About FCP editing HDV in native format?

[Mrvideo]

In a way, FCP 5 does edit HDV natively. This is what they are talking about. Ever other edit progam can only edit the IFrame of MPEG-2, so frame accurate editing is really impossible.

Apple has designed the Advanced Intermediate Codec that allows them to turn any frame you choose by placing it under the Playhead, to be regenerated back to an IFrame for that edit. It does not change the I-P frame structure as captured and the process is very CPU intensive.

Pretty slick implementation!

[Kevin Monahan]

[MrVideo] “In a way, FCP 5 does edit HDV natively. This is what they are talking about. Ever other edit progam can only edit the IFrame of MPEG-2, so frame accurate editing is really impossible.

Apple has designed the Advanced Intermediate Codec that allows them to turn any frame you choose by placing it under the Playhead, to be regenerated back to an IFrame for that edit. It does not change the I-P frame structure as captured and the process is very CPU intensive.”

Incorrect. The Apple Intermediate Codec is only for FCE and iMovie. It is not normally used in FCP workflow and yes, it is native HDV, not the Apple Intermediate Codec, just to be clear. You CAN use the Apple Intermediate Codec, but in FCP you should not use it. Just use the Easy Setup for HDV 1080i HDV and all will be well to edit HDV in its native state.

Kevin Monahan
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Pres. SF Cutters

[David Roth weiss]

Yep, Kevin is right. The AIC is a separate codec altogther, and its a rather lossy codec too that chucks away some color information and there losing definition.

DRW

[Mrvideo]

Kevin,

I believe I said “Advanced Intermediate Codec” not Apple Intermediate Codec in my text. Howevert if I am inaccurate, then thanks for correcting it. What then is the Apple HDV codec in FCP 5?

[David Roth weiss]

Apple native HDV files use native HDV MPEG codec in a QT wrapper. While it does not actually convert the recorded digital information of native HDV into a different codec, the QT wrapper is an Apple proprietary file type which will not play on PCs.

[Philippe Orlando]

OK, it won’t play on a PC but who cares? You can send back the edited footate to tape or to a DVD. Who want to play on a PC.

So basically it seems that FCP is capable of HDV native editing. I honestly thought it was impossible because I had read that the GOP pattern can’t be edited, but I guess i was wrong.

Thanks for your answers.
P.

[Philippe Orlando]

Kevin,
I’ve noticed on your profile that you’re using both FCP and Xpress Pro.
Which one would you advise to use to somebody who is interested in docs and narrative fiction?
Thanks
Phil