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FCP & Compressor Issue
Ok, I have 3 FCP systems all networked together with an AVID machine. I export several hour-long quicktime reference movies of my sequences daily. I then access the MOV file through the network and bring it onto a FCP sequence. From there I add a slate and then “Send To” Compressor. I have preset settings that I use to make DVD files (m2v and ac3). While the files are compressing, I copy the source files into separate folders for organization and sending. Only on one system do the settings actually work properly:
– On FCP01, instead of the video being letterboxed, it comes out anamorphic, despite my padding being 60 at the top and bottom.
– On FCP03, the sound is present but for half the duration I get black.
– On FCP02, everything works perfectly.I suspect that copying the files during compression (not moving) might have something to do with getting black video, but it doesn’t affect the video when I compress of FCP02.
Some notes:
– All 3 FCP systems are running FCP 7 on Snow Leopard.
– All 3 FCP systems have similar CPUs and RAM totals.
– All 3 FCP systems have the latest Avid QT codec (2.4.3 I think).Please PLEASE help me figure out why FCP01 and FCP03 aren’t working as they’re supposed to. I need all 3 systems to function in order to get these done on time.
P.S.: Please do not suggest to create the slate in AVID. It is not feasible given out setup. Also, please do not suggest to export self-contained movies. I only have a 6 TB raid block and these are hour-long sequences and I export 3-5 per night. I would run out of space real fast and it would take a LOT longer.
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6 Replies
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[Alex Mermelstein] “P.S.: …please do not suggest to export self-contained movies. I only have a 6 TB raid block and these are hour-long sequences and I export 3-5 per night. I would run out of space real fast and it would take a LOT longer.”
Well, you may not want to hear it Alex, but the solution is self contained files, at least it is if you want your workflow to work as it’s supposed to work.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.comDon’t miss my new tutorial: Prepare for a seamless transition to FCP X and OS X Lion
https://library.creativecow.net/weiss_roth_david/FCP-10-MAC-Lion/1POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.
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I was afraid of that. Ok, I think I can get away with exporting self-contained files and then deleting them after I make my DVD files, since I can always make the sequence movies again later if I wanted by re-exporting.
However, it still doesn’t address FCP01’s glitch of not framing the video correctly despite the settings for padding being identical to the other two machines. Thoughts?
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[Alex Mermelstein] “However, it still doesn’t address FCP01’s glitch of not framing the video correctly despite the settings for padding being identical to the other two machines. Thoughts?”
Try trashing the Compressor prefs – I can’t remember where it’s located, but if you use Preference Manager from Digital Rebellion (it’s free) you can trash the prefs for any or all apps in the FCS suite.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.comDon’t miss my new tutorial: Prepare for a seamless transition to FCP X and OS X Lion
https://library.creativecow.net/weiss_roth_david/FCP-10-MAC-Lion/1POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.
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Last time I tried that I trashed all my presets. I’ll try Preference Manager, but the IT Dept is very strict as to what I can install.
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[Alex Mermelstein] “Last time I tried that I trashed all my presets.”
Well, you learned your lesson then, right? Don’t push those delete buttons without knowing precisely what effect they may have.
[Alex Mermelstein] ” I’ll try Preference Manager, but the IT Dept is very strict as to what I can install.”
There is a way to trash prefs on all apps in the suite without installing anything, but I can’t remember exactly which files because I’ve been letting Preference Manager do it for me for a long, long time.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.comDon’t miss my new tutorial: Prepare for a seamless transition to FCP X and OS X Lion
https://library.creativecow.net/weiss_roth_david/FCP-10-MAC-Lion/1POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
Creative COW contributing editor and a forum host of the Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums.
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All three systems running the exact same version of Compressor? I keep a G5 around for some misc work, but mostly because of one reason – Compressor works EVERY time. I find that if the footage has anytype of glitch, it will cause final cut to hang. If I try to transcode the footage on the MacPro, it will crash. The G5, with an older version of Compressor, marches on. Not to say that your footage is messed up, but rather that different versions of Compressor seem to handle footage differently.
Tech-T Productions
http://www.technical-t.com
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