Intermediate codecs for HDV.

[Superfly]

I can't remember...was it Bill?  Somebody here is always talking about using an intermediate codec "like Edius" for HDV. 

Any recommendations?  Do you still need to buy a card to make it work?

Thanks.

Todd

[BillGrant]

Not me... I use vegas, not need for intermediates...
Bill

[kwshaw1]

I use the intermediate editing codec in Edius because that significantly improves performance relative to working directly on native HDV files. A similar comment would apply to using the "ProRes" format in Apple's Final Cut software, or using Cineform with Adobe Premiere. There's also a version of Cineform for Sony Vegas, but some Vegas users forego that and just rely on reduced-quality previews to boost performance while editing.

All else being equal, decompressing HDV footage to an intermediate codec will always boost performance by making your footage easier for the computer to process, and is a handy tool for editing HDV footage effectively on a laptop.

[Superfly]

Ahhh yes, I now remember that it is Kevin who is our intermediate codec expert here.

Well, I've been editing HDV fine on my i7 2.66gig Dell but if I don't keep my disks really clean I can get a reduced quality preview.  Looks like computers are just catching up to HDV although I have yet to do a REALLY hardcore 5 Video Track 7 Audio Track monster who we'll see how it goes then.

Canopus is the reason I was able to get fantastic results with the Amazing Premiere 6.5 (we've lost as much as we've gained with CS4, believe me....they just do it slow so you don't notice).  Frankly, with Canopus the real time was fantastic with a P4 processor.

What's the quality loss?

Best,

Todd

[kwshaw1]

What's the quality loss?

I haven't checked closely for that, and considering all other quality factors involved I don't worry about it. Keep in mind that if you work directly in HDV format then all of your applied effects are also limited to that level of quality, whereas working in an intermediate codec gives you more overhead for effects so you might actually get better results.

And just to repeat what I said in an earlier post, an intermediate codec should give you better performance on any computer no matter how powerful - the only question is whether you need that extra performance compared to working on native HD files.