4212 X 3072 dpx files appear as 4000 X 3072 on FCP timeline?

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Level 1

112 points

4212 X 3072 dpx files appear as 4000 X 3072 on FCP timeline?

I'm working with 4212 X 3072 dpx files from an IMAX film. I'm using GlueTools to bring them onto the FCP timeline as clips. But when I drag them onto the timeline, my sequence seems to want to set them at 4000 X 3072. I've tried re-setting the sequence before and after the fact ... it immediately pops back to 4000 X 3072.

I've just heard from someone who works regularly at 4096x2440 ... so I'm thinking that 4000 isn't a limit set by Final Cut.

Any thoughts out there?

Ben

G5 2.5Ghz, Mac OS X (10.4.2)

Posted on Nov 27, 2008 10:01 AM

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Answer 1

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Nov 27, 2008 11:48 AM in response to Ben Low

FCP can't work with any files over 4K...that's the limit, AFAIK. Verify from the person you heard from that they are in fact working at 4096.

Shane

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Answer 2

Ben Low Author

Level 1

112 points

Nov 27, 2008 1:52 PM in response to Shane Ross

Hi Shane,

I'm seeing that 4000 doesn't want to be any more than 4000. What I'm wondering, is FCP 'squashing' the frame, or 'cropping' the frame. Hard to tell. But the dpx files sit just fine on the FCP timeline ... I can make 2K versions. I can edit the 2K versions, add color correcting etc. etc., and then DISCONNECT THE CLIPS, and RECONNECT them to the 4K media, resize the clips on the timeline, and I have an 'almost' 4K film on the timeline WHICH ... I can output as a full 4K Quicktime or dpx stream (4212 X 3072). I'm wondering how much this will suffer from the 'squashing' or 'cropping' that FCP does. Mmm, food for thought.

Thanks, Ben

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Answer 3

Nov 28, 2008 10:42 AM in response to Ben Low

Standard 4K resolution is 4096 pixels across. It's only approximately 4000 pixels. Just like 2K is only approximately 2000 pixels. Unfortunately you're dealing with some non-standard frame sizes, probably related to the IMAX format. What I would suggest is outputting an EDL and using some other program that can deal with higher resolutions in order to online at 4K. Something designed for finishing fancy stuff like this.

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Answer 4

Nov 28, 2008 11:12 AM in response to Kyle Gilman

Just curious, gentlemen, what tools do the big dogs use for onlining IMAX?

I can't imagine onlining that stuff, I've always assumed it was done at lower rez and then matched back to the film on some dedicated system that only the IMAX high priests understood how to use.
but now IMAX is being acquired directly on digital? Cool.

bogiesan

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