Friday, August 29, 2014

Two Ways of Importing Premiere Pro CC DNxHD MXF Files to Avid Media Composer


 Wanna some tips of loading Premiere Pro DNxHD MXF files to Avid Media Composer? Here are two pieces of suggestions for you, just follow my steps.

As professional editors, we all have a knowledge of how to edit different video files in compatible editing software. But sometimes we got some issues in transcoding different  video formats. Just as you see below:’ After editing my MXF video files in Premiere Pro CC, Why I failed to import them to Avid Media Composer for further editing?’ 

 premiere-mxf-to-avid


For more editing functions you like in Avid, here offers you two main way to import MXF files from Premiere Pro to Avid Media Composer. MXF AMA Plug-in and Pavtube MXF MultiMixer/iMixMXF.

Method 1. Avid Plug-in for you---Avid Op1a MXF AMA Plug-in.

1.Download Avid’s Op1a MXF AMA plug-in. Media Composer 7 may already include this plugin.


2.Once installed, load your Premiere MXF files via AMA into a project bin in Media Composer.

3.When all files are loaded, select them, right click, and select consolidate.

4.The consolidation process will copy/consolidate your Premiere MXF files into proper Avid MXF files within Avid’s MediaFiles folder, as well as give you the option to delete your Premiere MXF files if you plan on a permanent hand off.

Method 2. iMixMXF---a professional MXF video converter for you. Not only be compatible with Avid Media Composer, but also for some other editors like FCP,iMovie. Additional Steps of starting using are here for you:

Step 1.Download MXF converter correctly and import your DNxHD MXF files.

import-files-to-imixmxf 

Step2.Choose output format ‘Avid Media Composer’>>’Avid DNxHD(*.mov)’.

format-to-avid-mov 

Step 3. A ‘Settings’ button also offered for you.

settings-for-output-formats 

At last just ‘Convert’ to make it work.

Frankly speaking, comparing with two methods above, you’ll find the plug-in above will be limited by our updated system. On the other hand, MXF video converter has a better stability. How do you think?

More:
Make Avid DNxHD MXF Load to DaVinci Resolve Possible

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Get Apple ProRes Encoded on Windows PC by Redcine X Pro and FFMPEG

If you run a Windows system like most users do, you must have trouble in encoding Apple ProRes on Windows PC. Now you can read the following article for a help.

As a Windows system user, we can’t avoid receiving some edited Apple ProRes codec videos from FCP --- a professional editor produced by Apple Company. In fact, we all know that Windows PC can’t accept these types of videos, they are incompatible with each other. So what should we do to encode Apple ProRes on Windows PC?

 prores-redcine-ffmpeg


Today, I’ve found an alternative workflow that is semi-automated and cheap using FFMPEG---This is a command line encoder and decoder for many video formats including ProRes (or more specifically, a version called FFMBC with extra features for broadcast formats) and a neat Python script to bridge it with Redcine X Pro, or any other batch media encoder like Adobe Media Encoder or Sorrenson Squeeze. 

If you want to transcode multiple files without supervision, or at least minimal supervision, maybe it’s a good choice for you.

Step 1. Download the RedToProRes. Open it up in Komodo Edit and look at the settings area. You’ll need to edit this gingerly. Do not remove the r or the single quotes, but edit your path to FFMBC. What follows is mostly command switches for FFMBC: 16 threads is acceptable on a quadcore machine, the input which is filled in automatically, the ProRes codec and profile .You can encode Proxy, LT, Standard, HQ, and 4444.

Step 2. Install Blackmagic Design’s 10bit Quicktime codec

Step 3. Open Redcine X Pro and create the following export preset with these compression settings.

quicktime-settings1 

Step 4. Start your batch, then double-click on the Python script

process-lasso2 

Step 5. After the encoding is finished, create an export preset in Redcine X Pro with the file format Avid AAF & MXF. Click Setup and select ALE Only and ignore the codec quality. Process the same batch of files in the previous step. 

avid-ale3 

Step 6. Open QtChange and on the left click Source Folder. Find the folder containing your ProRes files. Next click Use ALE Data and load the ALE file we created in the previous step .Then that’s are all set!

qtchange4 

Additional Notes: Although this two encoders are free and able to encode Apple ProRes on Windows PC, there are still some advantages we need to pay attention to:

  1. The operation of encoding codec is complex for our primary users.
  2. This two encoders’ version can’t be always compatible with update of our Windows system so we can’t ensure it can work all the time.
  3. Safety is not guaranteed, right?

Here we also recommend you another Apple ProRes for Mac called Pavtube Mac HD Video Converter. Some basic steps are also offered for you here. If you want know more abot various kinds of video formats converted to Apple ProRes by this Mac Video Converter, such as MXF, MTS, MP4,MOV, etc. Other items maybe you don't know:

1. Some simple editing you can also do here:'Trim''Crop''Subtitle'etc. 


editor-for-output-format


2.'Settings' button also offered for your output format.
  
settings-for-output-format


Some related guides:


Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Talking about Video Formats: Containers, Compression, and Codec

Do you know clearly about the following video formats: containers, compression andcodec? Let’s make a further recognization to these formats!

As you see, there are so many video formats in videos world, such as MOV, H.264, MPA, AVCHD, MXF, WMV, AVI, etc. But usually we can’t get enough knowledge of each kind of them, especially containers, compression and codec. Now, would you like to make a distinguish and learn more about them?

In order to make clear understanding of these three items, we should break down the parts of a video file. We may imagine the video file as a bookshelf filled with books.  It may not be the most dead on exact analogy as I’m about to eschew some of the very deeply technical details.

Multimedia Container – A Bookshelf
The multimedia container is like the bookshelf in that it can hold many tracks of audio and video just like a bookshelf can hold many books. Common container formats include MOV, MXF, and AVI.

Compression Scheme – The Language of the Book
Inside of each audio and video track, the information is represented in the language of the compression scheme. Common compression schemes include H.264, MPEG4 part 2, ProRes, DNxHD, and so on.

Codec – The Author of the Book
A codec (encoder/decoder) is a piece of hardware or software that interprets an audio or video signal and compresses it. Each compression scheme can be implemented in different ways which creates different codecs for the same compression scheme.

Categories of common multimedia containers:

1. Microsoft AVI
For all intent and purpose, Microsoft AVI is considered a legacy container in the film industry. In its standard form, the container does not support files larger than 4GB, does not properly support timecode, and doesn’t properly support pixel aspect ratios. There are non-standard extensions to the container format, like OpenDML which overcomes the 4GB file limit, but support is dubious in professional software.

2. Apple Quicktime MOV
The Apple Quicktime MOV container is a proprietary container that allows the user to store multiple tracks of audio, video, and text as well as metadata like timecode. Installing support for this format includes a number of “native” Quicktime audio and video codecs to be installed on a system as well, although the codecs themselves may not be the quickest or highest quality. It is a common format for acquisition, editing, and delivery and is a ubiquitous container format in the motion picture industry.

3. Adobe Flash Video
Adobe’s Flash Video actually takes advantage of two different containers: the older FLV and newer F4V. This container is common, but almost strictly used as a delivery container for Flash applications, video players, or other multimedia uses.

4. MPEG MP4
MPEG’s MP4 container is an industry standardized format based on Apple Quicktime MOV with some additional extending features. It is commonly an acquisition and delivery format. Although it can contain different codecs, the most commonly used codecs in the MP4 container like h.264 aren’t totally suitable in an editing environment.
  
5. MPEG Transport Streams and Program Streams
With extensions like .ps, .ts, .vob, and .m2ts these robust containers are designed for use in broadcast, on DVDs and on Blu-Rays where the container may be damaged due interference or damage. While predominately delivery containers, the AVCHD camera format takes advantage of the Blu-Ray-based .m2ts container as an acquisition container.

Categories of Compression Schemes

Before talking about compression, we need to learn uncompression first. Uncompressed video is the basis of all compressed video. There may be different levels of fidelity due to bit depth (8, 10, 12 and so on) or chroma subsampling (4:4:4, 4:2:2, 4:2:0, and so on). Uncompressed video was common in the days of SD video but is now less common as uncompressed HD video requires large and fast hard drives to work with efficiently. Rarely a common delivery format.

DV
The grandaddy of digital video compression schemes. Common as a acquisition, editing, and delivery format. Originally designed for tape-based SD footage, a variation known as DVCPRO HD is used in some HD camcorders including a number of Panasonic P2 format camcorders.

HDCAM
Based on betacam compression, this tape-based compression scheme is designed by Sony. Common as a acquisition, editing, and delivery format.

MPEG2 part 2
Also known as h.262, MPEG2 part 2 is widespread in the film industry. Implemented with different bitrates, chroma subsampling, and resolutions based on cost and recording media, MPEG2 part 2 powers DVDs, the defunct HD DVD, Blu-ray, HDV, XDCAM, XF, and others. Common as an acquisition, editing, and deliver format. As an editing format it is usually carried over directly from acquisition as some delivery implementations are highly compressed and not suitable for editing.

MPEG4 part 2
A more modern compression scheme, it’s considered the little brother of the more ubiquitous MPEG4 part 10/h.264. As a professional format it is implemented as part of HDCAM SR. HDCAM SR is Sony’s high-end tape format used for both acquisition up to 4K and as a common tape delivered to major broadcasters. More common implementations usually stay within the domain of consumer products and consumer codecs like Xvid and DivX.

Avid DNxHD
Similar to Apple ProRes in terms of size and performance, DNxHD, also known as SMPTE VC-3, is Avid’s choice for an editing compression scheme. With codecs for Windows and Mac, as well as being deemed a SMPTE standard, DNxHD may be a more future-proof alternative to Apple ProRes. Common as an editing and delivery format, it is gaining speed as an acquisition format.

H.264
H.264, also known as MPEG4 part 10 or AVC depending on what standardization group you ask, is another Swiss Army Knife codec like MPEG2 part 2. Implemented with different bitrates, chroma subsampling, and resolutions based on cost and recording media, you’ll see this compression scheme everywhere from camera formats like Canon dSLR MOV files, AVC-Intra cameras, and AVCHD, all the way to hardware-based decoders in your mobile phone. Common as an acquisition, editing, and deliver format. Like MPEG2 part 2, as an editing format it is usually carried over directly from acquisition as some delivery implementations are highly compressed and not suitable for editing.
  
JPEG
An implementation of JPEG image compression. Videos are compressed frame by frame. A fairly ubiquitous, cross-platform compression scheme, it has been overshadowed by editing codecs like ProRes, DNxHD, and Cineform. A decent choice for intermediate storage, you may find JPEG compression heavy on CPU usage.
  
Apple ProRes
A codec designed specifically for editing. Introduced by Apple for use in Final Cut Pro, it has become a popular compression scheme in many areas of the post production pipeline. It’s designed to balance size, playback quality, and CPU usage. Because of it’s fairly light compression when using ProRes HQ or ProRes4444 it is commonly used when rendering video through multiple generations as it can stand some generation loss. Common as an editing and delivery format, less common as an acquisition format. Know more about Apple ProRes: Types of Propes and Work with ProRes

Definition of Codec
Again, codecs are simply the hardware or software that does the encoding to a particular compression scheme. Codecs have less of a bearing on workflow but different codecs from different vendors may offer better quality, increased speed, or better control over advanced features. For example, if you value speed over quality then you may want to use an h.264 codec that takes advantage of your nVidia GPU’s CUDA cores.

Additional focus:

convert-format-to-each-other 

Along with so many kinds of video formats in our life, we have to admit that we often need to play, edit or burn videos for other usages. Thus, converting these video formats to each other has become an attractive point. Here , we also recommend you a professional conversion tool: Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac. You won’t get troubles in converting video formats with this HD Video Converter for Mac.

Another guide for reading:

 

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Encode ALS Ice Bucket Challenge videos to MP4/FLV/AVI/MPG

Have you ever enjoyed ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? This paper can encode videos you take to MP4, FLV, AVI or MPG that you like. 

Have you recently heard a fashionable activity called ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? It is designed by ALS association from the USA in order to raise money for charity. It is so great that already called up a lot of people together to complete this item, including many superstars. They have made videos about the process of this challenge to help those who need help.

ice-bucket-challenge 

Usually, whatever you record your challenge activity by Sony, Canon, Panasonic or JVC ect. The most output format videos can’t be played or edited by common players and editors. In order to encode the videos to those formats which supported by devices or video website, we have to convert footage to usual videos files, such as MP4, FLV, AVI and MPG. Here we introduce you a professional and convenient tool called Pavtube HD Converter for Macto do you a great favor.

If you don’t know application methods of FLV Converter, here we go:

Step 1. Click ‘File’ menu to select the files you wanna load:

import-files-to-hd-video-converter 

Step 2. Choose the output formats ‘Common Video’>> MP4, FLV, AVI or MPG, any one you like:


convert-to-common-videos

Steps 3. The button ‘Settings’ also helps do more on output video files.

settings-for-output-format 

Finally, click the ‘Convert’ button to encode your video files.
 
Related articles:

Friday, August 22, 2014

Load M4V Files into FCP for Editing by Apple Prores 422 HQ/LT

 If you get trouble in loading M4V files into FCP and have no idea about how to solve this problem, the following page can offer you a satisfied answer.


Hey, guys! Do you find that the M4V format has become more and more popular in our Apple fans. Do u know why? Firstly, let’s get a newest study about M4V files. 

m4v-to-fcp 

Further recognization to M4V files:

The M4V file format is specially called video container format developed by Apple company. Surly it is so similar to MP4 files because it is produced after MP4 format.  Apple uses M4V encode video files, such as TV episodes, movies, and music videos, in its iTunes Store. So the copyright of M4V files may be protected by using Apple’s Fair Play DRM copy protection.

One best M4V converter to help files in FCP

Generally speaking, M4V can be still open and played directly in some players, such as  Apple iTunes, Apple QuickTime Player, Media Player Classic and Zoom Player, etc. However, if you are fond of Final Cut Pro, you may convert M4V files into another format that FCP best support format: Apple Prores 422 codec. By the way, Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac/Video Converter for Mac must be a best choice for you.

Following page offers you some major tips about how to import files into M4V video converter:

Step1. Load your M4V files according to the message.

import-m4v-to-converter 

Step2. Click the format bar to choose the output format you like:

transcode-m4v-to-prores-422 

Step 3. With the button ‘Settings’, you can know more:

settings-for-output-files 

Step 4. Click button ‘Convert’ to finish the work.
Know more details about other functions like Merge, Split , Select Subtitles and Audio Track

Steps for FCP X is also offered for you.

For smoothly editing operation, choose FCP! For fast and high quality conversion, choose Pavtube HD Video Converter for Mac/Video Converter for Mac!

Related Articles:
Can Galaxy Tab 3 play M4V Videos?
M4V Player for Android 
Can iPad Air play M4V, MKV, AVI, WMV videos etc.?