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Difficult Decision on Big Edit
Hello Folks,
Sorry if this repeats or seems a dumb question but I’m trying to make a very difficult decision with regards to how to begin a huge editing project that has taken 4 years in India under very difficult circumstances to capture.
The footage is:
XDCam 1080
H.264
1080i
720 60pMacbook Pro 2008 FCP 7
I imagine that the edit will take a good 10 months to complete and my Macbook is long in the tooth but can do the job well in FCP7 once everything is converted to Prores which will take a few weeks. Once converted, I really won’t be doing anything more that straight cutting with just simple transitions until the rough cut is done.
However, if ever there was a time to move to a newer system it is now and I am considering a new Macbook Pro and learning Premiere Pro 6.
I would really interested to hear for someone who has can understand my situation and can guide me towards the best approach knowing that everyone works differently. What would you do?
Also, I trying to do as much research as I can and read a comment that mentioned that an export from Premiere Pro 6 final didn’t quite retain the same quality of Image as did FCPX. I can imaging the difference is minimal but can anyone in the know kindly comment as to which software is best to retain quality of the image?
Much appreciated,
Jona -
8 Replies
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FCP is EOL.
Adobe is (one of) the path forward.
Buy the most powerful computer you can.
Don’t look back.Keep in mind there will be a learning curve and slight changes in the way you work if you jump.
All this being said, You could continue to edit with FCP 7 until the computer dies…
Chris Tompkins
Video Atlanta LLC -
[Jona Taylor] “I imagine that the edit will take a good 10 months to complete and my Macbook is long in the tooth but can do the job well in FCP7 once everything is converted to Prores which will take a few weeks. Once converted, I really won’t be doing anything more that straight cutting with just simple transitions until the rough cut is done.”
Working in FCP7 is still a viable option for you, but there are three things to consider:
- Storage for all those ProRes transcodes: do you have enough?
- Different formats: FCP works best when everything is the same raster size and frame rate.
- Future of FCP7 compatibility: you may need to hold off on installing future Mac updates during the project if they break compatibility with FCP7.
[Jona Taylor] “However, if ever there was a time to move to a newer system it is now and I am considering a new Macbook Pro and learning Premiere Pro 6.”
In tech years, a 2008 MacBook Pro has had a long and meaningful life. If you can afford a new system, I’d think it would be worth updating now before you begin this big project.
If you do take up Premiere, I’d suggest you also look into Adobe Prelude, which is a cool logging tool that works hand-in-hand with Premiere and will help you pre-organize all that footage.
[Jona Taylor] “Also, I trying to do as much research as I can and read a comment that mentioned that an export from Premiere Pro 6 final didn’t quite retain the same quality of Image as did FCPX. I can imaging the difference is minimal but can anyone in the know kindly comment as to which software is best to retain quality of the image?”
Do you still have a link to that comment? I’d love to see the reasoning behind it. FCPX has a very high-quality rendering pipeline, especially in comparison to FCP7, but Premiere Pro has a a very high-quality rendering pipeline as well (and offers more user control). I don’t think it’s true that any of the current NLEs have an advantage in “retaining image quality.”
Regardless, you could install trials of both Premiere and FCPX and see which fits your needs better.
Walter Soyka
Principal & Designer at Keen Live
Motion Graphics, Widescreen Events, Presentation Design, and Consulting
RenderBreak Blog – What I’m thinking when my workstation’s thinking
Creative Cow Forum Host: Live & Stage Events -
I think people often make the wrong choices for the wrong reasons. If, as you say, you spent four years in India gathering material for the project and the editing will likely take 2 years (realistically if you estimate 10 months) and include finishing, a few thousands on the proper equipment should happen immediately and is insignificant compared to the resources you’ve already put into the project.
Pro-res is a waste of time these days since the editing systems can handle the footage natively. And you’ll save on hard drive space, saving money and time. Is there a special reason you need a notebook? An iMac is more powerful and has an appropriate screen to handle your footage. You’ll get more done efficiently — especially when you add an inexpensive second monitor. A refurbished 27″ would be a great value. If you get a notebook (or iMac) and i7 is essential for multithreaded processing to handle effects, renders, and outputs.
Final Cut Pro 7 isn’t 64 bit and you’ll wait for renders. Premiere Pro has a modest learning curve and still has bugs — depending on your workflow — but is quite powerful. Final Cut Pro X also has it’s quirks, but I haven’t used it. There is I think still a free trial.
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Hey folks, I really appreciate your perspectives and really want to thank you all for chiming in. Means the word to have a community like this 🙂
Chris.
– Short and concise comments that nails the larger overview. Agreed.
– “Don’t look back.” For sure man. A bleary eye continues scans the distant horizon.Walter.
Practicality and necessity.
– Storage? Yes good point, no problem for storage 5bay Firmtek ESata.
– Now understood the need to have footage in edit friendly form ie. Prores.
– Good point on the ‘no updates’ while in the project.
– Had a look at Adobe Prelude, good to know that it available. I wonder just how many folks would find it useful and to what degree.
– Sorry couldn’t find the comment on Premiere degrading image quality on export but I remember they didn’t list/ show any proof/ info to support.Douglas!
I absolutely see what you are saying and fully agree with you in your matter of fact approach to tacking this project. With so much that went into the production side of it’s smart to not fall short during the post. The tricky part for me comes with trying to keep a balance between having the right tool for the job and managing the cost that goes with it. Every 4-5 years I have to change out my cameras and Macbook for projects that see me chafing my dreams in Asia while living of arts council grants and pulling the occasional camera gig for large budget docs. As such I’m never in any one place for very long and can only carry so much with me at one time. For sure a new iMac looks tasty, just wondering if it will fit into the overhead luggage? Really appreciate your perspective and insight… you nailed it! -
Alas, a quick goole search shows that an iMac cannot be carried on. You could check it, but would need to purchase a serious case for it. Another option is to cut the cord with the Mac world and get something powerful for windows with Premiere Pro or Avid as it will be cheaper. Depends on how invested you are in the Mac world. You still have your older laptop to get old files and Mac projects. Since you are upgrading software and hardware anyway, now would be the time to consider it. CS 6 has a proper suite for DVDs, sound editing, effects, and powerful encoding and more which I find essential as my distribution model still relies heavily on physical media. Apple has moved away from that model and it’s been necessary to get the tools I need. You’d have to share more about your project and intended destination/goal for more advice I think.
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I just posted a blog entry yesterday that details our editorial workflow on the projects we do in our shop via Premiere Pro. We’re delivering episodics, documentaries and news stories using a native workflow with everything under the sun. I think our workflow might work for you in your situation.
https://magazine.creativecow.net/article/workflow-update-imac-adobe-the-x-factor
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author, Chef.
HD Post and Production
Biscardi Creative Media“This American Land” – our new PBS Series.
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Hi Walter,
Great insights. Looks like you are really covering your bases well.
I really appreciate your generosity 🙂
Jona -
[Jona Taylor] “Great insights. Looks like you are really covering your bases well.
I really appreciate your generosity :)”My pleasure. I hope it gives you some ideas for your project. Good luck!
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author, Chef.
HD Post and Production
Biscardi Creative Media“This American Land” – our new PBS Series.
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