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Video Codecs Problems
I am confused and bogged out of my mind. I’ve been trying to get around working with AVCHD (MTS and M2TS), Apple ProRes 422, their file sizes, and .MOV files.
I currently own a Canon HG20 and whenever I want to bring the AVCHD files that it records in, I always copy the MTS files. I realize that there’s the Log and Transfer option in Final Cut Pro, but that itself leads to huge file sizes.
So like I said, I copy the MTS files. Just recently, I tried to convert the MTS files using VoltaicHD into something like Apple ProRes 422, .MOV files, or the ACI codec. (keep in mind that I’m still new to codecs).
And that’s where the trouble comes in.
I know that for one that .MOV files are when you export your project out of FCP, but my professor told me that FCP likes to work with .MOV files. Either or, it’s contradictory to what I know about .MOV files after searching through forums regarding it.
I know that Apple ProRes 422 is a lossy file format that Apple included with FCS 2 (what I own) format.
And finally, I know that the ACI codec is a codec that iMovie and FCP use for editing purposes and it’s what Voltaic, by default converts the imported files into.
BUT, as far as that goes, I’m completely lost.
Whenever I try converting my files into ProRes 422, .MOV, or the ACI codec (been trying to experiment for the optimal codec for the past day), I’m getting file sizes that are 1GB just for a minute of 1920×1080 footage!
I own a 2TB hard drive and a puny 160GB hard drive as my backups.
But seriously, if these files start adding up, I’m going to run out of space and I’m going to be spending my money on a countless number of 2TB drives.
What do I do?
Do I still convert my files into ProRes 422 using Voltaic, bring it into FCP, export the file, and delete the capture scratch to save space and keep the original MTS files? What else do I do?
Sorry for the massive amount of questions that I’m asking, but with the situation so far, I’m completely stumped as far as the codecs, file management, and file sizes go.
Help!
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4 Replies
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FCP can’t edit AVCHD files natively, so you have to transcode the camera’s files to something that does work… the AIC codec is very lossy, and will result in files that don’t look as good as files transcoded to ProRes. ProRes files are indeed much larger than the AIC and the native AVCHD files. It’s just the way it is with FCP 6 or 7. That sure could change with the next version of FCP, but it’s not here yet…
AVCHD shots are GOP structured media files and because of that they are small, but extremely inefficient to edit with (that’s why they aren’t supported directly in FCP). ProRes and AIC files are all ‘i” frame files and much easier for FCP to edit, ProRes is the preferred way to work in FCP because the quality is so much better than the AIC files. ProRes files are visually lossless from the original AVCHD files… but contain every pixel of every frame (GOP structured media only contains the difference from frame to frame more or less).
I’d use the Log and Transfer window in FCP for the transcoding BTW… you’re not buying a thing using a third party app for the job. File sizes will be the same.
If you upgraded to FCP 7, you’d gain the use of ProRes LT which produces files smaller than standard ProRes, but are still broadcast quality files.
In any event, if you need more drive space, it’s never been less expensive. Shoot, my first media drive was a 1 gig hard drive and it cost $2,500… (1989). You can buy bare bones 2 TB hard drives these days for less than the sales tax was on that first drive of mine!
Jerry
Apple Certified Trainer, Producer, Writer, Director Editor, Gun for Hire and other things. I ski. My Blog: https://blogs.creativecow.net/Jerry-Hofmann
Current DVD:
https://store.creativecow.net/p/81/jerry_hofmanns_final_cut_system_setup8-Core 3.0 Intel Mac Pro, Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D, AJA Io HD, 17″ MBP, Matrox MXO2 with MAX – Cinema Displays I have a 22″ that I paid 4k for still working. G4 with Kona SD card, and SCSI card.
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Thanks for replying Jerry! Really did clear a lot of things up.
But I still have a few questions. (sorry, I really new to FCS)
When you mentioned that the new FCP had ProRes LT, it had me wondering if I could upgrade using the upgrade price. Currently, I have a Volume License (not the Student Version) of FCS 2 installed on my iMac 21.5 from my teacher that installed it for me. Would it be possible for me to upgrade to the next version of FCS, when it comes out, using the upgrade price? Or would I have to buy the whole suite altogether w/o the upgrade price?
Also, how big are ProRes 422 LT versus ProRes 422 files in comparison? Is there that much of a difference in file sizes?
And one more question (this one’s been bugging me ever since I read your reply): How does the whole Final Cut Pro workflow work and how do you store your video files?
I’ve been trying to think how amateurs/professionals store, edit, and manage their profile using FCP. Do they store all of their raw files (ex. .MOV’s and AVCHD files) onto their RAID or external hard drive, set their capture scratch to their project folder on the external HD, and edit everything from that external HD?
Is that why a lot of people use G-Tech drives because of their reliability and speed?
If so, should I be looking forward to investing into one of their RAID’s? And how would I set up my digital workflow? All I own is a Western Digital Elements 2TB hard drive and this SimpleTech 160GB hard drive (I know, it’s pretty puny).
Again, sorry for asking so many questions. I’m still new to this and I want to make sure that I have everything down before making the workflow permanent.
Thanks!
-Tim
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I don’t know about Apple’s upgrade options, but going by their usual form I’d expect that you’d probably only get an upgrade for a volume licence in a new volume licence…
Re: “I’ve been trying to think how amateurs/professionals store, edit, and manage their profile using FCP. Do they store all of their raw files (ex. .MOV’s and AVCHD files) onto their RAID or external hard drive, set their capture scratch to their project folder on the external HD, and edit everything from that external HD?”
Yes, usually.
Re: “Is that why a lot of people use G-Tech drives because of their reliability and speed?”
Yes.
Re: “If so, should I be looking forward to investing into one of their RAID’s?”
Perhaps, but my experience is that spending money on something because you think it’s the best thing or you might need it in the future is a bit risky, because things keep changing. I’ll tend to get whatever’s most appropriate for a particular job, so I might be using a networked array of several terabytes, hired from a facility company, on one job and the next one will use a 1Tb Lacie attached to a Macbook Pro. One thing that’s nice about comparatively cheap drives is that when you’re done you can just put them in a cupboard and buy another one for the next job, so no worries about what to back up, but you do need to make sure that they can operate continuously at high speeds, so Firewire or eSata, not USB, and the higher end of read/write speeds and cache memory (I don’t know the specs for your drive, but I’d expect it to be ok for standard def but probably pushing your luck for high def). Also, when I’m using small desktop drives I make a copy of all the media onto another drive and backup the project every day, just in case of a failure (which is rare, but always a nightmare when it does happen).
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Thanks for replying. It really did clear up a lot of things.
Re: “I don’t know the specs for your drive, but I’d expect it to be ok for standard def but probably pushing your luck for high def”
I use the Western Digital Elements 2TB USB 2.0 hard drive. If I believe so, it uses the WD Green drives (heard that they have 64MB of cache memory in them), but like you said, USB 2.0 wouldn’t be my best choice. Not so sure what to do with this drive. Maybe use it to back up all of my personal photos, documents, and music? What would be your suggestion?
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But regarding your comment on using LaCie drives, how reliable are they? My teacher uses them, but has started to build a dislike for it because a lot of them have already failed in his case.
Even still, what would you recommend that I do? Personally, I consider myself an amateur, but I’m still debating if I should drop a ton of money on an expensive RAID, set up a RAID 1 or RAID 0+1, and have some data redundancy, OR if I should just be buying G-Drives and storing all of my projects onto them w/o having any sort of data redundancy considering I’ll be running through them and storing them on a shelf.
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