Why Does Premiere’s DVCPROHD format just never fit?

[Chris Knight]

Interpreting the footage to 1.5 should do the trick. You can always drop the clip onto the NEW ITEM icon in the project bin, and it will conform the timeline to your clip info. However, the correct procedure would be to get the clips straight from the P2 data folders. I edit P2 all day long, and only encounter goofy AR issues when I get handed clips that were processed via FCP.

[Max Jackson]

The new item option sizes the comp, that’s good to know. I thought there should be something similar to the “New Comp” button in AE.

The thing is that the fitted window/comp is still squished inward from side to side after directly importing and placing on “New Item”.

What’s also odd is that I have to import folder. It doesn’t give me the option to select the files individually. Could there be a reason for that? I’d think I should be able to just select files individually as well.

Thanks Chris! 😀

[Chris Knight]

You can access P2 mxf files individually, by using the Media Browser. It’s a much better solution (for most things) than importing entire P2 folders.

After you’ve created the new sequence, and it looks squished, did you then go to the file in the project window, and interpret the footage to a different AR (1.5)?

Are you importing these files from their original P2 folders (copied staight from the P2 media), or did you log and transfer via FCP?

[Max Jackson]

Hi Chris,

I found the media browser. The answer is a resounding ‘no’! 🙂 Nothing shows up. Same as the Finder. It just lets me load the folder of files.

Then when I drag them in they’re off. Here’s a screen grab:

If I set the aspect ratio to true 1280×1080 is adds black on the sides. I’ve gone through pixel ratios, different formats, all kinds of stuff.

When I look at the raw footage it’s fine. It’s like it’s reading the wrong number or something.

Is it’s not showing up mean something? I’ve had aspect ratio duality issues before, but it was a long time ago and forgot what we did.

Thanks for any added feedback Chris. 🙂

[Chris Knight]

Would you mind posting a short clip for me to download, so I can try and replicate this problem? It would be infinitely better than trial-and-error.

Not seeing MXF files in the Media Browser is a head-scratcher.

[Max Jackson]

Hi Chris,

Here’s the file path:

https://axiom-media.com/stuff/estranged_video_sample.mov

It’s heavy as I didn’t want to compress anything. The saved out version is actually locatable by Premiere. However, I’m still getting the same aspect ratio issue, so hopefully it’s a good demo.

I probably should’ve saved it as a ZIP.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to look at this. That’s really awesome.

Let me know if I can provide anything else. 🙂

Peace,
-maX

[Chris Knight]

Well, it’s an MOV. You really should be working with the original MXF files, and not transcoded P2 media before editing in Premiere.

However, this was a simple fix. In the project window, right-click the file, select Modify->Interpret Footage. In the Pixel Aspect Ratio box, click “Conform to”, and choose DVCPROHD (1.5).

When I dropped this clip into a DVCPRO-HD timeline (1080), it fit perfectly. You can select multiple clips to perform this process, so if you have a folder full of them, it’ll take 2 seconds to fix.

Again, you will never have this problem if you use the original MXF files from the P2 card, rather than media brought into your computer via Final Cut.

[Max Jackson]

Awesome! Thanks SO MUCH for your help Chris.

I’ll ask the camera/editor about the original MXF files if you think it’d be better.

What are the benefits going down the pipe? Is it something I should strongly consider before getting started?

So stoked, was heading back to FCPro 5 if I couldn’t sort something out in 15 fps. THANKS AGAIN!!! 😀