REDCINE to DNxHD

[Jiri Bakala]

We are Avid-based. Can we expect a workflow transcoding from Redcode RAW to DNxHD? It's not listed at the moment on the workflow chart.

[Anders Holck]

Avid offers a free Quicktime codec pack at their site, which includes DNxHD.
Unfortunately the mac version is not Universal Binary yet, so it wont work inside Redcine on the Mac.

[Jiri Bakala]

The new version of Avid IS universal binary. Also, how is a free QT codec going to help with getting Red footage into the Avid NLE?

[Anders Holck]

Redcine should be able to render into any Quicktime codec installed, If you install the Avid Codec pack, you can render directly into DNxHD, making it possible to "fast import" into the Avid without transcoding a second time.

Well what do you know they just made an update this friday (March the 23'rd) and the pack is now Universal:
http://www.avid.com/onlineSupport/su...ontentID=10554

[Jeff Brue]

For the record avid's not really playing nice with any outside data workflow right now. I'm involved in the S2/Viper workflow like was just used on Zodiac. If you're working in final cut its the dogs bullocks as we have automated batch capture, automated archiving, and auto conform. All based around open XML. If you're working with Avid though right now it means digibeta layoffs, hand written EDL's, and manual conform.

Avid is still very much stuck in a tape workflow, which is very tough when you're talking about switching to an entirely file based workflow.

[Trevor Meier]

If you're working in final cut its the dogs bullocks as we have automated batch capture, automated archiving, and auto conform. All based around open XML.

How does FCP do batch capture, automated archiving and auto conform work in a data workflow?

A couple guesses... Are you using the 600A for capture? Standard tape backup for automated archiving? Auto conform... with media manager?

[Jeff Brue]

The automated batch capture happens over HD-SDI from a device we have called the idock. It takes the properly formatted dmags with all the meta data attached and generates a final cut xml for ingest. It then takes the DPX's and plays them out realtime over HD-SDI. We can then do whatever res/compression we want to them via our Kona cards. After that we have an automatic device that takes the dmag and archives it to two LTO-3 tapes. All with attached meta data and whatnot after that point its just a matter of generating an edl grabbing just those frames from the tapes and conforming.

These are all tools I hope to see Red or third party developers create, because I really don't believe there has been a good post production workflow devised yet for archival/storage and generation of material for editorial. Right now it sounds like a 3 Hour Red-Raid is going to take 12 hours to debayer (based on the Dalsa's debayering algo, not graeme's).

Right now the lines between production/prepost/post are blurring more than ever before. This happens EVEN more when you step into a data workflow.

[GlennChan]

Hey Jeff, I think that slow debayer is only if you want high-quality. I believe that Cineform RAW demonstrates real-time (fast/low quality) debayering that's good enough for offline purposes. Presumably Red has options for debayer quality + speed, and that the fastest speed is pretty reasonable (and hopefully faster than real-time?). Regardless, I guess this speculation would be settled by NAB time. People from Red have been saying to hold off speculation until NAB.

2- Curious: How come if the dmag spits out HD-SDI, why would you need to layoff to dbeta? (Could you not get a HD Media Composer?)

And why would you need handwritten EDLs?

[Jiri Bakala]

Just read a note by Avid's Adam Kranitz on Avid AXP board regarding the use of DNxHD codecs in a file-based workflow:

"Ikegami Editcam system currently offers the only direct import of DNxHD from a tapeless camera. Other options would require a transcode to DNxHD or capture via HD-SDI on an Adrenaline with DNXcel. The source code for Avid DNxHD codec is freely licensable allowing any vendor to add it to their product line. We'd love more manufacturers to add it as an option."

The need to use Adrenaline with DNXcel is a pricey option. A software transcode using REDCINE from Redcode Raw to DNxHD would be amazing. Can anyone FROM RED chime in on this?

[Gavin Greenwalt]

This should be reallly easy to test. I'll give it a shot when I get home. (@Premiere shop :( )