Native XDCam editing at DVinfo.net

Andrew Clark · April 27th, 2007, 09:48 PM

Sony's Vegas 7 states that it edits XDCam "natively". Is that a good thing or would it be better to edit with an intermediate codec (i.e., Apple's ProRes422, Cineform's Aspect or Prospect, etc...)?

Jim Montgomery · April 27th, 2007, 09:59 PM

Using the XDCam Explorer you will be editing proxy files. When you are finished with the edit you "conform" the proxies to the HD files.

Jim

Douglas Spotted Eagle · April 27th, 2007, 10:25 PM

You don't have to edit the proxies. On a reasonably fast machine, you'll have no difficulty editing the master files, but proxies are very handy, and they look great.
Editing a four hour piece even as I type, but working with the master files for SDI output and accurate view/color correction.

Andrew Clark · April 29th, 2007, 01:28 AM

Will Vegas degrade the quality of the Master Files...say like if you do any color correcting, compositing, titles etc...?

Douglas Spotted Eagle · April 29th, 2007, 09:52 AM

Any time you alter the original structure of the file, it would be considered "degraded." Whether it is visually or even electronically demonstrable is another question.
Whether you damage the integrity of the file to a point where it is poor visually depends on what you do. Pushing saturation too far, will result in a poor image.
With that silliness/obviousness aside, you'll not find any issues with how Vegas manages the XDCAM files during color correction, etc.

April 27th, 2007, 09:48 PM	#1
Andrew Clark Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 477	Native XDCam editing Sony's Vegas 7 states that it edits XDCam "natively". Is that a good thing or would it be better to edit with an intermediate codec (i.e., Apple's ProRes422, Cineform's Aspect or Prospect, etc...)?

April 27th, 2007, 10:25 PM	#3
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	You don't have to edit the proxies. On a reasonably fast machine, you'll have no difficulty editing the master files, but proxies are very handy, and they look great. Editing a four hour piece even as I type, but working with the master files for SDI output and accurate view/color correction. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

April 29th, 2007, 09:52 AM	#5
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Any time you alter the original structure of the file, it would be considered "degraded." Whether it is visually or even electronically demonstrable is another question. Whether you damage the integrity of the file to a point where it is poor visually depends on what you do. Pushing saturation too far, will result in a poor image. With that silliness/obviousness aside, you'll not find any issues with how Vegas manages the XDCAM files during color correction, etc. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

April 27th, 2007, 09:59 PM	#2
Jim Montgomery Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Vero Beach Posts: 392	Using the XDCam Explorer you will be editing proxy files. When you are finished with the edit you "conform" the proxies to the HD files. Jim

April 29th, 2007, 01:28 AM	#4
Andrew Clark Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 477	Will Vegas degrade the quality of the Master Files...say like if you do any color correcting, compositing, titles etc...?