I usually basically use the vtxrocketeer workflow except I just use Frame Server as input to VD - saves a render.

I also use the free GoPro version of Cineform for the resized output - good, actually perfect, price.

Willem.

I shoot in HDV 1080ix60i. Render to 16:9 mpeg-2 (custom templates) @ 60i to DVD. Nothing special, always looks great with the footage I use.
If I'm using CG I normally render at 2x the res I'm delivering at. The FPS of the footage if I'm mixing it, if not I'll do 24 or 30p (why 30? Because 29.97 isn't an option many times & it's just a timeline thing when you use still sequences).

I've done some BD on DVD which look great, but nobody (yet) wants HD discs. It's either DVD or a media file. I've found that if I take my 30p still sequence & render it out to a 60i mpeg-2 the DVD player takes care of the interlacing. No clue why, but I've NEVER had an issue with 30p original CG looking bad when rendering to 60i & played back on a DVD. I normally use 24p if I can though, just to cut down on rendering time. Unless, again, I'm planning on doing something with it later (composting, etc), then I'll render 2x the framerate too & do my final render @ 60i and disabling all resampling on the event.

EDIT: HD projects run out of RAM real quick when I render to a compressed coded, so normally a render to uncompressed AVI then my final output is what I do with HD.

@Willem T

Can you confirm the free GoPro link for the software that you use?

Here is where I think it is but just want confirmation, thanks.
http://gopro.com/3d-cineform-studio-software-download/

@burchris13

That is it. I see that there has been an update to the version. My installed version is GoProCineFormStudioPC-1.1.2.100.zip.

After some experimentation using it with the deshaker script as well, I found you need to configure it as follows in VD to ensure the color levels are the same on the round trip (assuming you use it as render codec in Vegas as well).

Flags for:
Use Video System RGB - Dec off, Enc ticked.
Use ITU.Bt.709 colorspace both ticked.
The above works for the Frame Server as well.

Hope that helps

Willem.

I do notice that when rendering Main Concept DVDA 24p widescreen in Vegas, the template states that it's adding a pulldown to get to 23.97fps. Which is why, IMHO, it doesn't have to re-render in DVDA.

@Willem T

I installed the GoPro studio software but it doesn't handle my Sony AVCHD files.

Any other mts to avi freeware/open source converters available?

@burchis,

It isn't free or open source, I'm afraid, but a program called Sony Vegas Pro could render your mts files to any avi codec you have installed. ;) Sorry, couldn't resist.

Seriously, I use the script plugin Excalibur (OK, OK, I paid for that!) to make each event -- in your case an mts clip -- a region on the timeline and then batch render those regions to whatever I'd like, which is almost always a Cineform avi. You could use a free codec. You don't have to use Excalibur, but it sure is nice for managing lots of events.

I think I understand the flow but how I don't have the cineform avi codec.

I do have Sony Vegas Pro v9 and I can use the Microsoft avi but wanted the best possible solution.

@burchis13

I do not understand what you mean by "...it doesn't handle my Sony AVCHD files."

Vegas renders your file, from the above I assume you have Sony AVCHD clips on the timeline, to an .avi (using a "Video for Windows (*.avi)" render template) with the Cineform codec selected as the Video format.

Could you explain where the Sony AVCHD problem comes in?

NB. If you mean you are actually trying to use the GoPro studio software, ignore that and only use the installed Cineform codec when rendering from within Vegas. Unfortunately it does not seem to be possible to have the Cineform codec installed without also installing the Studio part. Just ignore that and use Vegas. The installed Cineform codec is also accessible in VD.

Willem.

Okay I guess I'm just a slow learner. I was trying to convert from within GoPro Studio. Cineform Codec v8.1.2 is now listed under the video formats. Also there is Cinepak Codec by Radius. In your opinion is Cineform the best of these two?

Any special configuration settings when using the Cineform Codec?

Thanks for getting me back on track

Just downloaded and install v8.1.2 so we are talking about the same thing.

In Vegas I configure Cineform as YUV 4:2:2 and usually Quality=High.

In VD I use the above settings with Quality High HD and Auto, Auto.

The VD output after resizing looks the same as the original (within reason) when comparing in Vegas.

Willem

@ Willem T

Thanks for the settings and all your help.