SEEKING INPUT on new QT HDV FREEWARE converter at DVinfo.net

Cody Lucido · December 21st, 2006, 07:34 PM

I find myself needing a converter to change the PC unfriendly Quicktime HDV to a PC friendly HD format.

I have hired a programmer to create a simple drag and drop program that will convert the Quicktime HDV format to a PC friendly HD file. I call it the Codeman Converter.

I will be offering this as FREEWARE once it is complete. I have been advised that I can pick either QT or AVI HD and wanted to know what you all would prefer the output to be. At this time I cannot output to m2t without a lot of cost.

I need to let my programmer in India know by tomorrow so that he can complete the project. I'm hoping to offer it as a Holiday present to you all, but we all know how software deadlines go.

Anyways, thanks for any and all input.

Cheers!

Nate Weaver · December 21st, 2006, 07:48 PM

What codec and wrapper would this convert to? Blackmagic codec avi?

It seems that the stumbling block has never been the lack of conversion tools, but the lack of codecs that are common between the NLEs on both sides.

Cody Lucido · December 21st, 2006, 07:56 PM

Actually there is a stumbling block right now with QuickTime HDV and the PC. They just don't get along. Until Apple updates Quicktime for the PC, I am trying to offer up a temporary solution for myself that I thought others might benefit from.

Ultimately you could convert it to whatever format you wanted. I am just trying to get over the Quicktime HDV/PC hurdle for now. It's really just a simple little down and dirty converter that will probably only be needed by a few people, but when you need it, it should really help.

What would be the most universal PC NLE friendly format? I know most of them can deal with AVIs, so this might be the route I go. Anybody?

Nate Weaver · December 21st, 2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cody Lucido

Until Apple updates Quicktime for the PC, I am trying to offer up a temporary solution for myself that I thought others might benefit from.

Apple will never include the HDV codecs for Windows Quicktime. Those codecs exist for the benefit of FCP users, and that's it. They don't even come with the standard install of Quicktime on a new Mac, you have to buy FCP to get them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cody Lucido

Ultimately you could convert it to whatever format you wanted. I am just trying to get over the Quicktime HDV/PC hurdle for now. It's really just a simple little down and dirty converter that will probably only be needed by a few people, but when you need it, it should really help.

What would be the most universal PC NLE friendly format? I know most of them can deal with AVIs, so this might be the route I go. Anybody?

I understand clearly what you are trying to do. But the problem as far as I can tell is not the fact that there's not a conversion utility, it's the lack of system wide compressed HD codecs like DVCPRO HD.

Anyway, the only answer I can think of to your problem is the Blackmagic codecs. They're free, and exist on both platforms. But it's uncompressed, and that's a big problem for a lot of people.

Cody Lucido · December 21st, 2006, 08:09 PM

If you can show me a FREE PC program that converts QT HDV to a useable file, by all means point me to it and I will not go ahead with the converter. I have searched and not found it.

Uncompressed Quicktime movies might be the answer. I do not care about size , and they can be rendered in most editors. Thoughts?

Cody Lucido · December 22nd, 2006, 12:01 PM

I didn't think you would be able to point me to a free pc converter. I decided to stick with a QuickTime solution throughout the process. I choose QuickTime Uncompressed.

If anybody is interested in helping beta test this converter, let me know.

Best,

Cody

Steven Gotz · December 22nd, 2006, 12:44 PM

Keep us posted. There is a LOT of interest in this. If you can find any codec or format that can be accepted by Vegas and Premiere Pro, that would be great. If you can find one that Cineform's HDLink can recognize, that is optimum.

Nate Weaver · December 22nd, 2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cody Lucido

I didn't think you would be able to point me to a free pc converter.

I never said I could, or would.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time. Good gosh.

Cody Lucido · December 22nd, 2006, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nate Weaver

I never said I could, or would.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time. Good gosh.

LOL. No problems. It is all good. Cheers!

Cody Lucido · December 27th, 2006, 08:11 AM

I just wanted to let anyone intereted know that I am getting closer to releasing the first version of the 'Codeman Converter'. I have just created the graphic skins and waiting for Ashok (my programmer) to complete the challenging conversion from QT HDV to QT Uncompressed on a PC. I am estimating next week.

Does anybody want to assist in beta testing this with me? If so, drop me an email.

Best,

Cody

Jared Teter · December 27th, 2006, 10:06 AM

I think that this free program called MPEG Streamclip will do everything you need it to do. I could be wrong though. Check it out at www.squared5.com

Cody Lucido · December 27th, 2006, 05:05 PM

While that is a great program, it doesn't support QT HDV for PC.

I posted a beta graphic of the Codeman Converter's Skin on my Flickr site if anybody is interested.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucido/335928832/

Cody Lucido · December 29th, 2006, 08:25 AM

I wanted to let you know that Ashok has completed programming on the video portion of the Codeman Converter - A considerable milestone. He has now focused on the audio part.

I hope to release this for the new year. I am still interested in anybody wanting to help beta test this thing.

Cody Lucido · January 7th, 2007, 11:28 AM

It works!

Ashok was able to break the Mac/PC hurdle and it is safe to say this pipedream is becoming a reality.

I am ready to alpha test. Anybody interested? I would like three people. If so, email me.

Thanks!

-Cody

December 21st, 2006, 07:34 PM	#1
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	SEEKING INPUT on new QT HDV FREEWARE converter I find myself needing a converter to change the PC unfriendly Quicktime HDV to a PC friendly HD format. I have hired a programmer to create a simple drag and drop program that will convert the Quicktime HDV format to a PC friendly HD file. I call it the Codeman Converter. I will be offering this as FREEWARE once it is complete. I have been advised that I can pick either QT or AVI HD and wanted to know what you all would prefer the output to be. At this time I cannot output to m2t without a lot of cost. I need to let my programmer in India know by tomorrow so that he can complete the project. I'm hoping to offer it as a Holiday present to you all, but we all know how software deadlines go. Anyways, thanks for any and all input. Cheers! __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com

December 21st, 2006, 07:48 PM	#2
Nate Weaver Wrangler Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 2,100	What codec and wrapper would this convert to? Blackmagic codec avi? It seems that the stumbling block has never been the lack of conversion tools, but the lack of codecs that are common between the NLEs on both sides. __________________ My Work: nateweaver.net

December 21st, 2006, 07:56 PM	#3
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	Actually there is a stumbling block right now with QuickTime HDV and the PC. They just don't get along. Until Apple updates Quicktime for the PC, I am trying to offer up a temporary solution for myself that I thought others might benefit from. Ultimately you could convert it to whatever format you wanted. I am just trying to get over the Quicktime HDV/PC hurdle for now. It's really just a simple little down and dirty converter that will probably only be needed by a few people, but when you need it, it should really help. What would be the most universal PC NLE friendly format? I know most of them can deal with AVIs, so this might be the route I go. Anybody? __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com

December 21st, 2006, 08:09 PM	#5
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	If you can show me a FREE PC program that converts QT HDV to a useable file, by all means point me to it and I will not go ahead with the converter. I have searched and not found it. Uncompressed Quicktime movies might be the answer. I do not care about size , and they can be rendered in most editors. Thoughts? __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com

December 22nd, 2006, 12:01 PM	#6
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	I didn't think you would be able to point me to a free pc converter. I decided to stick with a QuickTime solution throughout the process. I choose QuickTime Uncompressed. If anybody is interested in helping beta test this converter, let me know. Best, Cody __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com

December 22nd, 2006, 12:44 PM	#7
Steven Gotz Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,520	Keep us posted. There is a LOT of interest in this. If you can find any codec or format that can be accepted by Vegas and Premiere Pro, that would be great. If you can find one that Cineform's HDLink can recognize, that is optimum. __________________ Steven Gotz http://www.stevengotz.com

December 27th, 2006, 08:11 AM	#10
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	Update... I just wanted to let anyone intereted know that I am getting closer to releasing the first version of the 'Codeman Converter'. I have just created the graphic skins and waiting for Ashok (my programmer) to complete the challenging conversion from QT HDV to QT Uncompressed on a PC. I am estimating next week. Does anybody want to assist in beta testing this with me? If so, drop me an email. Best, Cody __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com

December 27th, 2006, 10:06 AM	#11
Jared Teter Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Salt Lake City Posts: 105	I think that this free program called MPEG Streamclip will do everything you need it to do. I could be wrong though. Check it out at www.squared5.com

December 27th, 2006, 05:05 PM	#12
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	While that is a great program, it doesn't support QT HDV for PC. I posted a beta graphic of the Codeman Converter's Skin on my Flickr site if anybody is interested. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lucido/335928832/ __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com Last edited by Cody Lucido; December 27th, 2006 at 11:10 PM.

December 29th, 2006, 08:25 AM	#13
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	Update.... I wanted to let you know that Ashok has completed programming on the video portion of the Codeman Converter - A considerable milestone. He has now focused on the audio part. I hope to release this for the new year. I am still interested in anybody wanting to help beta test this thing. __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com

January 7th, 2007, 11:28 AM	#14
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	Update... It works! Ashok was able to break the Mac/PC hurdle and it is safe to say this pipedream is becoming a reality. I am ready to alpha test. Anybody interested? I would like three people. If so, email me. Thanks! -Cody __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com Last edited by Cody Lucido; January 7th, 2007 at 07:27 PM.