SDE workflow, Final Cut, 7D cams

Craig Terott · February 9th, 2011, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Craggs

Secondly, for a SDE I would very much recommend dropping the USB card readers and picking up a Firewire card reader.

Yeah, I abandon the USB reader concept. But for your edification, the express card to CF reader is faster than firewire.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Craggs

As I'm going through the bride prep card I'm literally simply transcoding 3 or 4 seconds from 7 or 8 clips. Since I know what I'm looking for, when everything is transcoded it's just a matter of dragging everything to the timeline and re-ordering.

Question: for final output to projector, do you play the pro-res file? Because the data rate is so high with pro res I would be worried about playback. The larger the bitrate, the harder it is for the hard drive to keep up.

I've tested my own method for playback. Mini-display port to HDMI converter cable, use projector as 2nd monitor, and view full screen. I don't think I can get away with playing a monster pro-res file, though I haven't tested yet.

Jason Magbanua · February 9th, 2011, 09:26 PM

I know the title specifically mentioned an FCP workflow. But given your parameters, the 7Ds and H.264 are given, maybe try Premiere CS5 for a spin?

I'm quite successful with editing the MOV files from dslr using CS5 on 2.66 i7 MBP. I can even put in Mojo, which adds approximately 15 minutes to render.

I export to the Vimeo HD preset and play via the DVI out.

I just recently upgraded to an SSD drive and the cost is truly worth it with the speed gained and stress lessened.

Matthew Craggs · February 10th, 2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Terott

Question: for final output to projector, do you play the pro-res file? Because the data rate is so high with pro res I would be worried about playback. The larger the bitrate, the harder it is for the hard drive to keep up.

Nope, I too would be worried about playing back a ProRes file. I export using Compressor and the Apple TV codec

Craig Terott · February 10th, 2011, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Magbanua

I know the title specifically mentioned an FCP workflow. But given your parameters, the 7Ds and H.264 are given, maybe try Premiere CS5 for a spin?

It's logical. I bought CS4 last year (to author Bluray) and set out with the intent to switch to Premier then. I was quickly frustrated with Premier's Multi-clip editing (very laggy performance and lots of commands). Yuk. I gained perspective that day, for all the short-comings of Final Cut, the Multicam editing isn't one of them. Since I do so much multiclip stuff, just couldn't let go of Final Cut.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Magbanua

I'm quite successful with editing the MOV files from dslr using CS5 on 2.66 i7 MBP. I can even put in Mojo, which adds approximately 15 minutes to render.

I have two feelings at the same time, I'm jealous, and I'm angry at Apple for not supporting their pros.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Magbanua

I just recently upgraded to an SSD drive and the cost is truly worth it with the speed gained and stress lessened.

Awesome idea. I will upgrade mine to gain some speed.

Craig Terott · February 10th, 2011, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Craggs

Nope, I too would be worried about playing back a ProRes file. I export using Compressor and the Apple TV codec

With 1920x1080 output from my projector, I want the presentation to scream HD (as well as it can with a projector). The Apple TV codec is 720p and some fairly aggressive compression to accommodate LAN streaming.

Craig Terott · February 10th, 2011, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthew Craggs

I would also recommend that you use the log and transfer tool. It is a very powerful tool that will save you a lot of time.

I connect the card, open up Log & Transfer, and pick the clips I want to import.

Thanks Matthew, but what am I missing? I just tested this and I can't get Log and Transfer to mount a CF card or folder in the CF card.

I get this error message "Warning [my CF card] contains unsupported media or has an invalid directory structure. Please choose a folder whose directory structure matches the supported media."

UPDATE: ok i see I need a plugin

UPDATE 2: The plugin works well. It transcodes much faster than I thought. I think this workflow is gonna work! I think I just need to explore some export options. My thought was to write the finished file to an SxS card plugged into an Express Card slot which would be faster read than any external drive.

Tim Gilbertson · February 12th, 2011, 11:48 AM

Just to chime in: my 2008 MBP Intel Duo 2.4 with 4 gigs has a very hard time with 7D footage (I usually render to offline RT, then re-reference the files on final render) but my new 27" iMac quad i7 has no problem with only 4 gigs.

The MBP lags just playing the files in QT or QuickView.

Kelly Langerak · February 14th, 2011, 03:46 PM

I have the newest MacBook Pro i7.

The fastest connection on this is the Firewire 800. I would think this is the best way to connect my CF cards?

How about playing on a projector. Which connection will I use? The mini display port?

Will audio go through this connection too?

Warren Kawamoto · February 14th, 2011, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Terott

With 1920x1080 output from my projector, I want the presentation to scream HD

Just out of curiosity, which projector are you using? Most can't output 1920x1080. As a sidenote, I once did a side by side test, HD vs SD. Standing 3 feet away from the screen, there was a huge difference between HD and SD, you could see the pixels. 50 feet away from the screen, where most of the audience sits, there was no difference to the eye!

John Kopec · February 15th, 2011, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Langerak

I have the newest MacBook Pro i7.

How about playing on a projector. Which connection will I use? The mini display port?

Will audio go through this connection too?

Get the Mini Display Port to HDMI adapter. The newest MBP i7s have audio running through their ?minidisplay/HDMI output; early models do not.

Craig Terott · February 16th, 2011, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warren Kawamoto

Just out of curiosity, which projector are you using? Most can't output 1920x1080.

Mine outputs 1920x1080

Craig Terott · February 16th, 2011, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kopec

Get the Mini Display Port to HDMI adapter. The newest MBP i7s have audio running through their ?minidisplay/HDMI output; early models do not.

Yes, MiniDisplay to HDMI adaptor. Works great. Audio out from headphone jack, to DJ.

Craig Terott · February 16th, 2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warren Kawamoto

50 feet away from the screen, where most of the audience sits, there was no difference to the eye!

Ok I haven't tested 50 feet away. I've tested 20-25 feet away by changing the output res. The difference is like night and day. The SD looks like a steaming pile of Dog@#+ compared to full HD. There's no question, one looks better than the other.

Kelly Langerak · February 17th, 2011, 05:38 PM

Help!!

The projector has VGA and RCA for audio.

What would you use?

I'd like to do Mini Display to VGA, but will audio go through it?

If not what audio cable would you use?

John Kopec · February 17th, 2011, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kelly Langerak

Help!!

The projector has VGA and RCA for audio.

What would you use?

I'd like to do Mini Display to VGA, but will audio go through it?

If not what audio cable would you use?

The only thing you can do is go VGA for video, and 1/8 to RCA for audio.
If you needed to go long distances, you might need a more complicated approach(Headphone--> 1/4-->DI box--> to XLR--> DI -->headphone--> RCA, or something like that) but its most likely not worth it and needed unless really long distances...

February 12th, 2011, 11:48 AM	#22
Tim Gilbertson Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Posts: 59	Just to chime in: my 2008 MBP Intel Duo 2.4 with 4 gigs has a very hard time with 7D footage (I usually render to offline RT, then re-reference the files on final render) but my new 27" iMac quad i7 has no problem with only 4 gigs. The MBP lags just playing the files in QT or QuickView. __________________ Edmonton Wedding Photography, Video, and PhotoFusion - Infinitelink Free Backlinking Project

February 9th, 2011, 09:26 PM	#17
Jason Magbanua Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Manila Posts: 317	I know the title specifically mentioned an FCP workflow. But given your parameters, the 7Ds and H.264 are given, maybe try Premiere CS5 for a spin? I'm quite successful with editing the MOV files from dslr using CS5 on 2.66 i7 MBP. I can even put in Mojo, which adds approximately 15 minutes to render. I export to the Vimeo HD preset and play via the DVI out. I just recently upgraded to an SSD drive and the cost is truly worth it with the speed gained and stress lessened.

February 14th, 2011, 03:46 PM	#23
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	I have the newest MacBook Pro i7. The fastest connection on this is the Firewire 800. I would think this is the best way to connect my CF cards? How about playing on a projector. Which connection will I use? The mini display port? Will audio go through this connection too?

February 17th, 2011, 05:38 PM	#29
Kelly Langerak Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bay Area Posts: 522	Help!! The projector has VGA and RCA for audio. What would you use? I'd like to do Mini Display to VGA, but will audio go through it? If not what audio cable would you use?