When you prepare to encode your video you have the option to Encode, Discard or Copy tracks. If you'd like to discard your Video track just click on the Discard radio button under the Output format options. If you already have video that was encoded with a specific audio codec you can just select the Copy radio button to copy the tracks over to your output file.
The Discard or Copy Video or Audio track feature is extremely helpful is you video files that you want to place on a streaming server and you no longer need the video track. Take for example the Wowza Media Server Pro that not only delivers real-time streaming of Flash Video files (.FLV) but can also stream H.264, AAC and HE-AAC files. If you have a library of videos encoded using the MPEG-4 codec, these aren't supported on the Wowza Media Server Pro. You could discard the Video tracks and copy over the Audio tracks with Episode and place the output files on the Wowza Media Server Pro.
What is AVCHD?, and what exactly is HDD?
AVCHD is a combination of AVC (Advanced Video Coding) and MPG2. Some of the newest cameras now support AVCHD which records to a hard drive. You may see the term HDD, which simply refers to (Hard Disk Drive).
To simplify, this technology records High Defination Video within an MPEG-2 transport stream directly to a hard-drive. In fact, the Sony HDR SR12 is completely tapless! It contains a 120 gig hard drive, which is enough storage to record over 20 hours of high defination footage without stopping. It also has the ability to take 10 megapixel still images.
User's of Final Cut Pro can use the Log and Transfer tool to bring these clips into their editing system. You must have one an intel based MAC, and you must be running the latest version the Final Cut Studio software. The conversion process is close to real-time, but it can be automated.
Also, Final Cut Studio converts the video stream to Pro Res 422 which is approximately 4 times the original size of the file(s) that sit on the camera. To make sure you have sufficient space on your hard drive before ingesting the media.
Unfortunately, users of Avid Media Composer will have to convert the footage using a third party software product. I am hopeful Avid will adopt AVCHD technology in their Media Composer product line soon. As a professional alternative, Media Composer supports P2 media in it's native format.
GeniusDV teaches the AVCHD workflow in it's Final Cut Studio 5 Day training class.
The custom presets in Adobe After Effects are a great way to quickly animate your layers. The latest version of After Effects has many different presets to choose from and you can apply them to text, backgrounds or any other layer. The often misunderstood concept about presets is that once you apply them that is all you get. These presets are only a jumping off point, there are several presets that look great just the way they are but every preset is fully editable. The two Genius DV logos here were created using the exact same preset and I just modified the color and the motion for a completely different look. The only way to get familiar with presets is to practice and do not be afraid to modify them. You will be amazed how well these presets work and how simple it is to get the look you need.
Here at Genius DV we are not only a cutting edge training facility but we also use the products we teach in the real world. I want to share all of my experiences with you and make sure that you do not run into the same pitfalls. When it comes to extended warranties I am the first one to turn them down, but when it comes to electronics you never know what can happen. You can treat your equipment with kid gloves and still run into problems being not fault of your own. I had this exact issue with last camera. I had used it and taken very good care of it for 2 years and one day the sensors decided to stop working. I sent the camera n for repair and the bill was $5500! That was $500 less than buying the camera brand new. If I would have taken the three year warranty it would have been covered. Sony offers a great extended warranty and it is very inexpensive. For $159.99 you can extended your factory warranty for a total of three years. This warranty is available for select professional Camcorders with Sony List Price up to $10,000K. Models included: HVRHD1000U, HVRA1U, DSRPD170, DSR250, HVRV1U, HVRZ1U, HVRZ7U, PMWEX1. Extended Limited Warranty (EW) extends the included standard 1 year limited product warranty for an additional 2 years from date of product purchase, for a total term of 3 years of coverage.
SanDisk has decided to get on board with the Sony XDCam and produce media for the very popular new cam. The speed and transfer times are identical to the Sony cards yet this offers up some competition to the Sony card. As of right now these cards are aprox. the same price as the Sony cards but I would assume that is going to change in the near future. The 16Gb card retails for $899.00 while the 8Gb cards is offered at $499.00. The great thing about the EX cards is the transfer rates. You can offload a 16 gb card in less than 3 minutes. That is about 60 minutes of footage transfered to off to your favorite hard drive in less than 3 minutes. You can import these clips directly into Final Cut Pro and edit them instantly! That makes the new Sony Xd cams worth upgrading to! Check out the complete line of SanDisk cards and check out the amazing features of this new media!
