Exporting HD Problems…

[Shane Ross]

[Angela Zumbrum] “To begin with I was only given .MTS files. So, through creative cow help, I learned to convert these to Apple ProRes 422 using Clip Wrap. Got that complete.”

Or you can use Log and Transfer…the FCP standard for importing tapeless media: Tapeless Workflow for FCP 7 Tutorial

[Angela Zumbrum] “Next, I edited the footage. It’s a wedding, so every shot is in slow motion. Which, I slowed, by adjusting the speed, as I always did with dv. Is that correct? The footage seems really jumpy!”

What frame rate did you shoot? 29.97? 23.98? If 23.98, that is less frames than DV, which is 29.97, so the slow motion will be jumpier. If you want smooth slow motion, you need to shoot higher frame rates, like 60fps for example (you would have to shoot 720p at that point). Then using Cinema Tools to conform that to 23.98 or 29.97 to match the normal speed stuff.

[Angela Zumbrum] “Here is my issue now, I am ready to export. I have no idea what to do.”

Export for what? DVD? Web? Tape? what purpose?

[Angela Zumbrum] “1. The video is a very small box in the middle of the screen/monitor and even tv. Why isn’t it filling the screen??”

How did you export? using what? Does the video look this way in FCP? Does it fill the screen? Did you use sequence settings that don’t match the clip settings? In the Canvas, choose FIT TO WINDOW…does the footage fill the screen? If so, then something in the converting process is what caused the issue. And since we weren’t there to see what you did, you will need to enlighten us.

[Angela Zumbrum] “2. The slow motion shots really seem to drag and jump.”

See explaination above. What frame rate did it start out as? Slowing down how much? Turning off Frame Blending helps a bit.

[Angela Zumbrum] “I am not worried about smooth playback on the computer. Just in my burning process. Using DVD Studio Pro.”

OK…making a DVD. Did you use the DVD Best Quality presets in Compressor? How did you get the file from FCP to Compressor?

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[David Roth weiss]

[Angela Zumbrum] “My sequence setting are set to :

1920×1080 HDTV 1080i (16:9)

Pixel Aspect Ratio HD (1440×1080) I know this can’t be right

Compressor : Apple Prores 422

Field Dominance : Lower (even)”

You have a major issue… Field dominance of all HD video is upper (odd). So, that ‘s one thing you’ll need to fix straight away. However let’s try to fix everything at once.

So…

First, open a new sequence.

Next, drop a single clip of your ProRes 422 footage onto the timeline, and when FCP asks if you want it to make your sequence settings match the clip, answer okay/yes.

Now, copy and paste everything from your previous sequence into the new sequence. It will most likely be distorted and not the proper size. But, until you tell me if you’ve resized and animated clips in your project I can’t help you further. So, get back to me with that info.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.

[David Roth weiss]

It’s all yours Shane…

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.

[Angela Zumbrum]

THank you so much. I know this is basic stuff for you. I appreciate your help.

after taking the steps that you mentioned: Here are my new sequence settings:

Frame Size: 1920×1080 HDTV 1080i (16:9)
Pixel Aspect Ratio: square
Editing timebase: 23.98

Field Dominance : None…. with no option to change this.

Compressor: Apple ProRes 422

What now?

[Angela Zumbrum]

I exported the sequences as quicktime movies with current settings. Then dragged the files into compressor.

[Shane Ross]

Exporting for DVD? File>Export>Quicktime Movie. Check the SELF CONTAINED box. The result will be a full resolution file of your project. Take that into Compressor, use the DVD BEST QUALITY preset that best fits your timing. Take the result into DVD Studio Pro.

But yea, 23.98…that’s 6 frames less per second than DV…that is 29.97. So slow motion will not be as smooth. For smooth slow motion, you need to shoot 720p60…60fps…and slow that to 23.98. That will get VERY smooth slow motion. But, for now, you have to live with what you have.

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Angela Zumbrum]

Thank you so much. I am going to try this now and see if that fixes the size of the video too.

As far as shooting, I have NOTHING to do with that part. I will recommend that they shoot at 60fps. Do you think that will be an option on the camera??

[Shane Ross]

[Angela Zumbrum] “As far as shooting, I have NOTHING to do with that part. I will recommend that they shoot at 60fps. “

That’s all you can do. Tell the if they want smooth slow motion, they need to use a higher frame rate. THen you use these steps to get it to nice smooth slow motion…  

https://library.creativecow.net/ross_shane/slow-motion_cinema-tools/1

[Angela Zumbrum] ” I will recommend that they shoot at 60fps. Do you think that will be an option on the camera??”

Yes, that camera has that option. 720p60…not 1080p 60…just FYI

Shane

GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[Angela Zumbrum]

Thanks!

New problem: I exported my sequence as you said. Then, before I brought it into compressor, I just wanted to check it for size.

So, I put in idvd, just to peek at it in the preview section. The video is still a tiny box in the middle of the screen. Not sure what the problem is. When I view the video in FCP, it does not fill the screen (within the title safe lines) It is bigger than I view in dvd program, but still not filling my canvas.

Again, my sequence settings are set to match the clip. I let FCP do that for me.

Thank You

[Rafael Amador]

[Angela Zumbrum] “When I view the video in FCP, it does not fill the screen (within the title safe lines) It is bigger than I view in dvd program, but still not filling my canvas.”
Hi Angela,
You have fixed the Sequence setting, but if you have changed the Time-base, you can’t use the stuff from the old sequence.
No problem to fix size, pixels aspect or field-order, but nothing to do with the time-base.

[Angela Zumbrum] “Again, my sequence settings are set to match the clip. I let FCP do that for me.”
Yes, and the fresh stuff you lie on the sequence will do it. This won’t change the stuff you pasted from the old sequence.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com