DV resolution in FCP-X

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Level 7

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DV resolution in FCP-X

I have a number of miniDV tapes that I'd like to capture and edit. I used to use Final Cut Express HD quite a bit but it's finally time to upgrade to FCP-X.

I recall there were issues about DV video resolution with iMovie 10 and Final Cut Pro X. If I remember correctly the resultant captures were half the original resolution.

Was this an actual problem with these two apps, and if so was it ever resolved? If not, is there a workaround? I want to retain as much resolution as possible with these videos.

iMac Line (2012 and Later)

Posted on Aug 3, 2020 3:40 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MartinR Author

Level 7

24,366 points

Aug 3, 2020 3:48 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Thanks, Tom. I knew you would respond. Yes, now I recall, it was the "single field" issue and there was confusion about whether or not it meant the clips were at half resolution. So it was/is only a display issue in the app, not a resolution issue in the clips.

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Answer 2

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,809 points

Aug 3, 2020 3:45 PM in response to MartinR

There is no loss of resolution in either application. iMovie displays only one field, but output both. FCP displays one field but you can switch it to show both to see the interlacing. It also outputs full resolution. Interlacing is no longer relevant so you are better off outputting a deinterlaced project.

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Answer 3

Aug 4, 2020 5:05 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Just cured it!

I was having this problem with iMovie as well.

I had both apps open simultaneously.

I simply closed each app, restarted them and reimported the footage.

Problem solved and didn't even need to trash the preferences!

Don't know why it happened unless having both apps open caused the glitch but I have them both open now with no problem.

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Answer 4

Aug 4, 2020 2:09 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

CORRECTION: Just realised that the old DV is not properly catered for in iMovie. The only export presets are 540p, 720p and 1080p and it will probably output your DV as 16:9.

It seems a pity that you will have to spend $300 to edit some old tapes, as for "modern" widescreen formats, iMovie is fine.

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Answer 5

Aug 4, 2020 3:31 AM in response to Matti Haveri

I just use the custom setting you mention but with a normal 25fps.

The interlaced footage is then rendered and the progressive footage looks good.

Whether or not the deinterlaced image has lost any quality I cannot say but any degradation is not noticeable.

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Answer 6

MartinR Author

Level 7

24,366 points

Aug 4, 2020 8:00 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

Hi Ian!

I actually kept my 24" iMac on Snow Leopard just so I could continue using FCE-HD and some plugins I have. I always liked the editing precision I felt I could achieve in FCE-HD and never liked the way iMovie & FCP-X present clips on the timeline. (I may get zapped by lightning for making that statement.)

Many years ago I had filmed all my daughter's Shakespeare productions when she was in college but only ever edited Midsummer Night's Dream into a finished video. There isn't much actual editing, mostly just capturing, trimming & putting together the tapes from each production and adding titles & credits. And I want it to look as good as it can.

I resurrected the Midsummer project last week in order to do an MP4 export (years ago I had only done a DVD). That didn't work out so well and I ended up having to do a QT Movie/H.264 export. All my MP4 export trials had noticeable combing when there was movement. That's why I started making inquiries about iMovie 10 & FCP-X.

I'll look at the latest iMovie now that I have a new Mac with Catalina.

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Answer 7

Aug 4, 2020 1:15 AM in response to MartinR

Hi Martin!

I don't know how much experience you have had with iMovie or the type of editing you are doing but iMovie is now a very capable app.

Unless FCP X has some feature you particularly require, I would stick with iMovie.

It's a bit like the old days when many of us found that Final Cut Express could do all that we needed.

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Answer 8

Aug 4, 2020 2:39 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Do you ever use "bob deinterlacing" (i.e. double the frame rate by using both fields)?

I usually do simple deinterlacing by dropping the other field off (does it matter which field?).

But I have had good results and smoother motion by doubling the frame rate and using both fields although then there might be some jitter (sp?) in horizontal lines.

With PAL DV footage I have used File > New... > Project > Custom 788x576 50p (or 768x576 especially if there is analog field blanking in the sides I want to crop out). Then File > Share > Apple Devices 720p/1080p > Format: Computer, Resolution: 788x576 (50fps, or 768x576 if cropped).

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Answer 9

Aug 4, 2020 4:17 AM in response to Ian R. Brown

I have just done a DV PAL test in FCP X and the DV PAL footage which was captured some years ago appears BLACK !

This has never occurred previously.

It plays perfectly in QT Player.

I have posted details here....... https://discussions.apple.com/thread/251653078

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Answer 10

Aug 4, 2020 9:53 AM in response to MartinR

As mentioned above, there are only limited export settings in iMovie (540p, 720p and 1080p). Presumably 540p would be the best setting for DV-NTSC.

The image can be adjusted to 4:3 by using Crop to Fit but you get black bars on the side. I suppose any 4:3 movie will have black bars when viewed on a 16:9 display so I guess it's not too bad.

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