Rodrigo Lizana

Q: Same footage runs OK in FCP 7 but not in X ?

Hello there : I´ve been an FCP user for over decade.   I´m still at 7.0.2 as X has had a bad rap over the last years.  At least in here.

But with the new Mac Pro coming out I though about giving FCP X a try.

 

My first impression is that X is completely different and I look like a rookie on it.   But that was kind of expected.    What I didn´t expect was X not being able to handle the data rate 7.0.2 does.

 

I used a 4 min/ 7.7 GB clip (1080p24 444 prores) on both softwares and while FCP 7 runs it with no problem at best quality, FCP X keep alerting this :

 

"Video frames were dropped during playback.  

Issues that may affect playback include available memory, disk speed, graphics performance, and processor performance.

You may be able to get better performance by doing the following:

- Change your playback quality by selecting 'Better Performance' in Playback preferences.

- Turn off A/V output (choose Window > A/V Output)".

 

Here´s the configuration :

 

Mac Pro Early 2009

Processor  2 x 2.26 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon

Memory  6 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 ECC

Graphics  NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 512 MB

Software  OS X 10.8.4 (12E55)

 

3TB Raid disk (fast enough for 1080 444 video).   In FCP 7 it works like a charm !.

AJA Kona LHi card

 

FCP 7.0.2

FCP X 10.0.8

OS X 10.8.4

Kona driver 10.4.4 (10.4.5 was not adviced by Kona which are also helping with this issue).

 

Any help will be appreciated !.

Final Cut Pro X, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Jun 28, 2013 11:11 AM

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Q: Same footage runs OK in FCP 7 but not in X ?

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  • by Rodrigo Lizana,

    Rodrigo Lizana Rodrigo Lizana Jul 2, 2013 7:17 PM in response to Russ H
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 2, 2013 7:17 PM in response to Russ H

    It´s OK Russ, don´t worry.   I appreciate the help and also...you can never have enough RAM !!!.   I just want to give FCP X a real try.   But it´s hard to get your feet wet with the App. when you are getting the same message over and over.    You can´t work like that.   On the other hand the graphic card is much more expensive than the RAM and I´m not really sure if it´s going to make a difference or not.

     

    Rodrigo

  • by Tom Wolsky,

    Tom Wolsky Tom Wolsky Jul 2, 2013 11:16 PM in response to Rodrigo Lizana
    Level 10 (118,408 points)
    Apple TV
    Jul 2, 2013 11:16 PM in response to Rodrigo Lizana

    You can switch off the warning in prefs just as you could in FCP7.

  • by Rodrigo Lizana,

    Rodrigo Lizana Rodrigo Lizana Jul 3, 2013 7:28 AM in response to Tom Wolsky
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 3, 2013 7:28 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

    Hi Tom, yes I know and I did it but that left me previewing at like 14 fps !!!.   The thing is that this machine should be easilty handling 1080p24 444 as it did in FCP 7 in the past.   I mean basic editing and dissolves at full quality and with the A/V out ON.    And at the time it only had 6 GB RAM.  

     

    So why then FCP X, which is supposed to be a 64 bit app. and now with 32 GB RAM, can´t handle the task ?.    The only thing left to blame is the graphic card but it does appears on the FCP X approved list and as Open CL compatible...and graphic cards (the good ones) are not cheap to be experimenting with.   Also almost everyone is saying that FCP X is all about RAM. 

     

    Does Apple read this forum ?.   Any official word ?.

     

    Thanks again to everyone taking time the to help me, I really appreciate it.    Please keep the advice coming !

     

    Regards

     

    Rodrigo

  • by Russ H,

    Russ H Russ H Jul 3, 2013 7:46 AM in response to Rodrigo Lizana
    Level 7 (21,865 points)
    Quicktime
    Jul 3, 2013 7:46 AM in response to Rodrigo Lizana

    FWIW, I'm checking PR 4444 (1080P24) playback right now on a 3 year old iMac with 12 GB RAM. With preferences set to Hiigh Quality, I'm getting 22 fps; with preferences set to Better Performance, I'm getting just under 24 fps.

     

    Russ

  • by Rodrigo Lizana,

    Rodrigo Lizana Rodrigo Lizana Jul 3, 2013 1:56 PM in response to Russ H
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 3, 2013 1:56 PM in response to Russ H

    Hi Russ !.   FCP X right ?.   This makes me think that if you are getting these results even without a fast raid, I should be easilty getting realtime 1080p24 444 with my current configuration.   Is there some direct contact to the Apple FCP X team.   Need to talk to Apple !!!!.

  • by Russ H,

    Russ H Russ H Jul 3, 2013 3:16 PM in response to Rodrigo Lizana
    Level 7 (21,865 points)
    Quicktime
    Jul 3, 2013 3:16 PM in response to Rodrigo Lizana

    Rodrigo Lizana wrote:

       FCP X right ?.  

    Yes. With media, projects, and events on a FW800 external drive.

     

    Russ

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