Quicktime format codec for Pro Tools

[apple-q]

Originally Posted by Sbmusicandpost

I have been having problems with quicktime formats from editors. A lot of times i load a QT into pro tools and playback is very studdery, editing or scrubbing within the video boundary is choppy, even key commands like zoom in and out and tab to region are slow to respond.

I often have to re-export the QT in Quicktime Pro to make it run smoothly. Sometimes I'll even export the QT with the original settings and it will work better, sometimes not.

Can you guys please tell me what QT settings run best with Avid Mojo SDI and Blackmagic card for you guys.

I generally am coming out of the mojo composite to a tv.

Running:

Model Name: Mac Pro
Model Identifier: MacPro1,1
Processor Name: Dual-Core Intel Xeon
Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz
Number Of Processors: 2
Total Number Of Cores: 4
L2 Cache (per processor): 4 MB
Memory: 8 GB
Bus Speed: 1.33 GHz
Boot ROM Version: MP11.005D.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.7f10
Serial Number (system): System Serial#
Hardware UUID: 00000000-0000-1000-8000-0017F208284C

AFAIK, the Mojo likes MXF DV codec best but nowadays hardly any production edits with SD DV anymore. Avoid H264, Sorenson and other highly compressed formats.
The BM will play just about anything but I would also avoid H264.

[ggegan]

I always convert to DVC Pro25. I've never had a problem with it outputting from BM Intensity Pro cards. Other codecs work as well, such as Motion JPEG, but DV is the solution that I have found to be the most reliable.

[GregorioM]

I ask for/receive heavily compressed video from editors (usually H264), as it's small file size makes upload/download quicker but as others have said I never use this in ProTools but transcode to another codec (mpegstreamclip). The best I've found on BM cards is either ProRes or Avid's own DNxHD codec. You get much bigger video file sizes but greatly reduced CPU usage and the stuttery scrubbing disappears.

This is for BM cards, I've not used a Mojo so I can't comment on what works best on that.

G

[ThisIsSka]

I've requested my video guys to hand me over ProRes after they started this habit of delivering me H.264 super-ultra-compressed files. Not had a single problem since.

[apple-q]

Originally Posted by ThisIsSka

I've requested my video guys to hand me over ProRes after they started this habit of delivering me H.264 super-ultra-compressed files. Not had a single problem since.

Mind you ProRes is about 5 times the size of DNxHD36 (about 4-5GB/reel at 1080P) and has a much higher sync offset on the BM card while it doesn't look any better.
DNxHD36 is the same size as a reel of DV codec while being 1080P and easy on the CPU.
Also since many projects are edited on DNxHD36 you can export "same as source"-QTs which speeds up things on the avid side a lot.

[NReichman]

Avid engineering often suggests Photo JPEG, which I've found to be very light on the processor and not too enormous in size. But...

Mac Pro 1,1 ? That's going to be slow no matter what you do. You would be amazed what a used Westmere feels like. Treat yourself to a new Mac Pro.

[RecRoom]

I always end up using Motion JPEG. Even works great on my old Dual core MacBook Pro.

[ThisIsSka]

Originally Posted by apple-q

Mind you ProRes is about 5 times the size of DNxHD36 (about 4-5GB/reel at 1080P) and has a much higher sync offset on the BM card while it doesn't look any better.
DNxHD36 is the same size as a reel of DV codec while being 1080P and easy on the CPU.
Also since many projects are edited on DNxHD36 you can export "same as source"-QTs which speeds up things on the avid side a lot.

Fair enough (especially if working with guys using Avid editors), I don't use a BlackMagic card here though and as my video guys are editing in FCP, the footage is all ProRes anyways. I'd rather not introduce another step for them, you know how video editors are.

[BIGBANGBUZZ]

I use a BM card, and use A 1080i pro res file which is played off an avid isis.
Playback is perfect, and it looks awesome on my 32inch Sony LCD.

I use the Pro Res file I'm given to embedded the audio back into it and make the final master.



Sent from my GT-N7000 using Gearslutz App

[Dan Smith]

I also use a Pro Res 1080i file. Most recently have been using the Pro Res LT codec and it works and looks amazing through a BM card to a 50" Sony LCD. +1 on MPEG Streamclip. A must have IMO.

[pethenis]

ProRes or DNxHD in the session out of a BM Decklink HD to a Flanders Scientific CM 170W on my desktop and a 52" Panasonic Pro Plasma above the center speaker. No problems whatsoever, it looks stunning and both monitors match exactly picturewise.

[georgia]

ProRes 1080p 1080i 720p 720i, DVCPro, DVCProHD, Motion Jpeg.... most work fine running on the desktop or on our blackmagic cards... just not H.264...

cheers
geo

[ErikG]

Its weird that h.264 doesnt work wellin pro tools, as it works well in Cubase/Nuendo and logic. As long as all frames are real full frames (I can't remember what its called in QT.
Or if using handbrake to change from one format to another disable p and b frames.

[paranerd]

DNxHD36 is good.

However, I mostly work with H264s and I don't have many problems. In my experience, as long as the kbps is about 2000 and above, it works well. But I'm on a MacPro 3,1. I don't understand why the Sorenson Pro Tools H264 preset has such a low kbps rate (it caps at 1600).

[apple-q]

Originally Posted by ErikG

Its weird that h.264 doesnt work wellin pro tools, as it works well in Cubase/Nuendo and logic. As long as all frames are real full frames (I can't remember what its called in QT.
Or if using handbrake to change from one format to another disable p and b frames.

Thing is: When you set H264 to "every keyframe" the size-saving benefit to other HD codecs is close to zero, AFAIK.
Same with MJPEG and photo jpeg at 1080.
So why go through lengthy transcodings when you can ask for DNxHD or ProRes directly?

[PKP]

My new Mac chokes on h264. Prores is a good choice. 264 is not a good editing format.

[Sbmusicandpost]

So what application are you using to convert the video if you receive h264?

I currently just use QT Pro but would be interested in another more recommended ap that will give me the prores and DNxHD options.

thanks

[apple-q]

Originally Posted by Sbmusicandpost

So what application are you using to convert the video if you receive h264?

I currently just use QT Pro but would be interested in another more recommended ap that will give me the prores and DNxHD options.

thanks

QTpro will do it just fine as long as you have the DNxHD codecs installed. You can get them for free from the AVID site. ProRes however is not free, AFAIK.

[BIGBANGBUZZ]

Originally Posted by Sbmusicandpost

So what application are you using to convert the video if you receive h264?

Fcpx and qt pro

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Gearslutz App

[cjguitar]

For the stage we get either DNxHD if it's from Avid, or ProRes 422 if it's from Final Cut Pro (both 1080P if possible). If we're doing editorial, I'll export H.264 (keyframe all frames, 1080P or 720P) and it works fine in Pro Tools, while remaining pretty small (most reels 1-2Gigs). Yeah, H.264 sucks if it's not set for keyframe all frames, but otherwise it works fine.

[Sbmusicandpost]

Thanks guys.

I've been working with DNxHD and it seems to be great on the BM card but a little funky out of the Mojo.

Do you have preferred settings for this codec when re-exporting a QT with QTPro?

There are a lot of options under this setting and I'm not sure what should work best with the MOJO

thanks

[hales548]

Does anyone know how many Video Files I can have in Pro Tools with the Complete Production Toolkit installed?