The Subpar Witch DVD: A Disappointing Magical Experience

The Subpar Witch DVD Today, I want to discuss the disappointing experience I had with the Subpar Witch DVD. I had heard great things about this DVD and was excited to watch it. The cover showcased a captivating image of a powerful witch, leading me to believe that this would be an engaging and entertaining film. However, my expectations were shattered after watching the film. Firstly, the storyline was incredibly weak. The plot seemed rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me confused and uninvested in the characters.

The plot seemed rushed and underdeveloped, leaving me confused and uninvested in the characters. It felt as though the filmmakers tried to cram too much into a short amount of time, resulting in a jumbled mess of a story. Additionally, the acting in the Subpar Witch DVD was subpar, to say the least.

Black magic deck lunk

I've been using a Mojo for many years and have grown very tired of the issues I've had with that particular unit. I recently purchased a Black Magic Deck Link Mini Monitor. Very inexpensive and sexy little card with an HDMI output.

Well, being an audio engineer and much less of a video engineer I mis interpreted the writing on the box that states that it:

"operates with both compressed and uncompressed video, so you're not locked into a single codec quality"

After about an hour or so of reading the manual and noticing that NONE of the movies on my system would play through the card, I called Black Magic. The tech support person I got was pretty shifty when I told him I was using Pro Tools. Frankly, Pro Tools was one thing, but the program that came with the card wouldn't play any vids either. I managed to get out of him that it only would play back uncompressed 10bit 4:2:2 Quick Time files.

So, if that's true, then I have to make a 200GB file for every 1 hour show I work on? YIKES? How do all of you other Deck Link users manage your workflow? Do you make uncompressed 4:2:2 quick times? Is there any other option?

Alright, NONE of the movies I make with Mpeg Streamclip work, not even the one made with the Black Magic 10bit RGB codec. I've also made 10bit and 8bit uncompressed QTs as well.

Anone have a clue what gives?

I've used the MultiBridge with Pro Tools, it can be resolution sensitive (low rez 16:9 gets center cut to 4:3) but did not have problems with codecs but we mostly used photo-jpeg

You did check the option: Video Out PCIe

I've used the MultiBridge with Pro Tools, it can be resolution sensitive (low rez 16:9 gets center cut to 4:3) but did not have problems with codecs but we mostly used photo-jpeg

You did check the option: Video Out PCIe

Oh yeah, I did check that option. I'm most curious why the Black Magic Media Express program won't play any file but the test clips that came with the installer disc.

There has to be something I'm overlooking.

We have the Decklink Studio which has the same instalation apps as yours and are using it with PT10 on MAC without any problems. We usually use Apple Pro RES quicktime video files and they play normally. And they are not by any means uncompressed either, so it�s strange that the tech gave you that info.

Did you install the Desktop Video software that came with the card and contains all the QT codecs?

Do you have installed QT 7 on your computer? Protools needs it to play video from the timeline, as the Mojo that you were running is not present anymore.

Are you on MAC or PC?

By the way, did you enabled the PCI video out in PT instead of firewire?

We have the Decklink Studio which has the same instalation apps as yours and are using it with PT10 on MAC without any problems. We usually use Apple Pro RES quicktime video files and they play normally. And they are not by any means uncompressed either, so it�s strange that the tech gave you that info.

That's exciting to hear

Did you install the Desktop Video software that came with the card and contains all the QT codecs?

Do you have installed QT 7 on your computer? Protools needs it to play video from the timeline, as the Mojo that you were running is not present anymore.

Are you on MAC or PC?

By the way, did you enabled the PCI video out in PT instead of firewire?

Thanks for the help. Maybe I'll call back tomorrow and hope for a different guy.

So far the only codec that will play out of Pro Tools is Apple component video YUV422. Looks great and is very responsive. Boy I hope I don't have to spend an hour transcoding video just to use this card.

A question for Paulo: Do you have FCP installed on the machine you run PT on? I do not. Only Mpeg stream clip and QT7pro.

A question for Paulo: Do you have FCP installed on the machine you run PT on? I do not. Only Mpeg stream clip and QT7pro.

No, FCP�s machines are connected on our Isis 5000, but not installed on the same MAC�s as PT.

We have installed the Perian codec pack. Although they don�t give support anymore you can still download the installer: http://perian.org/

We also installed the AVID codec packs which are free to download too:

http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/en_US/download/en423319 (please check if there�s a new updated version)

On the MAC, check which codecs are installed under quicktime, it�s always useful to know what�s installed to troubleshoot issues.

Just forgot to add one thing. Enable QT 7 to be your default player on the MAC and not QT player X. Failure to do this makes PT use the lighter version(X) which doesn�t have all codecs as QT 7.

We are running Mountain Lion. Any chance you can upgrade from your 10.7 MAC OSX or do you have any compatibility issues that prevnt you to do that?

Which version of PT are you running? I assume that you have the CPTK also.

Just forgot to add one thing. Enable QT 7 to be your default player on the MAC and not QT player X. Failure to do this makes PT use the lighter version(X) which doesn�t have all codecs as QT 7.

I went through with a utility program and made QT7 the default player for all of the file types I saw were associated with QTx. Not sure if there is another way to do that, or a way within Pro Tools.

I already have Perian installed. I followed that link for the Avid Codecs and installed them, did not help. I did receive an H.264 from a client today that played in the timeline! Completely out of no where really. I tried all of the vids that I was trying to get to work yesterday and none of them worked. This is truly a mystery. I wonder if when Pro Tools 11 comes out, and PT has the same video engine as Media Composer if this will get a lot easier. I'm wondering if it could be a size issue since the card only has an HDMI out. Maybe no SD size vids will ever work?

We are running Mountain Lion. Any chance you can upgrade from your 10.7 MAC OSX or do you have any compatibility issues that prevnt you to do that?

I'm in the middle of a few projects, so I would prefer not to right now. Will do that soon.

Which version of PT are you running? I assume that you have the CPTK also.

I do have the CPTK running 10.3.5 I also have my system running under an HD license with no hardware (how I plan on running 11).

The help is very appreciated. - Mike

I use the Decklink card, its an excellent card for the money and will play back almost anything from the PT timeline on my system .movs, h264 (although a bit jerky) DV. My favourite is Pro res 1080 proxy, very good picture for the file size. Also syncable from the external sync port for frame edge accuracy.

You'll need the QT Pro Res codecs from FCP for that one.

What confused me as well is that you can't playback hardly anything from the Blackmagic player software, it maybe only does support uncompressed?

However when playing from the PT timeline you can have anything you have installed for Quicktime.

I'm sure it will come together. :-)

I use the Decklink card, its an excellent card for the money and will play back almost anything from the PT timeline on my system .movs, h264 (although a bit jerky) DV. My favourite is Pro res 1080 proxy, very good picture for the file size. Also syncable from the external sync port for frame edge accuracy.

You'll need the QT Pro Res codecs from FCP for that one.

What confused me as well is that you can't playback hardly anything from the Blackmagic player software, it maybe only does support uncompressed?

However when playing from the PT timeline you can have anything you have installed for Quicktime.

Wow, that sounds like a dream. Could it be that the Deck Link mini monitor isn't nearly as forgiving as the Deck Link card you have? So bizarre, because the tech told me it would play back the same files all of the other cards would.

What I'm wondering is if it doesn't have something to do with going HDMI into my TV. I'm wondering if I went in component if I wouldn't be having this trouble.

Wow, that sounds like a dream. Could it be that the Deck Link mini monitor isn't nearly as forgiving as the Deck Link card you have? So bizarre, because the tech told me it would play back the same files all of the other cards would.

What I'm wondering is if it doesn't have something to do with going HDMI into my TV. I'm wondering if I went in component if I wouldn't be having this trouble.

I don't know about the mini monitor, but I used to have the intensity pro card, which is only slightly more expensive than the mini monitor and that played back all the same formats as my new Decklink Studio. The only difference is you can't externally sync it and it doesn't have sdi.
It was a great card though and I only ever used HDMI out, with zero problems in PT.

Maybe you could persuade your dealer to let you exchange?
I don't think the mini monitor is officially supported by Avid, but then neither is the Decklink Studio and that works perfectly. :confused:

Maybe you could persuade your dealer to let you exchange?
I don't think the mini monitor is officially supported by Avid, but then neither is the Decklink Studio and that works perfectly. :confused:

I'm getting close to doing that.

I'm shocked at how poor Black Magic's service has been. I sent an email request in for tech support and received a stock answer back, that didn't even mention Pro Tools, when I clearly stated that's what I was using. The Pro Tools logo is displayed on the box, so is a list of a zillion codecs it supports.

I've gotten more vids to play, but if they are not transcoded to be HD720, they get letter boxed, which since they are already 16:9 looks stupid.

I'm surprised this has been such a strange odyssey so far. I'm really wondering if it is the new, and inexpensive nature of the card.

Yes, it�s quite strange. You have everything set as most people here, so I really don�t understand why you have those problems, really a mistery.

Meanwhile, PT 11 is out now and according to AVID it has proper support to all B Magic family of cards.

Don�t know if that is feasable for you or not, but for the moment I can�t think of anything else to help you, sorry.

Have you tried connecting the SDI out to check if it has the same problem? Or you don�t have anything near that has an SDI input?

Thanks for the help.

In the following few weeks I'm going to be upgrading to PT11, so I'll wait and see what happens with that. I can't check the SDI at the moment.

The fact that I have it set up like everybody else, but am using a new version of the card is very suspicious. I wish I had a deck link studio to compare it to. Just because they say it should be the same in regards to playback, doesn't mean it is. Seemed like $150 was too good to be true.

Hope you get it sorted soon. We will be updating to PT11 soon, so we can compare experiences with the new video engine.

Just of curiosity: the video files that you can�t output through the HDMI port on the card, play in PT when using the computer monitor display in the QT window instead of the PCIe out option?

The same files play within the preview window of the BM application if you import them into the app?

Hope you get it sorted soon. We will be updating to PT11 soon, so we can compare experiences with the new video engine.

Just of curiosity: the video files that you can�t output through the HDMI port on the card, play in PT when using the computer monitor display in the QT window instead of the PCIe out option?

The same files play within the preview window of the BM application if you import them into the app?

No, that program seems to be for uncompressed only

Here is the response I got today from Black Magic:

With ProTools it's whatever is supported by their application in a broadcast resolution which is also a requirement of our card. It's not just any codec that ProRes has installed, you may wish to check with ProTools for additional guidance on that but overall there's quite a few including ProRes/DNxHD. It's not compatible mostly cause it's a basic playback and capture application. It must fall into certain parameters, such as a compressed codec our app supports and the resolution and frame rate. You can try to put a MP4 file off the web into Media Express and that will not play. But any format that Media Express can capture, it can play back.

I'll reserve judgment till I see how it reacts with Pro Tools 11

I got a new GPU going on my machine. It's an ASUS GT640 silent graphics card. It has 3 monitor outs, and I'm using one to drive my TV. It works amazing. In all seriousness: what is the advantage of that card if I don't need SDI? The Quick time playback seems very tight, and I can downsize the movie if the editor sends something too compressed or too small to look good on my set. Any advantage, or should the Decklink card hit ebay?

I got a new GPU going on my machine. It's an ASUS GT640 silent graphics card. It has 3 monitor outs, and I'm using one to drive my TV. It works amazing. In all seriousness: what is the advantage of that card if I don't need SDI? The Quick time playback seems very tight, and I can downsize the movie if the editor sends something too compressed or too small to look good on my set. Any advantage, or should the Decklink card hit ebay?

Does Pro Tools see this card? Can you enable it in Options -> Video out PCIe?

The only advantages of the BM card are if you need to send to more than one monitor, go from HD to SD or capture video. It probably takes some load off the cpu too.

Also I'm not sure how tight the sync is with playback through a graphics card?
My guess would be, probably good enough for most people or short playback lengths, ie under an hour.

If your workflow doesn't need any of that.
Sounds like Ebay! :D

Does Pro Tools see this card? Can you enable it in Options -> Video out PCIe?

What I'm doing is simply putting the quicktime movie on a 3rd monitor, that happens to be a TV. Looks great, and is very responsive.

Since it is not a separate video playback card, why would it drift?

The only advantages of the BM card are if you need to send to more than one monitor, go from HD to SD

That's the only thing I haven't worked out yet. I do need to do those things, though not often.

A question for Paulo: Do you have FCP installed on the machine you run PT on? I do not. Only Mpeg stream clip and QT7pro.

The actors seemed disinterested and lacked the necessary depth and emotion to bring their characters to life. This made it difficult to engage with the film on any level. Furthermore, the production quality was noticeably poor. The special effects were lacking, and the overall visual aesthetic felt amateurish. It was evident that the filmmakers did not invest the necessary time and resources into creating a visually appealing and immersive experience. Overall, I was highly disappointed with the Subpar Witch DVD. The weak storyline, lackluster acting, and poor production quality contributed to a subpar viewing experience. I would not recommend this DVD to anyone seeking an engaging and well-executed film..

Reviews for "The Subpar Witch DVD: A Lesson in How NOT to Do Magic"

1. John - 2/5

I was really disappointed with "The Subpar Witch" DVD. The acting was wooden, the storyline was predictable, and the special effects were laughable. The whole movie felt like a cheap knockoff of better fantasy films. I couldn't connect with any of the characters, and there was no depth or development to keep me engaged. Overall, it was a waste of time and money. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for a quality fantasy film.

2. Sarah - 1/5

"The Subpar Witch" DVD was a complete letdown. The plot was nonsensical, the dialogue was cringe-worthy, and the pacing was all over the place. I couldn't bring myself to care about any of the characters, as they were poorly written and poorly acted. I found myself bored and counting down the minutes till the movie ended. There are much better fantasy films out there, so save your money and skip this one.

3. Thomas - 2/5

I had high hopes for "The Subpar Witch" DVD, but unfortunately, it fell flat. The story was cliché and lacked originality. The acting was subpar, with several characters appearing stiff and uninspired. The production value was low, with obvious green screen effects and poorly executed CGI. Overall, the film failed to capture my attention or immerse me in its world. I regret spending money on this disappointing DVD.

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