Getting the best transcode from GoPro to ProRes LT for use in FCPX?

[Michael Angelo]

BTW I’m tempted to use Cineform as it looks the best after transcoding but I’m worried how a “non ProRes Codec” will perform in FCPX with a feature docs worth of footage, having mutli cam and compound clips mixing cineform with pro res etc. I may have to given the way other transcode paths seem to step on the image. Thoughts? Experience with GoPro heavy shows?

hmmmmmm….

MA

“A life without cause is a life without effect.” -Dildano

[Michael Garber]

If your system is fast enough, you could choose to not transcode. Just edit with the native MP4s. I’ve been doing that lately and it’s been fine. I start a project next week that’s shot entirely with GoPro (approx 10 hrs) and I don’t plan on transcoding unless the timeline really bogs down.. We’ll have to start editing immediately.

FCPX will transcode to LT if you want to make proxies of the footage. But it will be at 960×720. You could do that and copy all those files elsewhere to become your new masters if the smaller raster size is ok for you.

Or, you could have FCP do the transcode to full ProRes and then use Compressor to transcode those into ProRes LT. I would assume Compressor would get the gamma right on a Prores to Prores conversion.

Have you tried Adobe Media Encoder or Episode? I know there can be a gamma shift with AME. There’s also the pro version of Cineform which might transcode to Prores.

Is space the only reason why you want to use LT? How much footage do you have? According to AJA Data Calc, there’s a 12GB difference between 1 hr of LT and 1 hour of ProRes 422.

Even if your system is fast enough to deal with M4Vs or mixed codecs, you might find the process of editing to go smoother if everything is in the same codec. This might become more apparent as your timeline gets complicated.

Michael Garber
5th Wall – a post production company
Blog: GARBERSHOP
My Moviola Webinar on Cutting News in FCP X

[Michael Angelo]

Sourcing directly from Cineform codec in FCPX not looking so good even per their website:

https://cineform.zendesk.com/entries/20328292-Final-Cut-Pro-X-Import-and-Playback-Settings

To get a quality transcode to ProRes LT however may need to look into the Cineform Studio Premium software, anyone using it?

https://cineform.com/products/gopro-cineform-studio-premium#meta

It does export ProRes:

https://cineform.zendesk.com/entries/515450-Conversion-and-pre-processing-of-QuickTime-Files-Mac-

Really curious what Pro Res out of Cineform Studio Premium app looks like. The stuff I converted to Cineform codec using their free app Cineform Studio looked exactly like originals out of GoPro Hero Black 3:

https://gopro.com/software-app/cineform-studio/

Interesting learning curve to be sure…

“A life without cause is a life without effect.” -Dildano

[Michael Garber]

You can download a free demo of the pro and premiere versions. of Cineform Studio

I’m new Cineform Studio, but it seems that you use the app to convert the MP4 into the Cineform codec. Then you apply LUTs within Cineform Studio. You can import those files into FCPX and change the LUTs within Cineform. Those changes seem to update immediately in FCPX.

Michael Garber
5th Wall – a post production company
Blog: GARBERSHOP
My Moviola Webinar on Cutting News in FCP X

[Michael Angelo]

Hey Michael Garber

I haven’t tried Adobe Media Encoder or Episode yet, will explore that. As far as working with original MP4s I am concerned about performance, mixed codec compound and multi cam clips, looks like cineform codec is no better:

https://cineform.zendesk.com/entries/20328292-Final-Cut-Pro-X-Import-and-Playback-Settings

Double transcoding seems too lossy and definitely want to keep the full 1920×1080, but like that you are thinking outside the box. I’ve got so much GoPro footage and more coming in that LT seems the best bet, it’s to my understanding that ProRes LT saves 30% on space which is awesome:

https://documentation.apple.com/en/finalcutpro/professionalformatsandworkflows/index.html#chapter=10%26section=2%26tasks=true

I’m going to try the trial version of Cineform Studio Premium this weekend and see what’s up cuz if it does a good LT transcode that would be perfect:

https://cineform.com/products/gopro-cineform-studio-premium#meta

I hope your GoPro Project goes well. GoPro is a cool little camera despite some shortcomings. Been working on a battery hack as that seems to be the biggest shortcoming with their latest edition. The footage looks pretty darn good if you record with Protune on and apparently the Cineform Studio Premium and Professional apps can do a variety of non-destructive LUTs, would be interesting to see how all that fits into a FCPX workflow.

Really appreciate you reaching back, it’s such a great think tank here

Cheers

MA

“A life without cause is a life without effect.” -Dildano

[Michael Angelo]

Yep that’s the work flow and the paid versions do ProRes export tho not sure if they can embed non destructive LUTs.

Looks like a good prospective solution!

Cheers

MA

“A life without cause is a life without effect.” -Dildano

[Michael Garber]

This is by no means scientific, but I just did a quick test with some 2k GoPro footage. I found that I was able to get a better grade on the footage doing the grade in X on the original MP4 vs using Cineform, applying a LUT and then importing to X/color correcting in X.

Michael Garber
5th Wall – a post production company
Blog: GARBERSHOP
My Moviola Webinar on Cutting News in FCP X

[Michael Garber]

You can also try 5DtoRGB. I know a lot of people like it when converting from GH2 or 5D footage to Prores. It does some filtering on the red channel, I believe, so that you get a better conversion from 420 to 422.

Michael Garber
5th Wall – a post production company
Blog: GARBERSHOP
My Moviola Webinar on Cutting News in FCP X

[Michael Garber]

Just tried Remaster – there is no gamma change when converting to LT.

Michael Garber
5th Wall – a post production company
Blog: GARBERSHOP
My Moviola Webinar on Cutting News in FCP X

[Michael Angelo]

Hey Michael Garber,

Wow 5D2RGB looks cool…

Claims a better conversion than Canon’s E1 Plugin which I have found is hands down the best after using difference mattes and waveforms to compare transcodes.

I’ve already transcoded the entire features worth of 5D for editing, hope it’s not too good otherwise will have to start over for everything. Better to discover this stuff now at the front that’s for sure.

I had seen 5D2RGB in threads but thought it was a setting not a stand alone piece of software.

Will dive into 5D2RGD and Cineform Studio Premium over the weekend.

Thanks so much!

MA

“A life without cause is a life without effect.” -Dildano