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Final Cut Pro exports larger than original file?

So, in this world of conferences gone virtual, I've received a video file of a full day of a virtual conference that I am trying to cut down into individual sessions. The original file is about 5 hours long, just under 5GB size, video codec is H.264, aucio is AAC, res is 1920 x 1080. I am trying to cut this footage into four approx 1-hour files. But when I cut this file into four smaller parts, each of these new files is being exported as 6 - 9GB files. The settings are the same - H.264, AAC, 1920x1080 -- can someone please explain how a 5GB, 5-hour long video is becoming four 9GB, 1-hour long videos when I try to cut it down? I'm not adding any titles or frills, literally just chopping it up and trying to export the sessions separately, so how am I about to end up with 30+ GB of files to upload when the original is only 5GB to begin with? I'm pulling my hair out over here. I'm running final cut version 10.4.9

MacBook Pro 13″, macOS 10.15

Posted on Dec 1, 2020 2:08 PM

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Posted on Dec 1, 2020 2:59 PM

They just use different rate rates. If you look in an application like MediaInfo you'll see details of what was shot and what the output files are. Usually high end cameras shoot very high data rate formats even when using H.264, so it's surprising your files for one hour as so very small, 1GB an hour is amazing.

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Dec 1, 2020 2:59 PM in response to audreyjourno

They just use different rate rates. If you look in an application like MediaInfo you'll see details of what was shot and what the output files are. Usually high end cameras shoot very high data rate formats even when using H.264, so it's surprising your files for one hour as so very small, 1GB an hour is amazing.

Dec 1, 2020 2:50 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Unfortunately, no, the zoom files are usually so small to start that it’s no big if they expand while editing. This conference was run by a full-out production firm that pulled in video feeds and sent them back out for attendees via proprietary software, so it’s a pretty high-quality video. I’ve used handbrake before, but I guess I’m wondering how the shortened files are getting so big in the first place? How is 20 percent of the video doubling the file size? Is Final Cut uncompressing something and then refusing to re-compress it, even though the output file is using the same video & audio settings as the original?

Dec 1, 2020 3:06 PM in response to audreyjourno

File size = duration X bitrate.

If you want smaller files, you need to lower the bitrate.

The original files you are using as source media have an extremely low bit rate to enhance their use in streaming, the default exports from FCP-X use a much higher bitrate it assumed you want high quality output.

As others have stated, use either Handbrake or Apple Compressor to transcode the file you have exported with a low bitrate to get the end file size you want.


MtD

Dec 2, 2020 12:29 AM in response to audreyjourno

As you are just chopping it up with no frills e.t.c you may find that iMovie will do what you need.


iMovie has a variable bit rate setting in File>Share>File>Quality >Custom.

You can see the file size vary as the slider for bit rate is adjusted.

Experiment with a small section first to see if it gives you what you want.

You might want to select Compress for Better Quality rather than Compress Faster .


Dec 1, 2020 2:53 PM in response to audreyjourno

As Tom explained it’s mostly in the data rate and a few other variables.


FCP exports/shares at fixed data rates and they cannot be altered.

However, FCP can work with Apples’ Compressor App so you have customisable control over the output.


Typically you create a setting in Compressor then apply that in FCP, this is then Shared from FCP as easily as one of the FCP Presets.


The price is a steal for what your get IMO.


Al

Final Cut Pro exports larger than original file?

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