Help Request: What program to use to convert from H264 to HDV?

Daniel Epstein · December 25th, 2009, 12:55 PM

David,
I am not looking at all the options for exporting but Mpeg Streamclip and it is free.

Squared 5 - MPEG Streamclip video converter for Mac and Windows

Might be able to help you out for getting H264 to some other Codec Protools likes better. I would worry that frame sync may drift between audio and video on any conversion though so it may throw your timing a little off. Clients may have to send you some sort of sync check on the file like a countdown so you can tell if your playback system is accurate.

David W. Jones · December 25th, 2009, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sean Scarfo

Thank you for taking an interest and pointing me in a direction. I'd be happy if you could be more specific how you believe it will speed up my workflow.

Sean, if you are finding it hard to see how spotting to an exact time code number would be a time saver over guessing and repositioning then I don't know what to tell you.
You might pose this question over on the gearslutz board in the post section next to your other question there. They are a wealth of info and not quite as cranky as this old fart.
And again, I strongly recommend reading your ProTools user manual, as it would be helpful in your situation.

All the Best!

Sean Scarfo · December 25th, 2009, 10:22 PM

Daniel,

I think I 'might' have found my solution, via TMPGEnc + the Avid DNxHD codec. It definitely keeps the HD quality I'm looking for, it's frame accurate, and the file size isn't crazy large like Photo JPeg. I've found by tweaking the DVCPro Codec, it retains a good portion of quality as well, but much smaller file size.
-----------
David,

Well, I guess we're not seeing eye to eye as I was looking forward to learning from someone with many (many) years experience. I've re-read the Ref Guide per your suggestion, and haven't found anything that I find applicable in my particular work flow. If you're referring to the use of 'spot' mode, I've been using that for a long while.

Maybe after the holidays are done you'd be willing to share some pointers or describe your workflow as so I can better understand your perspective.

December 25th, 2009, 12:55 PM	#16
Daniel Epstein Trustee Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New York, NY Posts: 1,267	David, I am not looking at all the options for exporting but Mpeg Streamclip and it is free. Squared 5 - MPEG Streamclip video converter for Mac and Windows Might be able to help you out for getting H264 to some other Codec Protools likes better. I would worry that frame sync may drift between audio and video on any conversion though so it may throw your timing a little off. Clients may have to send you some sort of sync check on the file like a countdown so you can tell if your playback system is accurate.

December 25th, 2009, 10:22 PM	#18
Sean Scarfo Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa, FL USA Posts: 42	Daniel, I think I 'might' have found my solution, via TMPGEnc + the Avid DNxHD codec. It definitely keeps the HD quality I'm looking for, it's frame accurate, and the file size isn't crazy large like Photo JPeg. I've found by tweaking the DVCPro Codec, it retains a good portion of quality as well, but much smaller file size. ----------- David, Well, I guess we're not seeing eye to eye as I was looking forward to learning from someone with many (many) years experience. I've re-read the Ref Guide per your suggestion, and haven't found anything that I find applicable in my particular work flow. If you're referring to the use of 'spot' mode, I've been using that for a long while. Maybe after the holidays are done you'd be willing to share some pointers or describe your workflow as so I can better understand your perspective.