Quick question on MpegStreamclip workflow at DVinfo.net

Drew Cusick · October 15th, 2008, 04:11 PM

Hello all,

I just have a pretty simple question about using Mpeg Streamclip. I capture the m2t file using DVHSCap and when trying to transcode it to a quicktime file in Mpeg Streamclip, it tells me that I need to purchase the Quicktime Mpeg2 codec before it can do anything.

Does this mpeg2 codec come with Quicktime Pro? Or is this an add-on that is necessary to purchase? Because I dont want to buy both quicktime pro and the mpeg2 codec if its already included in the "pro" package.

Thanks,

Drew

Troy Teuscher · October 15th, 2008, 06:57 PM

Drew,
What software are you using for editing.

Drew Cusick · October 15th, 2008, 07:50 PM

At the moment I am using Premiere CS3. Which I despise.

Tim Dashwood · October 15th, 2008, 10:51 PM

If you had FCP the mpeg2 component would have been automatically installed. I'm surprised Premiere on a mac doesn't also use it.

Have you tried the demo of ClipWrap with Premiere? It requires the HDV component which may not be installed with Premiere either.

William Hohauser · October 15th, 2008, 10:52 PM

Investigate using ClipWrap instead.

Gary Nattrass · October 16th, 2008, 02:16 AM

Yes clipwrap is an easier way of getting .m2t into .mov files and there is no quality loss:

ClipWrap

David Allen Smith · October 16th, 2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary Nattrass

Yes clipwrap is an easier way of getting .m2t into .mov files and there is no quality loss:

ClipWrap

And much faster!!!!

Drew Cusick · October 16th, 2008, 12:36 PM

Does Clipwrap actually change the m2t files into frame-based codec files? Or does it keep its original GOP structure?

Tim Dashwood · October 16th, 2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew Cusick

Does Clipwrap actually change the m2t files into frame-based codec files? Or does it keep its original GOP structure?

It keeps it as original mpeg2 using the Quicktime HDV wrapper. I believe the only transcoding done is to the audio to uncompress it into 48Khz/16bit AIFF.
This is why it is so much faster than transcoding with Mpegstreamclip. There is no tax on the system processor. It only takes about as long as it would take for the system to copy the files from one hard drive to another.

Drew Cusick · October 16th, 2008, 03:55 PM

So does that mean you would be essentially editing in native HDV? I thought that was advised against?

Tim Dashwood · October 16th, 2008, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew Cusick

So does that mean you would be essentially editing in native HDV? I thought that was advised against?

From a speedy workflow/space saving perspective it is preferable to edit in the native format and set just your rendering codec (FCP6 only) to ProRes422. In FCP5 you may save some net time by transcoding everything up-front and using an intermediate codec but I wouldn't bother if you have a fast machine.

When the edit is locked you can render/transcode & master just the final sequence into any codec you would like, or simply print back to tape in native HDV.

Drew Cusick · October 16th, 2008, 06:25 PM

Thanks for explaining everything guys. I think that just about answers my questions.

October 15th, 2008, 04:11 PM	#1
Drew Cusick Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 65	Quick question on MpegStreamclip workflow Hello all, I just have a pretty simple question about using Mpeg Streamclip. I capture the m2t file using DVHSCap and when trying to transcode it to a quicktime file in Mpeg Streamclip, it tells me that I need to purchase the Quicktime Mpeg2 codec before it can do anything. Does this mpeg2 codec come with Quicktime Pro? Or is this an add-on that is necessary to purchase? Because I dont want to buy both quicktime pro and the mpeg2 codec if its already included in the "pro" package. Thanks, Drew

October 15th, 2008, 06:57 PM	#2
Troy Teuscher Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 31	Which editing software are you using Drew, What software are you using for editing.

October 15th, 2008, 10:51 PM	#4
Tim Dashwood Wrangler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 3,637	If you had FCP the mpeg2 component would have been automatically installed. I'm surprised Premiere on a mac doesn't also use it. Have you tried the demo of ClipWrap with Premiere? It requires the HDV component which may not be installed with Premiere either. __________________ Tim Dashwood

October 15th, 2008, 10:52 PM	#5
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Investigate using ClipWrap instead. __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

October 16th, 2008, 02:16 AM	#6
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	Yes clipwrap is an easier way of getting .m2t into .mov files and there is no quality loss: ClipWrap __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

October 15th, 2008, 07:50 PM	#3
Drew Cusick Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 65	At the moment I am using Premiere CS3. Which I despise.

October 16th, 2008, 12:36 PM	#8
Drew Cusick Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 65	Does Clipwrap actually change the m2t files into frame-based codec files? Or does it keep its original GOP structure?

October 16th, 2008, 03:55 PM	#10
Drew Cusick Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 65	So does that mean you would be essentially editing in native HDV? I thought that was advised against?

October 16th, 2008, 06:25 PM	#12
Drew Cusick Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Yorba Linda, CA Posts: 65	Thanks for explaining everything guys. I think that just about answers my questions.