I am an on-set DIT and am looking for a way to transcode multiple SxS ProRes (4444 and 422HQ) files to Avid native (.MXF) DNxHD36 files for Media Composer offline edits, with a burnt in LUT (eg LogC to Rec709). I also have to do the same with RED files (R3D).

Also, I’m looking for a drag-and-drop way to convert both ProRes 4444 and R3D files into low-res 422 (LT or Proxy) files for FCP editors, again with a burnt in LUT.

In short, I need a way to produce transcoded, LUT applied, low-res proxies, on-set, for FCP or Avid, with as few mouse clicks as possible! You clearly understand workflows as well as anyone out there. Do you have any suggestions…?

Many thanks,

David

Lots of questions. We’ll see if I have answers.

NOTE: You mention MacBook and MacBookPro. 2 very different creatures. I am going to assume you mean MacBookPro.

1) You can install MC on a 5400 RPM drive, but expect performance to be slower than expected, which includes playing media FROM the drive. This can manifest in less real time effects and dropped frames. It’s poor practice to store media you’re editing on your laptop internal drive anyway – and with a 5400 RPM drive, it’s even worse. I recommend upgrading the drive to a 7200 RPM or better.

2) Yes, HDV, via firewire is 100% supported. Again, I recommend capturing to an external drive, not an internal one. You may need a firewire adapter / cable to go from your deck/camera to your MacBook Pro (Firewire 400 vs Firewire 800). This is dependent on which MBP you ahve, as Apple discontinued the FW400 ports on Mac Book Pros over the past year or two.

3)MC 5.5 can access the .mov files via AMA (Avid Media Access). This is like FCP, where Avid LINKS to files instead of importing them. http://www.avid.com/US/products/Avid-Media-Access

4) Read up on AMA. Avid can access any file you have a plugin for (see above link) or that can open in Quicktime on the desktop. Performance, obviously, is dependent on the strength of your CPU and drive speed. For the record, FCP CANNOT edit RED files natively, it has to use the proxies the camera creates. Avid, on the other hand, can read RED files natively, but performance will suck – in FCP AND Avid. RED is not meant to be edited natively….yet. Transcode it to a more editable codec.

5) The specs of your laptop dictate what it can or cannot do in Real Time. There are a thousand different codecs. You’ll just have to try. Have you made sure you laptop meets Avid specs? http://www.avid.com/US/products/Media-Composer/system-requirements . Most flavors of XDCAM can be edited (tjhere are many variations), and most DNx flavors (again, there are many flavors)

6) Correct. Faster laptops generally will work, provided the OS is right. While this is not endorsed by Avid, it should work. It’s rare Avid doesn’t qualify the fastest machine out there, so I don;t know how your machine is faster.

7) Media Composer is Media Composer. The ONLY difference is the ancillary apps. Student versions don’t come with all of the third party apps that come bundled with MC. But the editing application is 100% the same.
When you speak of me, speak well.

~Michael

Been trying to get some answers from Avid with no luck. I want to use MC 5.5 as my editing software, but wanted to know a few things before purchasing. I’ve read a few of your posts, but help with any of these questions or any other resources to answer them is much appreciated. I’m going to be using a MacBook laptop and all my questions pertain to MacBook Pro use with MC 5.5.

Most Macbooks come with a 5400 RPM drive, will this work to run software only?

I’ve read a lot of HDV problem stuff with MC, will a MacBook using 5.5 be able to Capture HDV via firewire? I know Final Cut can

I captured HDV via firewire into Final Cut. The .mov file is:
Apple HDV 1080i60, 1440 x 1080 (1888 x 1062), Millions
16-bit Integer (Big Endian), Left, 48.000 kHz
16-bit Integer (Big Endian), Right, 48.000 kHz
Will avid/play access this file native so I don’t have to recapture?

Will it will able to access native HD files (prores, RED, etc.) I know Final Cut on a Mac laptop can edit RED files?

If many HD formats are limited to being captured directly to laptop, can DNxHD, XDcamHD etc, media at least edited on a laptop?

Should any laptop that is of faster speed, but not tested by Avid yet run Media Composer as long as OS X version is correct?

Is there any difference between student version of MC 5.5 and regular?

Thanks for any help
Tom

As I mentioned above in the comments, ProRes files notoriously have color shifts….and I have yet to find a foolproof recipe to combat this during an encode, short of manually trying to adjust the colors.

If this is coming from FCP, perhaps exporting DNxHD.mov files from the machine that is handling the ProRes? i.e. the Avid QT files are generated on the export from FCP…not the Avid import?

Good Luck!

~Michael