Question about .mov settings/template

MarkFoley wrote on 10/19/2007, 8:37 AM

bump

Former user wrote on 10/19/2007, 8:59 AM

What codec are you using? Do you need ALPHA channels?

Dave T2

MarkFoley wrote on 10/19/2007, 9:19 AM

QT 7...no alpha

kairosmatt wrote on 10/19/2007, 9:32 AM

Mark,
I asked a similar question and GlennChan had some interesting things to say about studio RGB to computer RGB. Here's the link:

http://www.sonycreativesoftware.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=553844

Former user wrote on 10/19/2007, 9:42 AM

QT is not a codec. IF you look under the Quick Time options, you see Animation, H264, DV and other codecs.

Whichever one you use will determine the size of the file.

If your original footage is DV, you could create a DV QT file.

Dave T2

MarkFoley wrote on 10/19/2007, 9:47 AM

Dave,
I just realized I answered you wrong (QT7) :-)

I don't see DV NTSC...just DV PAL....hmmmm

BrianAK wrote on 10/19/2007, 9:49 AM

Ive been looking to get content the other way from FCP to Vegas in a higher quality format similiar to DV AVI and DV AVI Widescreen.

Currently the FCP editor is suppling in MOV using MPEG4. As far as I know he is manually setting the frame resolution to numbers similiar to DV AVI, and using a digital rate of 1.5 Mbps.

I think he should be able to deliver a higher quality version, but Im not at all fimiliar with the outputs available from FCP.

Former user wrote on 10/19/2007, 9:51 AM

DV/DVCPro NTSC

That is how my QT is labeled for the DV codec.

Dave T2

Former user wrote on 10/19/2007, 9:57 AM

FCP can use any QT codec, so he should be able to deliver DV, Uncompressed or any other QT option.

Dave T2

MarkFoley wrote on 10/19/2007, 9:59 AM

DV/DVCPro NTSC

...don't I feel like a dummy....

Thanks Dave for pointing out what I should have noticed in the first place... :-)

craftech wrote on 10/19/2007, 3:06 PM

Quicktime rendering is probably one of the biggest shortcomings in terms of knowledge and tutorials when it comes to Vegas users.
That includes the settings and a general understanding of the .mov wrapper just for starters. I think we spend too little time on this subject and I think most of it is because we don't really have any Vegas users who consider Quicktime renders as important as the others. That excludes an awful lot of Mac using customers who used to dominate and still may dominate the entertainment industries and it's related fields.

John

Martin.s View wrote on 10/19/2007, 4:55 PM

Hello - if you really need to get quality in mov. please look into this link below. I have this and gets the job done quick! So check it out.

http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=5573740

Coursedesign wrote on 10/19/2007, 5:26 PM

It's quick, but their codec quality has not kept up with the competition.

Former user wrote on 10/19/2007, 5:58 PM

The h264 codec is the best for low bitrate vs. quality. But it is extremely slow to render.

I have done several 320 x 240 resolution QTs at 500 bitrate using the h264 codec and have been extremely happy with the quality.

The Sorenson codecs, which are kind of the backbone of QT, are just okay.

Dave T2

[r]Evolution wrote on 10/19/2007, 8:09 PM

To go back & forth between FCP & Vegas your best bet is to go with QT DV/DVCPro NTSC. This keeps the video at 720x480 so his Timeline/Quick Setting would simply be DV/DVCPro and he would have No Problems. You would also be able to pull any of his files or your edited files back into Vegas w/ No problem either. -This is assuming that you are working in DV/DVCPro.

Your next best best would be to go w/ QT Animation. This is a bit smaller than UnCompressed & it still gives you the option of having an Alpha Channel when need be.

Then, of course there's always QT UnCompressed but both of you may have problems if you're not on fast machines or start to piling on the layers.

I would steer away from H.264 or any other form of 'Super Compressed' file/CODEC. You will probably find that you'll have small file sizes but are having to COmpress/DECompress your files during playback which leads to frustration... I mean, video that is NOT playing back optimally for one or both of you. (which would defeat the purpose)

Bottom line is (even though FCP claims to have an 'Open Timeline') anything that's added to his timeline that is NOT the same as his timeline settings... will have to Render/Conform to his timeline settings. FCP is NOT like Vegas in this regard. Of course he can set his Preview Quality & his Real Time playback Lower... but I doubt he wants to do that.

All in all... FCP/Apple does NOT play well with others. I think it's their way of trying to 'Force' their standards on the world. Unfortunately you'll have to comply with this since your NLE of choice is not CODEC prejudice.

At my old Studio we used Premiere Pro, Vegas, & FCP. The only way I could get them all to play nicely was to use QT DV/DVCPro NTSC or Animation. This way each NLE could share the same media (on a network) without constantly having to Render. Plus, I could use iTunes as my Media Manager. Simply view all of my QT's in there (on Mac & PC) then -RT Click>Show in Explorer/View in Finder- This would open the folder containing the Video so I could Drag & Drop the file into my NLE. (I'm not a fan of Media Manager or Bridge)

I am also a habitual MP3 user for this same reason. I keep them all organized in iTunes also. I -RT Click>Show in Explorer/View in Finder- then Drag & Drop the file into my NLE. --> a lot of people say don't use MP3's in your NLE but I've never had a problem. (knock on wood)

What I'm telling you is NOT only about Quality. It's also about keeping your work environment as Stress Free as possible. (you won't be worried about whether or not your file worked for him) Adhere to these guidelines and you'll never have any problem sharing files w/ a Mac user.

On his end... when he saves files... or when you get files... they may NOT have a file extension on them. (.mov) Macs/FCP tend to default to 'Hide extensions for known file types'. Simply, remind him to save ALL FILES that you will also need to use w/ their extensions or when you get them you may just need to add it. Trust me, it really sucks when you get a Disc or HD or go to a directory where there are No File Extensions. You don't know if it's a .pdf, .veg, .mov, .avi, .jpg, .bmp, .tiff, .abc, .nbc, .qvc, .cbs... well, you get the point.

You've got a great opportunity to prove the power of Vegas. I doubt that you will make him a convert but you can make him a 'Believer'. I really enjoyed hearing people say, "Whoa! How can I do that in FCP?"

Happy editing!

craftech wrote on 10/20/2007, 6:43 AM

Plus, I could use iTunes as my Media Manager. Simply view all of my QT's in there (on Mac & PC) then -RT Click>Show in Explorer/View in Finder- This would open the folder containing the Video so I could Drag & Drop the file into my NLE. (I'm not a fan of Media Manager or Bridge)

I am also a habitual MP3 user for this same reason. I keep them all organized in iTunes also.
====================
Have you looked at MediaMonkey?

Also in terms of your suggestion that:
"To go back & forth between FCP & Vegas your best bet is to go with QT DV/DVCPro NTSC"
An inexpensive way to do it would be to get QuickTime Pro and use the Quicktime Player:

1. Open the AVI file in QT Player, select "File > Export".
2. In the "Export:" pulldown select "Movie to QuickTime Movie".
3. Select "Default settings" in the "Use:" pulldown.
4. Click "Options" right to the first pulldown menu.
5. Click "Settings" in the "Video" pane.
6. Set Compression type to "DV/DVCPRO - NTSC".
7. Set other options (interlaced/progressive) as needed.
8. Click "OK".
9. Set audio options in the "Sound" pane using the "Settings" button. (see FCPs DV-NTSC Easy setup for approriate audio settings).
10. Click "OK".
11. Optionally: name the file.
12. Click "Save".

For the remaining files, use the "Most recent settings" option in the "Use:" pulldown of the export dialog because it can't do batches, only single files.

John

[r]Evolution wrote on 10/21/2007, 10:48 AM

For me - MediaMonkey is waaaay too slow and non responsive at times.
It's as if all of its elements (player, browser, etc.) run as different apps... not nearly as smooth as iTunes (or Bridge) when it comes to using it to Browse your Royalty Free Media the way I do. Plus, MediaMonkey does not allow me to go back & forth between PC & Mac keeping the same workflow.

Although I do like MediaMonkey for changing some of the ID3 tags of my MP3's that iTunes seems to disregard or for whatever reason refuses to change... it's more of a hindrance for my workflow & needs. This is no fault of MediaMonkey... it was just intended for something different than I need.

QT Pro is a good & cheap way of converting your files... but I prefer a Batch Converter (Squeeze). Especially if you have lots of Media. You can setup a Batch and let it render everything without babysitting it or waiting to add the next file. I transcoded our entire Royalty Free Library overnight. (No down time) Everything went to QT DV NTSC & MP3 on our Network... where all the workstations (Vegas, Premiere, FCP) could see & use the Media.

QT Pro is for sure a cheaper alternative to Squeeze.

craftech wrote on 10/23/2007, 11:23 AM

I just ordered Sorenson Squeeze 4.5 Compression Suite. You talked me into it.

Thanks.

John