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Playback problems w h264 from 7d transcoded into Pro Res
Hello Very Smart People,
I’m editing footage from a Canon 7d that was imported as h264 and then transcoded to Apple Pro Res HQ using fcp 7. I’m in fcp 7 on a Mac 2×2.66 Ghz dual core Intel Xeon w 5 GB ram running OS 10.5.8. Using a firewire 800 external drive for storage of the files I’m editing.
The clips start out playing fine and then start stuttering and dropping frames after ten seconds or so. I have successfully edited a lot of Dvcpro HD on this machine with no problems, although occasionally after doing effects preparation in fcp and creating shots with multiple layers, I’d have to keep the canvass window pretty small in order to play w/o dropping frames.
I think I need to buy more RAM. Does that sound right to any of you? Or does anything I’ve said above point to a different problem…
Many thanks!
Joseph
ps- I know there are lots of questions about the 7D – h264 – Pro Res conversion already on this forum, but I didn’t find anyone who had problems after they went to ProRes. Thanks again for any help!
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13 Replies
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Before doing anything else, try transcoding a file to ProRes 422 and see if you have the same playback issue. HQ is for the most part overkill anyway.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.comPOST-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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Thanks! I’ll try right away…
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[Joseph Cahill] “Canon 7d that was imported as h264 and then transcoded to Apple Pro Res HQ”
Well, first off, HQ is overkill. You are making huge files with zero gain over ProRes 422. HQ is meant for 10-bit formats, like RED or AVCINTRA. H.264 from DSLRs is 8-bit, and really, ProRes LT or ProRes 422 will be all you need. HQ will not get you any quality gain, but take up 50% more storage space, and require you to use faster drives. It barely works with firewire 800. And if the drive is more than 20% full, it will slow down. If you can, convert to ProRes 422.
How full are the drives? The fuller they are, the slower they get.
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
It worked! Seems to play with no problem. Damn those deceptively attractive HQ letters.
Thank you very much David, you made my day.J
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You need a little more caffeine today Shane.
As the Dos Equis guy says, “Be thirsty my friend…”
David
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.comPOST-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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Man, I’m off today. I think I need some Dos Equis coffee…
Shane
GETTING ORGANIZED WITH FINAL CUT PRO DVD…don’t miss it.
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def -
Stupid question, but how did you transcode the files?
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I did a batch export from fcp changing the original h264 files from the camera into Pro Res HQ, though I wish I’d left off the HQ part. You can do it in compressor or lots of other ways, there are many threads about the 5d 7d to pro res transcode on these forums.
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[Joseph Cahill] “there are many threads about the 5d 7d to pro res transcode on these forums.”
You don’t say? I think you might have chosen the path of most resistance, and also a method that is really never suggested.
Why not just download and install the f-r-e-e Log and Transfer plug-in from Canon?
It’s way easier and gets done correctly. It also allows logging and can also save you if you entire media system explodes in a fiery ball of hell fire, as long as your original media and project have been backed up.
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Ok, will do. I tried the Canon plug-in in the first place but I think it required higher than OS 10.5.8 which is what I’ve got. Maybe I’m wrong on that, but when I looked, that’s what I found. Anyway, sorry I guess I misunderstood your question. I’ll try the plug-in sounds like a good idea. Thanks.
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