Some formats cannot be Consolidated (copied) using their original codec. Media Composer will alert you that they will also need to have their codec changed during the copy process, or you may wish to change the codec when you copy the media. This is referred to as Transcoding.
Before you Transcode all of your files, it is highly recommended that you perform a small test of the process to familiarize yourself with any additional options and results. Additional options include, but are not limited to, Debayer Settings (found in the Media Creation settings) for RED footage, which also need to be configured. Ideally, it is best if you are able to perform your small-scale test prior to receiving the mission-critical files and prior to the intensity of working under a deadline.
Note
As the title of this recipe suggests, the next set of steps would be used before editing and will focus on only one specific result. If you have already begun to edit, see the Transcoding AMA Master Clips after editing has begun recipe.
If your media type provides you with versions of the files at different resolutions, you may want to switch linking from one resolution to another. For example, you've initially linked to the low-resolution version of the media for editing and now you'd like to change the link to the high-resolution version for Transcoding. If this applies to you, then perform the following steps, or, if this does not apply to you, then proceed to the paragraph that follows these steps:
Select the clips in your bin.
Right-click on the selected clips.
Choose Modify AMA Resolutions... from the menu.
The AMA Resolutions Quality window opens.
Select the video quality that you want for your video.
Click on OK.
If you are Transcoding Standard Definition video to High Definition or vice versa, then you'll want to ensure the highest quality result using the next set of steps. If this does not apply to you, then proceed to the How to do it... section.
From the Project window, select the Settings tab and double-click on Render Settings.
Select the Image Interpolation pull-down menu.
Select Advanced (Polyphase).
Click on OK.
Below are the steps to Transcode AMA linked media before editing:
In the Project window select the Format tab.
Select the Project Type and Aspect Ratio.
Note
Avid states: New clips created through the Transcode operation are in the Project Format. When you Transcode a clip across formats, for example if you Transcode a 16:9 clip in a 4:3 project, the Reformat bin setting determines how the clip is conformed to the new format.
For details on the Reformat option, see the recipe Getting the AMA file's image to display as desired.
Select the clips in the bin.
Clip menu | Consolidate/Transcode.
In the top-left of the Consolidate/Transcode window, select Transcode.
In the Video/Data region of the window, select the drive where you want the copied media files to be stored.
Select the video resolution that you want the copied media files to become.
Click on the Transcode button to begin the process.
Tip
Transcoding is not magic
Transcoding cannot increase the quality of the image. For example, if your footage came from a MiniDV tape (the resolution is DV25) and you transcoded it to a resolution of 1:1 (uncompressed), the new file will take up more space on your hard drive but will not look any better. On the other hand, if you transcoded to 20:1, then the file will be compressed and the image quality will be reduced.