Digital Juice Forums
Alpha Channel Video Codecs |
Logged in as: Guest |
|
 Printable Version
|
 All Forums >> [General Digital Juice Discussion Area] >> General Juice Discussion >> Alpha Channel Video Codecs | Page: [1] |
|
|||
|
||||
worsfoldm Posts: 111 Joined: 6/23/2007 Status: offline
|
Are there any video codecs out there that will allow alpha channels to be stored without the video having to be in an uncompressed format ? Are these on AVIs or with Quicktime ? Mark |
|||
|
||||
Alpha Channel Video Codecs - 
|
||||
D. Eric Franks Posts: 2544 Joined: 11/10/2004 From: Florida Status: offline
|
QuickTime. Look for "Millions of Colors+" (32-bit) codecs, such as: Animation JPEG 2000 Planar RGB PNG TGA TIFF I believe PNG will be the most compressed, while still being lossless and having that extra "+" which is the alpha. It is, however, not going to be very compressed compared with lossy compression and distribution formats (DV, MPEG-2, H.264, WMV, etc.). I sense you are trying to save disk space and, without knowing more, I can tell you that is a losing battle! You can never have enough disk space! (in reply to worsfoldm) |
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
Shaun C. Roemich Posts: 1377 Joined: 11/1/2007 Status: offline
|
For what it's worth, I use the Animation codec in Quick Time exclusively for Millions+. It's lightly compressed and gives better results than my output format of choice (DVCam) anyway. I take the final transcode hit at render in my NLE (FCP). I bring my animations (DJ products, LiveType files) in in the Animation Codec and my final render is DVCam for output. If I had my AJA card already, I'd do things a bit differently but this is my methodology and I work in broadcast.
(in reply to D. Eric Franks) |
|||
|
||||
|
||||
timoteo Posts: 221 Joined: 5/2/2006 Status: offline
|
Well if you want to stick to AVI's (which I do -- I avoid QT as much as humanely possible) and want alpha channel in a lossless compressed format you DO HAVE A CHOICE. There is a little (mostly) unknown AVI codec called Huffyuv. It is an absolutely fabulous codec that I don't know how people live without. Just do a Google search for Huffyuv and I'm sure you'll find it. I think it is on version 2.1.1 or something now. It's completely FREE too! It gives you about a 4:1 compression over uncompressed AVI and is completely indistinguishable from it quality-wise. (I just did a test and a 200mb~ uncompressed was only about 50MB with Huffy.) I use it all the time for everything from 3D animations to DJ stuff. It is an invaluable part of my arsenal. I totally agree with Eric Franks assesment of "never enough HD space" ... even with this tremendous little codec. Take care, Tim < Message edited by timoteo -- 3/19/2008 12:34:51 AM > (in reply to Shaun C. Roemich) |
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
Shaun C. Roemich Posts: 1377 Joined: 11/1/2007 Status: offline
|
Cool! The only thing to keep in mind is that for distribution, the other party needs to have the CODEC as well and convincing people to install CODECS is about as hard as getting them to "lend" you their wife for the weekend in Vegas. For internal use, it sounds like a great solution.
(in reply to timoteo) |
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
timoteo Posts: 221 Joined: 5/2/2006 Status: offline
|
True, but for distribution I would think you would be using MPEG2 encodes (or the like) to fit on CD's and DVD's. It's definitely not meant as a substitute for lossy distribution formats like mpeg ... just a great alternative for uncompressed AVI with Alpha. Very true about codecs ... whenever I want to show someone something I generally put it into an MPEG1 because of it's universality and relative small size for downloads. (in reply to Shaun C. Roemich) |
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
D. Eric Franks Posts: 2544 Joined: 11/10/2004 From: Florida Status: offline
|
I installed the codec Huffyuv 2.1.1 (from 8 years ago?!) and it shows up in the Juicer and works just fine. I got about 3:1 compression at a 32-bit color depth. Looks like a very good solution, perhaps for Liquid users and maybe even solve the Vegas+audio issue or the automatic alpha thing. Thanks, Tim!
(in reply to timoteo) |
|||
|
||||
|
||||
Eric Hartmann Posts: 2971 Joined: 4/18/2006 From: Springfield, NJ Status: offline
|
quote: Now for distribution what do you mean? Because if you mean in order to transfer files around or archive, I'd have to disagree with the MPEG2 statement. MPEG2 HIGHLY compresses file information and should really only be used for DVD creation as that is what SD DVDs are burned at. How would you use MPEG2 as an alternative that preserves video plus the alpha channel. _____________________________ Film Editor, Videographer, Motion Graphics Designer, and Producer JUST UPDATED!! http://www.SeaLightEntertainment.com http://www.JimBreuer.com Juice: 300+ (in reply to timoteo) |
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
Shaun C. Roemich Posts: 1377 Joined: 11/1/2007 Status: offline
|
Eric, I think by distribution he means just that: final distribution to end user. Not for internal archiving or further post production.
(in reply to Eric Hartmann) |
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
Eric Hartmann Posts: 2971 Joined: 4/18/2006 From: Springfield, NJ Status: offline
|
quote: That's what I thought, but just wanted to clarify. _____________________________ Film Editor, Videographer, Motion Graphics Designer, and Producer JUST UPDATED!! http://www.SeaLightEntertainment.com http://www.JimBreuer.com Juice: 300+ (in reply to Shaun C. Roemich) |
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
timoteo Posts: 221 Joined: 5/2/2006 Status: offline
|
quote: You got it. I've been using it since 2002 (wow, hard to believe that is 6 years now) so that's probably about right. Hope it helps with those other issues too. -Tim (in reply to D. Eric Franks) |
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
timoteo Posts: 221 Joined: 5/2/2006 Status: offline
|
Yeah, sorry, I've never heard distribution used in context of archival purposes. To me there is "archiving" and then there is "distribution" -- two completely different applications. I never thought about distributing the source/work files to the client as well. I guess there are some clients that want that stuff -- although I've never come across one that wants any of that "junk." Although, admitedlly I am mostly a hobbyist, so I'm sure it's very possible.
(in reply to timoteo) |
|||
|
||||
|
||||
|
Shaun C. Roemich Posts: 1377 Joined: 11/1/2007 Status: offline
|
quote: Normally the ones that want my pro shooting and graphics but then want their neighbour's kid to "re-edit" it because he'll do it for a case of brown bottles with cold refreshing adult beverage in them. On a side note: To the up and comers out there; don't steal work out of the mouths of professionals. Fresh out of media college you still have some things to learn so try to mentor with a seasoned pro. You may thing we are not down with the times but that's because visual storytelling has certainly TIMELESS elements that are getting eroded by the influx of YouTube and other online "producers" out there. I'm taking on two students this summer; one paid, one volunteer (the second guy wants to try out video production BEFORE he springs for two year tuition.) You'll get there but the way to do it is not on someone else's back. We are a small (but growing) community. We all know each other. Word will get around... <Shaun now steps down from soapbox and walks into crowd to kiss babies. > (in reply to timoteo) |
|||
|
||||
|
||||
MikeM Posts: 2347 Joined: 2/25/2005 From: Germany Status: offline
|
quote: In addition to those out-of-the-box codecs there is the Microcosm QuickTime codec by Digital Anarchy. It supports up to 64 bit RGBA and provides lossless compression. Great for file transfer or archiving. The decoder is free, the encoder costs $99. _____________________________ Michael Lt. Cmdr. Data: If the warp drive fails to activate, the results could be... unfortunate. Lieutenant Worf: Very unfortunate. We will be dead. i7 / Win7 64 Bit SP1; Avid MC 6.5; Adobe CS6 PP; Nuendo 2-6; Wavelab 7; C4D R12 (in reply to D. Eric Franks) |
|||
|
||||
| Page: [1] |
|---|
| All Forums >> [General Digital Juice Discussion Area] >> General Juice Discussion >> Alpha Channel Video Codecs | Page: [1] |
|
|
New Messages
No New Messages
Hot Topic w/ New Messages
Hot Topic w/o New Messages
Locked w/ New Messages
Locked w/o New Messages
Post New Thread