What files are used for editing?

[mst]

If a movie would have to have the following characteristics:
-pro level feature film; not online video or prosumer grade
-digital (not tape)
I'd like to know what is generally used for the editing stage: image sequences or video(s); and what type?
By "editing" I mean strictly the work inside an NLE. Not VFX or grading/compositing etc.).
Not formats used *before* the NLE, like for logging, ingesting, debayering etc. Just the files that are on an NLE timeline or bins.

[smrpix]

The most common are DNxHD and ProRes.

[mst]

The most common are DNxHD and ProRes.

DNxHD is not a file format. I need to know its format because when I'm importing in Premiere or Avid I get a list of file formats or extensions and DNxHD is not among them.

[lordsmurf]

DNxHD and ProRes422 are popular HD "lossy" (but virtually lossless) codecs.

The working file on Mac is almost always Qucktime.
For Window, almost always AVI.
Sometimes MXF or M2TS.

Everything else is distribution (MP4, MPG, etc).

The original question honestly doesn't make much sense. Too many details are missing.

[sanlyn]

The most common are DNxHD and ProRes.

DNxHD is not a file format. I need to know its format because when I'm importing in Premiere or Avid I get a list of file formats or extensions and DNxHD is not among them.

It's an HD codec. Just because your editor doesn't come bundled with that codec doesn't mean it isn't valid.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNxHD_codec

And, no, "format" doesn't make sense by itself.

[smrpix]

when I'm importing in Premiere or Avid I get a list of file formats or extensions and DNxHD is not among them.

DNxHD is not an option in Avid?! What version of avid are you talking about? And what are your project settings?

[budwzr]

when I'm importing in Premiere or Avid I get a list of file formats or extensions and DNxHD is not among them.

DNxHD is not an option in Avid?! What version of avid are you talking about? And what are your project settings?

Uh oh, something smells.

[mst]

when I'm importing in Premiere or Avid I get a list of file formats or extensions and DNxHD is not among them.

DNxHD is not an option in Avid?! What version of avid are you talking about? And what are your project settings?

When I'm importing in Media Composer (via File> Import or 'any bin'>Import) I get the Select files to Import dialog. In there, there is the "Files of type" menu. DNxHD is not among either formats (like "OMFI files" etc.) or extensions (aaf, ale etc.)

[mst]

The working file on Mac is almost always Qucktime.

"Working file" means, as in my original question, the file used in the NLE editing stage?

The original question honestly doesn't make much sense. Too many details are missing.

What details should I add?

[Brad]

What's the purpose of the question?

DNxHD is not a file format. I need to know its format because when I'm importing in Premiere or Avid I get a list of file formats or extensions and DNxHD is not among them.

DNxHD is usually packaged in MXF or MOV, but why would you place more emphasis on the container than the codec? If someone answered your question by saying "MXF and MOV", that wouldn't be telling you anything about the technical details of the video even if it satisfies your requirement of being listed in the Import dialog. MXF in particular is specifically designed to carry a wide range of data.

[mst]

why would you place more emphasis on the container than the codec?

As I've said, any editing software or 3D program (like Maya) demands to know what file format I want to import/export; codecs are not on that list. They can be selected only after selecting the format; so DNxHD wasn't helping me if I didn't know the format. As soon as I would have received an answer about the file type, I would have asked about the suitable codec.

[smrpix]

When I'm importing in Media Composer (via File> Import or 'any bin'>Import) I get the Select files to Import dialog. In there, there is the "Files of type" menu. DNxHD is not among either formats (like "OMFI files" etc.) or extensions (aaf, ale etc.)

First, that wasn't your question. You asked what was used on the timeline. (see below)

I mean strictly the work inside an NLE. Not VFX or grading/compositing etc.).
Not formats used *before* the NLE

Second, as vaporeon has stated, in the pro world files are usually discussed by codec -- i.e. DNxHD, ProRes, H.264 or by source -- i.e. Alexa, XDCam, DSLR, GoPro -- precisely because container is so ambiguous.

And really you should AMA->Transcode your files, not import them.

[budwzr]

Smells like apples around here.

[smrpix]

Smells like apples around here.

Not in this corner. --Not that there's anything WRONG with it.

[mst]

DNxHD and ProRes422 are popular HD "lossy" (but virtually lossless) codecs.
For Window, almost always AVI.

So for Windows one can use AVI for the NLE editing? If yes, should it be compressed or uncompressed?

Thanks for the answer.

[-t40-]

compressed or uncompressed

I'm sorry it's pure spam but I can't hold myself, someone remove my post....

[mst]

compressed or uncompressed

I'm sorry it's pure spam but I can't hold myself, someone remove my post....

Sorry but I really don't know; I am a newbie in this area (I didn't even know there was such a thing as an uncompressed AVI until recently).If you or anyone else know the answer, please tell me.

[smrpix]

There's two ways to go here -- not mutually exclusive.

One is you can tell us what you've got, what you're planning to do with it, how you're planning to do it and what you want to end up with.

The other -- and I strongly recommend this -- is to read up on the diffference between codecs and containers and familiarize yourself with the most common. Read up on the NLEs you're likely to be using and see what their "preferences" are.

Right now your questions are too broad and come from an obvious misundertanding. It's the equivalent of asking whether to put the windshield fluid in the gas tank before or after changing the tires.