How compatible is this stock footage?
Can I edit with Final Cut Pro, Vegas Video or Adobe Premiere?
Yes, but if you choose the .m2t format, be sure your system is able to take advantage of this format for the HD 1080i files. The QuickTime files are compatible with almost all editing systems. We provide both formats as there are definite advantages to both. The .m2t (MPEG2) files can be dificult to edit as they require a great deal of processing power. We provide them, however, as they are the best quality original format and you can easily convert them to the format of your choice.

What is a CODEC and what kind do you use ?
The word CODEC is an abbreviation for Compression-Decompression. It is what is used for making video files usable in terms of size and quality.
BC Vista uses only the highest quality professional codecs to convert all our video files to delivery formats. This can be an expensive process for an end user to do yourself, if you don't already have them. By using only pro codecs (eg Sorenson Video 3 Pro) and implementing the highest possible methods (eg Sorenson 2-Pass VBR) we can provide you with very high quality video clips. This is extremely important as significant improvements in color and clarity occur when using these professional methods.

Note: It is BC Vista's policy never to "up convert" our clips. We will down-convert our footage (eg 1080i HD to SD standard definition).

What is the difference between HDV and HD?
HDV is High Definition. Sony cameras use a brilliant process (anomorphic pixels) to acquire in HD in a 1440 x 1080 resolution. This is very common in the world of High Definition as it yields a very high quality image at a fraction of the cost to you the end user. Actualy 1080i HD is displayed as 1920x1080 pixels but this format is prohibitively large for normal use and dowloaded files. Rather than convert our 1080i (interlaced) footage to the bulky full size of 1920x1080 we provide the original HDV file formats to use with your system. We do offer a converted HD 720p (1280x720 progressive) QuickTime file format is this is an outstanding image in a very widely used format and with a file size that is more manageable.

Will these files play well on mid to lower grade PC's or Macs?
The HD files are big and require significant computing resources to function well. We do, however, provide SD (standard definition 864x480 DV widescreen) formats and Medium and Low resolution files for use with multi-media end web applications. These files are provided at a lower cost to you so you don't have to pay top dollar for something you don't need.

Is your footage from a 3 chip camera?
Of course! All our footage is acquired on a full 3 chip camera using a profession tripd or other supportive equipment. We are professionals from begining to end and we know you need top quality footage. There is no subsitiute for a 3 chip camera as a single chip simply doesn't capture the vivid colors especially in our specialyt of nature photography.

Why should we buy footage from BC Vista? What makes you different"

We at BC Vista are both photographers and post production editors.

Because we do both acquiisiton and post production we shoot our footage for editing. We have years of exprerience in television and video production. We understand the demands and constraints of working professionals and excel in providing footage, finished productions and service unparalleled in the Stock Footage industry.