macOS Processing iPhone Cinematic Footage

Question

Level 1

4 points

macOS Processing iPhone Cinematic Footage

Hi all!

I am shooting A LOT of videos using iPhones. Using ONLY iPhones: 14Pro and 15Pro Max. I only shoot cinematic, a person speaking and playing instruments in front of the camera(s). Sometimes 50, even 70 minutes videos.

Then, I would so very much like to get to work and edit them in FCPX. But, of course, the iPhones have to process the cinematic files. Well, THIS processing takes A LONG time (sometimes 6 or even 8 hours) and also takes a toll on the iPhones, as they get VERY hot.

I called Apple Support several times in the past 2 years, asking if I could use the powerful Mac processors (M1, M2) do to this job. The answer was No, and 6 month later No, and then No again.

I guess I am writing this post just to see what you all are thinking about it and maybe gather a crowd, a voice loud enough for Apple to hear.

Why should we waste so much time and "kill" the iPhones with this process, when the Mac could do it so much faster and easier? Of course it can be done; it's just a software "thing", right?

Or maybe someone out there already has a better way to deal with this than to just have the iPhones do it, although I doubt it. But if there's one, I would really appreciate you sharing it!

Thank you!

Mac Pro, macOS 11.6

Posted on Apr 30, 2024 4:17 PM

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Answer 1

FilRmonic

Level 1

111 points

May 1, 2024 3:35 AM in response to VladRO

I'm just curious as to your exact workflow? I've only ever shot short clips in cinematic mode (just experimenting really) and once I've shot the clip I use the rather convoluted method that Apple advises (select the clip on the phone, select options, then "All Photos Data", Airdrop it to the computer, open the folder on the computer and finally copy the correct .mov file to FCP!! Phew!!). Once the clip is on the timeline you can select Clip>Show Cinematic Editor and set the DOF from there.

Obviously with short clips it takes no processing time at all and it's done in FCP. I'm using the latest MacOS and FCP versions.

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Answer 2

VladRO Author

Level 1

4 points

May 1, 2024 8:46 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Okay; I just finished recording two videos: 23 minutes and 85 minutes. I tried the Airdrop transfer, but it goes through the same process: the transfer does not start immediately, but rather the iPhone has to "prepare" or "process" the files first, meaning, it takes the same time in order to create the second file for each video, the depth of field one. But using your method, it will just increase the time. First because of the airdrop transfer and secondly because you cannot select only the second file to be transferred.

What I do, I'm going to the Cinematic folder within the Photos app, tap "Process Now", the iPhone takes its own sweet time to process the files, and then I can transfer via cable using Image Capture, which goes very fast.

So, I'm back to square one, to my initial question: why not having the Mac to process these cinematic files instead of the iPhone which has a slower processor and gets very hot?

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Answer 3

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,089 points

May 1, 2024 8:54 AM in response to VladRO

You don’t have to send both files. You can send each file separately.

As Terry said it’s likely using image processing hardware that’s built into the iPhone.

If you can import using Image Capture you should be able to import directly into FCP from the phone in the same way.

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Answer 4

VladRO Author

Level 1

4 points

May 1, 2024 9:01 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Importing is not the issue here, but the time the iPhone takes to Process the Cinematic files. My thought was that it would be much faster if done by an M processor on a Mac.

And, as I said, the iPhones get extremely hot during the process...

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Answer 5

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,089 points

May 1, 2024 9:17 AM in response to VladRO

The hardware the iPhone uses would have to be built into the processor I would guess.

Direct import bypasses AirDrop of course.

You could make a feature request, and you also report the heat issue on the phone.

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Answer 6

VladRO Author

Level 1

4 points

May 1, 2024 9:38 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

I did request and I also reported the heat issue. I got a new iPhone which heats as bad as the other one and basically ALL iPhones that I use (13, 14, 15) are heating up simply because it's a very demanding procedure. That's why I think having the M processor would be much faster and less taxing.

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Answer 7

FilRmonic

Level 1

111 points

May 1, 2024 10:32 AM in response to VladRO

I've just tested a longer clip (15 mins) and you're absolutely correct. In fact my iPhone 15 Pro only got a few minutes into the "Preparing" phase before it needed to cool down! I just cancelled it after that as it was obviously going to take a very long time as you say. This is a ridiculously complex work flow and very un-Apple like. And in the end it seems to generate 2 .mov files, so double the storage space?! Obviously only meant for short clips.

And, as Tom says, the options don't stick.

(Maybe just leave it in the fridge whilst it's processing...😬!)

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Answer 8

VladRO Author

Level 1

4 points

May 1, 2024 10:42 AM in response to FilRmonic

They're presenting the iPhone Pro as an option for shooting films. And I do agree: as one who's using only iPhones for shooting every single day, they are great! I do not want anything else for a camera for multiple reasons which are not relevant for this topic.

BUT this is my only problem and I strongly believe that it wouldn't take a lot to enable FCPX do the processing on the Mac. THAT would be a great game changer for those of us shooting cinematic.

So, maybe they will listen?

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Answer 9

terryb

Level 4

2,187 points

Apr 30, 2024 11:56 PM in response to VladRO

Maybe it's not "just a software thing" and requires some of the iPhone's image processing hardware to create the cinematic file for editing. I have no idea but could see that being a limitation.

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Answer 10

VladRO Author

Level 1

4 points

May 1, 2024 4:15 AM in response to FilRmonic

Interesting... I will have to try that out!

However, I assume that Airdrop'ing a 20GB file will take a long time, but maybe not longer than having the iPhone processing the file.

Thank you!

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Answer 11

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,089 points

May 1, 2024 4:43 AM in response to VladRO

When you tap Share at the top there is an Options button. In there is All Data. You have to do it for each clip. It's not sticky, and AFAIK it's not setting.

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Answer 12

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,089 points

May 1, 2024 11:05 AM in response to FilRmonic

You only need to keep one clip. The other I believe is the shot with the live settings baked in.

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