Does someone use FCE together with Sony SR10, SR11 or SR12?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Does someone use FCE together with Sony SR10, SR11 or SR12?

I've tried to get a YES or NO in some discussions here and since I'm not alone with the FCE/AVCHD rendering issue, I'm kind of hoping that someone using Final Cut Express (or any other good Mac software) have got this to work. I've just tried FCE together with my camcorder once in a Mac store and the person working in the store, who showed me the new Macbook Pro didn't know anything about this either. The problem I noticed was that after import of the media from camera everything looked just fine but once I dragged one clip down on the timeline FCE had to render the clip before I could watch the project. This is not news but I wonder what settings one should use in FCE together with the Sony SR12 camcorder. Is there a way to setup the project so that FCE doesn't have to render all the time using full quality AVCHD clips? If it's not possible, is there any other Mac program that will work with AVCHD natively? Maybe the solution is to switch the camera to SD instead? What happens if I do that? If I shoot in highest MPG quality, does FCE handle those clips on the timeline without rendering the clips after every change I do?

My thoughts about this is to get a howto/check-list from someone who know and then visit this Mac store once more with my camera and try it out.

Regards
Robert Nilsson
(PC owner who really would like to use the new Macbook Pro)

Lenovo T61, Windows XP

Posted on Oct 27, 2008 1:20 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Oct 27, 2008 1:29 PM in response to NuVista175

Try this:

Look up the info on one of your imported files and take note of the following things Frame Rate (should be either 25 or 29.97) and resolution (should be either 1920*1080 or 1440*1080).

Reply

Answer 2

NuVista175 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 27, 2008 1:38 PM in response to wallybarthman

I can not do that without going 50 miles to the Mac store. I don't have a Mac with Final Cut Express yet. I was hoping to get something in here before I visited them again 🙂

Reply

Answer 3

Oct 27, 2008 1:50 PM in response to NuVista175

When you say import, did you mean the Import command in the menus? You don't use Import with AVCHD, you use the Log and Transfer command in the File Menu. That bring up another window which looks for your camera which it calls No Name and thn begins logging in each clip. From there you have to select the clips you want to load into the editor. Each of those clips must then be "rendered" by a HD Apple Intermdiate Codec, which is the rendering you see. Once "rendered" in Final Cut, when you drag them in the timeline, they are ready to go. There is no Mac Program that natively uses AVHCD, but Sony makes a product called Vegas for Windows that edits native AVCHD, though as I understand, it isn't as powerful as Final Cut.

Reply

Answer 4

NuVista175 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 27, 2008 2:07 PM in response to SteveLgBch

Yes, you're absolutely right. I'm using Log and transfer to "import" my clips to FCE. If I have a clip on the timeline that is rendered and then trim that clip. Say cut away 1 second at the end. Doesn't FCE have to render that clip once more to view it correctly?

I've tried Vegas from Sony, but I really don't have the hardware for it. I have to buy a new machine for video editing and I was hoping it would be a MacBook Pro 🙂

// Robert

Reply

Answer 5

Oct 27, 2008 2:11 PM in response to SteveLgBch

I just learned something new. I've just had my SR-12 a couple of weeks. I've read here if you record in High Quality HQ, rather than Full Quality FQ (I've been using FQ), that HQ is 1440x1080 HiDef and you dont have to do the "rendering". I didn't know that. I'll have to try it tonight. I would think most of the things I record could be in HQ? Hmm.

Reply

Answer 6

Oct 27, 2008 2:23 PM in response to NuVista175

It shouldn't have to re-render in that case. As someone in another thread suggested. "Did you try the "Unlimited RT" setting? May or may not help." That certainly helps with Filters and the like.

Reply

Answer 7

ComPH1

Level 2

165 points

Oct 27, 2008 3:53 PM in response to NuVista175

I am using FCE with SR11 for about a month, so I am by no means an expert. I set the "Format" for "HD" and "Use" for "HDV-Apple Intermediate Codec 1080i60". When I then import the footage from the camcorder using "Log and Transfer", I get clips that do not require any further rendering when they are manipulated by the FCE, including the Timeline, just like if I work with SD footage. When I am done, I can export and downconvert the edited materials, or burn HD DVD's with Toast9. I hope this helps. at no point do I have to render any of the SR11 footage again.

Reply

Answer 8

ComPH1

Level 2

165 points

Oct 27, 2008 3:56 PM in response to NuVista175

Sorry, I see that you are in Sveden. In that case you'd of course need to use the 1080i50 setting. The latest revision of the FCE handles 1920x1080 resolution just fine.

Reply

Answer 9

ComPH1

Level 2

165 points

Oct 27, 2008 6:11 PM in response to ComPH1

I am sorry, I originally answered from work, without an access to my system. What I meant to say was that I have the "Easy Setup" set for "Use: AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i60". In your case you'd most likely set it to:"Use: AVCHD-Apple Intermediate Codec 1920x1080i50". You should then not need any rendering once the clips are ingested via the "Log and Transfer" utility. With the 4.0.1 release of FCE, I think that the 1920x1080 AVCHC camcorders are fully supported. Again, sorry, for the original incorrect info. I hope this helped to answered your original question.

Reply

Answer 10

NuVista175 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 28, 2008 2:14 AM in response to ComPH1

Thank you very much! I think that, with your answer, I now can go and visit the Mac store once more to try this out - or even order "my precious" MacBook Pro.

// Robert

Reply

Answer 11

Jan 9, 2009 6:57 PM in response to NuVista175

I have my own problem! FCE will mount my Sr11 and attempt to "log and transfer" the files. However, the spinning arrows in the queue stop spinning and are replaced with a red exclamation point. The tooltip displayed is "Error: No data"
Can anybody help me with this?

Reply

Answer 12

Jamie C8

Level 1

0 points

Jan 25, 2009 2:22 PM in response to craiga2124

Excuse me Craiga, I have been having the same problem and was wondering if you figured it out. Could you help me?

Reply

Answer 13

Jamie C8

Level 1

0 points

Jan 25, 2009 4:03 PM in response to craiga2124

I get the same problem and message, did you figure it out yet?

Reply

Answer 14

timspong

Level 1

0 points

Feb 2, 2009 3:10 AM in response to NuVista175

This is the answer. FCE doesn't support surround sound so you have to import as plain stereo.

Go to "Log and Transfer" under the file menu
Click on the Cog wheel button and choose preferences (import preferences) in the drop down menu.
click on triangle next to the "AVCHD plugin" source to reveal sub menu
Change the audio to plain stereo.

Reply

Answer 15

Feb 20, 2009 8:18 AM in response to NuVista175

I have a similar problem. I'm using Final Cut Studio and have just bought an SR12E but cannot import AVCHD files - when I use the Log and Transfer box - all of the AVCHD files are greyed out (although they do appear in Finder) Any thoughts?
Also is there a way of importing the SD mpg files so that I get the sound as well. If I copy them over as mpg they import OK, render OK, but pictures only on the timeline. I tried using Compressor the change them to mov files but that fails!
Very grateful for any help.

Reply