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Playback lag between different clips
Hi everyone,
This is my first post on here and I apologise if it has been asked before. I’ve been searching for a solution for a while now so I figured I need to ask for help. Basically I’ve been asked to edit a showreel for an actor friend. He’s sent me 3 pieces of footage. One is a .mov another is an .avi and the third is a .mp4. Now, having cut the footage up and assembled it all on the timeline I am getting lag in the video playback anytime I cut between footage form one clip to another i.e. from the .mov to the .avi. Is this simply due to the different codec/compression of the clips or is there more to it? If it is just the compressions what do you suggest I do/use to get them all the same? Unfortunately whenever I google for a solution every response seems to concern capturing footage directly from a device rather than imported video files. Again I apologise if this has been asked before or if it is a simple problem. I’m just in a bit over my head I think.
Thanks in advance for the help.
-Nick
P.s. I’m aware that I might not have supplied enough information. Just tell me if you need anymore info and I’ll happily supply it.
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5 Replies
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[Nick Jenkins] “Is this simply due to the different codec/compression of the clips or is there more to it?”
Yes.
[Nick Jenkins] “If it is just the compressions what do you suggest I do/use to get them all the same?”
You can run the avi file through MPEG-Streamclip I believe and the mp4 you should be able to run through Compressor. You ultimately want to convert all the files to be the same codec, frame size and frame rate.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author, Chef.
HD Post and Production
Biscardi Creative Media“Foul Water, Fiery Serpent” featuring Sigourney Weaver coming soon.
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Hi Walter,
Thanks for your quick reply. I’ve done as you suggested and the situation is better although I’m still having some issues. Just now I cut 2 clips from the same video file together and i got a big lag in video playback. I can’t understand what the problem is as it doesn’t do it with every cut I make, only this one so far. Could my mac possibly be an issue? I’ve just bought the 27″ iMac. I upgraded to the i7 processor but I didn’t upgrade the ram from the the 4gb supplied. Is this likely to be an issue as I also have lag when playing back transitions such as a basic cross dissolve. The only other possibility I can think of is that I didn’t use the right settings in the programs you suggested. In Compressor I selected Quicktime H.264 and in Streamclip I clicked ‘convert to quicktime’ and left it on the ‘Apple Motion Jpeg A’ compression that was selected by default. Again, thank you for your time, I appreciate that I have a lot of learning to do in regards to Final Cut. Until now I’ve only really used Avid.
Thanks again,
-Nick
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You want to use the same codec for all three clips. These days most folks would use ProRes: 422 if the clips are HD and LT if they’re SD. Also, the frame rates and frame sizes should be the same. I use Compressor to re-size & changing frame rates. If changing frame sizes or frame rate turn on Frame Controls in Compressor’s Inspector and change the quality settings for re-sizing & rate conversion to Best. BTW, H.264 is not a FCP edit codec. The codecs listed in FCP’s Easy Setups are all edit codecs.
John
MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz 8 GB RAM OS 10.5.8 QT7.6.4 Kona 3 Dual Cinema 23 ATI Radeon HD 3870, 24″ TV-Logic Monitor, ATTO ExpressSAS R380 RAID Adapter, PDE enclosure with 8-drive 6TB RAID 5
FCS 3 (FCP 7.0.2, Motion 4.0.2, Comp 3.5.2, DVDSP 4.2.2, Color 1.5.2)Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO & 192 Digital I/O, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neumann U87, Schoeps Mk41 mics, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN
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Hi John,
Thanks for the reply and sorry for the delayed response, this is the first time I’ve actually tried to sit down and work on this project since the last time I posted. I’ve followed your advice and converted everything to ProRes 422 LT 16:9 720×576 and as a result FCP is running nice and smooth. Just want to say thanks again for the combined help and I apologise for the relative simplicity of the question. I’m finding it to be an enjoyable yet steep learning curve so I’m sure I’ll be back with some more questions in the near future.
Best,
-Nick
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I’m glad it worked out.
John
MacPro 8-core 2.8GHz 8 GB RAM OS 10.5.8 QT7.6.4 Kona 3 Dual Cinema 23 ATI Radeon HD 3870, 24″ TV-Logic Monitor, ATTO ExpressSAS R380 RAID Adapter, PDE enclosure with 8-drive 6TB RAID 5
FCS 3 (FCP 7.0.2, Motion 4.0.2, Comp 3.5.2, DVDSP 4.2.2, Color 1.5.2)Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO & 192 Digital I/O, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neumann U87, Schoeps Mk41 mics, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN
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