For those A1, 24F, Avid Users Out There...

[Blake Calhoun]

For those interested, I think I finally figured out the best workflow (for me) for using Avid and 24F HDV.

I FINALLY realized that the 24F stream is recorded to tape with no pulldown added (this has been covered, but I hadn't tested for myself). This was/is great news. One less step for getting the footage into my Avid. Here are my steps:

1. Capture 24F footage using HDV Split
2. Open new files in MPEG Streamclip
3. Export Quicktime files with the DNxHD 175 8 bit codec (for 23.98fps)
4. Import clips into 1080p24 Avid project (not HDV, but HD)
5. Edit

I'm also about to buy Canon's Console and/or a Firestore FS-C, so that will eliminate the capture step.

The bad things about this workflow are the extra time it takes, and the fact that I can't keep the timecode in the clips. That really sucks for me, but I'll have to live with it until/if Avid will support 24F HDV in the future (but it's not looking good if you base it on JVC's non-existant 24p HDV support).

I'm still deciding what's best for my HV20 footage and Avid. I'm thinking a similar workflow, but using DVFilm Maker, or After Effects, or Neo HDV to remove the 3:2 pulldown.

Man, I sometimes miss the good old days of just editing Beta SP. ;)

[Robert Petersen]

Thanks for the update. I'll be purchasing either the HV20 or the XH-A1 soon. I use Avid Xpress Pro, and their compatibility information on these cameras is pretty much non-existant.
Changing the subject somewhat (Sorry), but I could use come feedback. I really like the features of the A1, but am bothered by the CA (Chromatic Aberration) that I see on wide sample video shots. I might just get the HV20 as a starter HDV camera until I become proficient in editing and encoding the HDV format. I've read some posts (they might be on another site) where people claim to have eliminated the CA in post; I just don't understand how that could be possible. Can the CA be dialed out by using a certain f-stop? Thanks for any info you can provide.

[Blake Calhoun]

I've personally not experienced any CA issues, however, my time on the A1 is limited. Only thing I've seen in some other folks footage is some very slight fringing around bright reds. Very slight. And this isn't uncommon with DV period. I'm not an engineer in any way, shape or form - but I have not seen this problem myself.

EDIT: Just found this online, "Post-processing to remove chromatic aberration usually involves scaling the fringed color channel, or subtracting some of a scaled version of the fringed channel."