Lando1

Q: Workflow, Is it ok to do this?

Is it ok to do this?

 

I have an external drive where I keep the original AVCHD files copied straight from the SD card.

They are dated and each folder has the event name.

After that, I launch FCX and import an event from the original AVCHD.

When I import, I let FCX create an optimized file that now resides inside of the purple FCX inside of the movies folder (main drive).

I then, right click and copie the optimized clips to a secondary drive that I call “optimized clips”.

Last, I quit FCX, delete the previous library that I had created, launch FCX and import the media again from the “optimized” folder but this time I unchecked the file optimize option a leave the media on its place.

Just to confirm if it is ok to do this without having a huge file inside of my movies folder (main drive).

I now end up with: Original file (drive 1), Optimized file (drive 2), Final movies (drive 3), FCX file (movies folder, main drive)

 

I heard that it was possible to run those AVCHD clips through Compressor to create a ProRes but It did not work for me.

 

Thanks in advance for your input and recommendation

Mac Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.5), 2010 MP 6 Core GTX 760

Posted on Jun 16, 2016 9:20 AM

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Q: Workflow, Is it ok to do this?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by Tom Wolsky,

    Tom Wolsky Tom Wolsky Jun 16, 2016 9:25 AM in response to Lando1
    Level 10 (118,413 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 16, 2016 9:25 AM in response to Lando1

    This is bad workflow. When you copy the card you need to copy the entire folder structure, so when FCP imports it can rewrap the files to QuickTime and process the audio.

     

    You probably don't need to optimize the media until you reach the effects and grading stage. It's a lot of process to get to ProRes, which you may not need.

  • by Lando1,

    Lando1 Lando1 Jun 16, 2016 9:38 AM in response to Tom Wolsky
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 16, 2016 9:38 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

    Thanks Tom, when I copie the card, I do copie the entire card, not just the clips.

  • by Lando1,

    Lando1 Lando1 Jun 16, 2016 9:41 AM in response to Tom Wolsky
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 16, 2016 9:41 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

    Should I just import the original clips without the optimization, edit and send to compressor? Eliminating the ProRez folder?

  • by Lando1,

    Lando1 Lando1 Jun 16, 2016 9:45 AM in response to Tom Wolsky
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 16, 2016 9:45 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

    I Thought it was bad to edit an AVHCD clips.

  • by Lando1,

    Lando1 Lando1 Jun 16, 2016 10:56 AM in response to Lando1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 16, 2016 10:56 AM in response to Lando1

    I Thought by by doing this I would be creating a more friendly file to edit. A read somewhere that some people use a program called clip wrap before importing AVCHD.

    isnt that the same that what I am doing?

    Sorry if I can't explain better since my English is not that great

  • by David Bogie Chq-1,Helpful

    David Bogie Chq-1 David Bogie Chq-1 Jun 16, 2016 6:19 PM in response to Lando1
    Level 7 (25,822 points)
    Video
    Jun 16, 2016 6:19 PM in response to Lando1

    Your English is fine, welcome to the family.

     

    AVCHD is supported natively in FCPX. You can convert to ProRes or proxy during or after importing.

     

    from the FCPX help system:

     

    Supported media formats

    You can import and work with the following video, audio, and still-image formats in Final Cut Pro:

    Video formats

  • by Ian R. Brown,Solvedanswer

    Ian R. Brown Ian R. Brown Jun 16, 2016 1:07 PM in response to Lando1
    Level 6 (18,660 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 16, 2016 1:07 PM in response to Lando1

    ProRes is an easier file to edit if you have a low powered computer.

     

    If your computer is reasonably new, you should have no problem editing native AVCHD files.

     

    As long as your computer can edit AVCHD with no problems, you should simply edit AVCHD.

     

    You only need to use ProRes if you are having problems editing AVCHD.

     

    As Tom said, ProRes can be of use when using effects or colour grading, however you might find that you get perfectly good results with AVCHD.

     

    As with many things, always try the simplest way first and don't change it unless you find that it is not producing the results you want.

  • by David Bogie Chq-1,Helpful

    David Bogie Chq-1 David Bogie Chq-1 Jun 16, 2016 6:20 PM in response to David Bogie Chq-1
    Level 7 (25,822 points)
    Video
    Jun 16, 2016 6:20 PM in response to David Bogie Chq-1

    Try these links for FCPX and AVCHD:

     

    http://www.provideocoalition.com/final-cut-pro-x-and-avchd-media/

    https://daredreamermag.com/2013/06/04/importing-avchd-video-into-fcpx/

    Import Sony XAVC and XDCAM media in Final Cut Pro X - Apple Support

    http://www.creativeplanetnetwork.com/news/news-articles/how-import-avchd-files-f inal-cut-pro-x/415493https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202252

     

     

    I discovered that I can easily import AVCHD into FCPX, as long as the folder structure on the card (or wherever you copied it) is left intact. But the footage then has to be optimized by FCPX and is therefor saved within the library. This creates very big files - almost 10 times bigger:

     

    Original AVCHD media folder - 17.24 GB

    Optimized media folder (in FCP library) - 181.71 GB

     

    I then learned about CLIPWRAP, which was recommended by Shane Ross and others on this site. I got the app for $50 on App Store and converted the footage. I was able to change the frame rate to 29.97 and choose a lighter Prores setting (Prores LT). This reduced the file sizes to 125.11 GB for the whole folder.


    Importing vs. Transcoding (or Rewrapping)

    One benefit of importing this way is that FCPX will import all the metadata as well. Another benefit is that while’s it’s importing and converting the footage, you can start editing. This is great if you’re editing a project that has to be completed the same day you shot it. But if you do have more time on your hands, you might consider transcoding the footage using a program like ClipWrap. ClipWrap can either rewrap the footage with a codec FCPX recognizes (a faster process) or transcode it completely. Rewrapping or transcoding to a format like ProRes has it’s benefits too. Depending on your system, speed of your hard drives, etc, you may find editing ProRes footage faster and smoother than H.264 footage. Another benefit of transcoding first is that if you do prefer to use references to footage vs. copying to the Events folder, this method will allow that.

  • by Ian R. Brown,

    Ian R. Brown Ian R. Brown Jun 16, 2016 1:09 PM in response to Lando1
    Level 6 (18,660 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 16, 2016 1:09 PM in response to Lando1

    ProRes is an easier file to edit if you have a low powered computer.

     

    If your computer is reasonably new, you should have no problem editing native AVCHD files.

     

    As long as your computer can edit AVCHD with no problems, you should simply edit AVCHD.

     

    You only need to use ProRes if you are having problems editing AVCHD.

     

    As Tom said, ProRes can be of use when using effects or colour grading, however you might find that you get perfectly good results with AVCHD.

     

    As with many things, always try the simplest way first and don't change it unless you find that it is not producing the results you want.

  • by Lando1,

    Lando1 Lando1 Jun 16, 2016 6:17 PM in response to David Bogie Chq-1
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 16, 2016 6:17 PM in response to David Bogie Chq-1

    Thank you David!

  • by Tom Wolsky,

    Tom Wolsky Tom Wolsky Jun 16, 2016 7:09 PM in response to Lando1
    Level 10 (118,413 points)
    Apple TV
    Jun 16, 2016 7:09 PM in response to Lando1

    IF you have a recent computer properly imported ABCHD is perfectly fine to edit in FCP. For most systems optimization is not necessary before the effect stage, if then. ClipWrap is EditReady. It can either rewrap or convert. For your workflow you don't need it v

  • by Ian R. Brown,

    Ian R. Brown Ian R. Brown Jun 17, 2016 1:35 AM in response to Lando1
    Level 6 (18,660 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 17, 2016 1:35 AM in response to Lando1

    In addition to my original comments I would like to add that if you have a very complex timeline with several layers of video clips and lots of effects, you will probably find that your computer struggles.

     

    If this happens, you definitely need to convert to ProRes or even Proxy media.

     

    It all depends on the kind of project you do. No 2 people edit exactly the same way. Most amateurs usually edit fairly simple projects, for which AVCHD is fine, whilst  others create the most complex ones that will need ProRes or Proxy.

  • by Lando1,

    Lando1 Lando1 Jun 17, 2016 6:43 AM in response to Tom Wolsky
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 17, 2016 6:43 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

    My computer is a 2010 MP 1x 6core, 32GB ram, nvidia 2GB video card, one SSD 512GB boot drive and 3x 3TB conventinal drives(seagates barracudas).

  • by Ian R. Brown,

    Ian R. Brown Ian R. Brown Jun 17, 2016 8:55 AM in response to Lando1
    Level 6 (18,660 points)
    Mac OS X
    Jun 17, 2016 8:55 AM in response to Lando1

    It should be fine  .  .  .  one of mine is a 2008 iMac which works OK with FCP X, though it's not lightning fast!