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Cannot edit MP4 files, maybe compression error?

Hi, I'm new to Final Cut Express. I just bought it to replace iMovie. But I'm having a issue - only had it open for not even a hour and I started getting a "General Error", specifically "Out of Memory". It was a mp4 clip, like this:

MPEG-4 MOVIE
1280x720
H.264, MPEG 4 HIGH EFFICIENCY AAC
2 (Audio Channels)
3,127 (Bit rate)
45.5 MB

I browsed the forums for a bit, trying to figure out what I could do to make the errors go away. I've never had problems with compression or anything like this before. I saw somewhere that I should use MPEG Streamclip to convert the clip to .mov using Apple Intermediate, but MPEG couldn't edit the file either, although it played it fine. I tried going in and trying to export to .mov via Quicktime, but it only exported a completely white video with normal audio. I have no idea what to do now.

Why is this happening, how do I fix or prevent it from happening??

Message was edited by: BreatheHorror

2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (iMac), Mac OS X (10.4.11)

Posted on Mar 3, 2011 11:50 PM

Reply
9 replies

Mar 4, 2011 1:29 AM in response to BreatheHorror

Streamclip is the way to go.
Export to Quicktime from Streamclip.
Select an Intermediatate codec that is close to the original file dimesions as possible.
In FCE you will also need to select an Apple Intermediate Codec Easy Setup that exactly matches the exported file from Streamclip. It's best to look at the properties of the Easy Setup then use those as the basis for the Streamclip export to Quicktime. The idea is to have the export and the FCE Easy Setup matched exactly, audio and video.

but it only exported a completely white video with normal audio


The video is obviously not compatible with FCE as white screen means the codec to play that file isn't available.
Double check the Streamclip settings and try again.
As mectioned you may also be editing the clip in to a Sequence that doesn't match. The Easy Setups govern the Sequence settings.

Al

Mar 4, 2011 2:02 PM in response to Alchroma

I think you missed me a little here... from MPEG Streamclip, I took the original dimensions and tried to convert it to quicktime with the following settings:

APPLE INTERMEDIATE CODEC
QUALITY 100%
UNCOMPRESSED SOUND
1280x720 UNSCALED
FRAMERATE 29.97

When I try to convert like this, using any of the clips (the clip I had originally talked about was one out of a batch of twenty, I tested them all last night after posting a realized they all get the same error) I get a empty, 0kb file and a Error that says it can't prepare the movie.

FCE won't even open the video at all. I can import it, but when I try to open it with the viewer it doesn't open, it simply spits out a general memory error. It's my Quicktime that does the white screen every time I try and convert the movie through it.

I will however, try to change the setup of my FCE Sequence... when trying to use this clips I was using HDV-APPLE INTERMEDIATE CODEC 1080i50. I was using it because I need the 1080p (this is for Youtube) and it was the only easy setup that was the size I needed. I'm a noob, I don't have any idea on how to change the size of the video (just any easy setup gives me the old square video, so if I try to change it when rendering the clips would be all placed weird with possible gaps).

Mar 4, 2011 4:35 PM in response to BreatheHorror

Open the original, unconverted clip in the QuickTime Player. Then do +Window > Show Movie Inspector.+ Tell us what it says for Format and FPS.

If this is actually 720p/29.97fps material, you should convert it in *MPEG Streamclip* to QuickTime, Apple Intermediate Codec, 1280x720 (HDTV 720p); and in FCE you should use the 720p30 easy setup.

Another option would be to convert to QuickTime, Apple Intermediate Codec, 1920x1080 (HDTV 1080i) in MPEG Streamclip; and use the AVCHD 1920x1080i60 easy setup in FCE.

The point being, the clip & the sequence settings need to match. 720p25 and 1080i50 are not appropriate; your original clip is 29.97fps (nominally 30 fps) and you are in Canada, an NTSC country. The /p25 and /i50 settings are for the UK and certain other countries and they do not match your source material.

Mar 4, 2011 9:03 PM in response to BreatheHorror

" ... it's a game recording, not a digital camera ..."

So, what exactly did the original video clip come from? Device/make/model.

59.94fps is 60i. This is a little puzzling because 1280x720 would lead one to suspect 720p30. I would try converting to QuickTime, AIC, 1280x720 and use the 720p30 easy setup in FCE. Try it and see what happens.

Mar 4, 2011 9:52 PM in response to MartinR

I don't know what make and model it is, because I'm not the one who recorded it, unfortunately. A friend recorded it for me and then uploaded it... It was recorded with some kind of device off a PS3. If you want to take a look at it yourself, here: http://www.megaupload.com/?d=5LVLU7HZ

I've been trying AIC the entire time, and MPEG Streamclip still won't export as Quicktime. Changed the framerate to match the video, still not working. "Can't prepare the Movie". I'm really at a loss because Quicktime itself exports white and Streamclip won't export at all.

Cannot edit MP4 files, maybe compression error?

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