Is Offline/Online Necessary For 2k?

Apple Final Cut Pro Legacy

Is Offline/Online Necessary For 2k?

Posted by Brad Kester on December 10, 2015 at 9:01 pm

Hi,

I’m starting an edit on a short film. The clips I’m working with are ProRes HQ at 2K resolution (2048 x 1152). I’m wondering if FCP 7/my computer will handle this footage fine or if I should convert to 1080p and do an offline/online edit. The clips look fine in a test sequence but wondering if I will experience more problems down the road if left at 2K.

If memory serves, the machine I’ll be editing on is a 2012 iMac with 8gb of RAM. Getting a bit older, but has always been a workhorse. And I’ll be working off a fast Glyph Studio RAID via Firewire 800.

Any thoughts?

Brad Kester replied 10 years, 7 months ago 4 Members · 5 Replies
5 Replies

Mark Suszko
December 10, 2015 at 9:48 pm

I personally would work with proxy footage and only import the full-rez at the final stages.
Shane Ross
December 11, 2015 at 12:23 am

2K is BARELY bigger than 1080. So going to 1080 isn’t really going “offline quality,” unless you lower the codec as well…say ProRes Proxy. If you have a fast enough drive, and more current computer with decent RAM, you might go for it. If it’s older, and slower, going to ProRes Proxy

Shane
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Nick Meyers
December 11, 2015 at 1:11 am

yeah, i’d say test it.
if it feels good on your older machine, then go for it.

things to consider:
exports, and moving files around will take a lot longer.
how will your system cope w playing 2 streams? (simple composting, 2-cam situations)
do you like to scroll through your rushes a lot? test that, it can be taxing

if you want to go to a lower-res for offline, ProResLT 1280×720 is a nice way to go
then you really do see some savings.

nick
Brad Kester
December 11, 2015 at 1:18 am

Thanks for the input. Yeah, I was kind of wondering if the footage was big enough to make a difference at all. Think I’ll probably just go for it with the 2K clips. That seems like a better solution than storing a whole extra set of Proxy clips on my hard drive (because that’s what I would have to do, right?).

BK
Brad Kester
December 11, 2015 at 1:24 am

Thanks for the extra feedback Nick. Didn’t see it before I posted my previous message. Will definitely watch out for those potential problem areas early on in the edit to gauge whether or not I should continue with the 2K clips.

BK

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