Apple Intermediate Codec
Encyclopedia
The Apple Intermediate Codec abbreviated AIC is a video codec
designed by Apple Inc. to be an intermediate format in an HDV
workflow. It features high performance and quality, being less processor intensive to work with than other editing formats. Unlike native MPEG-2
based HDV
- and similar to the standard-definition DV
codec - AIC does not use temporal compression, enabling every frame to be decoded immediately without decoding other frames. As a result of this, AIC takes three to four times more space than HDV
.
AIC is available only on the Mac OS X
platform and cannot be read on other platforms to date such as Windows
or Linux
. All Mac OS X software which makes use of the QuickTime
codec libraries - primarily Final Cut Studio
, Final Cut Express
, and iMovie
, but also freeware such as MPEG Streamclip
- can use the Apple Intermediate codec.
The Apple Intermediate Codec was used because it was less processor intensive; as the compression scheme did not need the next frame to be displayed. It's still used in the iLife package, specificly iMovie, but it is rarely used in Final Cut as of Version 6 since it now uses the ProRes codecs instead of AIC, though some versions of FCP (HD 4.5 through 5) and Final Cut Express use them regularly.
It uses MPEG2 compression to achieve a maximum data rate of 25mps, which is the same as normal DV video. This standard yields extremely High Def images in shorter space.
Working with the Apple Intermediate Codec is less processor-intensive than working with native HDV. Unlike MPEG-2 HDV, the Apple Intermediate Codec does not use temporal compression, so every frame can be decoded and displayed immediately without first decoding other frames. The drawback of this codec is that it requires three to four times as much bandwidth and hard drive storage space as MPEG-2
HDV.
uses h.264 for video compression and AAC for audio. This is even more processor intensive than HDV. So you also need to convert to AIC if you plan to edit in Final Cut Pro.
Video codec
A video codec is a device or software that enables video compression and/or decompression for digital video. The compression usually employs lossy data compression. Historically, video was stored as an analog signal on magnetic tape...
designed by Apple Inc. to be an intermediate format in an HDV
HDV
HDV is a format for recording of high-definition video on DV cassette tape. The format was originally developed by JVC and supported by Sony, Canon and Sharp...
workflow. It features high performance and quality, being less processor intensive to work with than other editing formats. Unlike native MPEG-2
MPEG-2
MPEG-2 is a standard for "the generic coding of moving pictures and associated audio information". It describes a combination of lossy video compression and lossy audio data compression methods which permit storage and transmission of movies using currently available storage media and transmission...
based HDV
HDV
HDV is a format for recording of high-definition video on DV cassette tape. The format was originally developed by JVC and supported by Sony, Canon and Sharp...
- and similar to the standard-definition DV
DV
DV is a format for the digital recording and playing back of digital video. The DV codec was launched in 1995 with joint efforts of leading producers of video camcorders....
codec - AIC does not use temporal compression, enabling every frame to be decoded immediately without decoding other frames. As a result of this, AIC takes three to four times more space than HDV
HDV
HDV is a format for recording of high-definition video on DV cassette tape. The format was originally developed by JVC and supported by Sony, Canon and Sharp...
.
AIC is available only on the Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
platform and cannot be read on other platforms to date such as Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
or Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
. All Mac OS X software which makes use of the QuickTime
QuickTime
QuickTime is an extensible proprietary multimedia framework developed by Apple Inc., capable of handling various formats of digital video, picture, sound, panoramic images, and interactivity. The classic version of QuickTime is available for Windows XP and later, as well as Mac OS X Leopard and...
codec libraries - primarily Final Cut Studio
Final Cut Studio
Final Cut Studio is a professional video and audio production suite for Mac OS X from Apple Inc., and a direct competitor to Avid Media Composer in the high-end movie production industry...
, Final Cut Express
Final Cut Express
Final Cut Express is a discontinued video editing software created by Apple Inc. It is the consumer version of Final Cut Pro and is designed for advanced editing of digital video as well as high-definition video, which is used by many amateur and professional videographers...
, and iMovie
IMovie
iMovie is a proprietary video editing software application which allows Mac, iPod Touch 4th generation, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, and iPad 2 users to edit their own home movies. It was originally released by Apple in 1999 as a Mac OS 8 application bundled with the first FireWire-enabled consumer Apple...
, but also freeware such as MPEG Streamclip
MPEG Streamclip
MPEG Streamclip is a freeware video editor/converter for MPEG-1/MPEG-2, and transport streams. It is created and written entirely by in Italy.* It can play, edit and export a variety of formats, using a compatible QuickTime codec....
- can use the Apple Intermediate codec.
The Apple Intermediate Codec was used because it was less processor intensive; as the compression scheme did not need the next frame to be displayed. It's still used in the iLife package, specificly iMovie, but it is rarely used in Final Cut as of Version 6 since it now uses the ProRes codecs instead of AIC, though some versions of FCP (HD 4.5 through 5) and Final Cut Express use them regularly.
About HDV
HDV (High Definiton Video) is a video format that allows you to record HD video in standard DV tape. It's compression scheme is called long-GOP MPEG2.It uses MPEG2 compression to achieve a maximum data rate of 25mps, which is the same as normal DV video. This standard yields extremely High Def images in shorter space.
About the Apple Intermediate Codec
AIC is an extremely precise high quality codec that was developed by apple as opposed to native MPEG2 HDV editing. Instead of directly using the HDV footage, video is captured and then transcoed to AIC to optimize video for playback in real time.Working with the Apple Intermediate Codec is less processor-intensive than working with native HDV. Unlike MPEG-2 HDV, the Apple Intermediate Codec does not use temporal compression, so every frame can be decoded and displayed immediately without first decoding other frames. The drawback of this codec is that it requires three to four times as much bandwidth and hard drive storage space as MPEG-2
MPEG-2
MPEG-2 is a standard for "the generic coding of moving pictures and associated audio information". It describes a combination of lossy video compression and lossy audio data compression methods which permit storage and transmission of movies using currently available storage media and transmission...
HDV.
Color Recording Method
Both MPEG-2 HDV and Apple Intermediate Codec HDV record a 4:2:0 component (Y´CBCR) digital video signal. Each sample (pixel) has a resolution of 8 bit. This is not much of a concern for editors as HDV and AVCHD records in a 4:2:0 color space anyway. In fact you may actually lose data if you decide to use 4:2:2 codecs.AVCHD Factor
AVCHDAVCHD
AVCHD is a file-based format for the digital recording and playback of high-definition video....
uses h.264 for video compression and AAC for audio. This is even more processor intensive than HDV. So you also need to convert to AIC if you plan to edit in Final Cut Pro.
Format Details
| MPEG-2 HDV 720p30 | 2.5 MB/sec. (equivalent to 9 GB/hr.) |
|---|---|
| MPEG-2 HDV 1080i60/50 | 3.3 MB/sec. (equivalent to 12 GB/hr.) |
| Apple Intermediate Codec HDV 720p30 | approximately 7 MB/sec. (equivalent to approximately 25 GB/hr.) |
| Apple Intermediate Codec HDV 1080i50 | approximately 12 MB/sec. (equivalent to approximately 42 GB/hr.) |
| Apple Intermediate Codec HDV 1080i60 | approximately 14 MB/sec. (equivalent to approximately 49 GB/hr.) |