Q: after 10.2 update- imported clips displaying black

I am using quicktime files from JVC HM150 and also had problems with black clips after the update. I then updated iMovie and suddenly I could see my clips again!?

This is my result after running the iMovie update. Oddly enough iMovie sees the 1080/30P just fine. FCP 10.2 sees a transparent ????  as in the upper middle hole. I tried changing the opacity. No joy.

@ElvisAhlgren Did you take the Pro Video Formats 2.0.1 update?

Puzzled in IA

Yes I had the Pro Video Formats 2.0.1. update before I installed Final Cut 10.2 and Compressor if I remember correctly. Then I went through a lot of trouble with a project which crashed Final Cut until I had found out which one and removed it from the library. With Final Cut starting up and being able to see all the projects in my library I noticed a lot of black clips. The files were in place but Final Cut Obviously didn't see them or something. I finally remembered seeing there was an iMovie update available so I thought maybe there is a codec or something which iMovie and Final Cut have in common and share. So I installed it and opening up Final Cut again the black clips started disappearing and going back to their original state of actually being where they should be.

I think it should be noted that Elvis is using a JVC HM150 (lovely little camera) which uses the XDCAM codec, NOT Panasonic AVCHD.

Whilst that's a very interesting result, running the same test achieved nothing on my systems with AVCHD 1080 25p and 1080 30p footage.

Yes, iMovie can view that footage, but so can Compressor.

Elvis, it would be helpful to other JVC HM150 users if you posted your results in a new thread.

Here is Apple's doc on this.

Russ

While that procedure works once your "blacked" video is importe, it is long and makes huge files.

If you can can your workflow now to PH 1080/60I (60 FPM) and the black issue goes away.

I feel your pain and was just as upset on the first day of the FCPX 10.2 update.

But, they are working on it.

They have asked and received details and specs after day two of the debacle...these are both workarounds to keep things working for now...I do not consider them permanent solutions.

laxdefence5 wrote:

 

But we shouldn't have to record our new footage in a different format, or transcode clips,

Agree totally.

Russ

The original .mts file has the correct frame rate, 29.97 for 30p media. If you drag the raw ,mts file from the card into FCP that frame rate is maintained. If you import into FCP, the file is rewrapped to QuickTime.  The file in FCP shows the correct frame rate, but the rewrapped QT file opened in the QT player shows a non-standard frame rate in the QT inspector.

Tom I just tried dragging and dropping the .mts file corresponding to 1080/30p and it still came in transparent. It also calls it an MPEG Streamclip document. Unless there is something else I'm missing.

I did try one of the other files and it worked fine. sigh

Also the Inspector reports both files at the correct frame rate of 29.97p for 30p media.

IIt's just the OS has set Streamclip to open the file. That doesn't  mean anything. Just right-click and select whatever you want to open it.

NOt sure what you're saying. I said the FCP inspector shows the media correctly at the correct frame rate. Strange that it's transparent for you.

THe the problem is clearly more complex than just Panason media, as the same media that doesn't work in FCP for many users, works for others, either as raw .mts or rewrapped QuickTime. For you the media is transparent, for most it seems to be black, for others it works,  or it produces glitches on export. It looks like a very difficult problem to solve with a lot of moving parts. The sort of thing that if you fix for one will likely bugger it for someone else.

Sorry for the confusion. I just figure that the more everyone weighs in the more clearly it becomes defined (hopefully).

If your .mts doesn't appear in FCP, can you open it in the QT player and what specs it it show in the inspector? Just hoping to gather more information on the conditions that make it work and not work. It's obviously a problem effecting many users.

P 1080 29.97p AC3

Format: H.264, 1920x1080

             AC3, 48000HZ Stereo (L R)

FPS: 29.97

Data Rate: 24.00 Mbit/s

Current Size: 1760 x 990

Oddly enough it now shows black in QT when I open it but shows in the browser when choosing a video to open.