codec for uncompressed Quicktime

crocdoc wrote on 7/22/2008, 7:58 PM
Does anyone know a good (preferably free) codec which can be used in Vegas to read uncompressed quicktime files so that I can render them out as mpeg2 for showing on small LCD or plasma screens? I have tried a free trial version of SheerVideo but that didn't seem to do the trick (although I have only relaunched Vegas rather than restarting my computer).

I'm happy to pay for a codec, but would still need at least a free trial version to make sure it works before I buy it.

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 7/22/2008, 8:14 PM
"codec" means "compressor/decompressor". Uncompressed therefore means that no codec is involved. If you've installed Quicktime on your computer then Vegas can open uncompessed Quicktime files, no codec necessary.

If you can't open them then some sort of codec was probably used and they aren't uncompressed.
crocdoc wrote on 7/22/2008, 9:20 PM
Thanks for clearing that up.

Are there codecs that are used by FCP that are not available for PCs?

Assuming that I am able to get a codec to sort this issue out, how would I find out which codec I need?
crocdoc wrote on 7/22/2008, 11:14 PM
It's all academic now, anyway. After downloading and installing several versions of the H264 codec (as well as some others), Vegas fails to launch - it gets stuck on the 'Initializing DirectX plug-ins" part of the splash screen :(

rmack350 wrote on 7/23/2008, 8:24 AM
Okay, backing up a bit, you've got .mov files that won't play in Vegas. Someone has told you they are uncompressed, which seems doubtful because a) they'd be enormous and b)they should play just fine even if all you have on your system is quicktime player.

If the media plays in quicktime player then I *think* there's an option in there to get info about the file and there you could figure out what the file really is. That's where I'd start.

I doubt that you need so many H264 codecs, you'll have to remove a few to get Vegas running again.

Rob Mack
JohnnyRoy wrote on 7/23/2008, 8:31 AM
> Are there codecs that are used by FCP that are not available for PCs?

Yes. I think the Apple HD intermediary codec is only available on the Mac.

> how would I find out which codec I need?

Open the file in the Quicktime Player and go to Window | Show Movie Inspector Ctrl+I and in the Movie Inspector window look under Format and it will tell you the codec being used.

> After downloading and installing several versions of the H264 codec (as well as some others), Vegas fails to launch

Hopefully you (or an installer) set a System Restore point before all of this that you can go back to. If not, start uninstalling whatever it is you installed. If that doesn't work, search the web for a DirectX Plug-in Manager that can disable the plug-ins you installed. Codecs have nothing to do with DirectX so I'm not sure what you installed that killed Vegas but randomly installing software from the web without a restore point or backup is obviously not a good idea. :(

~jr
crocdoc wrote on 7/23/2008, 4:38 PM
"which seems doubtful because a) they'd be enormous and b)they should play just fine even if all you have on your system is quicktime player."

Yes to a). If you consider 1.5-2gb for 60 second standard definition clips enormous, then they are enormous. I don't know much about video, but if that's not enormous, I'd hate to have to deal with enormous files. Imagine if they were 60 minutes instead of 60 seconds.
No to b). It will not play in Quicktime. I've uninstalled all of the new codecs and was able to get Vegas to boot up once again. I then downloaded and installed the latest version of Quicktime (which has loads of advertising blurb about the H264 codec on the apple download site), restarted my computer and still no joy. Vegas recognises the sound track when I try to drag a file from the explorer to the timeline, but does not create a video track (nor moves the video onto a pre-created video track). It does not play in Quicktime, but I do get a message telling me that some 'software' is required and that I should follow the link to the Quicktime codec site, which just lists a bunch of propietary codecs with no indication of which one I need. I don't have time to try them all.

"Yes. I think the Apple HD intermediary codec is only available on the Mac."

I should mention that these files are standard definition PAL. Most of the original clips were shot on broadcast cameras - digi beta - and some on mini-DV, after which they were edited on a Mac (not by me) and we got the files from the editor as "uncompressed quicktime" videos.



crocdoc wrote on 7/23/2008, 4:44 PM
Following JohnnyRoy's advice, I used the Movie Inspector window to look at the video details after trying (and failing) to open the file in Quicktime. It doesn't provide the codec, but does give details on the format: Uncompressed 10 bit 4:2:2 720x576 millions of colours.
16-bit integer (Big Endian), Stereo, 48.000 kHz
Data Rate: 222.66 mbits/sec
Duration: 00:01:02.28

I have 34 of these videos and this one isn't the biggest :(

Reckon 222 mb/sec is overkill? hahahaha.

Chienworks wrote on 7/23/2008, 4:48 PM
Ahhh, it's probably the 10 bit that's killing it for you. Vegas can only read/write 8 bit. You're going to have to find a converter somewhere to resample them. Quicktime Pro can probably do it for you and last i checked it was only about $30 or so.
crocdoc wrote on 7/23/2008, 6:58 PM
That makes sense. Thank you for that!

-update- close but no cigar. Despite reading all of the negative reviews on the apple site, I forked out the $45 for Quicktime Pro (somehow, even though it's a download and costs nothing to ship and our dollar is pretty much on par with the US dollar, it's still 1 1/2 times more expensive in Australia. Go figure).

It can't open the file, either. The big difference is that now I get a new and different (yet equally unhelpful) error message when I try to open the file. It still directs me to the same page with a list of propietary codecs/conversion software, still doesn't tell me which one I need.

Back to square one.

-Update on an update- Opened it on Premiere Pro. Problem solved. Now I just have to learn enough PP to do what I need to do with the videos.