236

Working in HDV format

This feature is available only in the full version of Vegas software and in Vegas Movie Studio Platinum software.

HDV cameras record high-definition video to standard DV tapes using a highly compressed variation of the MPEG-2 format. Because of this compression, you can capture HDV clips at data rates that are no higher than DV capture.

However, editing and previewing this highly compressed video is impractical without a very powerful computer that is optimized for working with high-definition video. We recommend converting your HDV files to an intermediate format for editing.

Depending on your final delivery format, working with HDV source material requires some adjustments to your workflow. This section will help guide you through the decisions to streamline the process.

Choosing a capture format

If you will be delivering your project in standard definition (SD) via DVD or DV tape, you can use the camera’s built-in down-conversion (if available) to convert your HDV video to the DV format. Use the camera’s Options menu to set the camera to output DV, and you can capture and edit video in the same way that you normally use DV in Vegas projects with no need for intermediate files.

If you will be delivering your project in a high-definition (HD) format, in both SD and HD formats, or as SD 24p video, capture HDV clips and convert them to an intermediate format after capturing.

Creating intermediate files

If you’ve captured HDV clips, converting to an intermediate, lower-resolution format will streamline the editing process and allow you to preview your project.

1.Start a new project.

2.Add your captured HDV clips (MPEG-2 transport streams) to the timeline.

3.Render your clips to an appropriate intermediate format.

You can verify a template’s codec by looking at the Video format drop-down list on the Video tab of the Custom Template dialog.

If you’re performing frame rate or frame size conversion, ensure the Video rendering quality is set to Best on the Project tab of the Custom Template dialog.

Destination

Intermediate Format

HDCAM over HD-SDI

Render an .avi file that uses the Sony YUV codec. The frame rate and

 

frame size should match your HDCAM master.

Digital Betacam or XDCAM

Render an .avi file that uses the Sony YUV codec. The frame rate and

over SD-SDI

frame size should match your master.

 

 

24p DVD

Render an .avi file that uses one of the following codecs:

 

-Sony YUV (offers the highest quality, but requires a high-performance

 

drive array).

 

-CineForm HD (offers excellent quality with good playback performance).

 

-Sony NTSC DV Widescreen (use the NTSC DV Widescreen 24p (2-3-3-2)

 

pulldown .avi template).

Windows Media HD

Render an .avi file using one of the following templates. Choose the

 

template that matches your HDV source:

 

-HDV 720-30p intermediate.

 

-HDV 720-25p intermediate.

 

-HDV 1080-60i intermediate.

 

-HDV 1080-50i intermediate.

 

 

USING ADVANCED VIDEO FEATURES

CHP. 13