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time code generator, fcp, file size?
I want to thank everyone for their knowledge on this site. I have always found the answers that I have needed, but now I am stuck.
I have been editing my first feature, shot on hd. The setting for the fcp edit was 1081i60.I needed to put a time code generator on the entire film and after exporting using export qt movie, self contained, it ballooned up from 3.8G (I had exported different cuts before) to over 11G. I understand that a tcg has a lot of information, so this may actually be the right file size but – I have a music composer in Scotland (I am in the states). He wanted the full length film (88 minutes) with time code in a mpeg 4 or h264. I had exported the full film to a qt mov, (without the tcg) then opened the mov. in qt and exported it again to (mov to mpeg4) and had gotten it down to a managable file size, but adding the tcg seems to have blown it up. Again.
so my first question is – is this what happens when you add a tcg?
I was going to try exporting using compressor, but I had found at one of the forums (perhaps not this one) that going to compressor with a tcg won’t work. I have been in codec/forum h*ll this past weekend and just couldn’t bear to wait the 3-4 hours it took to see if the forum was right or not.
The film, even though it was shot hd, it does not have to be hd to go to the composer (or the audio post house afterwards). At this point, I would settle for him looking at vague wobbly images. Ok, kidding.
So the second question is, how do I export the hd film from fcp to a mpeg4 or h264 with a time code generator and have it come out at the other end in a file size that I can upload to one of those drop boxes in the sky so my composer can get it down in a reasonable (and by that I mean less than 30 hours) amount of time.
Thank you again all so much. If you could be so kind as reply as if you are talking to a 4 year old, because I have only a basic understanding of the language. Thanks. Suzy
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19 Replies
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Hi Susan,
I’m not sure if I understand you.
You mean that you want to get the TC burnt on top of the picture?
If is like that you may be doing something wrong.
To burn the TC on top of the picture can not increase the file size.
The file size will depend of the codec and the size you are using on sporting.[Susan Benfatto] “So the second question is, how do I export the hd film from fcp to a mpeg4 or h264 with a time code generator and have it come out at the other end in a file size that I can upload to one of those drop boxes in the sky so my composer can get it down in a reasonable (and by that I mean less than 30 hours) amount of time. “
Drop the TCG filter on your sequence and export with QT Conversion. Select h264, Keyframe: Auto, One pass.
The size of the file will depends of the data-rate you set in the compressor.
Think that keeping a low data-rate (400Mbps) your 88 minutes film will take around 300 MB.
rafael -
A voice from the darkness! Thanks, Raphael! Yes, I need the tc at the top of the picture. I nested my 88 minute film and added the tcg from effects in fcp and then exported the whole thing using export -qt movie. When I had done that before without the tcg, or the nest, the file was 3.84G. When I added the tcg and exported it became over 11G.
When I check the qt movie export settings, it was set to current setting. I had thought that meant the setting I had been editing on, which, to the best of my limited knowledge, is hd1080i60. If there is a way to check that that you know, please let me know. If you know the settings it should be at also let me know.
I just want to be clear that I am adding a time code generator, not a time code reader. Could that be the issue?
Thanks again, Suzy -
You can also export a QuickTime reference Movie (same codec as your timeline) then use Compressor to encode your file AND add burned in timecode simultaneously. Compressor 3 has a Timecode filter. I like doing this because you don’t have to render the filter in FCP…which ties it up…The addition of the timecode filter in Compressor doesn’t dramatically increase the encode time and can run in the background while you do other stuff.
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Thank you John! I will try that as well. I also looked at fcp help about batch export with the tcg that is already on the film. there is a qt movie setting for DV NTSC 48. Does that mean that that export would downconvert the hd1080i60 to dvNTSC48? Would that make it a smaller file? I have to keep it at 29.97 ndf – does dvNTSC48 change that rate? Also what is the difference between a reference movie (in your post) and a qt movie? Thanks again, Suzy
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[Susan Benfatto] “or the nest, the file was 3.84G. When I added the tcg and exported it became over 11G. “
88 minutes of HDV should be even more than 11 GB, but is OK with 11:-)
If you have get 3,84 Gbs is because you have exported with other setting.The TC burned is just part of the picture so it can not change the weight of the file.
What John suggest is a very easy way to get the TC printed. it doesn’t need to be rendered in FC, so the process can be faster.
I guess that you compositor doesn’t need a full size, high quality movie.
You can use any of the Web Presets in Compressor.
In the Filters tab in Compressor you will find the TC Generator.However you will need to upload the movie by ftp. As I told you before won’t be smaller than sme 250/300 MB.
NTSC DV is not a solution, the files are as big as HDV.
Rafael -
Forgot to ask – export qt movie first, then send to compressor? Or just export USING compressor? Thanks.
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If you have your sequence fully rendered (no TCG), export a Reference movie.
Then open Compressor and import the Reff movie.
Don’t “Send to Compressor”. The movie would be rendered again even if is already rendered.
rafael -
Thank you so much… just one more thing…. by reference movie, do you mean export-quicktime movie – current settings and let it do it’s thing? I think that’s what you mean but I want to be certain. Thanks again and again, Suzy
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OK. Rendering the movie right now.(It says 2 hours, so I am going to do laundry!) Next step, unchecked self contained qt movie and export. Stay tuned….! I am thinking of adding a “special thanks… creative cow” to the credit roll. i couldn’t have even started editing without you guys. Best, Suzy
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