what codec do you guys use in avid (i have avid xpress pro hd) to get the best quality for hd footage?

Jack,

That's a very broad question. It depends on how your HD footage/sequence
is to be distributed and what platform it is to be played back or if it is for transfer into a seperate app. for efx work.

Can you be more specific?

sorry, i would like it to be able to play it just being on my computer, size isnt a factor just 720p and good color. also maybe one if i were to downconvert to sd for distribution. i like the quality of sorenson 3, but i hate how the colors are all washed out all quicktime codecs do that wat is that about. anyway to fix this?

For PC/MAC playback there is QT H.264 and for PC Windows Media 9 Advanced.

If you're looking at washed out colors and it isn't going to downconvert to tape make sure you check RGB vs. 601/709.

But, I think most people use H.264. It is very slow to compress but worth the wait.

Windows Media looks great also. There is SheerVideo Pro AVI for Windows PC 2.6.4.11b and something called Huffy, but I haven't tested those yet.

You might get better PC codec answers on the HD/HDV forum.

Cheers,