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final cut pro 10.8.1 - multi-camera mixed resolution

OK. Project shot with 2 cameras.

1 in 4k, most of the footage.

1 in 1920x1080 as supplemental footage.


Anyone have experience-based input:


Can I combine both in one Final Cut project without changing resolution & expect it to meld together in the lower resolution at export time?


Posted on Nov 6, 2024 1:39 PM

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Posted on Nov 7, 2024 8:43 PM

Set the multicam to 1080, FCP automatically resizes the 4K to that. "Fit" is the default spacial setting. You'll be good to go. Plus, you can use the 4K angles so increase the Scale for zoomed in shots. Thus, you can look like 3 or 4 cameras instead of 2. I do this often.

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Nov 7, 2024 8:43 PM in response to It-not-Irie

Set the multicam to 1080, FCP automatically resizes the 4K to that. "Fit" is the default spacial setting. You'll be good to go. Plus, you can use the 4K angles so increase the Scale for zoomed in shots. Thus, you can look like 3 or 4 cameras instead of 2. I do this often.

Nov 8, 2024 5:37 PM in response to It-not-Irie

Did you read the link to the multicam section in the user manual?


You combine the two video clips together with the audio to make the clip container. You select all the items in the browser and use the multicam function in menus to combine the three elements into a container. If you set the multicam to the 1080 resolution, the 4K will be scaled down to fit.


The user guide explains how you edit the clip into the project and then edit the material in the container. I’m sure you’ve seen that in the video tutorials.


Motion is not like LiveType at all. Motion is a motion graphics application similar to AfterEffects. It has no fixed resolution and can make projects at different sizes and aspect ratios. Motion generated content that can be used in FCP, but they’re not really integrated with each other. You cannot send content from FCP to Motion and vice verse. (There was briefly a plugin for this, but it’s no longer available.)

Nov 7, 2024 4:51 PM in response to It-not-Irie

  1. No. You create the multicam clip first. That combines the two video clips and the master audio. Most of the time with multicam all of the cameras are shooting the same format and resolution. You have two different resolutions. The mutlicam clip is a container and it has to have a resolution and frame rate like any piece of video. Which one do you want to use?


2. You will create the multicam clip with a specific resolution. When you put it in a project, the project will take the format specs from the multicam clip, whatever you set it to.


3. I don't understand this question. Motion is a separate application and isn't normally involved in multicam production.


4. When you combine the three elements in the multicam, the sync process will line up the audio from the three separate sources automatically matching the waveforms. Timecode isn't needed for syncing, though the application can use it to sync if you have gang synced timecode.

Nov 6, 2024 3:40 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

New to FCP since FC Express gave up the ghost years ago.

Have not had a chance to explore it before diving into a real project with a deadline, so I’m very rusty.


I’m about to edit them together & output to std HD, 1920x (1080 or 1280, as the case may be).


I expected I would have to export the higher def to match the lower FIRST.

From my reading, it is my understanding FCP will handle will handle both in a project. There was no further elaboration. Also have a separate Tascam audio recording of the entire event. The main camera had a boom mic & only camera sound on the 2nd camera, so that’s just for secondary angles.


(Not exactly my usual circumstance, but that’s what was available at the time).


Any advice appreciated.

Nov 6, 2024 3:52 PM in response to It-not-Irie

New to FCP since FC Express gave up the ghost years ago.

Have not had a chance to explore it before diving into a real project with a deadline, so I’m very rusty.


I’m about to edit them together & output to std HD, 1920x (1080 or 1280, as the case may be).


I expected I would have to export the higher def to match the lower FIRST.

From my reading, it is my understanding FCP will handle will handle both in a project. There was no further elaboration. Also have a separate Tascam audio recording of the entire event. The main camera had a boom mic & only camera sound on the 2nd camera, so that’s just for secondary angles.


(Not exactly my usual circumstance, but that’s what was available at the time).


Any advice appreciated.

Nov 7, 2024 4:02 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

If I can ask a bit more & whether I read it correctly…


1) Must I set the project resolution first?


2) Can I work both resolutions in the timeline & export the final project as 1920 x 1080,

or must I convert both to 1920x1080 as a first step before editing?


3) Workflow with Apple Motion is not clear. Should I render in one over the other?


4) The separate audio file is the most complete record & likely best audio (this is a musical performance). I’m inclined to use it as the basis unless there are better recommendations. Also, I had no opportunity to match time codes, so I guess I’m syncing manually.

Nov 8, 2024 4:42 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Thanks.


FCP interface is a fair bit different than FCE was!

I intend exporting to HD 1080p (the lower resolution).


I read multiclip as a timeline clip consisting of clips from 2 source cameras. Correct?


When you say what the multiclip should be set to — are you saying I need to have matching resolutions in the combined clips, or just the output setting in the project container?


Reads like what I want is possible, despite 2 different resolutions, but its never blatantly stated. That is my core question.


I spent time watching a few video tutorials. I’m beyond ideal circumstances recommended in those videos.


I experimented with 2 very short clips in the timeline, of about 20 seconds (one from each camera, consisting of 2 different resolutions), but the file ‘share’ went missing after generated.


Re: Motion.

I used to work with Livetype, I believe it was called. I’m reading that the workflow can go FCP to Motion, or vie versa. Not clear what max res on Motion is.


Nov 8, 2024 4:58 PM in response to It-not-Irie

Thanks. Hope this doesn’t turn into 2 posts again!

(I timed out on my edit-for-clarity, but it says my continued edit was saved, so here goes…)


I intend exporting to HD 1080p (the lower resolution).


I read multiclip as a timeline clip consisting of clips from 2 source cameras. Correct? Manual reference was combined clip.


When you say what the multiclip should be set to — are you saying I need to have matching resolutions in the combined clip, or just the output setting in the project container?


From replies, it reads like what I want is a correct conclusion, despite 2 different resolutions in the combined clip marked with IN & OUT markers, but its never blatantly stated (in the videos). That was my core question.


I spent time watching a few video tutorials. I’m beyond ideal circumstances recommended in those videos.


I experimented with 2 very short clips in the timeline, of about 20 seconds (one from each camera, consisting of the 2 different resolutions), but the successful file ‘share’ went missing after being generated. I have NO destination beyond my documents folder designated.


Re: Motion.

I used to work with Livetype, I believe it was called. I’m reading that the workflow can go FCP to Motion, or vice versa. I was asking if there were limitations in Motion in the workflow that I don’t know about.


sorry if this turns into a repeat post.


Nov 8, 2024 10:24 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Thanks. Yes, I read the multicam section of the manual. I have a deadline & was hoping to get by without studying the manual in excruciating depth before kicking this out. I’m rusty at video editing.


Fair point on the comparison to AfterEffects. I used to use it before it became a subscription app & should have known better!


Videos I saw suggested I could move between FCP & Motion & is apparently outdated as youtube videos tend to be! I was hoping to assess what the values in this were.


Thanks for your help.

Nov 10, 2024 3:37 AM in response to BenB

One last dumb question, if I may:


I exported [ the creepy "shared" term ] a 10-20 second clip of footage as a test to see if the result was what I expected. Presumably destined for my documents folder. I have no permissions directing anywhere else.


I can’t seem to find it anywhere on my computer to view!

The file originally appeared in the documents folder. I keep receiving notifications that it was successfully completed, but nowhere to be found to launch it.

final cut pro 10.8.1 - multi-camera mixed resolution

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