ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXFinal Cut Pro 5 - help needed! Having problems with file codecs, poor quality playback in the timeline, AND constant rendering. Any advice much appreciated!
12 years, 12 months ago - Emma Dove
Hi folks,
I've recently started editing a project in Final Cut Pro 5, but I'm having some issues...
First of all, I could not directly transfer .mtv (avchd) files in to final cut (version 5 does not have file-transfer). So I downloaded Clipwrap, and transcoded all of my files to Apple Intermediate Codec (.mov) files. This seemed to be the recommended codec to use with this version of final cut.
However, when I dragged clips down in to the timeline, the image quality was poor. When I played the clips in the viewer, it was perfectly fine, but for some reason when I placed the clips in the timeline, the clips looked noisy and low quality. I seemed to manage to dix this problem by changing the sequence settings to Apple intermediate codec and change from 25fps to 24fps. I'm not sure if I actually managed to shoot the footage at 24fps, and if this is what was causing the fuzziness(though I'm fairly certain I shot at 50i). I also wondered if maybe clipwrap had transcoded the footage to playback at 24fps, though I'm not sure how to find that out/change it.
Also, as soon as I place a clip in the timeline I have to render it. This is before I have made any edits to the clip. I have also been having to render the clips whenever I make any changes to them (although I am editing splitscreens so this may be why).
I shot the footage on a Panasonic G1 (dslr).
Aside from any suggestions on how to fix this, I am also wondering if anyone can tell me how editing and exporting my project in a 24fps sequence will then affect playback (i.e. if I were to burn the project to dvd)?
If anyone knows anything about any of this.... your advice would be very much appreciated!
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12 years, 12 months ago - Emma Dove
Sorry, I meant to write .mts not .mtv.
Response from 12 years, 12 months ago - Emma Dove SHOW
12 years, 12 months ago - Neil Scott-Sills
Hi Emma, when you imported your clips into your clips bin and viewed them in the viewer window before putting them on the timeline did they look OK? If they did then mark an in and out and drop them onto a brand new timeline. You should get a dialogue box that says something like, your sequence settings do not match your clip settings would you like to change your sequence settings. If you say yes, your render problems should disappear. Admittedly I am saying this from an FCP 6 perspective but I seem to remember 5 did the same thing. MPEG Streamclip from Squared5 is also another excellent free file converter for FCP.
Response from 12 years, 12 months ago - Neil Scott-Sills SHOW
12 years, 12 months ago - Robert McGowan Camera-operator-london.co.uk
I agree with the Neil - not sure about - Clipwrap
get MPEG streamclip pull in the file you need to transcode and go file - show stream info -
this will give you the info for the clip - transcode to the required format making sure the frame rates match - then import to FCP
go to user preferences and make sure the prompt for settings/new project are ticked -
this will ensure the sequence matches the clip - you can always alt p for playback if render is required
hope this helps
bob
Response from 12 years, 12 months ago - Robert McGowan Camera-operator-london.co.uk SHOW
12 years, 12 months ago - Richard Brunner
Actually MPEGstreamclip is no good for AVCHD. There's a program call Voltaic which will do it all for you. Just make sure you get your settings right for resolution and frame rate and you're away! I'd recommend treating yourself to FCP7 for next time :)
Response from 12 years, 12 months ago - Richard Brunner SHOW
12 years, 12 months ago - Peter Ward
Have you tried using iMovie? It preserves the original framerate and resolution without any user intervention. Not sure what version takes GH1 footage--you probably need a later one and your computer definitely needs to be Intel based. If it works you will have Apple Intermediate files that FCP5 will accept.
Response from 12 years, 12 months ago - Peter Ward SHOW
12 years, 12 months ago - Emma Dove
Hi all, thanks for all your responses. I think I've now cracked it...!
Neil - FCP 5 doesn't come up with this message, it just simply shows up a red render line if the clips don't match the sequence settings. Therefore you have to go in to sequence settings and set it up manually. However I realised that by right clicking on the film files in the Browser I could get their exact format, and then just copy these in to my sequence settings. Had a few hiccups but I think I've finally got it right (fingers crossed). Thanks also for reminding me about MPEG Streamclip - I do have it already and have now used it to transcode some GoPro footage I also have which was shot at a different framerate. I think part of my problem was also that I was working with split screens, which constantly need rendering.
Bob, I didn't know about alt p. Have just tried it. I take it just plays back what is in your timeline without having to render - mine is playing back in slow mo and without sound, is it meant to or is that just my machine being slow? Thanks though, very useful tip.
Richard, I already managed to transcode my files fine through Clipwrap, though hadn't heard of Voltaic - another software to keep in mind in case I need it for the future! And yes, FCP7 would be lovely! Unfortunately I'm not editing on my own machine so have to go with what they've got, but I'll def be looking to edit on a newer version for next time!
Peter, didn't try iMovie, but again, will keep that in mind for potential future techy issues, cheers!
Response from 12 years, 12 months ago - Emma Dove SHOW