Cineform 3.0 efficiency

Laurence wrote on 6/2/2006, 6:33 AM
I just did a test reconverting a directory full of m2t files to cineform codec with the new 3.0 version of ConnectHD and compared it with the same files converted with version 2.0.

I didn't render yet but I imagine that the render quality is the same. Preview quality also looks the same and CPU usage hovers around the same numbers. What is different is that the 3.0 rendered files play back much smoother on my system (a P4 3.06 with 2 gig RAM, streaming the video off an external firewire drive). I've done the test a number of times now and each time it is the same, the newly rendered Cineform 3.0 clips just play back smoother.

The reason this is important to me is that I have a really big project all captured with ConnectHD 2.0. Should I re-capture all the footage with version 3.0? I imagine if I had a faster PC this wouldn't be an issue, but with my current setup it seems to make quite a difference.

Comments

apit34356 wrote on 6/2/2006, 6:52 AM
Since ConnectHD 3.0 decoder plays smoother; One should be able to assume that a faster production and rendering times would result from using 3.0. It seems rerendering the m2t to 3.0 is the way to go. I have not studied the HD3.0 in detail yet, so more feedback about your results in your NLE workflow and rendering times(if available 2.0vs3.0) would be nice.
Laurence wrote on 6/2/2006, 7:24 AM
I suddenly realized that I was streaming Cineform clips off different firewire drives and that they might have different throughputs. I redid the test on a single drive and got the same results. Cineform 3.0 codec clips play back smoother. Where I really notice the difference is in the audio. With Cineform 2.0 clips, the audio cuts in and out even at lower preview resolutions. With Cineform 3.0 clips, I get solid playback. Again, with a faster PC this probably wouldn't even be noticable, but with my P4 3.06, it's a world of difference.

What is the best way to convert 6 subdirectories full of Cineform 2.0 clips?
Ben1000 wrote on 6/2/2006, 10:05 AM
Howdy...

I use one machine to convert to cineform (where I'm running licensed version 3) and another to edit. Is it posible to install the version 3 codecs on my secondary machine wihtout buying another license so I can take advantage of the smoother playback?

Best,

Benjamin

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http://www.neo-fight.tv [The "Techno-Debate" Video Podcast]
David Newman wrote on 6/2/2006, 11:57 AM
Ben,

In Vegas you on need to one license as it has a compatible CineForm codec for your editing. So you should purchase Connect HD 3.0 only for your acquistion PC. Otherwises if you want Connect HD in two locations simultaneously, you need two licenses.

David Newman
CTO, CineForm
apit34356 wrote on 6/2/2006, 12:43 PM
Batch streaming is one the way to go. You can batch using vegas, Peachrock software batchrendering has been given great reviews for big jobs. There was a free script that did batch rendering (may still be on VASST, or check with EdwardTroxel or his website). Maybe JohnnyMeyers can pointer to a better script. For each subdir, I would load the m2t files into the media pool, then using a script to grab a file, render from HD2 to HD3.0, then grab the next file.
Ben1000 wrote on 6/2/2006, 4:23 PM
Hi, Dan..

I'm afriad I find your answer very confusing. Maybe I'll ask it a different way...

Is the decoder any different from v2 to v3? If so, how do I installed just the decoder (not the encoding software) on my editing machine.

thanks,

Best,

Benjamin


----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.neo-fight.tv [The "Techno-Debate" Video Podcast]
David Newman wrote on 6/2/2006, 5:26 PM
If you have Vegas you have the decoder, but yes you can alway use a Connect HD install to upgrade the decoder, without an additional license. i.e. Usage within Vegas has been licensed by Sony. Usage (encoding) outside of Vegas requires a Connect HD license.
Ben1000 wrote on 6/2/2006, 6:47 PM
Ah, so I should install Connect HD on the editing machine (in trial mode) and that will install a new codec for Vegas to use?

Best,

Benjamin


----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.neo-fight.tv [The "Techno-Debate" Video Podcast]
Laurence wrote on 6/5/2006, 7:15 AM
I just can't get over how much more CPU efficient ConnectHD 3.0 is. Aside from the smart-rendering option, the new features don't really mean that much to me, but the efficiency improvement is just wonderful. Preview is just so much smoother. Transition previews are just as smooth as they are in SD as well. For anyone with a system straining to keep up with HD, switching to version 3.0 is as much of an upgrade as a faster CPU would be.
Ben1000 wrote on 6/5/2006, 11:28 AM
Howdy...

For anyone interested, we produced this week's version of our podcast using the new 3.0 codec, also using the 'deinterlace' setting to convert our Z1 footage to progressive...

http://www.neo-fight.tv

Best,

Benjamin

----------------------------------------------------------
http://www.neo-fight.tv [The "Techno-Debate" Video Podcast]