HD-SDI to Mac Pro Workflow at DVinfo.net

Robert Ducon · July 4th, 2007, 12:13 PM

Hi all - I'm planning a shoot in theory, and wonder if you all approve or can suggest anything different?!

I'm planning a shoot from a camera with HDMI out, to a nanoConnect (HDMI -> HD-SDI) convertor, then to a 50' BNC-terminated cable to a Mac Pro with a Decklink HD Extreme = entirely digital signal (w/audio). Once in the computer, there'll be a 2x250 GB (500 GB total) RAID set to capture: Codec?

Suggestions on codecs? I'd love to use Cineform because of what I've heard about it's great quality and small size. However, it's not ready for the Mac OS yet and my shoot is next month. Blackmagic JPEG isn't good enough for my purposes - the resulting video image will have a lot of work done on it. I don't own Final Cut Studio 2 (with it's Proress 422) - how is that codec?

Robert Ducon · July 5th, 2007, 03:18 PM

Firty views, and nary a peep.

Is this a good workflow? Is ProRess 422 okay?

Dave Perry · July 7th, 2007, 08:12 PM

Robert,

I've spent the last 6 mos working with our MacPro capturing directly from the HD/SDI output of a Canon XL H1. We have a 3.5 Tb Ciprico fibre channel RAID that will handle 10 bit uncompressed HD. Using that codec, at 600 GB/hr of footage, means 3.5 Tb of storage is really only enough for 1 project at a time. We recently finished a shoot using the same system but captured as DVCProHD, about the same data rate as 10 bit SD uncompressed, 100 GB/hr.

You don't have enough storage for anything higher than DVCProHD in my opinion. 10 bit uncompressed HD is out of the question.

We are currently getting ready to try ProRes 422 using the AJA io/HD and FCS 2. I'll let you know how it works when we get it. The AJA io/HD hasn't started shipping yet though.

Search my posts for for info on our current mobile uncompressed HD setup.

Robert Ducon · July 8th, 2007, 08:57 PM

Dave,

Thanks for your reply. I'll be using 4x250 GB HD's in the Mac Pro then in RAID.. and I am really wishing to use the ProRes 422 at 8bit. I'd capture to BM uncompressed 8bit, but never got it working with 3 drives - couldn't substain 29.97 fps (stuck around 27 lol).

I'll check out your post, and I'll be interested in hearing your results. I will post my results too once I get FCS2 since I already have all the hardware. Cheers!

Eugene Kim · November 24th, 2007, 03:12 PM

Yup, thanks, all I needed to know. I was planning to buy the new Nebtek monitor, but because I need to replace my computer now; that was the reason for the change in plans. Still, will eventually buy it after this.

The biggest reason to upgrade the laptop though is a might as well one if I can get one cheap enough, I need the laptop for a different application software for which my current one is more than adequate though (just don't want to have to reinstall it and bother with licensing/registration stuff twice).

Thanks so much for the input though, it's been very helpful.

July 4th, 2007, 12:13 PM	#1
Robert Ducon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 400	HD-SDI to Mac Pro Workflow Hi all - I'm planning a shoot in theory, and wonder if you all approve or can suggest anything different?! I'm planning a shoot from a camera with HDMI out, to a nanoConnect (HDMI -> HD-SDI) convertor, then to a 50' BNC-terminated cable to a Mac Pro with a Decklink HD Extreme = entirely digital signal (w/audio). Once in the computer, there'll be a 2x250 GB (500 GB total) RAID set to capture: Codec? Suggestions on codecs? I'd love to use Cineform because of what I've heard about it's great quality and small size. However, it's not ready for the Mac OS yet and my shoot is next month. Blackmagic JPEG isn't good enough for my purposes - the resulting video image will have a lot of work done on it. I don't own Final Cut Studio 2 (with it's Proress 422) - how is that codec? __________________ Mac + Canon HV20

July 5th, 2007, 03:18 PM	#2
Robert Ducon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 400	Firty views, and nary a peep. Is this a good workflow? Is ProRess 422 okay? __________________ Mac + Canon HV20

July 7th, 2007, 08:12 PM	#3
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	Robert, I've spent the last 6 mos working with our MacPro capturing directly from the HD/SDI output of a Canon XL H1. We have a 3.5 Tb Ciprico fibre channel RAID that will handle 10 bit uncompressed HD. Using that codec, at 600 GB/hr of footage, means 3.5 Tb of storage is really only enough for 1 project at a time. We recently finished a shoot using the same system but captured as DVCProHD, about the same data rate as 10 bit SD uncompressed, 100 GB/hr. You don't have enough storage for anything higher than DVCProHD in my opinion. 10 bit uncompressed HD is out of the question. We are currently getting ready to try ProRes 422 using the AJA io/HD and FCS 2. I'll let you know how it works when we get it. The AJA io/HD hasn't started shipping yet though. Search my posts for for info on our current mobile uncompressed HD setup. __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

July 8th, 2007, 08:57 PM	#4
Robert Ducon Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Victoria BC Posts: 400	Dave, Thanks for your reply. I'll be using 4x250 GB HD's in the Mac Pro then in RAID.. and I am really wishing to use the ProRes 422 at 8bit. I'd capture to BM uncompressed 8bit, but never got it working with 3 drives - couldn't substain 29.97 fps (stuck around 27 lol). I'll check out your post, and I'll be interested in hearing your results. I will post my results too once I get FCS2 since I already have all the hardware. Cheers! __________________ Mac + Canon HV20

November 24th, 2007, 03:12 PM	#5
Eugene Kim Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 166	Yup, thanks, all I needed to know. I was planning to buy the new Nebtek monitor, but because I need to replace my computer now; that was the reason for the change in plans. Still, will eventually buy it after this. The biggest reason to upgrade the laptop though is a might as well one if I can get one cheap enough, I need the laptop for a different application software for which my current one is more than adequate though (just don't want to have to reinstall it and bother with licensing/registration stuff twice). Thanks so much for the input though, it's been very helpful.