prores to redcode conform

[Mike Manus]

I'm starting a feature project that I'm offlineing on a Macbook Pro. It's being shot at 4k 16:9. I've already used RedRushes to downrez to 720p for the first few days of shooting. I'm using 720p to save drive space. I'm testing out conform options before I get in too deep, and I've found this workflow works: http://www.indie4k.com/archives/110
Basically, I export an xml use clipfinder to connect to the _f proxies, export a new xml, reimport into FCP, and send to Color.

I'm wondering if there's any downside to these _f proxies. If I'm getting the full range of RED data. The website states this as a con: "Footage is fed into Color via the equivalent of a “half res high” decode, not quite as good as decoding full 4K and scaling. (But good enough for almost any HD finish, in my opinion.)" I don't know what that means, but his workflow specifies the _h proxies, so maybe that's it; and if I'm using _f proxies, maybe it doesn't matter?

The red whitepaper says to use log and transfer, but if I do that I have to offline with 2k footage unless I'm missing something.

Basically, what's the best way to get the full 4k Red data into color after offlining with RedRushed 720p prores downconverts? Any thoughts?

 

[Uli Plank]

Color 1.04 can handle 2K only, Color 1.5 is buggy, but can decode 4K (in case you really need it).

The kind of proxy used in Clipfinder doesn't matter, it's just a reference. BTW, you can go straight into Color by XML.

 

[jimhare]

If you go straight to Color using XML won't it still be referencing the Pro Res? Is there a way to make the switch without Clipfinder?

 

[Mike Manus]

Uli, thank you for the response. What I'm wondering about is if there's any loss involved using the _f proxies in Color as opposed to however the log and transfer workflow from the whitepaper does it. I know the proxies are just reference files, but I wanted to make sure the quicktime wrapper doesn't hinder anything.

So Color 1.5 is buggy? I thought everyone complained that the previous version was buggy. Does anyone write stable software?

Jim, I think Uli meant you could take the clipfinder xml that has been reconformed and go straight into Color.

 

[jimhare]

That makes sense regarding Clipfinder.

Regarding loss of quality, when you bring proxies to Color, they automatically relink to the original R3D, so you have no loss of quality here.

The only thing to be aware of is Color doesn't use Red's new color science, which means you will obtain a better image coming out of Red Alert.

Problem is, of course, you can't load an EDL, you would have to make all your clips manually.