What codec to use for the Sony HC9 using Final Cut express

Dear all,

I have just moved from SD to HDV. (Took time as i only film underwater and the cost ofthe housings break the bank!)

I am using the sony HC9 and capture through final cut express, and have a number of questions that I really need answers for and your help would be much appreciated.


I currently capture with the settings using these settings (Final cut express doesn't actually offer anything else).

Format :HD
with : HDV-Appe intermediate codec 1080i50 (which i believe is the correct codec for the hc9 pal)

after to clip has been captured the dimensions are 1920x1080, is this correct (i thought that these are the dimensions for full HD not HDV).

To make my clips sellable do i need to convert the .mov file using another codec or are buyers ok with the Apple intermediate codec? the file sizes are fairly large 86mb for 9sec of footage.


I just want to make sure i get the most saleable clips

thankyou in advance

I believe when you capture with the HDV-Apple intermediate codec setting it takes the 1440x1080 HDV footage from the camera and makes 1920x1080 quick time file out of it. The files you are uploading should probably be using Motion JPEG.

thanks cbertucio,

should i use motion jpeg a or b (all very confusing) this codec seems to double the size of the file. also from reading post all over the net H.264 codec seems to be fairly universal and is accepted by most stock sites and doesn't increase the files size to much (please correct me if I am wrong)

with regard to the dimensions in MPEG streamclip when i export (with the most suitable codec), would it be best to send the clip back to its native dimensions 1440x1080 upload and then change the settings to 16:9 Anamorphic before final submission this doesn't make much difference in the final file size or is it better to leave it a 1920x1080(unscaled).

thanks again