Transcoding vs Proxy files

GeoffreyDean33 wrote on 4/6/2017, 1:25 PM

To make the best possible editing experience working with my Panasonic GH3/4/5 HD MOV H.264 files in VP14, I'm experimenting with transcoding and proxy files. I've always just edited the native files in the past but the timeline often drops frames here and there and kind of hangs up for a moment now and then. It's not terrible but I know by the time I'm done editing an entire wedding, the wasted moments add up to a decent amount of lost productivity. And if I decide to throw in the 4K footage, I've found the native files won't hardly play at all.

Proxy files are built-in to Vegas and seem like a pretty easy way to go but I guess the downside is, I like to have a good idea of the exact quality of a clip before I decide if I'm going to use it. So, I'm thinking the initial sorting through my footage, grabbing good clips could be pretty annoying clicking between the "Preview" and "Good" settings in the Video Preview window constantly.

It's hard to find online info for transcoding to Vegas. Most of the stuff written is for Apple users but I tried a trial versions of both Pavtube Video Converter and Acrok HD Video converter last night to make ProRes 422 files (which were physically larger but easier for the computer to play) and they played beautifully in the timeline. The only downside I see to this workflow is the time necessary (which could be done overnight) and the large disc space needed for the larger files.

Are there any advantages to ProRes in Vegas? Will the files be able to be color corrected more or graded better than my native H.264 camera files?

Is there a better transcoding codec I should consider?

Thanks!
Geoffrey

Comments

GeoffreyDean33 wrote on 4/6/2017, 2:39 PM

As an update, I downloaded GoPro Studio and tried to transcode a Panasonic GH5 file to AVI and the resulting file had no audio attached. After I did it, I kind of remembered I did this once before with a GH3 file and had the same - no audio - result. I had removed the program (GoPro Studio) and forgotten about it until today.

OldSmoke wrote on 4/6/2017, 3:11 PM

Try Sony Catalyst Browse and transcode to XAVC-I which comes in MXF format and preserves 422. Vegas likes that codec and does even smart render it.

NormanPCN wrote on 4/6/2017, 3:17 PM

The Vegas smart proxy files are 720 resolution. They are decent quality. Best option here is to try it on a representative media file and see if it is reasonable for your needs. Vegas Preview quality is not much different than Good on progressive media with the timeline and media at the same framerate.

For Transcoding you can look into Convert V4. It has a free trial you can use. Heck, you can always use the free trial. It is limited to converting two files per execution.

You can transcode to DNxHD/HR or Prores with Convert. Others as well. For Cineform you would probably use Vegas to do a transcode. GoPro studio can have limited import support.

For 4k any of Cineform/DNx/Prores are going to want a good I/O subsystem containing your media files.

4k is harsh and standard/normal PCs are probably not up to it depending on circumstance.

GeoffreyDean33 wrote on 4/6/2017, 3:54 PM

Great answers OldSmoke and Norman. Thank you.

Will the larger but easier to edit transcode files be able to be color corrected and graded to any further extent than my native camera files?

GeoffreyDean33 wrote on 4/6/2017, 4:17 PM

Try Sony Catalyst Browse and transcode to XAVC-I which comes in MXF format and preserves 422. Vegas likes that codec and does even smart render it.

I happen to already have Catalyst so I'm going to try XAVC Intra a try. I see there is an option between MainConcept and Sony. Is one better than the other?

OldSmoke wrote on 4/6/2017, 4:22 PM

Try Sony Catalyst Browse and transcode to XAVC-I which comes in MXF format and preserves 422. Vegas likes that codec and does even smart render it.

I happen to already have Catalyst so I'm going to try XAVC Intra a try. I see there is an option between MainConcept and Sony. Is one better than the other?

I haven't tested one against the other, so far I only used the Sony version of it. Be careful with Catalyst Browse, by default it adds color correction and you have to manual set it to none.

john_dennis wrote on 4/6/2017, 6:03 PM

Here are my real-world experiences with 305 Mbps XAVC-I media. You are probably due for a CPU upgrade in the near future.

GeoffreyDean33 wrote on 4/6/2017, 6:17 PM

Here are my real-world experiences with 305 Mbps XAVC-I media. You are probably due for a CPU upgrade in the near future.

Thank you. Can't say I understand much of it beyond CPU upgrade.

i7-3770 @ 3.40 GHz
16 GB RAM

ushere wrote on 4/6/2017, 6:18 PM

+1 xavc-i

john_dennis wrote on 4/6/2017, 6:24 PM

AMD has finally started to show some strength of late. Even if you never plan to buy an AMD processor, we can all hope they put some pressure on the i7-6850 to i7-6950 segment of intel's business.

Too late for me, I assembled mine in January. But, I'm dollar-cost averaging... huh.

Former user wrote on 4/7/2017, 6:33 AM

Hi Geoffrey, you could also use ffmpeg to transcode to Prores, say overnight. You can decide yourself what Prores size and quality you'r happy with, it can even be used to handle the tricky new GH5 422 10 bit codec. An upgraded cpu etc is also maybe an option. The benefit of ffmpeg is no cost.