Lesson Learned or Just a So-so Idea?

Jay Gladwell wrote on 5/12/2004, 8:47 AM
The 105 minute project I'm having trouble with in another thread as set me to thinking...

I've color corrected the footage, all 105 minutes of it, along with everything else I've added in the edit, i.e., titles, dissolves, graphics, stills, music, etc., and that all that together is taking some time to render... well it would if it were to ever finish (12 hours or there abouts).

The thought came to me (and maybe this has already been discussed here), why not do the color correction on the raw footage first thing then do the edit using the color corrected .aiv files? I would think that would reduce the "render load" considerably.

Any thoughts or opinions?

J--

P.S. I normally do the renders at night--while sleeping. This day-time render mode is for the birds. Too much time on my hands, I start thinking. That can be dangerous!

Comments

Former user wrote on 5/12/2004, 8:51 AM
One issue of doing color corrrection before editing, is matching the scenes. You want to be sure that if you are intercutting between shots, that they match. If you color correct with no idea of what shots will be intercut, then you run the risk of changing hues. When it is edited, it is easier to stay consistent.
I am not saying it wouldn't work, I am just saying this is something to think about.
Dave T2
JohnnyRoy wrote on 5/12/2004, 8:54 AM
This is how I work with analog footage. After I capture it, I run the raw footage through VirtualDub with the Border Control and Dynamic Noise Reduction filters to clean it up. I also use that opportunity to trim the in and out points since analog capture is not that exact. Once that’s complete, I bring the video into Vegas and edit. If I had to color correct all my clips, I’d probably do the same thing.

I usually capture a clip and then run it through VirtualDub while I’m capturing the next clip. So this really does save time.

~jr
GaryKleiner wrote on 5/12/2004, 8:54 AM
It all depends:

If you color correct everything first, then you are likely wasting time by processing footage that doesn't make it into the final edit.

On the other hand, if it's already late in the day and you aren't going to get to the edit 'till tomorrow AND the color correction won't take to long... then go for it.

Gary
Jay Gladwell wrote on 5/12/2004, 8:57 AM
Dave, I understand what your saying. It's a valid point, indeed! My only question would be, if I take footage (shots/takes) that was shot under the same conditions, and correct it accordingly, using the same settings for like shots, wouldn't they match when cut together?

J--
Jay Gladwell wrote on 5/12/2004, 9:00 AM
If you color correct everything first, then you are likely wasting time by processing footage that doesn't make it into the final edit.

Excellent point, Gary!

J--
Chienworks wrote on 5/12/2004, 9:59 AM
True, but you'd only be processing it once (maybe a second time if you find out later you messed up badly). On the other hand, if you wait to color correct while editing/rendering then you have to process it every time you access the footage. Even repositioning the cursor will take a time hit while that frame runs through the color correction filter. If you have to do several renders to check your output as you go then each of those will run slower because of the filters.

As long as you know you'll get the color right the first time around, definately go with color correcting the raw footage first.
Former user wrote on 5/12/2004, 10:43 AM
Yes. If you are doing an overal correction that applies equally to the scenes, it is probably better to do a raw color correction. But in situations where the scenes are shot in differnet locations, lighting etc, then you need to be able to match skin tones and such.

Dave T2
JJKizak wrote on 5/12/2004, 10:49 AM
I add the color saturation on the fly with the ADVC-300 while capturing and also the 2d & 3d noise filters and a bunch of other stuff. But not color correction the way V5 does. I might go through 20 short captures of the same 1 minute section just to get it right then go to the bulk of it when done. The 300 works really well on noise reduction and color saturation. This is with VHS tapes analog capture. Another solution is to upgrade in June to the new PCI express buss motherboards and Video cards which will make you 8 times faster then AGP 8X. I used to do 12 hour renders all the time with a P3 1gig and then upgraded to a P4 3.4 and 4 gig ram. Now its 2.5 to 3 hours.

JJK
Jay Gladwell wrote on 5/12/2004, 10:54 AM
Kelly, you brought another point I hadn't realized--hadn't been aware of, any way. But it makes all the sense in the world. Thanks!

J--
Jay Gladwell wrote on 5/12/2004, 10:57 AM
Yep, James, I guess an upgrade is inevitable, but I've got to squeeze a little more out of the current system. It's a finanical thing, don't you know!

J--
Jay Gladwell wrote on 5/12/2004, 10:57 AM
I thought that was what you meant, Dave, but I just wanted to make certain. Thanks!

J--
BrianStanding wrote on 5/12/2004, 12:57 PM
Caution: if you use this approach, you will lose the camera-original timecode on all your color-corrected clips. This can make it very difficult to recapture footage from the .SFVIDCAP file, if you ever need to in the future.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 5/12/2004, 1:33 PM
Another excellent point... thanks, Brian!

J--