codec question

[thomase]

ok, another codecc question, but not the type which one is best...
recently i was thinking: if i capture something in dv codec, then edit my sequence and save it as dv file say in imovie. does this mean it is recompressed or just saved in the same quality?
in other words: do i lose quality?
and how do i avoid quality loss?

[solly]

Thomase
Do a test of a small sample in different format and see the general info of the clip to see if there are changes.
Solly

[syzygy]

depends on the software you use to edit the sequence.

We use virtualdub to do simple editing operations such as chopping sections out or trimming clips - it's direct stream copy mode copies the data directly rather than recompressing.


In premier, no recompression will take place if you have the output codec and working codec set to the same codec that the source content has (and you only juggle things around rather than doing an opacity work or adding transitions or effects)

You should be able to tell whether the software is recompressing or copying data - if it is taking significant time then is is most liekly recomressing. If it is going about as quickly as your computer copies that size file then it is likely to be directly copying data.

Dan.

[sleepytom]

in premiere you should make sure the box marked allways recompress is not checked in your project settings.

vegas allways recompresses :(

[thomase]

i use either imovie or final cut express...

[videoteque]

i use either imovie or final cut express...

They don't recompress if you just edit with cuts. The transitions and effects are rendered AND recompressed. I have never spotted direct/recompressed footage. I have never worked with MiniDV on a broadcast monitor (the only thing that may show differences).

[murk]

Originally posted by sleepytom
in premiere you should make sure the box marked allways recompress is not checked in your project settings.

vegas allways recompresses :(

The way I have found to get Vegas to cut media without re-rendering, is to check the "Copy and Trim media with Project" when saving a project, then all media is cut (even MPEGs) without rendering. It even seems to do this with a bit of speed and efficiency.