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Canon Play Zx3 Video Camera
I want to use Zx3 Video camera footage in FCP. It records in quicktimes at these specs
h.264
1920 x 1080
AAC two channels 48000 Hz
29.97
Data Rate Mbit/sIt imports and works but I know that h.264 is not a proper codec for editing in FCP.
I want to use compressor to change it to a proper codec, but when I convert it to DVC Pro, it make the files 10 times bigger and I don’t have the hard drive space to handle that. Is there a better conversion that will still give me great quality and edit ability without having to make such big files?
I see online there is a converter you can buy for $35 but I just want to use my Compressor, which is the latest version.
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4 Replies
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H.264 looks good, but performs horrible in post. That’s the pain in post right now – acquisition codecs (small files, look great, hard to work with)vs editable codecs (bigger files, easy to work with, still look good)
A decent codec to use in post will be bigger – no way around it without losing quality.
You can try converting to ProRes Proxy, it is a bit smaller the DVCProHD, and is not a Long GOP codec which makes it easier in post. Quality loss will be minimal.
This may take a while to transcode from one format to another – do not be alarmed.
~Michael
.: michael kammes mpse
.: senior applications editor . post workflow consultant
.: audio specialist . act fcp . acsr
.: michaelkammes.comHear me pontificate: Speaking Schedule .
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Thanks for the thorough answer. I guess I’ll have to pony up and just get a bigger hard drive to work with.
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You can get a 2 TB hard drive for less than $100. That’s very affordable for most people.
Lucky you weren’t around when a 4 GB hard drive went for $3000.
Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Vice President
Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group -
[Steve Eisen] “Lucky you weren’t around when a 4 GB hard drive went for $3000.”
You must be a young pup. My first 2 gig SCSI drive cost twice that.
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