• Apple Final Cut Pro

  Can FCPX transcode in 422 HQ?

  Posted by Mike Benson on February 15, 2012 at 2:51 pm

  First time poster here.

  I just updated to the latest FCPX 10.0.3, and figured with all the updates I’d give it another shot. But before I begin using it again, I wanted to know if I could transcode raw AVCHD files into ProRes 422 HQ.

  I’m shooting on a Panasonic AF100, and I know FCP 7’s Log and Transfer has HQ, LT, Proxy, but I couldn’t seem to find anything other than standard 422 and proxy in FCP X.

  Perhaps I’m also asking the wrong question. Maybe I should be asking: if shooting with an AF100, is it even worth editing in 422 HQ? I began to do it in FCP 7 because I felt I got better color correction results with the higher quality media, but this was only tested with my eyes, not any formal way…

  Thanks in advance for any help.

  Mike
  https://mbedit.com

  Mike Benson replied 14 years, 3 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
• 3 Replies

• 

  Olof Ekbergh

  February 15, 2012 at 5:52 pm

  I don’t see a need for HQ for native AF100 or even when using the NanoFlash at 100mb/s.

  I use ProRes422 for all my footage. I think only real high end compositing or footage from cameras that are 10 or more bit cams call for HQ.

  So in my experience 422 is just fine.

  Olof Ekbergh
• 

  Geoff Addis

  February 15, 2012 at 9:13 pm

  My understanding is that FCP X’s file conversion is to ProRes 422, not ProRes 422LT. I totally agree with Olaf, but interestingly I have found that AVCHD from an AF101, when converted by FCP X, does not play back well on an external monitor connected via a BM Intensity Pro when the Best Quality setting in FC P X preferences is chosen – it drops frames. However, ProRes 422 originated on a Samurai recorder plays back fine under the Best Quality preference! The 422 colour of the Samurai is definately a bonus when it comes to grading and it also seems to improve perceived resolution, in practice it doesn’t.
• 

  Mike Benson

  February 15, 2012 at 10:17 pm

  Thanks for the input. I continued to dig around some more and found this in the FCP 7 manual describing the difference between 422 and 422 HQ: https://documentation.apple.com/en/finalcutpro/professionalformatsandworkflows/index.html#chapter=10%26section=2

  I also came across this forum, which seemed to answer the question “Is 422 HQ even worth using?” https://www.lafcpug.org/phorum/read.php?1,266774,266775

  For me, higher quality means that’s the one I should use. Though, it doesn’t look like FCP X transcodes in HQ, just normal 422 or 422 proxy.

  Anyone else want to weigh in?

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