Re: ProRes via Convergent HD,and AJA, or Capturing HDV via Firewire

I'm not primarily a Mac/FCP user, but if it were me, I'd bring the HDV in native (via FW) and edit it on an uncompressed timeline (NOT a Pro Res timeline) so no additional recompression takes place while cutting...

Then I'd output a Pro Res version...or simply master out through the AJA from your uncompressed timeline.

The HDV ingested footage will take FAR less space than even Pro Res...

Your timecode will be accurate...

The uncompressed timeline will handle your footage with as little degradation as possible.

The issue with RS422 deck control with any long GOP format is often shuttling backwards...when the frames are read in reverse, not all frames read...shuttle backwards on a DVD to see what I mean. It is possible to pick a frame that only exists in forward motion, and the deck can't pick it up in reverse shuttle...no such frame, deck shrugs figurative shoulders.






TimK,
Director, Consultant
Kolb Productions,

CPO, Digieffects