SCS Catalyst Browse software

Jack S wrote on 10/14/2014, 4:54 AM

I use Play Memories Home to import my clips from my Sony HDD camcorder, simply because it date/timestamps each clip. I'm not happy with the 'improvements' Sony made from Picture Motion Browser (which I can't get to work in Windows 8). I've just had an e-mail from SCS inviting me to download 'Catalyst Browse' for free which seems to do what PMH does, and more. Has anyone tried this yet? In the description one of the features is 'Transcode to a variety of formats'. I've always been wary of installing codecs because of advice from this forum against doing this. Does anyone know if this software will install extra codecs to what I have already. My system is VERY stable and I don't want to do anything to alter this.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Comments

gpsmikey wrote on 12/5/2015, 12:24 AM

Does anybody have any additional information on that (Catalyst Browse) - if you go to the Sony site you can download it but not much information. I have some old video clips captured with a Matrox Rainbow Runner (Mjpeg) that I am having issues trying to work with.

mikey

Jillian wrote on 12/5/2015, 11:05 AM

Catalyst Browse is one of a new suite of video programs for the Pro and semi-pro market where different people handle separate parts of the production scheme. Its major importance for Sony is as an intro into the "Pro" editing market where Vegas Pro is still a minor player. In particular, Catalyst is suppose to be ported to the Mac to break into Sony's dreamworld of smartphone video.

For example, several cameramen using different equipment get shots to be used on the evening news. There is also vertical i-phone footage from bystanders.

Catalyst Browse would be used by someone to convert all the clips in various codecs and condition into one common codec. Basic color correction and a few other elements might also be massaged. The clips would be passed to the editor who would use another Catalyst product, such as Catalyst Edit, and turn all this into what was going to be used on the newscast. The director might then use even another future Catalyst product to give the clips a final "look" to fit the Station's image.

OK, you see that Browse is not really designed for people like us, but we "might" find it useful if we have a Pro or Semi-Pro Camcorder or DSLR that is shooting in some obscure "Pro" codec or container.

You might post your question over on the Vegas Pro Forum where a number of people have tried it... although I don't know if anyone is actually using it as yet.

Hope this helps,

Eagle Six wrote on 12/5/2015, 4:45 PM

I have downlaoded, installed and tried Catalyst Browse. I haven't had any problems with codec or stability issues with my Windows 7 system.

On another note: Browse will not recognize my ProRes HQ or DNxHD 220X files, so it is pretty much useless for me.

Best Regards......George