open, what is essentially a "fake" HDV project just to capture that HDV footage? You don't seem to have the option of capturing HDV footage (out of a camera or HDV tape deck) directly into an XDCAM project. If I try to change the capture or audio video settings of the XDCAM project to HDV, you get messages saying you can't do it.
Is there something I'm missing or a more streamlined way of doing this?
Thanks in advance for any input.

No need to jump through these hoops. Just set yourself up with a universal Easy Setup that will handle both. Choose your regular XDCAM HD Easy Setup then open the Audio / Video Settings window and change the Capture Preset to "HDV" and the Device Control Preset to "HDV Firewire" ... then click the "Create Easy Setup" button and save it for recall whenever needed.
Regarding the overall workflow, I'd seriously question the idea of creating XDCAM HD masters. No real benefit to that unless you need to export to XDCAM HD. Much better would be export your final master as Apple ProRes 422.
Best
Andy

Converting mixed HDV/XDCam to ProRes?

1. If I have HDV and XDCam EX on the same HDV timeline ... and do a Media Manager conversion to transform both codecs to create a new timeline that is all ProRes 422 ... will the XDCam be converted from XDCam or from HDV (given it is on an HDV timeline??)
This may seem like a dumb question. I'm not sure whether the media manager takes it cue from the actual orginal media, or from the sequence settings of the timeline?
2. The HDV is 1080i and the XDCam is 1080p. I need the ProRes 422 to be 1080i ... there is a predominance of HDV in the movie, and it is headed for television anyhow. Do I have to worry about the XDCam being converted from progressive to interlaced in some way?
All ears,
Ben

Thank you Shane,
Both are the same frame rates. First thing I checked. Even though I cut my teeth in film, and still shoot as if I have film in the camera, and though I'll use 24fps if I know it's going to end up in a theatre, I have to confess I've often found 29.97 fps smoother ... and it still looks like film to me (despite the noise of the naysayers) as long as the lighting and the use of the lens is cinematic.
Seems like I'm always 'still' learning when it comes to digital processes though... which is made easier by you...
Much appreciated,
Ben

No external video from HDV timeline through Sony HDV deck.

Without buying an external video card, is there a way to view an HDV timeline on an external monitor? I can capture HDV footage easily and see it play back fine in the Canvas on my Mac Pro, but I can't see the captured HDV footage on my external monitor that's hooked up via FireWire to my Sony HVR-M25 deck.
Here are the Audio/Video Settings I'm using:
Sequence Preset is HDV - 1080i60
Capture Preset is HDV
Device Control Preset os Sony HDV Firewire
I'm also noticing that the Video Playback HDV options are grayed out, so I'm assuming I would either need an external video card to play back the capture HDV footage the timeline on my external monitor, or use another combination of codecs to (maybe) use my stock Mac Pro setup. Whew.
Thanks in advance.

No. Sorry, but the format doesn't allow it. You can send a downconverted SD signal out via firewire in realtime, but it won't be your full HD image. If you want the full HD image, you need an HD capture device. #25 HDV external Monitor Viewing
Shane's Stock Answer #25 - HDV external Monitor Viewing
To view HDV on an external monitor in high definition you are going to need to purchase a capture card, like the ones Decklink (www.decklink.com) or AJA (www.aja.com) offer. They will both play out HDV in real time. The catch is that you cannot view this on a regular TV or NTSC monitor. Since this is HD, an HD monitor will be needed. HOWEVER, both cards are capable of down converting the signal so that it can be displayed on an SD monitor. This won't be color accurate
The real reason why you can't monitor HDV through a Firewire camera is because Firewire HDV cameras don't decode incoming HDV streams and route them to their outputs like DV cameras do.
Good options for you are the Matrox MXO2 mini...$450...coupled with an HDTV. Or a Matrox MXO (DVI connection) coupled with an Apple 23" display gets you good quality.
And there are the Decklink Intensity and Intensity PRO cards as well, and the AJA I/O Express...
You can, however, view HDV out via firewire as DV...lowering the resolution to that of DV, but still viewable. This is not full quality nor should it be used to judge the quality of your footage or used to color correct to. This is just a way to view the footage on a large monitor.
Here are some examples of some of the possibilities:
- DV or HDV sequence output to an SDI signal on a third-party interface
- An uncompressed NTSC or PAL sequence output to a DV FireWire output
- An HDV sequence output to a DV FireWire output
Sequence and output formats must have compatible frame rates. For example,
sequences with a frame rate of 60, 30, or 24 fps can be output to a 30 fps device,
but not to a 25 or 50 fps device.
Shane

HDV or XDCAM timeline - graphics 1440x1080 or 1920x1080?

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