The problem that you have is that Vegas 5 does not come with the CineForm codec like Vegas 6 does. This means you must edit M2T files natively which is tough to do, or buy CineForm Connect HD. What you can do with GearShift is edit with a DV Proxy and then swap to HDV M2T files for hi def output. This means your MPEG2 DVD files (which use the 4:2:0 color space) will be made directly from the original hi definition M2T files (that also use the 4:2:0 color space). If you capture as a DV file (or use the DV proxies) you will be converting down to the 4:1:1 colorspace. You may not see a difference at all, but that is the only trade-off. (of course, if you capture as DV you won’t be able to zoom either)

BTW, the GearShift “proxy” is a misnomer. It is a “proxy” for the HDV file but it is a full quality DV AVI file. (so it is not a “proxy to another DV format, it IS the DV format”

So you can capture to M2T files, use GearShift to create the DV Proxies, zoom to your hearts content, and then swap out the proxies for the final render from HDV (which is need to keep the zoom quality high). I think GearShift will be a good workflow for what you want to do.

~jr

There are a bunch on ebay... although you can get the A1u for a couple hundred more at B&H after the 500USD rebate.

As for the original question, I am not sure as I use Vegas 6 and convert to the Cineform intermediary.

j razz

JR-

So, if I get the HC1 & Gearshift, then my process is to capture the HDV (via CapDVHS), use Gearshift to generate a proxy, edit normally in Vegas 5, and then somehow V5 will use the HDV .m2t file "natively" and render me a normal MPEG2 that I can burn to a standard DVD?

Using this process can I zoom in & shift the focus around in the video and not get pixelation like you would zooming in on SD video source? Or is the only benefit to a V5 user just the better color space of HDV?

JR-

Forgot a question: so if I get Gearshift, does a V6 user have any HDV advantage over a V5 user (except that it can capture direct instead of using CapDVHS)?

Brian

I believe here are some color space issues with V5 vs V6 but I believe GearShift can handle those.
I'd also reccomend using HDV Split as a capture for the M2t's.

> So, if I get the HC1 & Gearshift, then my process is to capture the HDV (via CapDVHS), use Gearshift to generate a proxy, edit normally in Vegas 5, and then somehow V5 will use the HDV .m2t file "natively" and render me a normal MPEG2 that I can burn to a standard DVD?

Yes. I almost forgot that Vegas 5 doesn’t capture HDV either so you can use CapDVHS or HDVSplit as epirb recommended. Vegas 5 will recognize the M2T files without a problem. It just doesn’t capture them. GearShift will help you shift between the DV proxies and HDV source.

> Using this process can I zoom in & shift the focus around in the video and not get pixelation like you would zooming in on SD video source? Or is the only benefit to a V5 user just the better color space of HDV?

Yes you can zoom in using this workflow because your last step will be to swap out the DV proxies for the HDV footage.

> Forgot a question: so if I get Gearshift, does a V6 user have any HDV advantage over a V5 user (except that it can capture direct instead of using CapDVHS)?

The advantage for HDV users in Vegas 6 is that it has an internal capture tool and it ships with the CineForm intermediary codec so you can render hi-def intermediaries if you PC can handle it. Vegas 6 also comes with a Sony YUV codec for declink cards but if you don’t have a declink card this is a moot point/feature.

> I believe here are some color space issues with V5 vs V6 but I believe GearShift can handle those.

Yes, GearShift takes card of this so not to worry.

~jr

My two cents.
I got the HC1 at the beginning of this year and love it.
I capture with HD Split and love it.
I edit M2t files right in vegas 6 and have no problems, though I spend a lot of time rendering to RAM if I get more than two layers. I have a AMD 4800+ dual core so I may be spoiled a bit. I also have not worked on a real big project yet - that's when I try Gear Shift.

I might be wrong but i thought you could get and legally keep the CineForm Codex from the ConnectHD or Vegas6 trial versions, no?

Jim:

The conclusion I've come to is that m2t editing turns into a nightmare when you get more than 50 or so clips. It brings down the computer when I get to around 80.

The workaround I use is to render the raw m2t clips into Cineform and wideDV right at the outset with Gearshift, and never bring them (the m2t clips) to the timeline at all. After that render, I throw them away (figuratively speaking, of course). I can work fluidly in DV and GearShift to Cineform for the final HDV render back to tape.