media express large file size

Hi I've just got a media express and want to import video natively but there is no option for this - everything imports at very large file sizes e.g Pro Res etc - is there a codec or way to import between 3-20 mbps?

I'm on Mac Yosemite

Thanks, Rod

What capture device are you using with Media Express? That's the key, because different devices talk to Media Express and between them they offer you a range of codecs appropriate to that device, so it's important to know what hardware you have.

For the data rates you're talking about, I'd say H.264 is about right. Anything else will produce much bigger file sizes. When you say "natively" you're implying totally uncompressed 10-bit or 8-bit conversion, and for that you will obviously end up with huge files - in the region of 86GB per 60mins of captured material on my Teranex 2D and Intensity systems. Comparable H.264 files via my H.264 Pro Recorder system will use approx 1.5GB at 3.5Mbps data rate.

Thanks very much Colin. I'm using an Intensity Extreme to import so it looks like I have to stick with Pro Res to import. Meanwhile I now have a different problem - trying to import old footage from a Video 8 camera - and I'm getting huge dropouts but ME continues the import eventhough I have "stop capture if dropped frames are detected" ticked. You may not be able to help but any thoughts would be great!

rod

This is a common problem with most Blackmagic SD video capture devices. I use the Pro Recorder, Intensity Shuttle Thunderbolt and a Teranex SD and all of them react the same way as yours when capturing from consumer-level analog(ue) devices. The problem is the timebase coming off these devices is inherently unstable and in your case the Pro Recorder cannot accept an SD video signal unless the timebase of the video sequence is rock solid and synchronous. I use timebase correctors to resynchronise the image sequence, but if I didn't do this my units would all dropout in the same way as yours does.

What I find particularly irksome is that the Teranex 2D is designed to convert all manner of video input sources due to its being a converter, but it can't timebase correct unstable composite and YC component video inputs. Crazy!

Yes, a time based corrector (TBC) is a must when transferring analog tape based video. Most capture cards do not provide TBC on analogue signals, so a dedicate TBC with frame sync is needed. Even a Hyperdeck Shuttle requires a a TBC corrected signal to record via a BM analogue/SDI mini converter.
There are several available models, DataVideo TBC 1000 is a good unit and goes for $350 new, used you can find them around $150, on EBay. Good luck with your project