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H.264 source files in FCP
Hello;
i am currently trying to working source files that have been encoded in H.264 codec at standard 720×486. Average length of the clips are 40-60 seconds and it’s taking a riduculous time to render. Also using the render shortcut (apple R) doesn’t even work. I have to use a workaround. Both outputting from the timeline and rendering is taking on average 15 min (for 30 second clip)Is using H264 as a source file the issue here? Should i avoid using this as a source file?
thanks in advance
quinimine -
3 Replies
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H.264 is a good delivery format, however there are better choices for editing.
In FCP 5.X, good choices for editing SD video include:
DV
DV50
8-Bit Uncompressed
10-Bit Uncompressed.If you are on FCP 6, include:
ProRes.
If you are on an older laptop, DV would be a good choice.
If you are on a newer laptop or an older G4 or G5 without speedy drives, DV50 would be better.
If you have new hardware with very fast, large, empty drives, 8 bit or 10 bit might be worth the overhead.
Without details of your situation it is hard to make a specific recommendation. How much footage, what was the acquisition format? How are you delivering? Do you have a lot of graphics work?
ProRes has promise, however it is so new that recommended workflows are still being shaken out.
https://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/200/874600?
Good luck.
Tom
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[Quinimine] “Is using H264 as a source file the issue here? Should i avoid using this as a source file?”
Yes, for editing H264 is not a great option and causes extreme render times (as you well know).
Use DV or DV50.
-Russ
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Russell and Tom…cheers to you both for this great info. It’s pretty much what i suspected. I’ve basically started to just re-export them as DV clips and now working with them in FCP is much closer to my usual experience. I will tell the company to not send us content in H264
big thanks again guys.
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