Best codec for a workflow between PC and Mac? at DVinfo.net

Shawn Whiting · November 9th, 2009, 02:10 AM

Hey Everyone,

I'll be working on a project where my effects editor is on a mac and im doing my editing on my PC in PProCS4. I'll be shooting on my HMC150 so ill start out working with AVCHD files. Was wondering what my best options were for a workflow where i can give him some files to work on, then bring them right back onto my PC with the least headache. Even though i can edit native native AVCHD im guessing this wouldent be a good format for effects work / color correction, so i think our options will have to be after a transcode has taken place. I'll also be doing green screen in this project so if the codec could maintain original shooting resolution and allows for 4.2.2 color space that would be ideal. Let me know what you all think. Thanks!

- Shawn

Gary Brun · November 9th, 2009, 12:11 PM

Checkout Cineform ProspectHD.
My partner is on Mac and I am on PC and we exchanged footage between both systems.

~g

David Dwyer · November 9th, 2009, 12:22 PM

Cineform would be perfect for this.

Perrone Ford · November 9th, 2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Brun

Checkout Cineform ProspectHD.
My partner is on Mac and I am on PC and we exchanged footage between both systems.

~g

All for only $1500...

Honestly, I'd recommend going to a lossless codec if greenscreen is going to be used. However, if you are going to go to a lossy codec like Cineform, might as well do Avid's DNxHD since it's free and just as good in my opinion. If 4:4:4 were needed, or resolutions higher than HD, or the PC user was in Vegas, then I'd certainly say Cineform is superior for the lossy codec choice.

Shawn Whiting · November 9th, 2009, 06:27 PM

This project will have about 20 hours of footage so I dont think transcoding to uncompressed is an option due to my storage space being about 1TB.

Cineform is only cross platform with HD link, which re-wraps the AVI files i would create to .Mov. However this only comes with Neo HD or higher, which starts at around $400 or so i think. Is this correct? I dont believe Neoscene can be cross platform.

Avid's DNxHD seems like the best / most cost effective option at this point. Can anyone tell me why i should spend the $400 for cineform over DNxHD?

Perrone Ford · November 9th, 2009, 08:35 PM

NeoHD is $499, but in your case, I think DNxHD would get it done. It's my first choice for cross platform stuff. BUT it does have limitations (like not being able to be used above 1080p. Seems like it would work for you here.

Shawn Whiting · November 10th, 2009, 02:30 AM

" If 4:4:4 were needed, or resolutions higher than HD, or the PC user was in Vegas, then I'd certainly say Cineform is superior for the lossy codec choice"

Just curious why it would be the choice for vegas but not CS4?

At this point it looks like i would need at least Neo HD which is $499, and looks like most people are saying i would need 2 copies of it as well, so more like $1,000. DNxHD looks like the clear winner for my case.

Perrone Ford · November 10th, 2009, 06:14 AM

Vegas has some particular quirks working with .mov files on the timeline that other editors don't seem to have. Thus Cineform is very popular for Vegas users.

Shawn Whiting · November 10th, 2009, 04:30 PM

got this advice on another forum:

"Wouldn't bother with Cineform - ProRes is support on both Macs and PCs and it's free with the QuickTime Player."

Anyone know about using ProRes as a cross platform workflow? I didnt think I could transcode to ProRes from my PC, but if i could it does seem like a good option right?

Daniel Bates · November 10th, 2009, 04:44 PM

PCs can't export Prores (if they can, please let me know about it - I'd like to be able to).

DNxHD is the best option I've found yet.

Perrone Ford · November 10th, 2009, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn Whiting

got this advice on another forum:

"Wouldn't bother with Cineform - ProRes is support on both Macs and PCs and it's free with the QuickTime Player."

Anyone know about using ProRes as a cross platform workflow? I didnt think I could transcode to ProRes from my PC, but if i could it does seem like a good option right?

PC's can read, but cannot write Pro-Res. So it's a one-way street.

November 9th, 2009, 02:10 AM	#1
Shawn Whiting Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Blacksburg VA Posts: 75	Best codec for a workflow between PC and Mac? Hey Everyone, I'll be working on a project where my effects editor is on a mac and im doing my editing on my PC in PProCS4. I'll be shooting on my HMC150 so ill start out working with AVCHD files. Was wondering what my best options were for a workflow where i can give him some files to work on, then bring them right back onto my PC with the least headache. Even though i can edit native native AVCHD im guessing this wouldent be a good format for effects work / color correction, so i think our options will have to be after a transcode has taken place. I'll also be doing green screen in this project so if the codec could maintain original shooting resolution and allows for 4.2.2 color space that would be ideal. Let me know what you all think. Thanks! - Shawn

November 9th, 2009, 12:11 PM	#2
Gary Brun Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Kråkstad Norway. Posts: 229	Checkout Cineform ProspectHD. My partner is on Mac and I am on PC and we exchanged footage between both systems. ~g __________________ http://www.mlotv.com

November 9th, 2009, 08:35 PM	#6
Perrone Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 4,100	NeoHD is $499, but in your case, I think DNxHD would get it done. It's my first choice for cross platform stuff. BUT it does have limitations (like not being able to be used above 1080p. Seems like it would work for you here. __________________ DVX100, PMW-EX1, Canon 550D, FigRig, Dell Octocore, Avid MC4/5, MB Looks, RedCineX, Matrox MX02 mini, GTech RAID, Edirol R-4, Senn. G2 Evo, Countryman, Moles and Lowels.

November 10th, 2009, 06:14 AM	#8
Perrone Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 4,100	Vegas has some particular quirks working with .mov files on the timeline that other editors don't seem to have. Thus Cineform is very popular for Vegas users. __________________ DVX100, PMW-EX1, Canon 550D, FigRig, Dell Octocore, Avid MC4/5, MB Looks, RedCineX, Matrox MX02 mini, GTech RAID, Edirol R-4, Senn. G2 Evo, Countryman, Moles and Lowels.

November 9th, 2009, 12:22 PM	#3
David Dwyer Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chester, North West Posts: 565	Cineform would be perfect for this.

November 9th, 2009, 06:27 PM	#5
Shawn Whiting Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Blacksburg VA Posts: 75	This project will have about 20 hours of footage so I dont think transcoding to uncompressed is an option due to my storage space being about 1TB. Cineform is only cross platform with HD link, which re-wraps the AVI files i would create to .Mov. However this only comes with Neo HD or higher, which starts at around $400 or so i think. Is this correct? I dont believe Neoscene can be cross platform. Avid's DNxHD seems like the best / most cost effective option at this point. Can anyone tell me why i should spend the $400 for cineform over DNxHD?

November 10th, 2009, 02:30 AM	#7
Shawn Whiting Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Blacksburg VA Posts: 75	" If 4:4:4 were needed, or resolutions higher than HD, or the PC user was in Vegas, then I'd certainly say Cineform is superior for the lossy codec choice" Just curious why it would be the choice for vegas but not CS4? At this point it looks like i would need at least Neo HD which is $499, and looks like most people are saying i would need 2 copies of it as well, so more like $1,000. DNxHD looks like the clear winner for my case.

November 10th, 2009, 04:30 PM	#9
Shawn Whiting Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Blacksburg VA Posts: 75	got this advice on another forum: "Wouldn't bother with Cineform - ProRes is support on both Macs and PCs and it's free with the QuickTime Player." Anyone know about using ProRes as a cross platform workflow? I didnt think I could transcode to ProRes from my PC, but if i could it does seem like a good option right?

November 10th, 2009, 04:44 PM	#10
Daniel Bates Regular Crew Join Date: May 2006 Location: Daegu, Korea Posts: 180	PCs can't export Prores (if they can, please let me know about it - I'd like to be able to). DNxHD is the best option I've found yet.