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Posts tagged CS4
Adobe Premiere CS4 fails with HD video codecs
Sep 23rd
HD codecs and formats in video editing are messy as hell. I’ve always used Adobe’s Premiere so I tought I had the best tools editing high definiton video. It’s recorded with Sony PMW-EX1, up to date 6000$ camera.
EX1 records 1080 size video in progressive mode and captures the whole awesomeness to a 16 gig SxS memory card in XDCAM EX format. I have to edit a 50 minute theater play and hand it out in blueray. Adobe’s Premiere Pro CS4 sounds promising:
Tapeless camera support new
Edit video natively in the latest tapeless formats, including RED, AVCHD, P2, XDCAM EX, and XDCAM HD, without transcoding or rewrapping. Browse your drives and removable media from inside Adobe Premiere Pro to find, log, and import footage. -Adobe
Impressive. However, it doesn’t say anything about exporting. If I want to export my HD project, I need a third party plugin that costs almost 300$ (small price after 6k cam and 2k software I guess..) I didn’t believe this first until I got an answer from Adobe Systems Nordic:
You do need the 3rd party plugin for XDCAM EX exports (Main Concept Pro MPEG to be exact) in both Premiere and After Effects. We have some stuff in the works, so I’ll check the status for that.
Great then. I’ll just buy a cool plugin and then enjoy the results of my Sony EX1, missing the fact that MainConcept MPEG Pro HD 4 H.264/MPEG is only available for Windows and I’m a MacBook user like most of the designer people.
Well, there’s always Final Cut Pro that plays well on Mac. Final Cut Pro 7 has Log and Transfer tool that can read XDCAM video straight from the memory card of my camera. I only have to download XDCAM plugin software from Sony and I can start working. More amazinly, this plugin is free.
It’s funny that I have to own about 90% of the lead software on the market to produce just good quality video. Adobe has stuff in the works as always, but making proper HD right now is not just a piece of cake.
Story developing..
Final Cut Pro 7 with Log and Transfer shows the footage on the camera I shot today at Baker Beach, SF.
