Flip Video AVI files with FCP 6

[Craig Seeman]

Can you play the source files in Quicktime?
If so you might be able to convert them to DV .mov in QuicktimePro.
You might also attempt that in the free MPEGStreamclip.

Attempt the above and post back and I can give you next steps if needed.

[John Everitt]

Yes, I can play them in quicktime. And I can export them from QT or just export from FCP to a .mov file. Just seems like there’s gotta be a better way than what I’m doing right now. So laborious.

[Craig Seeman]

If you can play them in Quicktime (and FCP?) I’m not sure what’s at issue. You edit and then export to whatever you need it to be for whatever use you intend. If the codec isn’t natively supported in FCP then either you’ll have to render in FCP or convert to something natively supported first. I’m not sure what “better way” you’re looking for. Please explain.

[John Everitt]

So I guess we’re getting to what I need – which is entirely due to my lack of experience with editing video.

When you’re exporting the avi file for use in FCP for editing, what specs would you put your sequence at?

My AVI files are 640×480 (Flip videos output these files)
what kind of compression? I am using h.264 but I really have no good reason why i should.
Also, I’m choosing 4×3 and “Square” pixels.
My frame rate is 29.97.

Is this right?

Ultimately, I’d like to output this so I can use the digital file in a DVD or lay it on to tape.

Thanks.

[Eric Holzapfel]

Hello John,

I was/am faced with a similar issue. I have found that I can place an avi file on my FCP timeline ( I created a DV (standard def) sequence for this, and the frame rate is the std. 29.97. In my case the avi plays in FCP, but I could not add transitions, etc. I will
convert the avi outside of FCP (using the MPEG StreamClip mentioned in the earlier post) into a mov file. I will import this mov file into FCP, and I expect to be able to edit normally (transistions, etc).

There are may flavors of video editing software out there:
from very basic Microsoft Movie Maker (windows only), iMovie HD (Mac only) good for beginning editing. The Sony Vegas, Avid, and Final Cut Pro fall into the more serious category. Sony Vegas is one of the “affordable” choices, and runs on Windows. You can investigate these on the web. There are 10,000 or more tutorials on using these products.

Good Luck
eric