Does the Ninja 2 improve on AVCHD 108060p at 28Mbps?

Jeff Pulera · August 27th, 2012, 10:18 AM

Hi Chris,

Premiere is just throwing the "AVCHD" label on because of the .m2t source, but .m2t is also used for "native" HDV files. Let's call .m2t a "wrapper" or container codec, because HDV is MPEG-2 and AVCHD is H.264, entirely different, but both can look like an .m2t file on the outside.

Jeff

Dave Burckhard · August 29th, 2012, 04:36 PM

I'm shooting with the Ninja 2 on my Sony Z5. I had been using an attached Focus Enhancements FS-5 to speed up my workflow as I can push files straight to the timeline if needed. However, with the cost of ProRes recorders dropping, I bought the Ninja for the same reason I bought the FS-5: Faster workflow than tape, I have a reliable backup in the tape, PLUS the advantage of less compression. Yes, you'd be hard-pressed to see much difference right off the ingest or import. I believe the ProRes files from the Ninja have a bit more contrast at the slight expense of blown highlights and crushed darks but my waveform doesn't verify that.

The biggest advantage and one that I can see right away of the Ninja ProRes files is how well color grading holds up over AVCHD or HDV sources. Also keying seems to be easier. Granted, the Z5 sensor is not famous for super detail but using the Ninja files gives me more margin when I have to crop. Technically, it probably shouldn't but dangnamit, I believe it does.

Dave Burckhard
PicturePoint On-line

August 27th, 2012, 10:18 AM	#16
Jeff Pulera Major Player Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee WI Posts: 691	Re: Does the Ninja 2 improve on AVCHD 108060p at 28Mbps? Hi Chris, Premiere is just throwing the "AVCHD" label on because of the .m2t source, but .m2t is also used for "native" HDV files. Let's call .m2t a "wrapper" or container codec, because HDV is MPEG-2 and AVCHD is H.264, entirely different, but both can look like an .m2t file on the outside. Jeff

August 29th, 2012, 04:36 PM	#17
Dave Burckhard Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 73	Re: Does the Ninja 2 improve on AVCHD 108060p at 28Mbps? I'm shooting with the Ninja 2 on my Sony Z5. I had been using an attached Focus Enhancements FS-5 to speed up my workflow as I can push files straight to the timeline if needed. However, with the cost of ProRes recorders dropping, I bought the Ninja for the same reason I bought the FS-5: Faster workflow than tape, I have a reliable backup in the tape, PLUS the advantage of less compression. Yes, you'd be hard-pressed to see much difference right off the ingest or import. I believe the ProRes files from the Ninja have a bit more contrast at the slight expense of blown highlights and crushed darks but my waveform doesn't verify that. The biggest advantage and one that I can see right away of the Ninja ProRes files is how well color grading holds up over AVCHD or HDV sources. Also keying seems to be easier. Granted, the Z5 sensor is not famous for super detail but using the Ninja files gives me more margin when I have to crop. Technically, it probably shouldn't but dangnamit, I believe it does. Dave Burckhard PicturePoint On-line