David:

Quick question. I have a bunch of footage on our Mac system that is in DVCPRO HD (1280x720). I want to bring it over to my Windows system to edit with Cineform. What is the easiest workflow that you would recommend?

I tried exporting a H.264 and then bringing over to the PC, but HDLink wouldn't recognize. I then exported a clip from the Mac as a Animation codec. This worked fine, but those files are HUGE! What do you think my best bet to bring the files to my Windows to work in Prospect?

Cheers,
Devon

Prospect HD license now includes the Mac version of the CineForm codec for Intel Macs. Install that on you Mac, and convert to CineForm MOV, and bring that to the PC. HDLink can rewrap a CineForm MOV to AVI very quickly.

P.S. DVCPRO HD is only 960x720, just the same way HDV is 1440 not 1920. When exporting on the Mac do the resize to 1280x720, it make things easier later.

David,

Thank you. Just to be clear, does the license I already own allow me to insall one version on our Mac? That would be very handy.

Yes. Prospect HD has two licenses, one for the PC, and one for the Mac.

David:

I recently tried to convert a Quicktime file (animation codec) that was rendered out on a Final Cut Pro system to convert in my PC via HD Link. Now, HD Link is giving me an error that won't convert that type of file to a Cineform AVI. Am I missing something?

The files are square pixel 1280x720 Quicktime ANimation at 100% quality.

HDLink doesn't support generatic QuickTime files, although you will likely be about to convert with Premeire, AE or Vegas. HDLink will convert anything you can play in MediaPlayer. If you use QuickTime Alternative, you may be able to convert those files in HDLink. You could have used CineForm on the Mac to completely avoid the issue, only a re-wrap to AVI is needed in HDLink.