OT: XDCAM EX and Cineform

Serena wrote on 10/22/2007, 10:38 PM
Those already working with MXF format files will know the answer to this and can point me in the right direction. I know Vegas Pro 8 is as fine with this format as with HDV, but generally I prefer to work with Cineform intermediates. The EX camera operates in both HQ and SP modes (35 Mb/s VBR 1920 x 1080 and 25Mb/s CBR 1440 x 1080), so if I want to put 1920 x 1080 DI on the timeline I believe I'll need the NEO HD codec. Is that right?
Any experience on how that workflow affects playback speed in Vegas Pro 8? You might add views about the "goodness" of post using only the MXF format (usually I go through several generations, so not just cut and paste).

Comments

DJPadre wrote on 10/22/2007, 11:18 PM
Serena in teh days of V6 i had to literally do this for XDcam footage. Mind you it was 1440x1080, but in essense, the only difference between 1440 vs 1920 is a shift nin pixel aspect.
Performance was MUCH better using cineform (as opposed to native. Also pagefiling doesnt require a massive build so its also better to use CF if you hae multiple apps running.. close to DV in fact on all accounts
As for neo, i dont believe its a necessity if all your doing is creating basic intermediates, as CF suports up to 1920 anyway.

Coursedesign wrote on 10/22/2007, 11:33 PM
the only difference between 1440 vs 1920 is a shift nin pixel aspect.

Unless the camera has 1920x1080 sensors. Isn't that the case here?
Serena wrote on 10/22/2007, 11:54 PM
Yes, 1920 x 1080 P. There is the option for output in HDV format, but it's the full definition option I'm thinking about.

EDIT: of course already I have Neo HDV, but seems to me that I'll need NEO HD. The Cineform guys are presently surrounded by wild fires, but anyway it is a Vegas/Cineform type of subject.
DJPadre wrote on 10/23/2007, 1:14 AM
sorry i shoud have made it clearer..
the res is indeed different, however by ising a shift in PIA one can achieve the same results.
In turn, you can create a 1920x1080 file from 1440x1080 with next to no loss in res (due to scaling) simply by changing the PIA

as for the EX, it is indeed square pixel, hdv mode (or SP mode on the ex) however is not square.. much like the XDcamHD disc based system, its HDV res using anamorphic PIA to fill a 1920 frame
ForumAdmin wrote on 10/23/2007, 9:14 AM
The EX comes with an import utility that will quickly convert the files you are importing from the camera to .MXF format, with zero quality hit. Vegas can read these MXF files natively (all EX types including 1920), no need for an intermediate.
Serena wrote on 10/23/2007, 4:59 PM
Yes, indeed. Thanks. However just as Vegas will handle HDV without an intermediate there are advantages in converting the m2t 4:2:0 format to 4:2:2 avi format, which is my usual workflow. So while Vegas will handle XDCAM files, these are long GOPs in 4:2:0 format and I'm anticipating that conversion to 4:2:2 is still a good idea (for those appreciating the benefits and have the time to do the conversion).
So my question was intended to test my assumption that Cineform will still offer the usual advantages. Apologies for not being clear.
Serena wrote on 10/24/2007, 2:46 PM
The answer is that NEO HD is required to maintain 1920 x 1080 full resolution (upgrade to NEO HDV, but one still retains the HDV license).