WHY IS CODEC CHOICE SO IMPORTANT
Unlike other onboard or portable devices that limit you to a single codec, Cinedeck recorders offer the widest selection of codecs. This is important as today's rapidly evolving production environment requires the flexibility to handle whatever the project calls for.
Cheap recorders are engineered with planned obsolescence. To keep costs down, they typically utilize a limited functionality ASIC – a hardware chip that will only ever deliver a specific amount of codec capability. You get what you get and that doesn't change.
Cinedeck takes a completely different approach -- an architecture that enables additional codecs to be added via a simple software upgrade. The era of single standard support is past- why limit yourself?
Every Cinedeck system ships standard with native support for Avid DNxHD, Apple Pro Res, CineForm Digital Intermediate, uncompressed 444 and 422, AVC-Intra, XDCAM HD/EX, and H.264. Some models also include Avid DNx444, Apple ProRes 4444, and DNG
Cinedeck systems harness the Avid Media Toolkit to ensure native support of AAF- aware MXF wrapping of Avid DNxHD recorded clips. A few simple steps deliver the shortest route from acquisition to native Avid editorial:
- Eject the SSD card from the Cinedeck deck
- Insert card into the SSD upload station connected to your editing system via USB or eSATA
- Copy clips directly into the Avid MediaFiles folder with the Cinedeck script
- Drag and drop the Avid AAF files directly into the bin of your project
- Edit your masterpiece!
By eliminating the costly, time-consuming and image-degrading transcoding step, Cinedeck delivers Avid customers the shortest and most cost-effective route between production and post.
Apple 
Cinedeck systems are the only onboard or portable recording device on the planet that supports ALL flavors of Apple ProRes, including ProRes 4444. Cinedeck offers the highest quality onboard recording option available for ProRes … other than the ARRI ALEXA camera.
CineForm is arguably the highest quality compression codec available, "with quality equal to or better than the highly respected HDCAM SR." CineForm software provides editorial workflow solutions optimized for use with industry-standard tools, with real- time engines, Active Metadata, and conversion utilities, all used together to improve the visual fidelity of your projects and reduce your time spent in post.
Cineform is also an ideal archival format, with unmatched file size and quality and platform-agnostic accessibility.
