[Marty Dale]

Just stumbled across this on the Apple website: (I think either is fine then?)

Which media attributes can safely differ from the sequence settings?
The following clip characteristics can differ from those of the sequence without causing problems.

Codec: You can freely mix clips using any codecs that are compatible with Final Cut Pro, as long as their frame rates, interlacing, and frame size are appropriate to the sequence. However, keep in mind that some broadcasters have specific requirements about what percentage of a program can use source footage in a highly compressed digital format such as HDV or AVCHD.

Aspect ratio: Final Cut Pro lets you mix footage with different aspect ratios (for example, mixing footage with 3:4 and 16:9 aspect ratios), including anamorphic footage. Depending on the combination of sequence and media frame sizes, Final Cut Pro automatically letterboxes (places horizontal bars at the top and bottom of the screen) or pillarboxes (places vertical bars at the left and right of the screen) clips as necessary to fit them into the available width and height of the frame.

Bit depth: You can mix clips with any bit depth Final Cut Pro supports. Typical bit depths for video include 8-bit and 10-bit.
Frame size: If you set the Motion Filtering Quality pop-up menu (in the Video Processing tab of the Sequence Settings window) to Best, the scaling in Final Cut Pro is sufficient for modest enlargements and for shrinking higher-resolution clips down to smaller frame sizes. This means you’re in good shape if you’re editing HD clips into an SD sequence, as long as the frame rate and interlacing match all the other clips. However, if you’re editing SD clips into an HD sequence, you may want to consider using Compressor to upscale your media for the best results, as described later in this section.

[Marty Dale]

Hi steve,

thanks for the reply.

Any idea on the actual timeline issue?

thanks

Martin

[Marty Dale]

Hi Mate,

For HD:

In my experience it very much depends on the codecs of the system that will do the HDCAM dub.

We have tried loads of different versions including uncompressed 8 bit/10 bit (i.e. export quicktime movie, compressor none, size 1920×1080)

The AJA Codecs.

The best we found was the Blackmagic 1080i Uncompressed 10 bit codec (HD), that looked sweet on the HDCAM tape.

The footage was originally progressive, but Blackmagic didn’t have a p version, they told me it wouldn’t make a difference and it looked fine.

I think because the Dubbing house used Blackmagic in their HD dubbing process it worked the best.

For SD, just choose export quicktime uncompressed 10 bit.

If in doubt send a 20 sec clip through with different settings and ask him to see which one looks best – often find this is the best case solution!

nice 1

M

[Marty Dale]

Hi Roli,

really appreciate the response – I have been searching the forums for a good week before I posted and this doesn’t appear to be a problem that anyone else has had!!!!

I have tried every variance of Sequence setting (Unlimited/safe, medium/dynamic etc to no avail).

Another bizzare thing is that I have an HD monitor hooked up through a Black Magic Card and that plays fine.

This makes me think its a graphics card / monitor problem – but i’ve been cutting HDV on the same system for 2 years prior to FCP 6!

I’m now thinking I will reinstall MAC OS and also FCP 6, if that doesn’t work it may be a case of selling the computer!

thanks for the websites and other tips,

Martin

[Marty Dale]

Hi Roli,

thanks for the repsonse.

I don’t think I was clear enough before – I have a boot drive and a data drive. The scratch is saving to the DATA.

I also have a load of external drives in a RAID (6T) but it makes no difference.

Also previously to FCP 6 everything ran fine (even if the FCP scratch disk was saving to the Boot it was never a problem).

The problem also appears to be with HDV, although I am working with Apple Pro Res HQ and occassionally it still jerks.

thanks!

Martin