Best Way To Import .DV File into FCP X

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Level 1

5 points

Best Way To Import .DV File into FCP X

Hello,

I have an old Panasonic PV-GS31 digital camcorder with some footage that I want to bring into the current version of FCP X (10.4.6).

Since I didn't have the correct type of cable to connect this camera to my MacBook Pro, I instead booted up an older MacBook with iMovie '09, and successfully imported the footage to a new iMovie event.

I then located the desired file (at User > Movies > iMovie > iMovie Events), which exists as a ".dv" file. So I put the MacBook into 'Target Disk Mode', and copied this .dv file to the desktop of my MacBook Pro.

And now I want to import this file using the 'Import Media' function within Final Cut Pro. However, I wanted to first check if that's how I should be approaching this. Because I was seeing something to the effect that .dv files aren't supported by FCP, and that if it worked the audio might be compromised...

Note: I was seeing these things on older posts online, so I'm not sure if that info is still applicable. And I'm not seeing any recent information on doing this at all.

I believe the first option is to import this .dv file directly into FCP X and just proceed as per normal. Alternately, I could import the file into iMovie 10, create a new project, and then export that project into FCP.

I suppose it's possible that it doesn't matter, but to be on the safe side I figured I should check with this community first before doing anything further!

Thanks for your advice,

Jim

MacBook Pro

Posted on Oct 6, 2019 4:01 PM

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Answer 1

Alchroma

Level 7

23,918 points

Oct 6, 2019 7:48 PM in response to bjorkj02

If your other Mac has QuickTime7 use that to capture.

Note: There are a couple of levels for capture use Highest quality.

As I recall .DV from iMovie is a mixed AV file.

Will work but a QT7 capture would be better.

Al

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Answer 2

Alchroma

Level 7

23,918 points

Oct 6, 2019 9:33 PM in response to bjorkj02

Video work is best set to 48kHz 16 bit audio. 44.1 is the CD standard.

I'm not sure of the implications of using .dv iMovie files in FCP X.

As mentioned it should work provisionally.

Al

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Answer 3

bjorkj02 Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 6, 2019 8:08 PM in response to Alchroma

Thanks for the reply Alchroma! I looked into it, and it appears this is the process: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201066#record

I should note that the goal is to make a music video, where I'd disconnect and remove the camera's audio and use a separate (CD-quality) file for the audio instead ...

So if the .dv file format is a mixed AV file, does that mean that I wouldn't be able to disconnect the audio from the video as per normal? If that was the case, then I'd definitely want to try something else (like QuickTime).

But if it only means that the audio is disabled and the video appears like normal, then it might not be disqualifying. The most important thing is to have the highest quality video possible to go with the audio...

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Answer 4

bjorkj02 Author

Level 1

5 points

Oct 8, 2019 7:39 PM in response to Alchroma

Thanks again for the input, Alchroma.

I tried the QuickTime capture (actually with QT 10) on my MacBook using "Maximum" quality, and it looked fine. Interestingly, the file size was basically the same as the .dv file, so I don't think there was any difference in visual quality between the two...

Around that time, I also realized there was a third option: Create an iMovie (8.0.6) project on the MacBook, bring in that clip, and import that project to iMovie 10 on the MacBook Pro. And then send that project to Final Cut Pro X.

It took a little messing around, but eventually I got the Library / Project / Events all set up as I want in FCP. And when I first imported the footage into FCP, it rendered the clip to FCP standards, which makes me confident I have the best possible quality of video possible now.

So to answer my own question, I believe the best option is to capture the camcorder footage via iMovie 8.0.6, import the project into iMovie 10, and then transfer that to Final Cut Pro X. It's probably the most work, but also seems like the most natural way overall.

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