Pro Res 422

[Rafael Amador]

[Jonny Cates] “If I’ve already edited a project, and have not output it to anything yet, do I need to start all over and convert the MOV files to Pro Res 422 first, then re-edit the thing again? Or is there any way to save this edit? I have already had a crashing issue, in which I got rescued in here earlier on this project.”
Hi Jonny,
The main problem for FC is not to accept iPhone footage in the time-line, but to render/export to that codec.
Change your sequence codec to Prores and render.
See if its works better.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Jonny Cates]

Thanks very much Rafael, the footage looks normal now….but…

Does this mean it’s OK to render a iPhone HD timeline in 422 at the finish of the edit? Or should one go ahead and use Compressor or Streamclip first – to convert them before the edit starts? Just a little confused….thanks again…

Jonny Cates

[Rafael Amador]

Hi Jonny,
To avoid problems, was better if you started converting, but if you have already the sequence ready, you can try to go on.
The main problem for FC the footage (iPhone,MP4, H264,..), but trying to render to these formats on the time-line.
So, change your sequence setting to Prores; if you have applied effects or graphics, set “Render in High Precision”, and see what happens when you render. Normally, if there is no much rendering going on, work.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Jonny Cates]

Well, that clears it up by the most part. I’m still shooting SD for now, but since I got this phone, I’ve gotten enthused about eventually switching to a full blown HD camera.

One last question Rafael; I’m only self taught in FCP by using the online manual, but in the HD world, does everything render much slower because it is HD? Or is that mainly because the footage should have been concerted to 422 first? It seems every time I add a transition or do anything to these HD Phone clips, I have to render again and again – and it seems to take forever (I have my timeline set on RT, like I do in the SD world). Plus, I’m running 4gb of ram. Perhaps this is associated with a “not so powerful” graphic card issue? I’m on a late model iMac – 3.06 intel duo. I would think that would be enough computer muscle to handle HD, right?

I’m starting to shoot TV commercials on a local basis, and the local stations are about to switch to HD broadcast equipment (about a year away that is). Since I’m an independent, I thought it wise to start making the HD transition.

I’ve gotten much help from you in the past, and want to say thanks for all your helpful answers!

Perhaps even better, maybe you could recommend some online reading to “proper HD workflow” using Final Cut.

Thanks again…

Jonny Cates

[Rafael Amador]

[Jonny Cates] ” I’m only self taught in FCP by using the online manual, but in the HD world, does everything render much slower because it is HD?”
Yes. HD simply multiply the amount of info to process.

[Jonny Cates] ” Or is that mainly because the footage should have been concerted to 422 first? “
Most new acquisition and delivery codecs are based in “Groups of Pictures” instead of individual picture (Intraframe). With GOPs, to process a single frame you have manage the ful group of 12, 15 or 50 pictures.
This always makes rendering harder.

[Jonny Cates] “It seems every time I add a transition or do anything to these HD Phone clips, I have to render again and again “
You have to render again whenever you change something in any clip, whatever the codecs or setting of the sequence, but depending of the codecs and setting FC offers preview in real time without need of rendering.
This is why is worth start to converting to Prores or any other more editing friendly codec.
You may waist sometime transcoding but things are much more easy and fast from that point.
Editing on a higher quality codec also allows to retain more quality when rendering effects and graphics.
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Jonny Cates]

Once again Rafael, thank you for your response. I’m convert everything to Prores now….

Jonny Cates