Neoscene or mpeg streamclip

Brian Luce · November 18th, 2009, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Sertic

Ha, I was looking for a close substitute for Prores so I could avoid having to buy and learn how to use a Mac or pay $$$ for Cineform. I want to do some time-remapped slow motion with nano footage and already have a reasonably fast quad-core PC, so I figured my existing PC plus PP/AE/twixtor was a way better value than buying a new Mac plus FCP/Motion, but I wasn't sure of what was a suitable intermediate codec for that setup.

I think it's a great low budget solution. You can get a refurb'd Dell i7 Quad for $500, Vegas Pro 8 for about $200, Freebie MPEG Streamclip, Freebie Avid Codec and you've got a poorman's powerhouse NLE. What's the Mac PRO and FCP package going to cost? 6 grand?

Carlo Zanella · November 23rd, 2009, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perrone Ford

Mpeg Streamclip offers little support for AVI files on the PC. So I typically use the Avid DNxHD codec as my target codec.

If I am making Proxies, I use MJpegA. I also find that trying to use my Jpeg200 codec inside Mpeg Streamclip causes it to crash, so I have to do that archive render inside my NLE

I am Windows Based.

I use pro9 and every time I try to convert 7d files into dnxhd, when I import the into Vegas, the application freezes and crashes. Any ideas??
What parameter do you use in streamclip when you usae the dnxhd??

Thank you

Perrone Ford · November 23rd, 2009, 02:16 PM

Hmm, that's odd. I never have that trouble on any of the three machines I do this on. In MpegStreamclip:

I select DNxHD, usually use DNxHD 175x if I am bringing masters into Vegas, or DNxHD 36 if I am doing proxies. Make sure the interlacing option is turned off. Other than that, I just let it do the render and it comes into Vegas perfect. I do this in Vegas 9, Vegas 8.0c and Vegas 8.1. And right now on my timeline are DNxHD files I used Mpeg streamclip to convert from the 5D.

Carlo Zanella · November 23rd, 2009, 02:27 PM

Where do I find the "175x" value? (I do not have access to my workstation right now where streamclip is installed).

Thank you.
Carlo

Perrone Ford · November 23rd, 2009, 02:29 PM

If you select DNxHD in Mpeg Streamclip, there will be a button for options right next to it. This will bring up a list of all the different options for bitrates you can use.

Carlo Zanella · November 23rd, 2009, 02:40 PM

Thank you so much. I will try again this pm.

Carlo

Carlo Zanella · November 23rd, 2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perrone Ford

If you select DNxHD in Mpeg Streamclip, there will be a button for options right next to it. This will bring up a list of all the different options for bitrates you can use.

What about the "quality" fader...should I breing it to 100 or leave it at 50?

Perrone Ford · November 23rd, 2009, 02:51 PM

It has no bearing on the DNxHD codec.

Carlo Zanella · November 23rd, 2009, 02:56 PM

The "Options" pop up window has a glitch. How do I get to the bit rate?
Thank you

Carlo Zanella · November 23rd, 2009, 03:03 PM

I go it...Thank you

Lucas Mro · December 10th, 2009, 01:21 PM

Hi guys

So i converted a clip with streamclip using DNxHD codec setting 1080p 23.97 10-bit and it seems to look a bit faded compared to the original. It still isn't smooth in Premiere CS4. I found that if you drop the 7D original clips on the premiere timeline and render timeline, the footage runs smooth on my Quad core 2.4 ghz. Can i just render time line and work with originals or am I getting a quality hit once i color grade?

Perrone Ford · December 10th, 2009, 01:59 PM

It looks "faded" because DNxHD is set up for legal NTSC / PAL color and luminance. If your originals fall outside of the legal ranges, then you'll see this on your computer screen. What does the signal look like on the scopes? That is the accurate reference. Computer monitors make AWFUL judges of color and luminance for video.

I also wouldn't expect it to run smoothly if you are using DNxHD 175x. That is a LOAD for most computers to carry. Especially at 1080p. The 7D is running at less than 1/3 the bit rate (though with a tougher codec).

Generally, you edit with the DNxHD 36 on the timeline, and use the 175x for mastering.

In terms of a quality hit, yea, the difference between the DNx and the original files is massive.

Perrone Ford · December 31st, 2009, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perrone Ford

It has no bearing on the DNxHD codec.

I wanted to update this. This is in fact, not correct. The quality slider should ALWAYS be at 100%. It does make a difference. I was able to see it clearly in some night scenes I was working on.

Brian Luce · December 31st, 2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Sertic

There's a little glitch in streamclip on my computer where you can only see the top edge of the quality selector in the options window, but I got it to work.

Yes, it's wonky, you have to click the skinny white bar and then you'll get a drop down of all the frame rate/sizes.

I also get the aforementioned luminance hit in the 709 space.

Kuba Majewski · January 11th, 2010, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perrone Ford

It looks "faded" because DNxHD is set up for legal NTSC / PAL color and luminance. If your originals fall outside of the legal ranges, then you'll see this on your computer screen. What does the signal look like on the scopes? That is the accurate reference. Computer monitors make AWFUL judges of color and luminance for video.

I have a similiar problem. I converted Canon's 7d original file to DNxHD via Quick Time Pro and when imported to Premiere Pro CS3 it seems a litle bit brighter then the original. I dont know if the original falls outside of the legal ranges. I don't know how to interpret the scopes correctly.
On the other hand the original looks exactly the same as on my camera's lcd which is exactly how i would like it to look.

Something strange happens later when i export finished edit back to DNxHD. The footage bec omes even brighter. Anyone knows what is going on?

November 23rd, 2009, 02:16 PM	#33
Perrone Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 4,100	Hmm, that's odd. I never have that trouble on any of the three machines I do this on. In MpegStreamclip: I select DNxHD, usually use DNxHD 175x if I am bringing masters into Vegas, or DNxHD 36 if I am doing proxies. Make sure the interlacing option is turned off. Other than that, I just let it do the render and it comes into Vegas perfect. I do this in Vegas 9, Vegas 8.0c and Vegas 8.1. And right now on my timeline are DNxHD files I used Mpeg streamclip to convert from the 5D. __________________ 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 23rd, 2009, 02:27 PM	#34
Carlo Zanella Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Posts: 216	dnxhd and vegas Where do I find the "175x" value? (I do not have access to my workstation right now where streamclip is installed). Thank you. Carlo

November 23rd, 2009, 02:29 PM	#35
Perrone Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 4,100	If you select DNxHD in Mpeg Streamclip, there will be a button for options right next to it. This will bring up a list of all the different options for bitrates you can use. __________________ 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 23rd, 2009, 02:40 PM	#36
Carlo Zanella Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Posts: 216	dnxHD Thank you so much. I will try again this pm. Carlo

November 23rd, 2009, 02:51 PM	#38
Perrone Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 4,100	It has no bearing on the DNxHD codec. __________________ 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 23rd, 2009, 02:56 PM	#39
Carlo Zanella Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Posts: 216	dnxHD The "Options" pop up window has a glitch. How do I get to the bit rate? Thank you

November 23rd, 2009, 03:03 PM	#40
Carlo Zanella Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico Posts: 216	Ok I go it...Thank you

December 10th, 2009, 01:21 PM	#41
Lucas Mro Tourist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 4	streamclip comparison Hi guys So i converted a clip with streamclip using DNxHD codec setting 1080p 23.97 10-bit and it seems to look a bit faded compared to the original. It still isn't smooth in Premiere CS4. I found that if you drop the 7D original clips on the premiere timeline and render timeline, the footage runs smooth on my Quad core 2.4 ghz. Can i just render time line and work with originals or am I getting a quality hit once i color grade?

December 10th, 2009, 01:59 PM	#42
Perrone Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 4,100	It looks "faded" because DNxHD is set up for legal NTSC / PAL color and luminance. If your originals fall outside of the legal ranges, then you'll see this on your computer screen. What does the signal look like on the scopes? That is the accurate reference. Computer monitors make AWFUL judges of color and luminance for video. I also wouldn't expect it to run smoothly if you are using DNxHD 175x. That is a LOAD for most computers to carry. Especially at 1080p. The 7D is running at less than 1/3 the bit rate (though with a tougher codec). Generally, you edit with the DNxHD 36 on the timeline, and use the 175x for mastering. In terms of a quality hit, yea, the difference between the DNx and the original files is massive. __________________ 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.