[Matt Surf]

Thanks for your help Scott

Matt

[Matt Surf]

The Motion file is off the Flora templates and is the Vine growing across the screen, nothing too drastic I don’t think (but I may be asking too much of the system??) and the photoshop file I converted to a JPEG – so should I reconvert it as you mention?

With regards to sequence settings, in your opinion, am I doing the right thing in making my sequence settings the same as the majority of my footage? I’m using four/five different sources (Canon EOS, Sony Z1, Sony Z5e, Motion) so think it’s impossible to have a uniform sequence that will encompass everything??

PS Consider wrist slapped for over-estimating the power of the Mac :0)

[Matt Surf]

Thanks for the advice guys. The workaround I’ve found is to save the PSDs as JPEG’s out of PS which seems to be much better (not 100% sure what impact this will have on the final film).

For more info; the sequence settings are 1920×1080 HDTV 1080i (16:9)
on V1 I have the footage imported using XDCAM 1080i50
on V2 I have my Motion file at 1440×1080 using codec Apple Pro Res 422
On V3 I now have my JPEG.

I am also now entering text into this equation through FCP which again just throws up a load of issues regarding rendering and any tiny change to the file needing to be re-rendered to preview.

Apart from what you’ve mentioned above – is there anything else I can do to improve playback or are these the infamous FCP shortcomings I read so much about before buying the Mac?

Cheers

[Matt Surf]

Thanks for your advice – I encoded to Pro Res as you recommended and it now works a treat! I’ll leave a comment on Phillip Bloom’s blog about this when I get time too.

Thanks again

Matt

[Matt Surf]

Thanks all

Matt

[Matt Surf]

Thanks for the response Walter. Yeah, I used XDCam on the recommendation of DSLR guru Philip Bloom on his blog site – didn’t realise there was a downside too :0)

I’ll try the Pro Res option and see how I go. Could I ask what FCP system settings you have to ensure the best possible quality Vs workflow set up or is this something that constantly changes depending on the project?

Best wishes

Matt

[Matt Surf]

Yeah I thought as much Michael – no ‘quick fix’ then?? :0)

Thanks for your advice.

[Matt Surf]

Hi Tom,

I think the 550d is 48Mbps, great in terms of quality. Personally, I’m not sure on the Panasonic Lumix but can certainly vouch for the 550d.

I have shot a few films with it with the intent of putting them online but just haven’t found time to do it yet!

Thanks for your comments, in terms of a return favour how are you getting on with your Imac 27″ and I7 processor. I just bought one (waiting for it to ship) with same processor, but 8GB RAM and want to run FCP, Adobe After Effects, Photoshop, Colour etc on it.

How do you find working with it?

Matt

[Matt Surf]

Hi Thomas,

I also have the Z5e and recently invested in a 550d because I wanted to start experimenting with the reality of using DSLRs instead of my normal video camera on corporate jobs.

I would say go for the 550d as it is a great camera in terms of quality and is a real good in-road into DSLR shooting. I have been toying with the idea of selling the Z5e and using the proceeds to fully deck myself out in a DSLR setup but I think l will miss the run and gun approach and end up kicking myself. As others above say, when you consider the extras you have to get (decent lenses are around £500 each for a start) it really doesn’t seem to make financial sense.

In my opinion it isn’t going to be too much longer before either the DLSRs get all the extra capabilities of existing video cameras or video cameras are going to get the DoF appeal of the DSLRs (this is already starting to emerge with the new Panasonic offering). Therefore, I’m going to keep my Z5E, continue to experiment and improve with the 550d and then maybe sell both of them and buy the next generation leap of camera capable of that I mentioned above that I reckon will be out in 18 months or so.

Hope that garbled message actually helps a little??

Matt

[Matt Surf]

Hi Rafael,

Your suggestion has worked so thanks!

Matt