Film to Motion JPEG

dpvollmer wrote on 5/28/2009, 2:31 PM

I am going to have some 8mm film scanned frame by frame and the resulting file I am told will be a Motion JPEG. When I receive this file (which will reside on a USB drive that I am sending along with the film) will I be able to edit it directly on the timeline with V9 or will I have to convert it to another format?

If I have to convert it, what software should I use?

Thanks,
David Vollmer

Comments

ritsmer wrote on 5/28/2009, 2:45 PM

You do not give much info :-) - but if you use Vegas 9 it should be able to edit "normal" AVI-files directly.

For older Vegas versions you need a codec - I have been very satisfied for years with a rock stable codec from Morgan (google it) and also this codec is so fast that you can edit and preview at reasonable speeds on most machines.

If you have time: get a sample from the film scanning company and test it before you sit with all your precious 8 mm film converted to a load of bad AVI mutations.

Oops: and when you receive the USB key with the films: make at least one backup. Here we keep 1 original plus 3 backups of everything :-D

dpvollmer wrote on 5/28/2009, 2:58 PM

Thanks, Ritsmer. I am only sending one 50 ft film at this time. They are going to give me a standard definition and a high definition version. I have had this same film "copied" to video files by three different companies so far. I think this next one is going to be the best. The cost is $15 for the 50' reel plus $12 shipping (plus my shipping cost to them).

I am contemplating purchasing the same system that the company I am sending the film to uses but that will be a pretty large investment - especially when you need a dedicated computer with Raid drives and a Decklink HD Extreme capture card. I at least already have the video camera I need to capture in HD (Sony EX1).

I am currently using Vegas 9.

John_Cline wrote on 5/28/2009, 4:12 PM

Vegas v8 and v9 have built-in support for reading MJPEG files, you should be fine.

dpvollmer wrote on 5/28/2009, 10:09 PM

Thank you both for your help. I'm glad I don't have to purchase additional software.

David

RBartlett wrote on 5/28/2009, 11:53 PM

Prior to Vegas Pro 8 I accessed AVIs using the picvideo mjpeg codec from (Accusoft) Pegasus. Very slick, reliable and good quality control options.

One question remains... Will it be an AVI or a MOV(quicktime) ?
Might be worth checking or seeing if they can deliver AVI readily without recompression.

QT might be a hit on your performance (in Vegas) and you'll need quicktime installed (or the premium quicktime-pro). It sounds like it'll be a PC but that is only by the inference to the description of the automated 'rig' your transfer house. No reason it couldn't be a Mac. For instance, the likes of http://www.moviestuff.tv/wp_16.html 's workprinter supports PC/Mac via a non-scanner (per sé) workflow.

musicvid10 wrote on 5/29/2009, 5:04 AM

Thanks to johnmeyer, I found if you download the trial version of the MainConcept codec, you can play back mjpeg without a problem. If you try to encode with the trial you will get a watermark, but it does not affect playback.

johnmeyer wrote on 5/29/2009, 7:15 AM

Yes, the MainConcept MJPEG codec works great.

As far as the initial issue of how to edit the video, ideally you should have the transfer house set the fps flag to match the original frame rate, typically 15, 16, 18, or 24 fps, depending on the age of the film and the type of camera used. Then, set the project settings in Vegas to match this, and make sure that both the video properties (right click on the video and select properties) and the project properties are set to progressive. Set the project properties to match the fps of the video (you can just type the number into the drop down box, and any fps you type will "stick").

Then, when you render, keep that same fps is you are going to view on the web or on your computer. This will produce stunningly great results. However, if you are rendering for a DVD, use one of the default templates that match your country's standard, and only change the average bitrate, if necessary, to make the video and audio fit the disc.