BEST Video Format for Playback on Big Screen

[Mr_P]

Catalyst is not quicktime - and wont playback every format...

AIC - Apple Intermediate Codec is the one to use... (most of the time)
** you should also use an SSD for content playback **
See notes below regarging video formats

YouTube videos are usually horribly highly compressed and look terrible at full screen res. - if you are then trying to convert them again - they will probably look worse

S**T in = S**T out...

You cant create pixels and information from pictures that have had it removed by high levels of compression for internet streaming.

Look at the size of an HD movie compared to an your-tube internet video...

Also - beware of licence and copyright issues using you-tube videos that dont belong to you...

S

Catalyst file formats

Catalyst is based on Quicktime playback - but it does not support every codec/format.
Catalyst will playback files in the following formats - However, the best movie format is 'Apple Intermediate Codec'
Apple Intermediate Codes - good all round use, especially for HD

Others:
DV PAL
DV NTSC
Photo JPEG
Pro-res
Animation Codec - support transparency

Still Images:
Jpeg
PSD
PNG - Supports transparency
TIFF - Supports Transparency

Current maximum file size is 4480 x 2600 - which can accommodate RED content.
(File Size is not a fixed limit - but is is kept small enough so it doesn't break old computers... Contact us if your requirements exceed this size)

When using an SSD, you should not expect to obtain more than 4-8 layers of HD in Apple Intermediate Codec - depending upon the spec of your system, content, codec, data rates, frame rate etc (Newer 2010/11 - are better performance)
If using SD footage, you will be able to use more layers, depending upon the Mac specifications.
Any live footage should be de-interlaced

Catalyst supports alpha transparency natively. Transparency can also be achieved with the use of transparent black or white or mask colour effects.

Numbering
Catalyst uses folder and file numbering to determine content playback
each folder should have a 3 digit prefix (i.e. 001) plus a name (001-252)
each file should have a 3 digit prefix (i.e. 001) plus a name (001-255)
e.g:
001 Folder 1
001 File one
002 File two
etc...

[michaeld]

Thanks Simon. I'll give AIC a shot. I sure am crossing my fingers. Thanks for your suggestions. I definitely can use all the help I can get

[Schoissi]

hi

whats the maximum resolution of a .mov with AIC?

when i use dualhead2go with 2x1920x1080,
can the .mov be 3840x1080?

also:

currently run 8xHD Layers on current macpro QuadCore with SSD HD and Quadro 4000.
i can also play 16xHD but it slows the frame rate visible.

how can i check if the playback frame rate is true 30fps?
the fps index on the layer shows 30fps, but the movie is playing visible slower.

thx,
roman