FCP Coded for Avid

[Michael Hancock]

There’s no plugin, because you don’t need one. What you need to do is export a quicktime in a codec that is available on the Avid system.

For example, ProRes, Apple’s version of Avid’s DNxHD codec, is only installed when FCP is installed. It’s not a codec open to anyone who wants to download it, so if you get a ProRes quicktime you’ll be out of luck importing it into your Avid.

Request an Animation or Uncompressed quicktime, or better yet have them install the Avid codecs on their machine and export to an Avid codec that matches the footage. For example, if they have DVCProHD footage have them export to the Avid DV100 codec or one of the DNxHD codecs. If it’s standard def, export to a Meridian Uncompressed. This will give you a nice looking file and the import will be faster.

Does this help?

Michael.

[Gabe Cotto]

Mihael,

Yes and no. What I’m looking to do is to take several source files from FCP and bring them into Avid. I was hoping to do this without exporting from FCP. The files were originally captured from a P2 card, which is no where to be found. I should have been more specific. But your answer did give me general guidelines to follow when exporting from FCP for Avid. Thank you very much for you time.

“Auto save is life.”

[Michael Hancock]

Gotcha. Would this work?

https://www.automaticduck.com/products/pefcp/

You can take FCP sequences into Avid with it. I’ve never used it so I can’t personally say how well it works, but I know that Automatic Duck is highly praised on the Cow (and other sites) and is often used to take Avid sequences to FCP (typically Avid offline, FCP online).

If you have the original MXF files from your P2 card you can drop them into your Avid MediaFiles folder, open the Media Tool, and drag the masterclips to a bin. Of course, if you have edits done with FCP you’ll have to redo them, but perhaps an EDL will translate that and relink to the MXF media in Avid?

Good luck. Please let us know if you find a good solution/workflow.

Michael

[Gabe Cotto]

Thank you Michael. Automatic duck looks like it would be a great plug-in to have. However, I am using FCP 6.0.3. And according the Automatic Duck website, the plug-in doesn’t work with version 6.

I’ll send out another post to see if this is correct. If we purchase AD I’ll be sure to let you know.

Again thank you for your time.
Gabe

“Auto save is life.”

[James Fletcher]

What you probably need to do is just make sure that the Avid system has the same quicktime codec that your FCP system has. I’m assuming that your quicktime file uses the DVCPRO HD codec. If you have a modern, HD capable Avid, then you should have no problem importing HD quicktimes from FCP.

That being said, people who shoot with P2 cards should always save the original MXF files that are created on the card. It gives you a lot more options for your footage.

[Dylan Reeve]

You’re still going to be stuck I believe. The FCP DVCPro HD Codec/Wrapper is not compatible with Avid’s, and also is only available with the FCP Pro Apps.

You will have to export from FCP as some other codec (Animation or Uncompressed is most likely to work, Avid codecs are quick and don’t require another level of transcoding to work in Avid).

Or, you can use something like Compressor on the FCP machine, as it will be able to read the FCP format (assuming FCP is installed) and write to whatever format you need.

I haven’t actually used FCP with P2 however, so if the original P2 MXF files have just been copied (rather than re-encapsulated in a QT file) then you can probably just chuck them in a directory in the ‘Avid MediaFiles’ directory (create a new ‘number’ directory in the MediaFiles directory, and put them in there). They should show up in the Media Tool then, with no Project associated, you can then drag them into a bin and Consolidate them into your project (not totally necessary, but it sets the Project association).

[Connie Simmons]

I just downloaded some Avid codecs that will allow me to export a FCP HD project into a QT file that Avid can read. I am actually tring it now. Avid’s website has these for download.

Best, Connie

[Gabe Cotto]

Did the codec work? If it did can you post the url please.

Thank You.

“Auto save is life.”

[Wes Plate]

However, I am using FCP 6.0.3. And according the Automatic Duck website, the plug-in doesn’t work with version 6.

I’m sorry I’m late to this party, and I’m sorry you were confused by information on our site. Pro Export FCP definitely works with Final Cut Pro 6.0.

— Wes Plate
Automatic Duck