MainConcept HD MPEG

KevHD wrote on 3/22/2004, 6:21 PM
I'm using Vegas to edit MPEG HD from the GR-HD1. In order to match the quality of my original footage I need to use a video bitrate of 18,300,000 and a system bitrate of 19,400,000. After updating my encoder with ConnectHD I am able to change to the system bitrate, but the video bitrate is still stuck at either 15,000,000 or 15,300,001. I can still render my projects at those bitrates and it works, but why can't I select the higher bitrate? Any suggestions? Any upgrades planned?

Comments

SonyEPM wrote on 3/22/2004, 7:04 PM
From Cineform support pages:

How do I export Transport streams from Vegas 4.0 for output to my HDV camera or my DVHS deck?


1. Click on the 'File' menu and go to 'Render As'
2. Select Save As Type: Main Concept MPEG-2
3. Select Template: HD 720 - 30p
4. Click on the 'Custom' button.
5. In the 'Project' tab change the title to HDV 720 - 30p
6. In the 'Video' tab select 'Constant Bitrate' and change the bitrate to 15,000,000
7. In the 'Audio' tab change the 'Audio bitrate' to 384
8. In the 'System' tab change 'Stream Type' to 'Transport'. Then under 'System Bitrate' uncheck the 'Auto Calculate' box and type in 19,400,000
9. Finally click the disk button at the top of the screen to save your new template. Then click OK.
10. Use your saved template to export a transport stream file.
11. The file Vegas creates is still named with a .mpg extension. Rename the file so that it has an m2t file extension if you want to export the file back to your HDV camera or DVHS deck.
RBartlett wrote on 3/22/2004, 11:58 PM
So Vegas can export in "HDV" format directly. Marvellous.
Cineform providing the device control/capture and the option to use an intermediary codec (like MJPEG) withou having to piece together such items on your own?

With Vegas permitting a modicum of slick Mpeg-2 editing, and with the software bundled with the original JVC pair of HDV cameras. I'm not sure I'm seeing the value proposition of 3rd party HD enabling technology for an NLE such as Vegas.

I've tried some sample .m2t and .trp files from HDV camera owners. Teamed up with jpg.com's PICVideo MJPEG, I find that they operate very smoothly, almost DV-like in Vegas4. The original MPEG files are also editable enough, just not quite so smoothly in the editing environment.

I've stated the above workflow before. However I do realise that many people want device control of HDV and even DVHS.

In fact going back to HDV wouldn't even be attractive to me. DVHS perhaps.
JJKizak wrote on 3/23/2004, 5:33 AM
Since Vegas does not recognize the JVC D-VHS deck for capture or PTT how can it bypass the Cineform Connect HD?

JJK
RBartlett wrote on 3/23/2004, 2:53 PM
Vegas4 capture module is almost as much of a separate application as anything that comes with a camera to connect over firewire.

The workflow becomes more broken and without a frameserver, could increase disc usage. However I do see that DVHS device control is a final step, not the only step to running HD in and out of Vegas4.

You could even launch the KDDI capture/print-to-tape app by altering the Vegas preference setting for the capture utility to KDDI.

If you've got a DVHS deck, you might not have the software that comes with the HD1/HD10 HDV cameras. This could also be moot with Vegas5 (5.0c or 6.0 !)
JJKizak wrote on 3/24/2004, 5:43 AM
Hope your right on the Vegas 5. Hopefully they will address those little anamolies.

JJK

SonyEPM wrote on 3/24/2004, 9:05 AM
If you have an HDV device of any type, the Cineform tool is definitely worth looking into. Yes, they provide a basic capture utility but the heart of the product is a very nice intermediate codec that you can capture to directly. HDV playback performance in Vegas 4 is really good if you are using this codec, and quality is excellent.

Obviously everyone is excited about HDV but I'd advise being patient-it took awhile for the DV format to evolve into a legit pro format (cameras, decks, apps, codecs, systems, delivery...) and I expect we'll see the same thing with HDV, albeit on a faster schedule.