Canopus DV Codec not showing up in ULTRA2

[OneQuickSix]

For a long time now it seems like the Canopus DV codec has been showing up (for encoding) in almost every program I own. However, I just recently installed and started playing with Serious Magic Ultra 2 (after owning it for over a year ... I know, very sad) and it does not list the Canopus DV codec when exporting.

Does anyone know why? Is it a DirectShow issue or something? And, equally as important, am I losing out on quality by exporting to the MS DV codec intead? (Curiously, Edius sees it as Canopus DV Codec, but other programs such as Premiere reveal it's true nature.)

Thanks!

-Tim

[STORMDAVE]

Use Microsoft DV, and no you're not losing quality. Better yet, use Canopus HQ if you can.

[OneQuickSix]

Thanks for the fast reply, Dave! Yes, I've been using HQ in the meantime. I thought maybe there would be a file size penalty, but it appears to be about the same as DV. Are there any disadvantages to using the HQ codec? Does it hamper realtime performance on a DVStorm2 Edius3 system when editing maybe?

Anyone know why it doesn't show up in Ultra? I'm trying to find another program where it does not show up, and so far have come up empty (which is of course a good thing), and I have a LOT of apps.

-Tim

PS> Dave, did you get my PM?

[STORMDAVE]

Hi Tim, yes I replied :)

There are more advantages to using Canopus HQ than DV. The file sizes should be similar to DV because CHQ is a variable codec and it has a 4:2:2 color space compared to DVs 4:1:1 (less color information). So use Canopus HQ and skip DV entirely, it looks much better....if you want to go back to DV tape, just load the CHQ file in EDIUS and print to DV tape from a DV project.

Canopus HQ files should have similar performance to DV.

I remember when I used to use Ultra 2, I had problems with Canopus DV.

[OneQuickSix]

Thanks again, Dave! CHQ it is, at the very least with Ultra anyway. I'll try some "timeline heavy" projects in Edius with CHQ and see if my buffer drains.

-Tim

[GrassValley_BH]

IMHO, the only disadvantage of Canopus HQ is that it's Windows-only and not all programs like to play with it (mostly the types that restrict themselves to HDV, DV and uncompressed). It's a great codec to use for both (practical) archiving and intermediate renders.

[OneQuickSix]

Thanks for the input, Brandon. While we're on the subject, what advantages does the HQ codec offer over the Canopus DV codec, other than the enhanced color space -- if any? (Not that the enhanced CS isn't enough!) :)

-Tim

[GrassValley_BH]

Support for alpha channel and it's variable bitrate.

[OneQuickSix]

DOH! Forgot about the alpha (that IS nice). The VBR sounds familiar, but truly did not realize that -- guess that accounts for the comparable file sizes, eh?

Take care,
Tim

[GrassValley_BH]

VBR means that if the image gets overly complex, it can bump up the bitrate to ensure you still have a good encoded image.

Of course the flip-side is that you can only predict file sizes within a window and not exactly.

[OneQuickSix]

I'm not sure if I posted this before, but for anyone using Ultra2 and Canopus codecs, you might want to know that you have to choose UPPER FIELD FIRST in order to get it to encode properly as LOWER FIELD FIRST. (YES, you read that correctly. Bassackwards I know, but that is the way it is.)

So if you're seeing a lot of jitter and/or flicker after outputting from Ultra2, then this is most assuredly the culprit.

[GuyS]

Sounds like you have been able to make Ultra 2 work. I have not been able to make HD work. Even SD runs the audio out of sync!
I bought Ultra a couple of months before they sold it to Adobe....which is useless for help.

[Jerry]

DOH! Forgot about the alpha (that IS nice). The VBR sounds familiar, but truly did not realize that -- guess that accounts for the comparable file sizes, eh?

Take care,
Tim

Thats just support for alpha created in programs other than Edius. If you want to come out of AE, HQ will be a fine choice.
I had issues with Ultra and HQ. I went uncompressed in and out, and had no issues. Did my keys, added the virtual movements and exported to 1920x1080 uncompressed. All files were master files and audio was sweetened and added later with timecode.

[OneQuickSix]

Yeah, my workflow was: Export as Uncompressed from Ultra2, load all the files into Edius, then batch export as HQ with Alpha, then delete all the uncompressed.

Yes, I was pleased to see export from AE with the HQ codec supports both Progressive and Alpha output.