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Converting AVCHD from Canon HSF10 for use in FCP5.1.4
Hi There….
I am trying to convert footage captured in AVCHD format for use in FCP 5.1.4. I am using Toast 9 to do the conversion. The trouble i am having is that i can convert the footage OK in Toast and i can bring it into FCP OK without having to render IF i use the HDV option in Toast – but this sets the video frame size to 1440×1080 not 1920×1080 that it has been shot in…. If i try to use any other settings in Toast to create a 1920×1080 conversion i cant get the settings to match in FCP so that i dont have to render the clips…. I have tried many different settings (AIC, DVCPRO HD etc) and i just cant make the settings in FCP match so that i dont have to render…. I am sure it is something STUPID that i am overlooking but am a bit frustrated…. I have gone through the easy setup that Walter advises so i know the sequence settings and the easy setup match but there is just some difference in the clip settings that i am not getting right…. Is there a foolproof (for dummies like myself) answer to this??? Or should i just convert to the HDV setting that i have got working – i would like to try and get my sequence to 1920×1080 to match the source material if possible…
I appreciate your help…
Julius
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5 Replies
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You should be able to create a 1920×1080 Apple Intermediate Codec preset at the correct frame rate that will match your media. Without knowing the frame rate you’re shooting no one can say. What you really need to do is upgrade your software.
All the best,
Tom
Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP6,” “Basic Training for FCS2” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 4 Editing Workshop” -
Do you have iMovie 09? I’m using it with Final Cut Pro 5.1.4. The workflow is roughly like this:
- Use Finder to copy the entire SDHC card content to a folder, “Foo”, on disk.
- Use iMovie 09 to Import Camera Archive, importing from folder “Foo”. (I usually use manual import and bring in only the clips I want.)
- Create an iMovie project. Copy the imported clips into it.
- Share -> Final Cut XML…
- Open the resulting XML file with Final Cut Pro.
In the “Sequence Preset” tab of the Final Cut Pro -> Audio/Video Settings dialog I’ve defined a preset for use with these imported projects. It has these General settings:
Frame Size: 1920 x 1080 – HDTV 1080i (16:9)
Field Dominance: Upper (Odd)
Editing Timebase: 29.97
Timecode Rate: Same As Editing TimebaseQuickTime Video Settings:
Compressor: Apple Intermediate Codec
Quality: 100%Audio Settings:
Rate: 48 kHz
Depth: 16-bit
Config: DefaultHoping this helps.
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Thankyou both Tom and Mitch for your suggestions…. It turned out that i had some export settings incorrect in toast. I have sorted that out now thanks….
On a similar note if i may without creating another post.
Is there any downside to converting the AVCHD files to say HDV or DVCPRO HD??? When i convert to AIC i loose RT effects in FCP but if i convert to say DVCPRO HD i can retain quite a few RT effects, which is nice….. These formats are 1440×1080 whereas with AIC i can maintain the 1920×1080 of the original file… Is this a problem/issue i should worry about???
Note this is not for any sort of broadcast application but i would like to still maintain the “best” possible quality from source to finished product…
Many Thanks for your assistance…
Julius
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AIC should give you the best quality of these three options, since it has the highest pixel count and (if I understand correctly) lossless compression. Whether or not you’d notice any loss of detail in going from 1920x1080i to 1440x1080i, is up to your eyes 🙂
I’ve read that HDV quality degrades as you apply more effects, but don’t know why this should be.
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I think VoltaicHD from ShedWorx has been mentioned as suitable s/ware for this purpose. Hope it helps. Rgs RockyOne Australia
Life is only froth and bubble, two things stand like stone.
Kindness in another’s trouble, Courage in your own.
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