Since adding film screenings to our regular programming, I seem to be running into issues with reliability in regards to playing those films. Our Blu-ray/DVD player is perfectly fine with playing everything we give it. But most independent films are not given to us in that format. I learn a little more here and there each time and due to there being an issue every time we've done this, I'm starting from scratch.
I think part of the reason is that we use QLab 4 to play those films. I've considering using something else, but most of our film showings have accompanying videos, preshow and door-opening playlists or a slideshow. And when I've tested films using VLC or Quicktime, things pop up on the screen from a mouse movement or the like. We're about 75/25 for standard programming vs film screenings, but we're aiming to bring those 2 closer together.
For most shows, I'm given a harddrive with the media, load it onto the iMac and into QLab, do the programming and we rarely, if ever, have issues. Thats what we all do. But for feature lengths, there is always something. Either it gets choppy in spots, or the audio acts weird for a moment, but none of those things I can recreate in the same sections where they happened the first time. I've done compressed files (mp4/H.264) and I've done uncompressed (ProRestLT). I've had 6gb files that were 45 minutes long and 10 minute videos that were 30gb, even 10 minute videos that were less then 100mb. I just need something reliable and consistent so I know that what to tell filmmakers to give us.
Is there a certain format that is best? An application that is better suited? Mac (which we have) or PC (which I'm willing to purchase exclusively for films)? We'll be upgrading our tech computer to the newest iMac in August, but have no problems getting something different if I know it would do what it needs to.
Thanks in advanced!
I think part of the reason is that we use QLab 4 to play those films. I've considering using something else, but most of our film showings have accompanying videos, preshow and door-opening playlists or a slideshow. And when I've tested films using VLC or Quicktime, things pop up on the screen from a mouse movement or the like. We're about 75/25 for standard programming vs film screenings, but we're aiming to bring those 2 closer together.
For most shows, I'm given a harddrive with the media, load it onto the iMac and into QLab, do the programming and we rarely, if ever, have issues. Thats what we all do. But for feature lengths, there is always something. Either it gets choppy in spots, or the audio acts weird for a moment, but none of those things I can recreate in the same sections where they happened the first time. I've done compressed files (mp4/H.264) and I've done uncompressed (ProRestLT). I've had 6gb files that were 45 minutes long and 10 minute videos that were 30gb, even 10 minute videos that were less then 100mb. I just need something reliable and consistent so I know that what to tell filmmakers to give us.
Is there a certain format that is best? An application that is better suited? Mac (which we have) or PC (which I'm willing to purchase exclusively for films)? We'll be upgrading our tech computer to the newest iMac in August, but have no problems getting something different if I know it would do what it needs to.
Thanks in advanced!