Need a lossless intermediate

[Gauze]

I'm trying to edit HD video in Sony Vegas and feel the need for a lossless intermediate. I had installed Huffyuv but could only make AVI's with it which have a file limit of 4 GB. I have the space for larger files so I don't want to break my video into so many chunks just so each piece is under 4 GB.

Any suggestion what else I could use?

Or Vegas part of the problem and a hassle to use with 3rd party encoders. I noticed I couldn't find an option to use x264 and had to used the built-in encoders instead.

[Keiyakusha]

If you cant create avi more than 4gb it most likely means vegas can't do it or it is misconfigured. It doesn't depends on the codec.
You wont be able to use x264, unless someone have plugin for vegas. Maybe there is other ways but since I'm not using this NLE - I cant say for sure, and they are not really convenient.

EDIT: oh and i dont think this is the case but If your hard drive formatted as fat32, you can't have files more than 4gb.

[Gauze]

Right, so I was hoping that there was like lossless codec that I can use with a different container if Vegas won't make AVI files larger than 4 GB.

Though...maybe I didn't do something right. Will poke around the settings some more. I don't think the harddrive is FAT32...but I might as well check that as well.

[Keiyakusha]

Well, I heard Vegas supports quicktime, so you should be able to use PNG in .mov container. PNG Image sequence may be an option too. Vegas may offer some other lossless solutions for .mov container

[Gauze]

Oh good, I wasn't confused enough to format my harddrive as FAT32. The issue is in the AVI video settings.

I needed to have "Create an OpenDML (AVI version 2.0) compatible file" checked.

[TheSkiller]

AVIs can be bigger than 4GB, no problem. Vegas can do that. The largest AVI I have ever exported from Vegas was some 90 odd GB.

I suggest you install Ut Video Codec (http://forum.doom9.org/showthread.php?p=1574449#post1574449) which is a lossless codec for RGB24, RGB32, YUY2 and YV12 video. Each color space has it's own "Codec". Vegas usually outputs RGB, so all you need to do is select Ut Video RGB and you're good.

[raffriff42]

Hi (my first post here!) may I suggest using Debugmode Frameserver ('http://www.debugmode.com/frameserver/') to feed an alternate encoding application.

This is the article that got me using frameservers:
How to Render High Quality Video for YouTube and Vimeo from Sony Vegas Pro ('http://www.bubblevision.com/underwater-video/Vegas-YouTube-Vimeo.htm')

And this is the companion video tutorial (watch this first before digging into the article)
Sony Vegas to Youtube Tutorial - A Better Method ('http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWMX5lSvEgY')

I use this technique with Premiere Elements going to VirtualDub.

As to lossless codecs: try Lagarith ('http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagarith')first; if it's not compatible for some reason, try Huffyuv ('http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Huffyuv'); again if not compatible, try Huffyuv with "RGB output" enabled. Haven't tried UT Video - looks interesting!

[Keiyakusha]

raffriff42
If you'll read the whole thread, you'll find out that Gauze wanted lossless NOT in .avi container, that he tried huffyuv, and that he fixed his issue anyway.

[Sparktank]

I've used Sony Vegas with UT Video Codec. The compression/decompression speed is quite impressive.
Overall, the compression size is reasonable.

I suggest if you want really want to use Sony Vegas with lossless, strip your video to its bare elements then index with something, any codec with hardware decoding support is highly recommended, if you're video card can support it.
And run that indexed file through AviSynth to VirtualDub into an .avi file.
It won't break it at 4gb, unless you play with the options. So... don't lol.

After that, you can import the AVI's into SV and continue editing as normal.

How well your live playback is during editing depends on your video card, CPU, and Vegas settings.
Also what resolution you want to edit in.
HD resolutions may lag a bit if your computer isn't fast enough.
480p should do nicely.

I highly recommend Ut Video Codec.
Options are simple enough, it compresses and retains quality.

[StainlessS]

UT also seems to be actively developed.

[Keiyakusha]

Why people read only thread title before they post? This thread is about specific problem and it was solved.

[Sparktank]

I like UT a lot. Works miracles.

[fvisagie]

Why people read only thread title before they post? This thread is about specific problem and it was solved.

Human nature. Which means it happens all the time ;).