Is it possible to export uncompressed .avi files over 4 gigabytes?

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Is it possible to export uncompressed .avi files over 4 gigabytes?

I want to export my 70+ min movie as one uncompressed .avi - file with FCP
but it turns out only 4 gigabytes of data (35-50 seconds) are visible in the exported clip. The rest is black.

How do I get around this problem?

PC, Windows XP, Quad Processor

Posted on Jan 24, 2009 4:31 PM

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Answer 1

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,028 points

Jan 24, 2009 4:57 PM in response to Stellan

What file system format does the drive you are writing to use?

If it is FAT 32, there is a 4GB file size limit.
I am assuming FAT 32, because your earlier post suggested that this material is going to be worked on by someone with a Windows PC.

There are also file size limits on AVI, although I know nothing about the details.

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Answer 2

Stellan Author

Level 1

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Jan 25, 2009 3:20 AM in response to Nick Holmes

The drive is mac standard (not FAT32) and I have checked + confirmed that the drive can take files larger than 4 gigabytes.

The .avi file I export IS the right size (200+ gigabytes).
Even though the audio and video doesn't show up after a certain point.

I use Quicktime conversion - avi (compressor : none, quality: best) etc.
I've tried saving with and without sound (48khz 16bit uncompressed)

When I save without sound, the exported file contained a little bit more video data (a few more seconds)
which supports my 4 gig limit theory.

I just want to export the movie in it's uncompressed state
for editing on a PC (premiere cs4)

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Answer 3

Nick Holmes

Level 7

30,028 points

Jan 25, 2009 3:38 AM in response to Stellan

mac standard

Perhaps it's only a matter of the terminology being used, but just to clear up any misunderstanding, there are two types of basic Mac file formats.

Mac OS Standard (HFS) and Mac OS Extended (HFS+). You should be using the latter. Is this the case?

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Answer 4

Jan 25, 2009 6:45 AM in response to Stellan

Premiere CS4 on a PC can edit Quicktime fine. I have not done the crossover since Premiere 6.5, so it's up to you to find out how to accept Quicktime instead of AVI in Premiere. Stay away from AVI. It's a dead container format. That uncompressed AVI is the worst of all. It is not a viable editing format and will most likely bog down your system. Your best bet is to export Quicktime movie, self-contained, same as source. Of course, you'll need a compatible Quicktime codec on the Windows machine. What are the sequence settings in your FCP project?

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