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aifs vs mp3’s…Why does FCP have such an issue with mp3’s
Hello. I am working with a client that is supplying me with a bunch of mp3 audio files. When I import them into FCP 4.5 there is occasional drop out, parts of words are cut out and the audio is not that strong. So I have to convert them in quicktime to aif files. Why does FCP have such an isue with an mp3 file? Is it that the mp3 file isn’t accepted by quicktime which is what fcp mainly uses?
Curious minds want to know:)
Thanks
Lee
G5 Mac OS X
Dual 2.0 Ghz
FCP 4.5 HD
XServe Raid 1 TerabyteG4 Mac OS X
Dual 1.25 Ghz
FCP 4.5 HD
Lacie Drives 200 Gbs -
5 Replies
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FCP simply likes 48k aifs. That’s just the way it is.
Tim
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MP3’s are a lossy, highly compressed format. FCP doesn’t like highly compressed, and insists on AIFFs.
Avid doesn’t like them either (earlier versions at least…MC v11). It can’t even import them…doesn’t see them as a viable file type.
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I’m not sure it has to do with viability, ’cause MP3’s can be of high quality. Maybe because it’s simply the way the programs were written. Also, it may have to do with WHEN they were written. FCP’s base code is about 10 years old by now. Well before the time when MP3’s dominated the landscape. Avid code is even older. For both companies, it’s simply not been included in the upgrade plans. Be patient, though, maybe it’ll be included some day.
O&O-Gunner Productions
FCP-Avid-After Effects -
The problems in making MP3’s work are fairly analogous to the problems in getting native HDV to work (which has finally happened)…the MPEG compression scheme eliminates data (vastly reducing file size) but requires the host processor to fill in the blanks with interpolation. Obviously a fairly simple processor like an iPod’s can do it, but an iPod does not have to handle video effects and a gazillion other things in real time like FCP does. AIFF files and other uncompressed audio do not tax the processor much at all.
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