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8 hours of PAL MPEG 2 Video and FCP
I have been approached with an editing job and I want to make sure I have a workflow that works before I accept the job. I will be given 8 hours of MPEG 2 Video (4 cameras, 2 hours each) that is shot in 25 fps (PAL) on robotic cameras on a harddrive.
I will be editing two 5 minute highlight reels from this footage. I have a Final Cut Pro system and I know FCP and Quicktime can’t handle MPEG2. I am nervous that the free MPEG Streamclip application may not be able to handle that kind of conversion (4 clips, 2 hours each) or that it might crash while it’s converting.
I have considered purchasing software that can edit MPEG2 easily and be able to convert it to MOV (which is what the client wants at the end of my edit.) Edius seems like the right program but it only works on a PC. Do any of you know how I should handle this footage or any affordable software that would work on a MAC?
Many thanks for your guidance!
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6 Replies
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Can you describe exactly what type of MPEG-2 is being recorded? Use MPEG Streamclip to get info on one of the files or an application such as VideoSpec. Is this video only, or a multiplexed stream?
I’d probably test the workflow using MPEG Streamclip before trying anything else. Or Compressor, if it can read the format that has been recorded.
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I had them send me a 5 second sample of the type of file to expect. Here are the properties:
Bit Rate: 6.14 Mbps
Video Tracks:
224 MPEG-2, 720 × 576, 4:3, 25 fps, 5.67 Mbps, upper field firstAudio Tracks:
192 MP2 stereo, 44.1 kHz, 192 kbpsCodecs: MPEG2 Muxed
(Thanks for your help on this.)
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Hi Zena,
You shouldn’t have much problem to cut that in FC, but you would have no Audio.
FC can not read the MP2.
I would use MPGStreamclip to convert it in Prores, keeping the rest of the setting (size, pixels, field order).
Just the audio 48Khz.
rafael -
MPEG Streamclip is your friend here. Should not be a problem converting this. I agree, either pro rez or DVCPro50, and upconvert the audio sample rate from 44k to 48k PCM and you’re good to go.
Rich Rubasch
Tilt Media Inc.
Video Production and Post
Owner/President/Editor/Designer/Animator
https://www.tiltmedia.com -
So no one thinks it’ll be a problem to convert 2 hours (4 clips) on MPEG Streamclip? I’ve only done very short files and that works just fine, but I’ve never tried such a long file before. I think the audio should be handled separately because I’m pretty sure that it’ll go out of sync as the clip is being converted if I do them together on MPEG Streamclip. If you have experience with these long files being converted let me know.
Thanks everyone for all of your suggestions! I will take your tips!
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I would stick with ProRes. In PAL, DV codecs are lower field and a pain. FW800 drives have no problem with ProRes and will outperform DVCPro50
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