What is the best way to import and export footage from the 5D Mark II?

[ascreenwriter]

Hello,

I've just finished shooting what I am considering to be my directorial masterpiece.  Shot it on the Canon 5D (1080p, 24fps), and the footage looks amazing.  Now I am ready to start editing and have been using premiere lately, but I have yet to figure out the proper pipeline.  I want to know the best way to retain resolution before I delve into this project.

My questions:

1)  What is the best way to start a new project and import the footage without having to render whilst editing, so as to retain all resolution and originality of the source footage?

2)  What is the best way/ codec/ format to export this same footage once editing is complete so as to retain that crisp 1080p for which the 5D is so recognized?

3)  What is the best way/ codec/ format to import and export/ render between premiere and after effects?  I am speaking mostly of vfx and color correction.  I also have some 30fps footage that I intend to slow down in AE and then import into premiere.

I know this is pretty broad, but as a solo filmmaker I really need someone's guidance.  I rarely ever finish my films with the same, crisp look as the footage.  I need pipeline help, and really appreciate it!

[John T Smith · Accepted solution]

>have been using premiere lately

A tutorial list in message #3 http://forums.adobe.com/message/2276578

1-Please NOTE that the PPro CS6 screen may look a bit different (I use CS5)

For CS5 and later, the easy way to insure that your video and your project match

See 2nd post for picture of NEW ITEM process http://forums.adobe.com/thread/872666

-and a FAQ on sequence setting http://forums.adobe.com/message/3804341

2-BluRay... but I'm not sure if 1080p is supported (I don't use BluRay)

1080p http://forums.adobe.com/thread/995191 some work, some do not

Also, for future posts, the Information FAQ http://forums.adobe.com/message/4200840

Also, read Metadata contained in folder http://forums.adobe.com/thread/1015001?tstart=0

And, finally, read Bill Hunt on project setup http://forums.adobe.com/thread/919388?tstart=0

[Kevin-Monahan]

ascreenwriter wrote:

Hello,

I've just finished shooting what I am considering to be my directorial masterpiece.  Shot it on the Canon 5D (1080p, 24fps), and the footage looks amazing.  Now I am ready to start editing and have been using premiere lately, but I have yet to figure out the proper pipeline.  I want to know the best way to retain resolution before I delve into this project.

My questions:

1)  What is the best way to start a new project and import the footage without having to render whilst editing, so as to retain all resolution and originality of the source footage?

2)  What is the best way/ codec/ format to export this same footage once editing is complete so as to retain that crisp 1080p for which the 5D is so recognized?

3)  What is the best way/ codec/ format to import and export/ render between premiere and after effects?  I am speaking mostly of vfx and color correction.  I also have some 30fps footage that I intend to slow down in AE and then import into premiere.

I know this is pretty broad, but as a solo filmmaker I really need someone's guidance.  I rarely ever finish my films with the same, crisp look as the footage.  I need pipeline help, and really appreciate it!

1. Follow the advice above. Also use the Media Browser to import the footage in case you have spanned media files. Import files with the Media Browser.

2. It largely depends on what you wish to ouput to: Blu-ray, web, etc. This FAQ gives the best answer: What are the best export settings?

3. Use the Replace with Adobe After Effects Composition function.

[ascreenwriter]

2. It largely depends on what you wish to ouput to: Blu-ray, web, etc.

I will be exporting to web and big screen (festivals).

[Kevin-Monahan]

• For the web, you might try a preset for Vimeo or YouTube. The whole process is outlined on my blog: Exporting media using Adobe Media Encoder CS5, CS5.5 and CS6.
• For festivals, you'd need to know their precise specifications as they vary widely. For example, here's the requirements for output at Sundance:

• We accept Film prints in 16mm or 35mm format, digital video on Sony HDCAM tape and DCP.
  • For 35mm film prints, we screen 24fps in aspect ratios of 1.37, 1.66, 1.85, or 2.39.
  • We accept sound formats of mono, stereo, Dolby SR and Dolby SRD (Dolby Digital).
  • For 16mm, we accept prints in 1.37 aspect ratio with mono optical sound.
  • For Sony HDCAM tape, we accept HD 1080 format in the following frame rates: 59.94i, 23.98psf, 25p, and 50i.
  • If your video image is 4x3, 1.85, 1.66, or 2.35/2.39/Scope you must have it pillarboxed or letterboxed during the lab transfer for it to be screened without any image distortion.
  • For HDCAM sound, we require LtRt or Dolby Pro Logic compatible stereo mixed tracks on channels 1 & 2.
  • Optional: DolbyE onchannels 3 & 4 (not all theaters are equipped for DolbyE playback). DCP must be DCI compliant, keys must be open for window specified by festival, and HDCAM or 35mm backup copy must be provided in addition. DCP will only be accepted with prior approval. Please note that these specifications are subject to change each year.

[the_wine_snob]

Just to address what might be a difference in terminology, or maybe a misconception:

1)  What is the best way to start a new project and import the footage without having to render whilst editing, so as to retain all resolution and originality of the source footage?

Rendering is not the same as Export, though some use either term with interchangeablity, which is not correct in PrPro.

Rendering is a function, that creates "proxy files," just for the smoothest playback, where Export is a function of outputting the Timeline to a Video file, for either delivery, or for editing in another program.

Rendering a Timeline will not degrade the quality of the footage, or affect the output, unless one checks "Use Rendered Files." This article goes into more detail on Rendering in Premiere: http://forums.adobe.com/message/4068277#4068277

Now, I assume that by "rendering," you mean outputting the Timeline to a Video file. If that file is to be used as an intermediate, for additional editing, then that can degrade quality, unless one uses a lossless CODEC. This article goes into more detail on "intermediate files:" http://forums.adobe.com/message/4556586#4556586

The best part is that you have received great, and useful advice, and I only wanted to add a few comments, basically for those, who might find the thread later on, and become afraid of Rendering (for smoothest playback).

Good luck,

Hunt

[ascreenwriter]

Actually, I was just wondering about in-project rendering.  I have never been able to import (at best quality) and then not have to re-render every time I make an edit.  Is there a way to do this?

Thanks for all the great help!

[excited_Genie16B8]

If you have to render 5D media, it's likely your system just isn't powerful enough.

[ascreenwriter]

I wanted to come back and post these two links which helped immensely:

http://forums.adobe.com/message/2808945

http://guruv.wordpress.com/2011/05/24/why-edit-canon-5d-7d-footage-in-premiere-pro/

I think I've figured out what I need to.  Thanks for all the help!