What codecs can FCE import?

Incorrect.

I just took the first file in my original example, pushed it through QTPP, exported as .mov file in 1280*720 with AIC - did NOT import into FCE.

It is also incorrect that FCE will not import MP4 or H.264 as this is the way that I normally import and have been for the last year or two. It's just yesterday that all of a sudden one or two of approximately 686 .mp4 files I imported into FCE started giving me trouble.

No, I did not import them all at once.

I've messed with MPEG Streamclip in the past and it's been somewhat useful, though the re-exporting that I'd mainly use it for is much more streamlined in the old version of QTPP.

Your input is appreciated, but please only advice on things you have personal direct knowledge of in order to not lead others astray.

Cheers.

In addition, it is hardly accurate to say that a video, in order to be importable into FCE, has to be a certain size in pixels (a.k.a. "resolution"?). 99% of the video files I import are 1280*800 or some other whacky non-standard format, which has never seemed to be an issue. What is an issue is the codec and file type.

I've even gone so far as to take the same little 5-second clip and re-exporting in QTPP in as many different codec/file type/kbps as I possible could imagine would make a difference - the .mp4 and H.264 combo seemed to win by a mile every time I messed with it, combining superior compression, i.e. file size - with much better picture quality than I really needed for my hobby/art needs.

Message was edited by: par larsson

skalicki` wrote:
FCE supports files encoded in DV-NTSC/DV-PAL as well as the Apple Intermediate Codec. The frame size should be 720x480, 1280x720, 1440x1080, or 1920x1080 and the frame rate must be either 25fps or 29.97fps. Audio should be imported as an uncompressed AIFF file (mono or stereo) at either 32kHz or 48kHz.

If your files do not match these settings you should convert them to files compatible with FCE before editing.

Encoding comment is correct as it stands, though these are not the only codecs importable.
The frame size comment is incorrect, as it hardly seems to matter after having imported literally thousands and thousands (rough estimate: 20,000 files) of non-standard size video files into FCE.
Audio - no idea how much of this is a determinant for whether or not a specific file is importable.
Frame rate - nailed it. After messing with some settings I recalled I'd forgotten to change the frame rate before unsuccessfully trying to import the offending file for the umpteenth time. Changed the frame rate and all systems go.

Message was edited by: par larsson

To sum up what I gather to be the current state of knowledge about what file types/formats/parameters determine whether a file is importable into FCE:

Codec matters greatly. These are the codecs known to be importable, subject to the other determinants in later sections:
DV-NTSC
DV-PAL
Apple Intermediate Codec
H.264
Other codecs may be importable, or may become importable in future patches, though may also suffer additional requirements.

Frame size may matter, though this is in dispute.

Frame rate does make a difference, though not always, whether or not it does may depend on other file characteristics discussed here. Safe bets are 25fps and 29.97fps.

Audio may make a difference. Recommendations have been made to use uncompressed AIFF files (mono or stereo) at either 32kHz or 48kHz.

Video file formats importable (incomplete list), subject to the above restrictions:
.MOV
.MP4
.WMV
.AVI
.FLV

Other determinants:
Unknown
FCE Sequence settings??

Official documentation from authoritative sources:
FCE User's Manual says
{quote}Final Cut Express can import almost any media file that QuickTime recognizes{quote}
...with the key word being "almost", and then goes on to point the reader to what's essentially a sales brochure for the much-maligned Quicktime format.
No other official or authoritative source exists that's currently easily findable on the internet.

Good luck, and be safe. It's a jungle out there, and the FCE developers sure didn't help much.

Message was edited by: par larsson

I'm perfectly fine with people telling me I have a bad attitude.

I'm not fine with people spreading misinformation and pretending they have absolute answers to people's questions when their answers are demonstrably incorrect. Please demonstrate your methodology in an independently verifiable manner when making claims, or state where you got your information from. This is a rather nebulous concept not completely understood in amateur circles - or the information would already be widely available and this thread would serve no purpose.

Anyway, let's get this back on track to figuring out what people need to do to their video files in order to actually get to the editing part in FCE.

1280*720
AIC
.mov
Apple Lossless audio 48,000kHz
25fps advertised by program that originally produced the file (in-game WoW footage), but read as 24.24fps by QTPP

...NOT importable

same file run through QTPP again, changed to 25fps in QTPP

...importable

same file again, 29.97fps

...importable


Conclusion: the fps setting is "do or die" dealbreaker parameter that must be set correctly for import, at least as far as low-end HD AIC .mov files are concerned.