I know that PPro `1.5.1 uses the Cineform codec to edit HDV and I have been able to do a direct capture from my HDV deck. I'm wondering how I can take the HDV native files, captured with HDVRack and import them into PPro 1.51 to edit. Since it isn't capturing, I'm not sure if this can be done and if so how? I hope to upgrade to PP 2, but until then I would like to do some editing of files from HDVRack. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

David

David:

I don't know HDV Rack, but if you are talking about using .m2t native files, you can put them on the time line, and then render to the Cineform Codec, then edit from there. Render time is about 3 to 1 on my dual core AMD 3800+ system.

Note that Cineform's HD Connect will get you faster conversion out of the camera. Thats about $200.00 I don't know if it actually converts files too.

Also, when you go to PPro 2.0, you do not have the Cineform Codec available to render to there. If you buy Cineform Aspect HD, at about $500, you get the full Cineform editing capabilities, which is supposed to provide higher quality and real time editing previews.

I have edited native in PPro 2.0, with some success, though I am told the color editing capabilities are vastly inproved when you move into the Cineform process.

Thanks,
I didn't know that I could render it out from the timeline. I'll look at the complete Cineform package. It seems to be a good solution.

Yes, HDLink (which comes with ConnectHD and AspectHD) has both a "capture" mode and a "convert" mode.

The latter will load an HDV file and convert it into cineform HD-codec avi.

Decisions, decisions, decisions, and not enough money.

If I had unlimited cash, I would have upgraded to 2.0 and bought Aspect and added more disk storage. (The Cineform codec .avi takes up about 5 times the disk space.) With that expense, I think this is a professional solution, but not necessarily a solution for an ameteur. I bought the Premiere Pro 2.0 upgrade at $200, but haven't been able to afford the Aspect add on.

I know what you mean. I work at a university and we are just getting into HDV.
I just got enough money for the camera, deck and HDVrack. I can do some editing now, but next time money comes around I'll be looking at how to improve on what I have.