Lossless GoPro 2.7k/4k optimal workflow?

[fabes253]

Hey All,

I wanted to get some opinions before I started a project. My goals are to maintain the highest quality (within reason/resources) and be able to have ease of editing with the video files.

I am recording with a couple of new GoPro 4's at 2.7k 60fps or 4k 30fps.

The GoPro records with the AVC codec wrapped in .mp4 container @60 mb/s.

If I use the free GoPro Studios to export the file, it will create a .mov container using the CFHD Codec, using the Filmscan 1 setting.

MY questions are;

1. Is there a better method to decode or export the video providing both minimal loss and being able to move the files to my editor (Sony Vegas or Adobe Premiere Pro)?

2. Would the CFHD .mov file be a good platform to work with in an editor (Sony Vegas/Adobe Premiere Pro)?

3. If there was a most optimal method, what would the best choice be to move my GoPro files from the memory card and transcode them for Sony Vegas/Adobe Premiere Pro editing?

Thanks all!

[Cornucopia]

1. Probably not. "CFHD" is Cineform, a "visually-lossless" wavelet-type lossy codec that is specifically geared toward editing while maintaining virtual equivalency of the source (aka minimal loss). Actual LOSSLESS codecs or UNCOMPRESSED (or even RAW) codecs would just balloon the size (making the transfer subsystem work harder), without any appreciable improvement. Particularly when given something that was originally AVC-compressed.

2. Yes, see #1. Like ProRes and DNxHD/DNxHR, Cineform was designed to be a good professional editing "digital intermediate" or "mezzanine" codec.

3. You already have the most optimal method. See #2 & #1.

Scott

[fabes253]

Thanks Scott, much appreciated!

[newpball]

My goals are to maintain the highest quality (within reason/resources)....

Kudos to you!

It is a delight to see there are people who actually care about quality!