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Exporting from FCP to archive to DVDR – Advice Needed
I’ve heard lots of mixed reviews about this topic but I have a few projects that I’m hoping to backup to DVD-R (in data format not video format) and was hoping you could give me some advice as to the best format/codec to use.
I’m assuming my best bet (I’m currently using FCP5) is to simply export the file(s) from FCP using “QuickTime Movie”, and “current settings” with the “make movie self-contained” box checked. This results in a FCP movie file that’s about 4.2GB per 20 minutes of video and it uses the “DV/DVCPRO – NTSC, Integer (Big Endian), Timecode” codecs when I get info on the resulting file.
What I’m hoping is that this is my safest bet for high quality (closest to original) archiving to DVD-R and maximum compatibility with Final Cut Pro 5+ and future editions of the software. I don’t consider this a long-term solution (maybe 5 years) but I hope it will keep this footage tied over until BluRay or whatever the next generation of media comes along that will allow for more storage of uncompressed files. I figure QuickTime and Final Cut probably aren’t going anywhere in the next 5-10 years so using that format is safe. I don’t have external hard drives to use for this storage but I figure some DVD-Rs stored properly in cases will last me (I can always burn 2 of each just to be safe since they’re so cheap).
I appreciate your feedback and input.
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5 Replies
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Why not just save to a firewire hard drive? They are so inexpensive these days, why bother burning all those DVD’s.
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We archived to DVDs using Toast 8 here until we got a file server and it actually worked quite well. Our features here are about 3-4 minutes each some longer some fewer. we drag all the media over and the FCP pointer, most fit on 1 disc. if it goes over, toast 8 uses disc spanning which works nicely. I highly recommend using it if you don’t have any hard drive option. we’ve had to reconnect some projects, and everything reconnected fine.
hmm… I wonder what this button does…
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Thanks for the input. I guess the big question I’m wondering is if how I am exporting from FCP is the best and most lossless way to do it. Anyone know for sure? My original source is a VHS sent through a analog-DV converter so I can capture on my Mac. Thanks!
-Limelite
AMD Athalon XP 2800 , 1GB Mem
Vegas 4, Particle Illusion 3, Sonar,
and Final Cut Pro 4 and DVD Studio Pro 2 (on separate Power Mac G4). -
Just export a Quicktime movie (not Quicktime Conversion). This will be the same format as your edit.
I used to back some things up to DVD, but spanning things across multiple disks can be a hassle. Backing up and restoring from DVD can be time consuming.
You can get a 500GB Firewire hardrive for less than $200 these days. It really is so much faster and easier to back up to a drive, its hard to justify the hassle of DVD’s when you really aren’t saving all that much money.
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Limelite –
IMHO your archiving assumptions are correct …
1) export the file(s) from FCP using “QuickTime Movie”, and “current settings” with the “make movie self-contained” box checked
2) Burn to a DVD (data form) or store on external hard drive.
That is my current archive workflow too, but in addition to this I also archive a copy to DV Tape (which is the same format as source material).
I also export another version from FCP, using “QT Conversion”, a “DV Stream” settings.
Call me paranoid, but my hope is that these 3 versions will cover my *** for the future.
But if not, I’ll always be able to go back to my archive of the original FCP Project file and recreate the project … don’t forget to do FCP Project Archives too!!
I’m interested to hear other’s opinions on “best archiving formats” in our every changing world.
Cheers!
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