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WMV export from FCP – audio shifting
So I downloaded the basic Flip4Mac WMV export dealy for FCP and it seems my audio gets shifted upon export, about two frames backwards
I’ve imported the WMV into FCP and lined up the footage and it is, in fact, shifted
I only have the basic Flip4Mac so I can’t modify any settings, I’m just the “OnePass VBR, Presenation (high)” export settings
any ideas on what I can do, if anything, without buying the upgrade Flip4Mac?
…if not what can I do WHEN I buy the upgraded version?
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7 Replies
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Try exporting a self contained QT first, then use Compressor or QT Conversion to make the WMV file.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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nope – same deal. about 2 frames off
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What format is the audio on your original QT edit? I’ve run into problems with flip4mac with certain video/audio codec combinations. Try AAC, PCM especially has some slight issues. But what are your settings for your QT export? What type of frame rate are you running as well? Seen issues originate there, too.
Josh
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Hi Josh,
do you mean when I capture the clip into FCP? I didn’t think it had a compression – isn’t it just DV footage?
I also tried exporting a clip to WMV without music or graphics overtop and it was FINE…boo
So I’m wondering if the basic titles and music I’m using are somehow making the compressor lag?
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Hey Nicholas,
did you try David’s idea of exporting out of QT as a .mov (instead of .wmv)? If not try it, then just export out of QT with your setting. As far as compression, DV is a type of compression, as is HDV, prores, photoJPEG, etc. DV is finicky, too, especially with graphics — mostly with how they look, but it could have some hidden audio glitches, too. When you say you’ve exported without graphics and music, was there any audio at all? Dialogue for example? If there is dialogue and it is staying in sync, but the music track is falling out of sync, you’ve sort of isolated that as a problem, so check there if that’s the case. Could be a difference of frame rate issue where the speed is slightly altered. How long is your edit anyhow? I believe the free version of flip4mac, aside from the regular transcode limitations, also truncates the files themselves. I.E. it will only trancode half the file (or the first 30 seconds depending on the file length) into WMV. You might look around for other programs as well, that might give you a little more control. A 2-pass option certainly wouldn’t hurt. Also, if you’re exporting for a presentation-style program, are you embedding the file in a PowerPoint or other program? You might check to see if h264 could work as an alternative; that would allow you more options and possibly more control. Some options to look in to if you are seriously stuck.
Josh
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Hey Josh,
ya I tried exporting as a QT file (which exported a-ok) and then creating a new sequence and then exporting as a WMV… audio still shifts 2 frames
I’ve been using the WMV Studio pack – https://dynamic.telestream.net/buy/buy-flip4mac-wmv.asp and then exporting via FCP
When I exporting a short track of video, I included audio, and it didn’t seem to shift. I tested this by importing that exported clip and lining it up with the source sequence file.
Though when I export the full 1-2 minute piece with some basic rendered text and graphics and soundbed, the audio seems to shift 2 frames…again I tested this by importing that file back into FCP and lining it up in the sequence.
Here’s an example of what I’m doing: https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=240356394537&ref=mf
It’s pretty difficult to tell that the audio is shifting, especially via a facebook video, but it’s noticeable when you watch it on a 10×15 projection screen =D
I need a WMV file because the program(Media Shout) we’re using to present our media doesn’t handle MOVs and while it can handle an AVI the quality of compression with a WMV is way better.
I’ve tried using an AVI but in order to have decent quality the file size has to be at a certain size, which creates a lag in the MediaShout presenter
What I’ve done as well is to export a hi-res AVI and then use Movie Maker’s compressor on a PC to WMV
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That sounds like some tough luck Nicholas. Still, here’s a couple of more things you might try — that original mov export that came out synced, instead of reimporting that into FCP (it sounds like you’re doing that) take the file and just do a flat export out of quicktime. See if that manages to work for you. OR you might try exporting using QT conversion out of FCP. Instead of selecting DV, do something like prores 422 or PhotoJPEG at full quality. You could also export via compressor if you have that installed. You can create custom settings in that program with codec and audio combinations. When you’re making your selections there is a sound option. Try opening the options for that and selecting AAC (it defaults to PCM which I know telestream is still working on a bit in development). That might treat the audio a bit better than the uncompressed PCM. OR — and just reaching in the dark here — export using CBR instead of VBR. I’ve run into VBR, when there is a sudden ramp up in playback rate, things can get a little out of sync. A CBR will help keep the speed more evenly paced through out. This might cause some other side-effects, like larger file sizes, but it’s worth a shot just to see what happens. OR — and I learned this the hard way: have you been viewing your exports exclusively in the QT player? If so, take one of your clips with sync issues and watch it in the Windows player ( or MediaShout or whatever you’re going to present through ). I know it sounds weird, but even with flip4mac, QT can be a bit unreliable. You might find that it suddenly, and perhaps magically, works. LASTLY — if worse comes to worse, you shift your audio a couple of frames in the sequence and then export it hoping it will align. Not the best work around, but sometimes . . .
I also noticed on your Facebook video that there are some interlacing issues with that particular file. I am watching on a progressive monitor (not an interlaced monitor), but there are definite interlacing issues on the transitions and motion. You might try selecting the deinterlace option in QT when you export — or compressor — or as a last resort, add the deinterlace filter in FCP to your sequence. Be careful of this, especially with DV footage, as it can really mess up graphics. Still, I think it’d be worth your while to look at it. It’s a pretty simple fix, and it works most of the time.
Anyway, as usual, good luck.
Josh
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