Editing Timebase Setting?

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Level 1

17 points

Editing Timebase Setting?

Hi
I have noticed that when I am editing a project no matter whether it was shot 24 frames per second, 30 frames per second, or 60 frames per second, that the editing timebase always says 29.97.
Is that correct?
My other question is that when I go into the Quicktime compression settings below, when I try to set the frames per second there, to 24, 30, or 60, it doesn't let me and tells me I must change the frames per second in the editing timebase section. However, that is always locked?
Should I not be worrying about this, and Final Cut Pro is adjusting my sequence automatically? I am confused why it doesn't say anything in the sequence settings about these other frames per second.

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Feb 2, 2009 3:30 PM

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Answer 1

Andy Neil

Level 4

3,795 points

Feb 2, 2009 3:41 PM in response to Sagedrum

Once you have a clip in your sequence, you cannot change the editing timebase. If the sequence is empty, you can.

Chances are that you THINK you're shooting in 24fps, but are actually shooting 29.97. This is particularly true if you are shooting to tape as SD tape like miniDV, DVC Pro, etc. actually runs at 29.97 no matter what the camera settings indicate. The camera adds frames called pulldown which can be removed when digitizing to get your 24fps. It's similar to the telecine process with film.

If you're using FCP 6, then the easiest thing to do is drop a clip into an empty timeline, and click YES when you get the warning that says your clip and sequence settings don't match. FCP will automatically reconfigure the sequence settings to the right frame size, codec, and editing timebase for your footage.

Andy

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Answer 2

Sagedrum Author

Level 1

17 points

Feb 2, 2009 4:01 PM in response to Andy Neil

Thanks Andy, I am shooting AVCHD on a Panasonic HMC150. I usually have Final Cut match my settings to the clip, but it is always 29.97 in the editing timebase. I understand the frame pulldown removal for 24, but if I am shooting 30fps, and it matches my clips settings for the sequence, shouldn't the editing timebase say 30fps?
Do I need to go into the Quicktime compression settings, and change interlace to progressive and 4:3 to 16:9 because those are always set to 29.97, 4:3 and interlaced as well.

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Answer 3

Andy Neil

Level 4

3,795 points

Feb 2, 2009 4:20 PM in response to Sagedrum

I'm not familiar with that camera so I don't know how it records and what it's capable of.

However, it's the frame rate of the clip that you have to keep in mind. When you select a clip in the browser and hit CMD+9 what does it say under Vid Rate? 29.97, or 30, or 23.98? When you drop it into a sequence and have FCP conform the sequence, does your clip need rendering or is the render bar grey?

Finally, how are you ingesting your footage? Log and Capture, or Log and Transfer?

Andy

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Answer 4

Sagedrum Author

Level 1

17 points

Feb 2, 2009 6:10 PM in response to Andy Neil

I am using Log and Transfer and when I did cmd 9, it gave the correct fps, and when I put it into the timeline, and let FCP adjust the settings, it said 30fps as the editing timebase. Thanks for the help, problem solved!

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