Why aren't my 4K videos high quality after exporting?

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Level 1

6 points

Why aren't my 4K videos high quality after exporting?

So,

I'm an editor for some buddies of mine who vlog. I noticed that our 4k videos look kinda grainy after exporting, but I save them in the H264 codec that other bloggers say to use. For instance, there's a video from vacation with them and I noticed that one of the first scenes is crystal clear 4k but the rest of the episode is grainy. All scenes were filmed in 4k with an iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. I'm confused how one scene looks so good but the others don't. The only thing I added to the episode in Final Cut Pro x is an audio compressor. I didn't add anything to the video to enhance it.

Here's a recent short video I uploaded that is in 4K and looks choppy..

https://youtu.be/hrYudFRkwo4

If anyone can help figure this out, I appreciate it.

Thanks!

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 11.0

Posted on Dec 2, 2020 10:21 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 2, 2020 11:49 AM in response to Schmitty83

Parts of it, especially at the end look as though they have smeary/blocky video artefacts which is usually caused by using too low a bit rate.

I have just checked and it appears you have encoded it at 4152kbps with a frame rate of 24fps which I am sure is not what the iPhone shot.

Steer clear of 24fps . . . lots of people think it gives a desired "film" look but all it actually does is increase the jerkiness of the motion together with high shutter speeds that non-video cameras frequently shoot at.

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Answer 2

Schmitty83 Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 2, 2020 7:41 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

I think I’ve figured it out but I’ll try later. I had optimize storage turned on in iCloud. I think I was exporting these files instead of the original files. I forgot to turn this off before airdropping video clips or exporting from photos to use as footage in Final Cut Pro x.

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Answer 3

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,867 points

Dec 2, 2020 10:02 PM in response to Schmitty83

Don’t export video clips from Photos. Use the Photos browser to import, or better yet import directly from the camera into FCP.

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Answer 4

Dec 2, 2020 1:49 PM in response to Schmitty83

What counts is the settings you use when you export the film.

What were they as I didn't know that FCPX could export 1080p as low as 4000kbps?

Also if you want smooth action shots you should shoot at a high frame rate. A good compromise is 1080p at 50 or 60fps.

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Answer 5

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,867 points

Dec 3, 2020 5:40 AM in response to Schmitty83

Neither. Switch off background rendering. It’s a waste for most users.

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Answer 6

Schmitty83 Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 2, 2020 12:57 PM in response to Ian R. Brown

I did film it in 24fps 'cause I thought it would give a cinematic look like you said, but how do I change the bit rate? I usually don't choose a rendering option but which should I choose? This is how I usually set the properties of the project..

Thanks!

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Answer 7

Schmitty83 Author

Level 1

6 points

Dec 3, 2020 5:25 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Thanks Tom! Should I use uncompressed for rendering in my project settings or the highest apple prores (4444xq) ?

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Why aren't my 4K videos high quality after exporting?

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