Re: XDCAM workflows using AJA Kona LHi

[Krzysztof Kalukin] " First doubt - will I loose anything in terms of quality, if so, is that significant in any way?"

No. ProRes is very good at handling whatever you throw at it. It is a very very good intermediate codec and was designed to be as such.

[Krzysztof Kalukin] "Secondly - is there any difference in terms of quality if I:

a. Transfer footage from my camcorder using SDI and Kona? "

That will probably yield the best results, but defeats a tapeless workflow

[Krzysztof Kalukin] "b. Use XDCAM Transfer tool and move clip on the timeline saying no to conform? "

This will be the quickest method of getting right to the edit. You will have to render every clip on the timeline, but you should get rt playback very easily.

[Krzysztof Kalukin] "c. Convert to ProRes using Compressor? "

This is what I usually do if I get handed a set of files. I don't have EX hardware.

[Krzysztof Kalukin] "but what if I had to stay with DVCAM format?"

If your dvcam machine has analog component or SDI, you can record to DV tapes. If all you have is firewire, then the LHi can't help.

[Krzysztof Kalukin] "Have to say, that we expected quite more"

Who set your expectations? I think the AJA website is pretty clear:

"KONA 3 and KONA LHi Hardware Scalar Acceleration
Final Cut Pro users will love our DVCPRO HD, HDV and Apple Dynamic RT Extreme hardware scalar acceleration, developed in close cooperation with Apple and available exclusively on high-end KONA cards. KONA hardware takes a portion of the codec processing load off the CPU, allowing more RealTime effects in Final Cut Pro when outputting."

[Krzysztof Kalukin] "but maybe it is time to acquire recording equipment that supports SDI. "

Or analog component. Whatever suits you best.

Jeremy