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This is a little trick I figured out recently to automatically convert my AVCHD files to ProRes just by dropping them into a folder. It's works by using Folder Actions in OSX to launch an ridiculously simple Automator script. Now, since I think Mountain Lion is the first version of OSX to include the ability to natively play AVCHD files, this my not work on older versions of OSX. Please let me know below if this works in older version. Here's the step by step instructions: [b][i]I've updated this to reflect the "Actual" way to do this instead of the old one that was botched due to faulty memory. My apologies to those who muddled through the original with no results.[/i][/b] 1.) we need to create a folder for us to use as the drop convert folder. It doesn't matter where the folder is as long as it's easy to get to. One option is to put it just about anywhere and then drag a link into the "Favorites" list in a finder window. That way it will always be easily accessible from the finder. Another option is just to leave it on the Desktop. whatever you choose create a folder now. I called mine, "Convert" but you can call it whatever you want. [img]http://www.eoshd.com/comments/uploads/inline/20711/5094e679513d2_Automator.jpg[/img] 2.) Now Launch the "Automator" App located in your Applications folder. Once it opens you be presented with a screen asking you to "Choose a type for your document". Choose "[b][i]Folder Action[/i][/b]". 3.) at the top of the workflow window, you'll see a drop down menu that says, "[i]Choose folder[/i]". Click on it and pick "Other" and then locate the folder folder you just created. Now anything we do will be applied to that folder. 4.) in the left hand column you see a Library of main tasks that can be automated. Click on the "Files & Folders" entry and then just to the right you'll see a list of actions. Drag and drop "Get Selected Finder Items" into the workflow window. A bar at the top will appear with the same name just under the folder chooser. 5.) Now click on "Movies" in the main Library list and you'll see the window change to show you some more actions related to movies. Drag and drop the "Encode Media" action into the workflow window just below the "Get Selected Finder Items" action. You'll see that one automatically flows into the next so you can easily see how other things can be automated pretty easily here too. You can even make this script more and more complex if you need; moving items to specific folders and coping or backing up footage files. We're just going to keep this simple though. 6.) In the Encode Media action change the "Setting" Property to "Apple ProRes". This Automatically changes to ProRes 422 with uncompressed audio which is fine for most of our needs. If you need ProRes HQ or 4444 or something else, then this workflow probably isn't for you. [img]http://www.eoshd.com/comments/uploads/inline/20711/5094e4f8596f5_workflow.jpg[/img] 7.) Now, save this as "Convert2ProRes" or whatever you find appropriate. Since this is a Folder Action, it doesn't ask you were to save it. That's all there is to it. Now, you can just navigate to your "STREAM" folder on your card and drag and drop the .MTS files on the "Convert" folder and away it goes. Pretty soon you hear your fan running and you see this little icon up in the menu bar. [img]http://www.eoshd.com/comments/uploads/inline/20711/5094e661ec27a_workflow_Icon.jpg[/img] As soon as it's done, the icon will disappear and you'll see all your files have been converted to Apple ProRes quicktime movies. Yay!

If I had the choice to shoot in 4K I would every single time. How can you argue against having a better image to start with and for future proofing. What I really like about 4K is how you can crop the frame and resize. The problem with 4K is only the big boys can afford the equipment that goes with it. Shooting on 2K or 2.8 arri raw gets you the kind of quality skyfall and the last three star wars films offers. SO is that good enough for me?? Jim is not talking B/S in fact he has shaken the market up that has allowed everything to move forward. Without RED we would still be getting the next generation of 2/3 chip cameras. 4K is better but its certainly not a consumer format until equipment and software prices drop and hard drives get bigger and cheaper. However 2K or 2.8K is certainly still a pro fromat that happens now to be doable for most of us. He also predicted digital would surpass film. He is a visionery in this field. But logically 4K is not viable for most of us yet. 4K will undoubtably be the future but in this race for resolution has a cut off point if we want actors to still look wonderful Its alright seeing someone on stage but to see a close up of someone on a 40' screen with every pore every line every blackhead every hair hyper defined like a microscope against an out of focus background wont look real anymore it will look ugly. Until my computer has a 4K screen and I can edit almost real time without using proxies and colour correct in 4k it just isnt going to work for me unless I want to spend endless hours forcing it. I need to be more than a technician I need to be creative and for me thats not what 4K delivers yet.

[quote name='charlie_orozco' timestamp='1351746659' post='20757'] And it'd be great if we could start shooting future proof content! [/quote] [quote name='Zach' timestamp='1351747048' post='20760'] This particular line kind of mind me chuckle a bit. I do understand the sentiment and the angle you're after I think. But nobody will want to watch a really polished turd in the future :) [/quote] As for professional use of video (and even more for film), the business is a 'business on demand', and I don't see anybody demanding 4k, let alone pay for it. Jannards manic speech makes me wonder if he is a cocaine addict. As for amateurs, future-proof means that they can show off with their stuff ten years from now. I made quite a few dozens of videos ten years ago, and all I can say is, if they were any good (some of them can be enjoyed because they have interesting [i]content[/i] and are [i]edited well[/i]), they remain good. The rest deserves to be gone with the wind.

good I was wondering if they were going to back down because Sony did not make any official price announcement on theirs. So today is the day. looking forward to finding out

1080p looks awesome! I used to think 720p was good enough, back when I had a 1280x1024 4:3 monitor. When I got my 23" 1920x1080 monitor my life changed. And as the size of the screens and their resolutions improve (along with everything else) we will notice the difference and worth of 4K. Not that we need it now, but it will be in the future. And it'd be great if we could start shooting future proof content!

[quote name='TC' timestamp='1351683606' post='20700'] And Dragon boasts 15+ stops of dynamic range and 6k resolution, which comfortably beats Sony. That is what I base my statement on. [/quote] Yea, the RED-One-M [i]boasted[/i] 12 stops and was measured around 9-10. RED boasts, it's what they do. Sony WILL hit 14 stops. Regarding your point... Sony is newer technology, yes, and better technology... It is nothing for RED to be ashamed of, just the nature of the beast. As for RED being super generous, great amazing guys. Yea, they have made some cool moves, but, sensor upgrades aside (and probably expensive new SSDs, modules etc to work with the sensor).... Those days are over. They have just as many ways to squeze you for a $ as Sony or anyone else. And to note.... I am saving my money for a high end camera and RED may well get my $$$s.... I couldn't care less about the logo on the side, or the business choices they make... As long as what is important to me is there, I will buy.

We learned with the Scarlet vs. C300 price comparisons that the only thing worth comparing pricewise is [b]total cost of ownership[/b]. Sure the camera body may cost $15K but what good does that do you if you need another $20K of proprietary add ons to shoot at the quoted specs and media costs $40/minute at those specs. I'm sure when you have the proper info you will go over TCO for each attractive camera option in practice.