Calibrated Software's Codec Solutions: AVC-Intra Encode Expands Editing Options

The direction of Apple’s product development efforts and the current status of the Final Cut Pro ecosystem has professional editors a bit rattled. One by-product of this uncertainty is concern over whether it is wise to master final files in one of the ProRes codecs. This concern opens the door to other codec options, like Sony XDCAM or Avid DNxHD. One powerful solution is Panasonic’s AVC-Intra codec, a 10-bit, 4:2:2, I-frame compression scheme based on the H.264/AVC family.

AVC-Intra codec choices appear within standard application options.

Calibrated Software is known for its range of products, such as MXF Import, which lets Final Cut Pro “legacy” users work with native MXF media by generating reference MOV files. Many editing applications can natively read AVC-Intra files recorded by the wide range of Panasonic P2 products, but until now you couldn’t easily encode AVC-Intra masters for archiving and portability. That’s changed with the introduction of Calibrated{Q} AVC-Intra Encode.

AVC-Intra Encode is a QuickTime component that enables any QuickTime-compatible application to encode (or export) MOV files with one of the 50 Mb/s or 100 Mb/s AVC-Intra codecs. AVC-Intra Encode supports encoding applications like Adobe Media Encoder, Apple Compressor and QuickTime Player Pro, as well as NLEs like Avid Media Composer and Apple Final Cut Pro. Simply install AVC-Intra Encode to add the AVC-Intra codec options to each application’s output choices. AVC-Intra Encode is a cross-platform codec, and both Mac OS X and Windows versions of the Calibrated{Q} encoder are available.
 

Embedded metadata, such as Scene and Reel IDs, are compliant with FCP X.

Since this is only an encoder, you’ll need other software to play the new MOV files. MOV files created by AVC-Intra Encode can be imported and played by software including FCP 7, FCP X and Media Composer (5.5.1 or higher). Other applications that support QuickTime (such as Adobe products) may need Calibrated Software’s AVC-Intra Decode software to import and open AVC-Intra MOV files.

One standout feature is the separate Calibrated{Q} AVC-Intra Encode Options application. This is both a license manager and a tool to embed metadata into the MOV file. MXF formats, like P2, include camera-generated metadata (clip name, reel ID, etc.), which is contained in a sidecar XML file.

Calibrated Software has included a dummy XML file that can be opened and modified in any text editor. Using AVC-Intra Encode Options, you can merge the customized XML file and the MOV file to embed that data into the MOV file. This feature is compliant with Final Cut Pro X, so when the merged file is imported into FCP X, any data you’ve entered, like a scene number, will be displayed in the inspector window as part of the clip’s settings. Unfortunately there is no way to batch multiple MOV and XML files for an automated process.
 

Product: Calibrated Software Calibrated{Q} AVC-Intra Encode
Rating:
Pros: Adds AVC-Intra encoding capability to any QuickTime-compliant application. Lets you merge MOV and XML files to embed custom data into the encoded file.
Cons: These is a no batch “merge” function to embed metadata. Player software is a separate purchase or dependent on the installation of NLE applications.
Bottom Line: A great solution for creating portable, cross-platform, NLE-agnostic master files using a widely accepted professional codec.
MSRP: $149.95 individual Mac OS X / $199.95 individual Windows
Online: www.calibratedsoftware.com/QAVCIntraEncode.asp