What HD footage Format runs smoothest in Video Pro X6

discburn wrote on 5/3/2014, 1:00 PM

I have to convert some Canon 600D DSLR 1080p24 footage to another 1080p24 format, because on my Windows 7 64-bit PC the blacks are crushed in Video Pro X6 playback and export.

For some reason, several NLEs have this problem with native DSLR video, and it has to be corrected either before import or on the timeline (I don't know how to do this in VPX6).

Can anyone suggest the 1080p24 format that runs smoothest in VPX6? DnXHD? Apple ProRes? H.264?

Also, any specifics such as bitrate would be appreciated.

Many thanks,

Seamus

Comments

Scenestealer wrote on 5/3/2014, 5:46 PM

Hi Seamus

I do not have VPX but my comment would be that Magix NLEs are best optimised for H264 MPEG4.

The smoothest to work with is probably Magix exclusive .MXV format as this is not a very complex compression codec, which puts less load on the processor. File sizes are large however, limiting its practicality, and from your comments in your previous post it may be unsuitable for your needs as it would have to be converted again for output and distribution.

When you say VPX crushes the blacks I presume you mean you lose detail in the dark areas? This is possible but should not generally be a problem as most people usually are going to be tweaking and grading the clips anyway.

There is plenty of control in the Effects > Brightness/Contrast section for changing the Black and Gamma level, and the recently added HDR slider works very well for bringing out detail in the darker areas. These can be applied to clips in the Timeline either individually or in groups, or you can apply adjustments to the whole movie via the top Movie Effects menu. Start by reading the section on Effects in the Help or PDF manual.

Regards

discburn wrote on 5/5/2014, 1:33 AM

Thanks Ss,

I've actually posted the following point in another thread, but it now also applies to this thread. You mentioned 'When you say VPX crushes the blacks, etc', actually, one of the reasons I'm inquiring about formats is because the DSLR H.264 footage, wrapped as .MOV, from my Canon 600D has all crushed blacks on VPX6's timeline. And working with it natively, and exporting even in other formats from VPX6, still has the crushed blacks.

This misinterpretation of DSLR footage seems to occur in other NLEs too. I've contacted Magix support about it to see if they can correct the playback natively.

Or maybe it's just my NVIDIA Quadro 4000 video card!

On my Windows 7 64-bit PC, to see the footage correctly, I play it back in Media Player Classic HC with a rendering Output Range of 16 -235 instead of 0 - 255. Maybe if I can change that setting in the Quadro 4000, that will solve the problem?

Seamus