Footage H264 and ProRes 422

[Tom Wolsky]

You should ask this question here

https://forums.creativecow.net/applefinalcutpro

All the best,

Tom

Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP7,” “Basic Training for FCS” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Coming in 2011 “Complete Training for FCPX” from Class on Demand
“Final Cut Pro X for iMovie and Final Cut Express Users” from Focal Press

[Steve Knattress]

I found that I could import and play H624 directly in fcp7 but it was very slow and “sticky” on an early 2008 mbp. ( but at least did not crash the machine like FCPX! see separate thread)
The files can also be edited directly in AVID using AMA and with QT Pro7

I found also that if you try to transcode many file into PRORES (I used LT for the H624 files taking the audio to 48Khz as well.) files compressor crashed ( could be due to having to generate many thumbnail files?)
I used stream clip which worked without fault. ( although transcodes are very long on slower machines, which get very hot.)

The files size also increased drastically on conversion so you need a lot more disk storage.

I was transcoding all of my rushes, doing a rough comp edit then consolidating just the media used in media manager. ( you have to give the files a “tape” number or they will not consolidate) and then delete the original PRORES files, just keeping the consolidated ones for subsequent edits

With V10.0.0 I was missing out the original transcode stage but V10.0.1 crashes whilst “validating the files for import” ( also when it sees older 10.0.0 events)

[Margaret Dill andrea]

Thanks so much Tom. Will do. Margaret

[Margaret Dill andrea]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for your response. Yes the H264 is very “sticky”, I would love to edit on AVID but this project has to be on FCP because I am delivering the FCP project files to be finished elsewhere.

Last night I used Compressor to convert the files to Apple Pro Res and it worked great as far as I can tell…I have lots of files to go through. And yes to file size–tripled the file size.

Thanks again. Margaret

[Jim Giberti]

Hi Margaret,
I’d have to know a little more before I say this absolutely but I think you can get where you want a lot easier without involving Compressor and that whole process.

How much footage are you looking at?
Are they selects or just raw footage?

Just a quick example.
In X , you can select a clip in the event browser, right click it and transcode it right there.
Once you drop that into the timeline it will establish ProRes as your project setup.
Then you could select the footage as you want to use it, right click and add to the edit.
You could then remove all the unused footage after your cut if you want to streamline your Event.

Just as one “for instance”.

[Margaret Dill andrea]

Hey Jim,

This is really great to know. I found a tutorial that walked me through Compressor–so I went ahead with that early this morning.

But I did a test clip to see if I understood what you were explaining and it worked perfectly. Lots of options in Media Manager. I will have to do this technique next time–it seems a lot easier.

Thanks for your time. I really appreciate it. Margaret

[Steve Knattress]

[Jim Giberti] ”
In X , you can select a clip in the event browser, right click it and transcode it right there.
Once you drop that into the timeline it will establish ProRes as your project setup.
Then you could select the footage as you want to use it, right click and add to the edit.
You could then remove all the unused footage after your cut if you want to streamline your Event.
“

Yes you could do that in fcp if it will import the files in the first place without crashing! ( see other thread)
However Margaret wanted to send the project to someone else, does that yet work with fcX, can you share projects? And you need to think about delivery, I could not use X for the client broadcast shows I do.

Also removing the unused footage (consolidating) in X only removes and keeps whole clips, not just the media used (plus handles) not too bad if you have small clips but could be a problem for long clips from which only a short section is used.

Margaret: yes you can use AVID ama edit from the H624 file then consolidate to an AVID HD editing codec. This is what I do a lot when in a hurry, but it IS better to copy the whole card to disc and work from there.
However the advantage of FCX as I see it is the data base functions, I have a lot of logged rushes footage ( that won’t “read” in 10.0.1 but that another thread)
In theory if I need such and such shots from my events I can get a selection very quickly.

Steve

[Jim Giberti]

[steve knattress] ”
Yes you could do that in fcp if it will import the files in the first place without crashing! ( see other thread)”

I have no problem importing footage this way Steve.
And I haven’t had a single crash since using X, yet. What thread are you referring to?

This obviously isn’t “what’s the best way to handle media” thread. Margaret had a unique situation with an existing project not started in X and I gave her “one approach” that you she could also do directly in the Event Browser, for now or in the future – more options are good.

[Steve Knattress]

There are certain .mov files ( H624 in my case) which crash FCP 10.0.1 on import ( or even seeing old events that contain these files which DID import into FCP 10.0.0)
I have started a thread on H624 import into FCP

You must be one of the lucky ones, many people are reporting crashes with FC10.0.1

I have done exactly what Margaret was doing with FCP7
I was just commenting that it would not work as well with FCPX

Steve

[Jim Giberti]

[steve knattress] “I have done exactly what Margaret was doing with FCP7
I was just commenting that it would not work as well with FCPX”

Yeah me too Steve, I’m importing the footage from a 3 part TV campaign started in7 into X as I type, all h.264 footage. I’ll certainly post if I have any problems.

Regarding luck, It’s also as/more likely that you’ve got some corrupted files than I’m just lucky. I haven’t had a single glitch and I’ve been pushing my system sometimes 16 hour days. What are you running?

Did you see Timothy’s post where he used FCPXML to identify the corrupt files?
Just a thought.

Jim