[Kip Kermoian]

I converted AVCHD (.mts) files (Sony Alpha NEX-5) via clipwrap 2 into AIC files to import into FCP7. All seemed well until I slowed 3 clips to 50%; 40%; 30% and 20%, fully rendered and exported to Quick time to see how they looked. Video breaks-up sporadically, somewhat pixelated looking, bouncing edges, jumpy… I’ve tried grabbing these same and different source clips a number of times, placing them into the time line independently, and in different seqs, at different speeds. Sometimes they playback and look good before rendering, but are always unstable on playback as QT files. I would include a clip here if I knew how…?

Any experience with rendering stable slow motion clips?
Thanks,
KIp

FCP 7.0.1. on Mac OS X Snow Leopard, V 10.6.2. processor 2×2.26 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, Memory 6GB, 1066MHz DDR3.

[Kip Kermoian]

Thank you again Shane.

Tried MPEG Streamclip(“File open error: unsupported file type”).

Clipwrap initially resulted in ‘jerky playback, FCP crashed, and the warning: “dropped frames” when converted to ProRes (LT).

However, AIC worked well. Out of curiosity I attempted Pro Res and Pro Res(LT)again, both now appear to work flawlessly on playback. Any reason I should expect this to change half-way thru the project?!

I’m running FCP 7.0.1. on Mac OS X Snow Leopard, V 10.6.2. processor 2×2.26 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon, Memory 6GB, 1066MHz DDR3. Of course, I want to use the codec that outputs the highest quality A/V and is viewable on as many types of DVD players as is possible, i.e., stand alone, computers, etc..I have plenty of space in a remote hard drive to handle volume so that is not an issue.

Can you suggest the best codec to convert to, for my situation and desired results?

Most appreciatively,
Kip

[Kip Kermoian]

Hello again,

.MTS files to FCP7

Thanks again for your clear tutorial Shane.

As I said in my last post, I have two seemingly identical directory structures on an SD card, one of which contains clips that transfer perfectly (AVCHD to Pro Res (LT)), the other contains clips that generate: “warning…unsupported media…invalid directory structure….These were shot on a Sony Alpha nex-5 camera which I no longer have access to.

I am under a deadline to cut this show and need to find any means to get the clips into an editable format/program.

I converted the files to MPEG4 via “handbrake”. When I drag them into the bin in FCP7, and attempt to play them in the time line, I get the “Warning – Dropped Frames” message.

I tried iMovie: one, 1+ minute clip takes more than an hour to ‘render’! Not an option, not to mention the limited usability of iMovie.

Does anyone have any suggestions that might allow me to edit these clips?

Thanks in advance,
Kip

[Kip Kermoian]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I had tried may combinations of persets, including custom presets, insuring that the Kona control panel matched in each instance, but still had no ‘luck’. When a senior Apple Tech suggested that I check my audio codec, rate and bit depth from the Avid, I found that it was set to 44.1kHz, not 48k. A friend suggested that I run my existing SDI (44.1)from the Avid,into my DSR1800, and while leaving it in ‘record’ mode(no tape),use it to send 48k(SDI)to the Kona card – it worked! I then digitized some clips at 2:1, 48kHz, sending it from my meridian box via SDI to the Kona card, as well as, playing a source tape (SD) directly from my DSR 1800 into the Kona card. In both cases I and was able to see the audio meters bounce in FCP during capture and in playback, but could not hear audio out of a pair of harman/kardon computer speakers with 1/8″ jack, plugged into speaker jack at the rear of the Mac Pro.
The original goal was to send SDI directly from my meridian box into the Kona card. It turned out that I had connected the cable that shipped with the Kona card -the one with all of the BNC and XLR cables – to the breakout box while attempting many tests of the Analog, AES, and SDI, when in fact, I should have used the 60 pin cable that came with the KL Box (which also powers it). That aside, with nothing but the SDI going from my meridian board into the Kona card, I am able to monitor and capture audio with the exact same preset that I had been trying(unsuccessfully) while the multi-pin ‘octopus’ cable was still attached to the Kona card…even when none of the cables were attached to the KL Box? It seems as though that multi-pin being connected, made the difference. I’ll be going RCA or XLR to new speakers via the 60 pin cable in the future.
Thanks again for your support – I’m sure to return…Kip