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Dropped frames in FCP??
Hi
I’ve been having that common though very very annoying problem of dropped frames in my work. When exported it’s really bad quality, I’m so embarrassed 🙁 I’ll admit that I’m pretty bad with computers, though I searched the internet for ages looking for the answer (and tried several things) but nothing worked. And if terminology gets too technical my mind goes blank :/
It would be great if someone, anyone could help me!
So, information:
My macbook pro is a Mac OS X version 10.4.11, it has 2gb RAM and currently 25gb space on the main disk (of 140gb)
I have FCP version 6. The presets are all set to DV-PAL 48 kHZ.
The clips that I am editing are mainly MPEG-4 (which I have just found out aren’t particularly ideal for editing with), .wav files imported from soundtrack pro, .mov files from livetype and jpegs.
I tried compressing my mpeg4s to Apple ProRes 422 and re-imported to final cut in a new sequence but dropped frames still appeared.
All my individual files play fine in quicktime or VLC but when i started adding effects to my FCP sequence they started dropping frames (when i deleted the effects, the dropped frames didn’t go away)
I tried that ‘disk utility’ thing and it said my startup disk needed repairing?? I tried reinstalling it but i couldn’t get the disk to stay in the computer. My dad says he doesn’t think that’s the problem anyway??
I filmed on a pretty poor quality camera (it’s actually for taking photos but i used it to capture video as well). Its a sony cybershot DSC-H20.
I have tried separately rendering certain sections that are only a few frames long each.
I previously edited and exported a film of the same length (3 minutes) using about 1/3 of the exact same footage and had no problem.
I can say (from the dropped frames warning pop-up) that I’ve definitely done all but two things:
-“lowering your compression data rate”
-“increasing the speed of your system and/or disk drives and/or network connection”Sorry about all the info, I’m just not sure what’s needed…
Anyone who can help will be my absolute saviour!!
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6 Replies
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DV/NTSC is the lowest quality Standard Definition format…things will look poor if they didn’t originate on DV. Converting things to ProRes and then putting them into a DV sequence setting? It’ll look bad. For all the stuff you are bringing in, FCP is not the application you should be using. You should be using Adobe Premiere…it is designed to deal with the footage you are working with. FCP really is designed to work with professional media types…footage from tape, from tapeless cameras…converted to editing codecs. And it works well with stills, if they are GOOD quality…2000pixels to 4000 pixels.
Premiere mixes formats better…works with non-editing formats better. So either invest in that, or start looking at the Lynda.com tutorials or dig into the manual or take a class to see how to work with footage in FCP the best way.
DROPPED FRAMES? That’s related to DRIVE SPEED. Meaning the drive the footage is stored on. NEVER put footage onto your system drive, it is slow, and busy doing things, like using the OS. You need an external drive, 7200RPM at least, and Firewire 400 or 800. USB is not good for video.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
You have many issues Hilary. I’ll address only the most problematic.
[Hilary Lush] “My macbook pro is a Mac OS X version 10.4.11, it has 2gb RAM and currently 25gb space on the main disk (of 140gb)”
1) Two issues here: you don’t have enough free space on this hard drive
2) You need an external hard drive or “media drive” for editing, and that drive should preferably connect via firewire 800.
[Hilary Lush] “The clips that I am editing are mainly MPEG-4 (which I have just found out aren’t particularly ideal for editing with),”
You’re being way to soft on MPEG-4 files — they are far worse than not ideal. MPEG-4 is a not an editing codec in FCP. All MP$ files need to be transcoded to an editing format for editing, such as ProRes 422. There are posts about doing this every day, so just search for the way to do it with Streamclip or Compressor.
And finally, WAV audio files are another no no in FCP. Aiff files are native in FCP, and you need to convert WAVs to 48kHz .aiff files at 16-bits.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.comPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums. Formerly host of the Apple Final Cut Basics, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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[David Roth Weiss] “And finally, WAV audio files are another no no in FCP. Aiff files are native in FCP, and you need to convert WAVs to 48kHz .aiff files at 16-bits.”
I would argue that point…because I use broadcast WAV files all the time. But I am sure given all the other formats Hilary is using, that BROADCAST WAV is not among them…that they are standard WAV files. Those you need to convert.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
Hi David and Shane!
Thank you both for answering!
Just to clarify if i:
compress my mpeg4s to Apple ProRes 422
change my .wavs to .aiffs
work on/store my project on an external hard drive (i have a Seagate FreeAgent Go 500gb) using a firewire 800 cable
…the dropped frames will probably go away?
Also, would i need to change my FCP setup? The only option i can see matching Apple ProRes is “HDV-Apple ProRes 422 1080p24″…or do I leave it on the “DV-PAL” setting?
Ultimately, I always knew the quality was going to be quite poor, but I’m just aiming to eliminate the major problem – whenever my film cuts to a different scene, half the pixels from one scene drag over to the new one (for about 2 or 3 seconds each time)…
I definately need to get a better grip on FCP/computers, this is just pathetic. So if this latest technique doesn’t work out I’ll use adobe premiere though I’ll have to wait another 4 months…(my uncle has it, but i’m overseas at the moment)
Thanks again!!
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[Hilary Lush] “…the dropped frames will probably go away?”
That certainly is a HUGE step in the right direction. They SHOULD…is all I can really say.
[Hilary Lush] “Also, would i need to change my FCP setup? The only option i can see matching Apple ProRes is “HDV-Apple ProRes 422 1080p24″…or do I leave it on the “DV-PAL” setting?”
DO NOT USE DV! that’s your quality issue. Convert to ProRes, then make a new sequence, drop one of the new clips into that sequence, let FCP change the settings, then go from there.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
Thanks Shane… sorry about all the stupid questions! I’ll try those suggestions over the next few days and if not… i suppose it’s on to premiere in a few months time 🙂
Thanks again!!
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