HD editting on a PC

[vdschoor 0]

any of you have any experiences / feedback on HD editting on the PC?

I am ANTI-PC for video editting but one of my friends wants to start editting his footage and wants to expose himself to the headaches of using a PC for this..

Any advice? (or more arguments against PC for me to throw at him)

thanks!
Iwan

[dragon2 2]

Yeah... I started editing in HDV this year, so far, I am NOT loving it

If you are using Premiere Pro, definately get PP 2. PP 1.5 is a hassle and needs a special ($$$) plug in Cineform Aspect HD that still doesn't quite work. PP 2 is ALSO a hassle; it CAN NOT scene detect when working with HDV files I use HDVSplit to capture the footage then import that into PP 2.

You need a HUGE harddrive, preferably a separate one from the drive your program files are on. This footage is very large so you need lots of room.

You want a very fast (=new) pc, with a good graphics card, preferably 2gigs of RAM and get a dual core processor or similar.

I have all of that, and still run into problems rendering every now and again the problems I run into are when mixing DV, widescreen DV and HDV footage in one timeline. All HDV does work fine.

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[leroydb 0]

did you upconvert your SD footage to HD?

Leroy


..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio...

[justinb138 0]

Quote

any of you have any experiences / feedback on HD editting on the PC?

I am ANTI-PC for video editting but one of my friends wants to start editting his footage and wants to expose himself to the headaches of using a PC for this..

Any advice? (or more arguments against PC for me to throw at him)

thanks!
Iwan

Remind him he'll need a pretty fast PC. I've toyed with some HDV footage on my PC, and I'd say it's barely fast enough (3.2Ghz Pentium D). I'd recommend one of the newer Core2 processors.

I've tried both Edius 4 and Vegas editors, and I'd recommend Edius, as it seems to handle HDV much easier.

[beowulf 1]

What do you write your HD footage to for viewing? DVD's ? are there any DVD players that play HD formatted video?

[dragon2 2]

So far, I downconvert the end result to 16:9 and burn that to DVD using Encore 2.0, or I burn straight from PP2 for a quick view on our very large widescreen tv. I'm guessing the result is still 16:9 that way, but it sure looks good on that tv! Definately better than regular DV or 16:9 DV.

The tandem camery flyers here that fly HDV downconvert to 16:9 too so you get widescreen dvd's.

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[dragon2 2]

Quote

did you upconvert your SD footage to HD?

No, I tried downconverting already captured m2v/mpeg files to 16:9 DV, doesn't work as my laptop gives up on rendering that (I find this out AFTER editing the whole thing!!!!)

I was going to use the HDV footage with some nice DV shots mixed in but I had too much DV shots i needed and they got too small mixed in a HDV project, so switched to 16:9 halfway through. Mistake

The other way round works fine; I did this year's "Don't do this" movie in HDV with some close-up shots in DV overlayed, that rendered fine.

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[DSE 5]

Vegas 7 gives full resolution, full framerate playback of HDV (native) on any reasonably fast PC. So does AvidExpress HD. So does Canopus Edius using NX codec.
Or, if using Premiere Pro, use the Aspect HD or Connect HD from CineForm to give yourself a fast, efficient DI from which to work.
I do this daily, 10-14 hours a day, with either native HDV, or with HDV converted to AJA codec using a Xena LH card from AJA. I also have BMD cards, but their drivers are a PITA.
Bear in mind, if you're shooting with a Sony camcorder, you can transcode HDV to DV on the fly, and get a stunning image quality when you let the camcorder do the conversion for you. Just be sure to capture as widescreen DV in either PAL or NTSC format.
Edit as you normally would.

[dragon2 2]

Quote

Bear in mind, if you're shooting with a Sony camcorder, you can transcode HDV to DV on the fly, and get a stunning image quality when you let the camcorder do the conversion for you.

Only the most expensive sony cameras do this, unfortunately the HC1E and i presume the HC3E will not downconvert, at least the European models (E = PAL) will not. A1E does downconvert but I don't always have the oppertunity to borrow one

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[DSE 5]

A1U downconverts, HC1 downconverts, and the HC3 downconverts. I own several A1's and a couple HC3's, but only one HC1. I'd be very surprised if Sony pulled that advantage out of the HC1 Euro model. I know for certain the HC3E downconverts.
It's accessed/set in the VCR mode, and you select output for DV. I have an HC3E sitting next to me right now.
in the event you'd rather not accept my word on the HC3 downconverting...http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/videocams/printerfriendly.htm?AT=39116486p-3s-39000861c-39000440q-3r mentions it in their review, too.

According to Sony's site, the HC1E also downconverts, and the SonyHDVInfo.net site mentions same. Iknow the HC1A downconverts, I reviewed it just over a year ago, and still have the DV tape used for output from HDV.
http://www.pricegrabber.co.uk/pur_discussions.php/product_id=16847598/id_type=masterid/masterid=16847598/pur_id=267303// has a review on the HC1E, wherein they also refer to downconvert.

All Sony HDV products output SD as well, whether SD or HDV in source.

[FeFe 0]

HC1E does not downconvert through i-link port, only through analog - at least the early models
silly indeed

[dragon2 2]

Quote

I'd be very surprised if Sony pulled that advantage out of the HC1 Euro model.

Well they did. Nice huh?

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[DSE 5]

You guys are there....so I'll take your word for it. For DV, they wouldn't allow Pass thru (analog to digital) in EU because of copyright laws. It could be related.
I'm curious tho, as to why every review of the EU models mentions the downconvert on the HC1E as a feature? That means some reviewers aren't really testing the camcorder, which (IMO) is just plain BS.

[dragon2 2]

You can't downconvert HDV footage to DV, but you can record in DV and then output DV. Maybe that is what they mean?

ciel bleu,
Saskia

[DSE 5]

no, that's not what they mean. read either of those two links I embedded, both very specifically state you can record HDV and output as DV. The only thing I'm absolutely sure of is that you can't use the HC1 as a pass-thru device (analog in/firewire out) for purposes of copying DVDs. That's an EU issue, not a Sony issue.

[ParaShoot 0]

Quote

no, that's not what they mean. read either of those two links I embedded, both very specifically state you can record HDV and output as DV. The only thing I'm absolutely sure of is that you can't use the HC1 as a pass-thru device (analog in/firewire out) for purposes of copying DVDs. That's an EU issue, not a Sony issue.

As Fy said: HC1E does not downconvert through i-link port, only through analog - at least the early models, silly indeed.

I specifically bought an A1E because the HC1E for sale in Europe (at the end of 2005) didn't have the downconvert option on the firewire output, only at the analog port. Strangely at the World Team 400 way beginning of this year we were able to downconvert at one HC1E that was not bought in Europe and was also called HC1E model. The other HC1E's didn't downconvert at the FW port.

Henny

[mccordia 74]

A newer HC1E I recently used also had both HDV and normal DV output. Dont know if its a HC1E that was bought/ordered outside europe, or if its a newer issue of the HC1E...

JC
FlyLikeBrick
I'm an Athlete?

[DSE 5]

Just got off the phone with the Sony rep in England, he tells me that the HC1E *does* have the DV downconvert.
I also walked into a Best Buy this morning, they have an HC1E sitting on the display, it too, has the DV downconvert. Now I'm a bit confused, as I've heard from people that are very capable with these cams, that the DV downconvert doesn't exist. Sony says it does in the EU models, and the one at Best Buy also has it. Maybe there was a string of manufactured models that didn't?
For me, it's just an issue of knowing what's up. I shoot A1's anyway.

[FeFe 0]

Quote

Maybe there was a string of manufactured models that didn't?

maybe - I'm just sure an HC1E I had in my hands around a year ago could not downconvert HDV to DV via firewire, that's why everybody was going for A1 for bigger $$$

[bigway 4]

I want to know everything you know. How do i go about this?


Everything you know is what i think is the most exciting non physical thig to do.
I know basics, but dont know the encyclopedia of all this, where course could you reccommend?

.Karnage Krew Gear Store
.

[DSE 5]

Quote

I want to know everything you know. How do i go about this?


Everything you know is what i think is the most exciting non physical thig to do.
I know basics, but dont know the encyclopedia of all this, where course could you reccommend?

Spend a lifetime being a geek in production
Get the ridiculous idea that you can be a scriptwriter, performer, producer, editor, and finishing master, and go do your own project.
Sell it to the networks. If they're savvy (or dumb) enough to buy it, you'll be in hog heaven, until you realize what you've done. But it will be fun.
After a while, the awards aren't quite as bright, the intensity wears off. You've had a lot of fun. You'll know a hell of a lot about the biz.

Seriously, there are a lot of books out; for understanding video/audio/production/editing, I'll suggest that my book "HDV: What You Need to Know" is an industry standard for a reason; it's very well done. You can purchase it from NAB, Amazon, or most anywhere else online or in larger bookstores.
Spend time on broadcast sites or editor sites like DVInfo.net or DMN.com. If you have a broadcast or post house near you, spend time there just lurking about.
It's no different than learning the pro side of skydiving; you must absorb it. For me, as a teen I worked for Tom Stockham, father of digital audio (OK, I was just a janitor), but I learned a LOT being around it. I recorded a lot of big names in that studio. And then began my own recording and production career. About 10 years ago, I got very excited about being behind camera, and started shooting extreme sports, beginning with rodeo. I came up with the crazy idea of putting a camera on the riders. That grew into other things, and since I'd watched "Ripcord" and "The Gypsy Moths" one too many times, I'd always wanted to skydive. So, I got into skydiving with one express goal that accompanies the fun of it; camera work. Still have a lot to learn there. It's odd not having an eye piece and having absolutely nothing else to focus on besides flying the body. So, my twist is that I want to know everything YOU know. What I know is academic with experience tossed in. Skydiving with a camcorder is experience with academic tossed in.
FWIW, I have written several books on the subject of audio/video editing and production; http:www.vasst.com will get you to it. If you like anything there, lemme know and I'll have our guys take care of you.

[mccordia 74]

I've just checked with 2 other guys that own a HC1E, bought here in Holland, and both downconvert to DV through firewire.

The only difference with the A1E and HC1E they noticed is that the HC1E only has one 'convert to DV' option (widescreen DV) whereas the A1E allows you to choose between widescreen (16:9) widescreen (as a 4:3 signal, black bars included in the signal) or cropped (4:3)

JC
FlyLikeBrick
I'm an Athlete?