Any Avid Media Composer Wizards Out There?

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Permalink Reply by Bill Mecca on October 14, 2009 at 11:36am

Nishi,

No wizard here, but I do use MC, but still in SD (at work anyway) I think I can address #3.... did you get the full version with Sorenson Squeeze 5? if so, select your rendered timeline in the bin, go to File>Send to> encoding> Sorenson... within Sorenson I usually chose to export Disc, and the DVD Lg. Burn (can't remember the exact hieroglyphics they use, but I'm sure you can figure that part out.)

Still shooting with a DSR250 here at work, and given budget constraints and the fact that getting an organization this large to move forward, it will probably be a while before HD. heck I just got them to let me distribute on DVD versus VHS!

You might want to reach out to Grinner.

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Permalink Reply by Shane Killian on October 14, 2009 at 8:56pm

There is no limitation on the size of AVI files, but there might be depending on what codec you're using. I believe DivX and its variants are limited to 2GB, as is any codec based on VFW (Video For Windows).

It also may be the file system that's the culprit. Traditional FAT file systems have a 2Gb file limitation. The more recent FAT32 has a limitation of 4GB. Make sure you're using NTFS for your file system: its limits are measured in exabytes so you won't have to worry about it for awhile. ;^) To see which one it is, just right-click the drive and click "Properties." If it is FAT, then you can run a utility to upgrade it to NTFS.

Technically, there is no 30p standard for 1080HD. The 1080p standard is 24fps.

When I render for DVD, I make it a straight MPEG2 DVD file. I would think there's a preset for it in most any software. Most DVD authoring software (including Nero) can then take the file and burn it straight to the disc without having to re-encode. Think of re-encoding like making a copy of a copy on analog tapes: each time you do it, you lose quality, so best to do it once.

Hope this helps!

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Permalink Reply by grinner on October 16, 2009 at 3:29pm

You'll wanna do a video mixdown and export a QT reference for DVD authoring.

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Permalink Reply by Nishi on October 18, 2009 at 7:07pm

Thank you all for your input. I'm still in the process of trying out all your suggestions.

Bill,

I think you pinpointed my real problem here; looks like I need to get Sorenson Squeeze. I'm beginning to te feel that HD is more trouble than it's worth... :)

Shane,

I'll be experimenting with codecs, thanks for the suggestion. My system is NTFS, so I know that's not the issue. I wasn't aware that 30p wasn't an HD standard... I think my cameraman insists on using it because he had some "stuttering" when he shot fast action/motion. Can anyone relate to this?

Avid MC doesn't give me the option to export to MPEG-2, as far as I can tell... isn't that ridiculous? I just don't get it. Of course, I am working from a trial version of Avid Media Composer... is the trial version incomplete in this way?

Grinner,

Tried your suggestion and seems Nero doesn't recognize QT reference :( Maybe I need another DVD authouring software?

Again, thanks for answering this thread ... please keep any suggestions coming!

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Permalink Reply by Bill Mecca on October 18, 2009 at 7:57pm

Nishi,

what version of MC did you get? Sorenson Squeeze is included as is a DVD authoring software, one is one step the other which I have not tried is more full featured. I author on a separate system. A QT Reference will only work on the same system since it, as it's name imples, refers to the files needed.

I know the Academic version of MC does not include the third party software (Sorenson, Sonicfire etc) the full version includes in all.

Bill

Nishi said:

Thank you all for your input. I'm still in the process of trying out all your suggestions.
Bill,
I think you pinpointed my real problem here; looks like I need to get Sorenson Squeeze. I'm beginning to te feel that HD is more trouble than it's worth... :)

Shane,

I'll be experimenting with codecs, thanks for the suggestion. My system is NTFS, so I know that's not the issue. I wasn't aware that 30p wasn't an HD standard... I think my cameraman insists on using it because he had some "stuttering" when he shot fast action/motion. Can anyone relate to this?

Avid MC doesn't give me the option to export to MPEG-2, as far as I can tell... isn't that ridiculous? I just don't get it. Of course, I am working from a trial version of Avid Media Composer... is the trial version incomplete in this way?

Grinner,

Tried your suggestion and seems Nero doesn't recognize QT reference :( Maybe I need another DVD authouring software?

Again, thanks for answering this thread ... please keep any suggestions coming!

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Permalink Reply by Shane Killian on October 18, 2009 at 10:02pm

Nishi said:

Avid MC doesn't give me the option to export to MPEG-2, as far as I can tell... isn't that ridiculous? I just don't get it. Of course, I am working from a trial version of Avid Media Composer... is the trial version incomplete in this way?

That may be the case; MPEG-2 is patented, so each software that includes it must have a license.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Mecca on October 18, 2009 at 10:29pm

I missed the part about trial version. yes it is "incomplete." in the sense that it is a trial of MC and not the third party software. The full version gives you Squeeze which will allow you to convert to a wide variety of formats (even as a batch) and will also include authoring software and Sonicfire pro for royalty free music (includes a couple discs.)


Shane Killian said:

Nishi said:

Avid MC doesn't give me the option to export to MPEG-2, as far as I can tell... isn't that ridiculous? I just don't get it. Of course, I am working from a trial version of Avid Media Composer... is the trial version incomplete in this way?

That may be the case; MPEG-2 is patented, so each software that includes it must have a license.

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Permalink Reply by Nishi on October 19, 2009 at 10:24pm

Update: I got Sorensen Squeeze and it seems to be doing the trick although I'm not 100% happy with the resolution I'm getting (picture looks pixelated). Can anyone walk me through the settings, please? I'm working in 16x9.

Thanks again

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