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exporting uncompressed 10 bit QT – quality loss
I am having problems exporting an uncompressed 10 bit 4:2:2 quicktime file from FCP that looks the same quality and has the same depth of colours as the quicktime rushes that i imported into the FCP timeline.
I am working with footage shot on Red, and have transcoded the r3d files using red rushes into both full-res uncompressed 10bit files, and full-res ProRes 422 files in a series of tests to work out the best workflow for my needs. The resultant files look great when viewed in quicktime player, with an obvious slight colour difference between the uncompressed QT’s and the ProRes QT’s, but both are of a high quality and have a more than adequate depth of colour.
My problem is that when i import the files into FCP, arrange a few test clips in the timeline, then export, i cant get a file that matches the same quality of the QT’s that i started off with.
I have tried exporting as uncompressed 10bit, and ProRes 244 (HQ), but when the exported file is opened up in Quicktime Player, the colour depth is notably naff – when i zoom in I can see pixelly patches of flattened colour moving around, rather than the depth of colour present in my original files. I have tried both uncompressed and prores sequence settings as well, although i am not sure this would effect the export.
Granted, unless I scrutinise the colours, the exported files look fine, but my reason for wanting to export an uncompressed quicktime of the highest possible quality and colour infomation is that this is the output that the guy who has agreed to grade it for me wants.
In order to avoid people telling me that i should just grade the R3D files in Colour and suggesting all other manners of outputting for a grade, I should say that the grade is happening as a big favour to me by a TK assistant at an online post house – he wants to grade on HD tape and so wants me to give him the highest possible quality uncompressed files from my FCP timeline in order for him to put them on tape. I also am operating FCP 6.0.0 with no way of upgrading to 6.0.5 so cannot really give him an edit of anything other than my files transcoded from R3d to QT.
But this is beside the point – I am more than happy with the QT’s that red rushes spits out – why when i string them together in FCP and then export them uncompressed do they look worse? (when viewed in quicktime player). I am in the UK btw so everything is PAL and 25fps.
my export settings are as follows:
1920 x 1080
square pixel aspect ratio
no field dominance
25 fps editing timebase
compressoe: uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2 / Apple ProRess 422 (HQ)
video processing = Render 100bit material in high-precision YUVDoes anyone have any recommendations why i am exporting sub-standard files? surely uncompressed is the best way to go – so why has the colours been compressed? Is it just Quicktime Player that is distorting the files – but it plays the original QTs fine?
I hope someone has some cruicial knoweledge to depart with here!
Many thanks for reading,
Dan -
7 Replies
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Export>Quicktime Movie using current settings creates a file identical to your timeline. How are you exporting? You told us everything except what you were using to do the export, which leads me to believe you’re using QT Conversion.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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Thanks for your prompt reply David,
alas no, i am using Export>Quicktime Movie – this is what has me confused, i shouldn’t be compressing anything.
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That is very strange. Definitely not normal FCP behavior.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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Could it be something to do with the quicktime player? maybe the files are of better quality than i am actually viewing? When you say uncompressed is an exact copy of my FCP timeline, does the FCP timeline display the full quality files if all the RT settings are on high?
Does anyone else have any suggestions at all?
Many thanks,
Dan -
RED is NOT a camera that wants you to work with older software or hardware- to maintain quality and to get the most out of your RED footage you have to stay with the most current software on the camera, in their apps, and on your editing system.
[Dan Gibling] ” I also am operating FCP 6.0.0 with no way of upgrading to 6.0.5 so cannot really give him an edit of anything other than my files transcoded from R3d to QT. “
Thats your ProRes Problem right there, Apple has fixed a huge number of issues with PR since its release over 2 years ago and you have done this to yourself by not working with the most current versions of FCP/ QT / RED.
gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflow for the Digitally Inclined
Chicago, IL -
Thanks for the info Gary – does this mean then that if i can get my project onto a computer that is running the most up to date version of final cut, that i should be able to export a full quality uncompressed / Prore quicktimes?
Will it be ok to import the files and lay them all out on my out-of-date FCP (unfortunatly i have to work within the restraints of what i have here at home – if i could afford to run the most up to date software i would be!), then save it to an external hard drive (along with all the QT files) and reopen the project on an up-to-date system just to do the export?
Many thanks,
Dan -
[Dan Gibling] “does this mean then that if i can get my project onto a computer that is running the most up to date version of final cut, that i should be able to export a full quality uncompressed / Prore quicktimes? “
Yes- remember that outputting ProRes files depend on the power of your computer.
your version of FCP was released prior to RED being delivered, so it does not have proper support.[Dan Gibling] “ill it be ok to import the files and lay them all out on my out-of-date FCP “
Again – it should be, uncompressed 2K files have been edited on the mac since the Kona 2 card came out-Working with ProRes will be a different matter on an older computer / software versions.
gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflow for the Digitally Inclined
Chicago, IL
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