How to deal with Nikon D90 AVI files in FCE 4

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Level 1

10 points

How to deal with Nikon D90 AVI files in FCE 4

I purchased a Nikon D90 digital camera and it records clips stored in AVI format at 1280x720. When I import the video, a red line appears on the video render status line. Why does the video need to be rendered before making any changes?

Also, why when importing AVCHD video from my Sony camera, no rendering needs to be done?

Another question. With the AVI video, what is the best way to export in HD so I can post on the web?

Thanks for any help.

Mac Pro - Two 2.8 Quad Core Intel Xeon, Mac OS X (10.5.5)

Posted on Oct 12, 2008 10:43 PM

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Answer 1

Oct 13, 2008 12:34 AM in response to foxwiz

as far as I know, the D90 (.. what a beast 😉 - and the price!!) records in 30fps, 1280x720 square pixel, MotionJpeg, .avi container ..

which is +a bit off+ the standards, FCE does support.. = rendering

I had the opportunity to 'play around' for some minutes with the D90.. and made some 'test'-recordings.. it is really breathtaking to use 'photography' techniqués while doing video, esp. FoD...

but..
have you seen that movie done with the Canon 5D II?
http://www.usa.canon.com/dlc/controller?act=GetArticleAct&articleID=2086
it offers some more practical features, as automatic focus (=Nikon lacks that), and, even more important, the Canon allows to switch off automatic exposure (=in my tests with the D90, the pic 'pulsated' due to diff. light situaation) ...

==edit==
oops, Canon pulled that video.. too much bandwidth 😉
absolutely brilliant, perfect photography, even in low light condition, ... but 'motion picture' ..

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Answer 2

Alchroma

Level 7

23,918 points

Oct 13, 2008 1:52 AM in response to foxwiz

It's because FCE uses fixed resolutions and the D90 files don't conform. When footage doesn't match FCE will have to turn it into something it knows, Whatever the Sequence setting is at the time you import the footage is what FCE will try to convert to; not an ideal way of working.

An application like Streamclip can convert files to FCE friendly ones. Convert to QuickTime in Streamclip and use the specs in any of the FCE Easy Setups.

http://www.squared5.com/

Al

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Answer 3

foxwiz Author

Level 1

10 points

Oct 13, 2008 1:13 PM in response to Alchroma

Thanks for the suggestion on Streamclip. I used it to bring in some other video before and I'll try it again on this new stuff. Thanks.

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Answer 4

Nov 18, 2008 8:07 PM in response to Karsten Schlüter

It's back!

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