Raw HD is compressed?

Question

Raw HD is compressed?

I know miniDV has a 5:1 compression, though I can't tell. HD cameras seem to compress to H264 format or MPEG-2. I always thought that you should not edit a compressed format like MPEG-2. To edit that makes for real bad artifacts and such. What am I missing here?

MacBook Pro, G5 1.6, Mac OS X (10.4.6)

Posted on Sep 15, 2006 7:07 AM

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Answer 1

Zebulun

Level 5

6,749 points

Sep 15, 2006 7:18 AM in response to Brian Lackey, FC-Colorado

which high definition cameras are you talking about? HDV format is mpeg2 and the new avc-hd format is mpeg4.

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Answer 2

Studio X

Level 7

27,229 points

Sep 15, 2006 7:25 AM in response to Brian Lackey, FC-Colorado

You aren't missing the point. There can be serious artifacting with fast camera moves in HDV. In addition, HDV is a bear to edit and demands a LOT of processor time to get it to work.

Many suggest editing in DVCPRO HD as it doesn't use the GOP structure and has a better color space. Unfortunately, to use that format you need a camera that shoots it or a 3rd party card (kona or decklink) that can convert the component out from the camera into DVCPRO HD on import.

have fun.
x

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Answer 3

Sep 15, 2006 7:26 AM in response to Zebulun

Maybe that is it. Anyhow, how does this work in the editing phase? Aply a transition and you recompress? Not sure I understand this whole compression thing. MPEG2 is a lossy compression. I would never take DV, edit, export to MPEG2, then re-edit the MPEG-2 later. Wouldn't that be bad if you edited an MPEG2 format?

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Answer 4

Zebulun

Level 5

6,749 points

Sep 15, 2006 7:37 AM in response to Studio X

speaking of colorspace, here's a interesting discussion of manufacturer itu-709 presets. http://www.pixelmonger.com/art_hist.html

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