Average export time? New to this

[RaeWatson]

Hi! I'm new to Red and am the assistant editor on a low bug movie being shot on Red, 4k 23.97. We are editing with Avid MC 3.5.9 with a Nitris DX. I have been searching for the best workflow to convert the r3d files and the Redcine-x seems to be it. Right now, I am exporting one clip as a test and so far it's been exporting for 15 minutes and is only 18% done. Does that seem right? I'm exporting to avid file, 1080/23.97/Dnx 36. I hope none of this is too repetitive, like I said I'm very new to this.

[Ben Brainerd]

Render times depend on the computer you're rendering on. CPU speed, amount of RAM, etc.

Assuming you don't have a RED Rocket (I'm guessing not, or something is seriously wrong) render time can run as low as 2fps and still be considered "Normal". My MacBook Pro averages between 2-3fps when rendering full debayer 2K footage.

The fact that you're rescaling to 1080 as well implies that you're well within the normal rendering range.

How long is the clip you're transcoding? Are you doing a full-res debayer? What're the specs on your computer? Knowing those answers will help us figure out how to get the best render speeds.

A quick suggestion without knowing all that: If you're rendering for an offline edit (I.E. you're going to go back to the RAW footage for finishing) try doing a half-res debayer. Or even quarter-res, although at that point going to 1080 is kinda unnecessary. You'd be amazed at the difference in render speed.

If you *have* to do a full debayer, well, I hope you've got some other projects to do while your computer is rendering, since it's going to take a while.

[RaeWatson]

I just left the clips to render overnight and hope that works out. The CPU is a dual core Mac intel, 5gb ram...I'm not sure about other stuff without being infront of it.
How do you make a "half-res debayer"? I would definitely be interested in making smaller files.

[MichaelP]

Sounds like you are at a full debayer - try 1/2 debayer for HD work. It will be much faster than full.

Michael

[RaeWatson]

What is the best process to make it half debayer? I am very unfamiliar with this.