HDV:What You NEED to Know

Plugging In:

Although HDV uses the same 1394 connection protocol as DV, Vegas’ Video Capture utility will not be able to read the data coming from the HDV format camera. To capture HDV for editing in Sony Vegas 5, you’ll be using the Cineform Connect HD application. Connect HD not only reads the data correctly, it also converts the .m2T transport stream from a 4:2:0 15 GOP (Group of Pictures) to a 4:2:2 two GOP. This makes it much more efficient for Vegas to work with the data without having to decode the MPEG compression. Cineform also properly prepares the file for the RGB colorspace that Vegas uses.

Be sure you are working with the Sony-distributed version of the Connect HD capture tool. (Vegas 6 software comes with the CineForm codec, but for purposes of rendering/reading only)

When you first connect the HDV cam to the computer, the computer will indicate that it has seen the camcorder or deck. In this image, you see the HVR-M10U connecting to the computer. If the camera or deck isn’t recognized, visit the Cineform Help pages at http://www.cineform.com for technical assistance.

You might also try these steps:

1. Go to Control Panel/System/Device Manager
2. Click on the AVC devices, you'll see a connected device
3. Right click, choose UpDate Driver. You want to MANUALLY search for the new driver
4. Browse to Sound, Video, Game controllers.
5. In there, you'll find Sony, and Sony something else, I don't recall. You want the SONY folder
6. In the Sony folder, specify the DVHS driver

Depending on processor speed, Connect HD is capable of converting the m2t data to an AVI format file in real time. Slower systems may require a few minutes to complete the data conversion. Capturing/converting to a second drive will assist in speeding the conversion/capture process.

You have the choice of converting the files only and discarding the m2t data, or keeping both the m2t and the .avi data. It’s a good idea to keep both the .m2t and the .avi until your project is finished; m2t files don’t require a great deal of space, and may come in handy later. As a general rule, capture your media at the “medium” setting in Connect HD.

Once the files are captured, open Sony Vegas. It’s recommended that you have the Sony Vegas 5d version, the download/update is free for registered Vegas owners. Look under Sony Vegas Help to determine which version of Vegas you have. Currently the build is 5d, build 194.

You’ll see the .m2t files in the same directory as the converted .avi files. You will not want to be using the .m2t files on the Vegas timeline, so you might want to place all these files in a separate folder. Notice in difference in file sizes from the .m2t to the .avi filesize in the screenshot?

Before beginning to edit, be sure your project properties are correctly specified in Sony Vegas. Set the project properties in File>Properties. If you shot your video in 60i format with the Sony HDV cameras, set the Properties accordingly. If you shot your project in 50i, set this accordingly as well. You can also access the Properties via the Project File Properties in the Preview Window.

Most computer systems will provide full frame playback of the Cineform codec with the preview window set to Preview/Auto. If the playback monitor has a resolution of less than 1900 x 1200, the full preview will not be possible anyway. In any event, the Preview/Auto setting is optimal for playback. Remember that you can double click the header of the undocked Preview window to alternate between preview window sizes.

One issue to be aware of: Sony Vegas 5 operates in RGB colorspace, and there are issues when remapping this back to the YUV colorspace for printing back to tape. The Cineform DI properly prepares the .avi file for this space, but when rendering a .m2t file for print back to tape, you may notice a color shift. On the VASST.com site, you may download a preset for Sony Vegas that will correct for this color remapping issue. This is not an issue for Vegas 6 users.

When rendering to print to tape, you’ll want to use the above preset. When rendering for SD delivery, you won’t need to worry about this. Outputting HD from Vegas is a snap. Simply choose the Render As template that is related to your project delivery. If you are rendering for archiving, you’ll want to use the 1080i presets as Sony has created them. You may be rendering to Windows Media HD settings, these are found in the .wmv dropdown menus.

In Sony Vegas 6 software, you'll find the HDV capture utility built right inside. Converting to the CineForm codec, or using GearShift to create DV proxies is a good way to edit. Use the proxies on a slower, older system, and use the CineForm codec on faster systems.

Happy editing,

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