MAX setting in quality item...

[Ale Reynoso]

Hi:
What exactly does the "MAX" setting when you select REDCODE 28 or 36?
I´m guessing that as a VBR compression, MAX just keep the bitrate as its maximum...is this so?
So you have RD 28, RD 28 MAX, RD 36 and RD 36 MAX?
I´m guessing too, that the difference will not be noticeable if I finish in HD between RD 28 and RC 36 "MAX", and I will have a little advantage in files size...could this be? So I´ll use RC 36 MAX only if my finish is a filmout?...

Thank you

 

[Obin Olson]

I echo the same question, what does it do? what does it do at RC28?

 

[Stuart English]

MAX mode

MAX mode

We have discussed before I'm sure. MAX does just what it suggests, provides maximum image quality.

So why would you choose not to use MAX all the time ?

One reason is if you are shooting a TV Episodic in 4K HD mode, MAX mode disabled allows some software based post tools to render to 1080p in "real time" i.e at 24 fps.

Can't think of another reason

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Can't think of it specifics off the top of my head, but I think I've encountered a mode or two that would not record to an 8GB CF card when MAX was checked, but then the settings were reported as valid with it unchecked. Maybe I'm imagining that...

 

[Harry Clark]

I think some older hardware configurations running Scratch would not do real time 4K grading... I had a conversation about this with the folks at IKA Collective, but that was a few months ago. In fact, shortly after, IKA got the latest, fastest Boxx system and Max Mode was fine.
I think that some configurations can do it and some can't. Maybe someone from Assimilate can verify this.
I always try to find out from the post team if this will be a problem. Larger, dedicated post processing and grading companies can easily tell you if they can handle Max Mode and what the ramifications are of other camera settings for their workflow (i.e., whether 4KHD makes more sense than 4K for a project with a tight turnaround)
Cheers,
Harry

 

[Obin Olson]

ahhh..so better image, and more processor overhead to decode in post then?

 

[Ale Reynoso]

We have discussed before I'm sure. MAX does just what it suggests, provides maximum image quality.


Ok. But do you know how? How do you keep the bitrate (you´re choosing 28 or 36) and max out quality? I mean, what "quality" means in this case? (in another case could be less compression/bigger files, or a different encoding, or a different frame size...)
How much is the difference in size per frame?

Thank you!

 

[Ale Reynoso]

From previous post:
"test with build 17 footage on Scratch:
-4K 2:1 25fps RedCode 28 non-max mode plays 24fps in Scratch 2K high
-4K 2:1 25fps RedCode 28 max mode plays 20fps in Scratch 2K high"
"RDC improved their RC28 codec with release 15. However, some people cried foul because the new codec was mucking with playback in post so RDC provided for a fallback to their original codec in build 16 with the "Max" button".
"on the new high powered Scratch machines 4K 16:9 RC36 29.97 is affected by Max, and 4K HD 23.98 through 29.97 is affected. In other words, not guaranteed to playback without dropped frames"
So MAX is always a backstep to a previous, not so intense processor requiring, codec?

 

[Stuart English]

MAX mode

MAX mode

ahhh..so better image, and more processor overhead to decode in post then?

Correct. Max mode enabled (checked) is the above..