FCPX not importing audio track from DV files.

My initial issue was that FCPX would crash at the end of a MiniDV tape. After playing through a complete 1hr tape and having it crash twice, and loosing the entire import, I was disgusted. I figured that I would import the footage into an iMovie '11 event, then import the event into FCPX.

Workaround #1: Use iMovie '11 to import MiniDV footage because FCPX is unstable when importing MiniDV. I'm not the only one having this issue.

Footage is imported into iMovie event. Plays great in iMovie. I found the footage in the finder, and the .dv files play great through Quicktime X. I open FCPX and import 'iMovie Event'. I lost the audio. Waveforms are not even present.

Workaround #2: After capturing the MiniDV footage in iMovie, run it through MPEG Streamclip. For grins, I tried ProRes 422. Import the transcoded files as a new Event in FCPX. I have wave forms and audio.

I'm trying to stay positive about FCPX. I ran into an issue with DVCPRO HD footage two days ago, and posted to multiple forums. No one replied with an answer. My work around was to again use MPEG Streamclip and transcode to a different format (ProRes 422 HQ).

THoughts?

-mike

I'm really surprised that people expect so much from FCP-X. After all, it's a version 1 software and IMHO, Apple released it long before it was ready for the consumer market, let alone the pro market.

You may want to look into switching to Adobe Premier while Apple gets its $*%# together.

-DH

> "[JirSoft] I think it should be possible just (on example with QT Pro or free MPEG Streamclip) open this .dv file and save as QT (.mov extension) with DV as video codec and PCM as audio codec (this is same way as FCP7 save .dv files), it will be no transcoding needed, so just an copy..."

I'm trying to do what JirSoft (and David Harbsmeier) suggested to save as (DV) .mov file to avoid re-encoding the video but fix the missing audio. FYI, my DV files were recorded on a Panasonic PV-GS320 with 16-bit audio, then captured via iMovie HD, then imported into FCPX, which is then completely missing the audio information. (FYI, if I record with 12-bit audio from same camcorder, then capture via iMovie HD, then import to FCPX, the audio is totally fine; it's only an issue with 16-bit audio).

I have proven that MPEG Streamclip will fix the audio issue if I do "File->Export to DV" with the checkbox selected for "Resample Audio to 48 kHz" (if I don't select that checkbox, audio is still missing after import to FCPX). This may be a reasonable solution, but I'm still nervous that "Export to DV" may re-encode the video (the file size is only 40 bytes different for a 1.04GB DV file and the video *seems* identical, so most likely only the audio was changed, but I'm not 100% sure). So I would prefer to do "File->SaveAs DV (or MOV)", but I can't find any option to resample the audio. Right now, doing File->SaveAs DV or MOV and then importing to FCPX, the audio is still missing.

So here's my questions:

1) MPEG Streamclip: does anyone know of a way to only fix the audio and not re-encode the DV video (ie. via Save As DV/MOV or something similar), or can anyone confirm if my "Export to DV" technique is definitely not re-encoding the video?

2) Quicktime Pro: I don't yet own a copy (but could buy it if it works), so can someone confirm if there is a way to only fix the audio and not re-encode the DV video?

I tried quicktime pro and the resulting video appears to have interlace issues using export when played back in some players. I tried different settings but wasn't 100% satisfied.

I think mpegstreamclip with the resample audio method does a good job. It doesn't appear to re-encode the video and even if it does - it looks good anyways. I am currently working with crappy old 8mm analog video of home movies and they are pretty bad - can't get much worse!

If you are really paranoid, you can just use quicktime pro (I am not sure if it is possible in mpegstreamclip but should be) to export the audio only from original iMovie DV to something like an AIFF. Then import the AIFF audio into FCPX. Select both the audio and original DV (the one that doesn't have audio) and synchronize clips. It will then make a single "virtual" clip that you can drag into timeline and edit etc. This will be a lot quicker exporting the audio and take less space. I personally think using mpegstreamclip is the better way.

I have the same problem at the moment. I import from a DV file with audio and after importing into FCPX, there's no audio track.

If I right-click "Show in FInder" - the file it takes me to has audio!

Somehow FCPX refuses to acknowledge it. Here's the file details.

(I imported this from the camera using Final Cut Express)

*** General Parameters ***

- Name: 2011-07-31 17_44_16 (id).mov

- Container: MOV - QuickTime

- Size: 245.37 MB

- Duration: 1mn 4s

- Bitrate: 30.4 Mbps

*** Video Track Parameters ***

- Format: DV (PAL)

- Bitrate: Max.: --- / Average: 24.4 Mbps / Min.: ---

- Frame rate (fps): Max.: --- / Average: 25.000 / Min.: ---

- Encoding profile: Undefined

- Width (Pixel number): 720*576

- Pixel Aspect Ratio: 118:81

- Display Aspect Ratio: 16:9

- Interlacing: Interlaced

*** Audio Track #1

- Format: Uncompressed PCM

- Size: Undefined

- FourCC: sowt

- Number(s) and language(s): 1: Undefined

- Details: 16-bit, little endian, signed linear PCM

- Bitrate: 1 536 Kbps

- Bitrate mode: Constant

- Resolution: 16 bits

- Rate: 48.0 KHz

- Channel(s): 2 (stereo)

- Position: Front: L R

*** Audio Track #2

- Format: Uncompressed PCM

- Size: Undefined

- FourCC: Undefined

- Number(s) and language(s): 2-0: Undefined

- Details: Undefined

- Bitrate: 1 536 Kbps

- Bitrate mode: Constant

- Resolution: 16 bits

- Rate: 48.0 KHz

- Channel(s): 2 (stereo)

- Position: Undefined

How did this DV get into your computer? Where are you looking to see if there is audio? Does the information above come from the inspector? What do you see in the inspector when you look at channel configuration?

I think the DV-camera-owner-market is slightly bigger than you are thinking ;-)

I bought my miniDV camera, brand new, less than 5 years ago (it's a Panasonic GS300)

And we have friends with the same camera who are definitely nowhere near 40yrs old! ;-)

Mini-DV was only starting to be overtaken with the hard drive format 5 or 6 years ago, to my knowledge.

There's plenty of people with DV footage to care about.

Hi Tom,

I originally imported this DV onto my computer using Final Cut Express directly from my miniDV camera (Panasonic GS-300)

But the file info I posted, is from the file that FCPX took me to when I select "Reveal in FInder" (the file name was actually 2011-07-31 17_44_16 (id).mov - and it's in a folder called "Original Media" folder (ie I didn't put it there, it's the result of an import)

To show the video info posted, I used VideoSpec (by right-clicking on the file that FCPX took me to in Finder, and sending it to VideoSpec).

The inspector in FCPX shows no tab for Audio at all (just Video/Info) - when I click on the clip in the Event Library. And similarly there's no audio waveform if I drag the clip into the timeline.

I haven't figured out what "Channel Configuration" is yet ;-)

I'll double check that they were imported using FC Express - as I did try using the camera import in FCPX & can't remember for certain if I deleted all those clips.

If FCP shows no audio tab it's not seeing any audio. I don't undertsand why FCE media is not coming into FCP. I have captured a lot of media there and brought it into FCP without problem.

DV Market is dead!!! Nobody makes consumer camcorders that record on tape anymore. That is why it is VERY important to archive all your old tapes to digital now while you can still get the hardware to play them back and current software still supports capture.

So let's summarize some things so people don't get confused:

1) FCPX Cannot import analog video. This includes 8mm Analog tape using a Digital 8 Camcorder, or any analog source using A/V in mode on most DV camcorders. The video will play in the capture window and it appears that it may work but FCPX doesn't capture anything. This is because FCPX requires a timecode while importing.

2) You can use iMovie 11 to capture analog Video. The iMovie projects can be imported into FCPX, or the .dv file can be imported to a FCPX event.

3) Some captured DV video from iMovie 11 (or other sources) will not play audio when imported to FCPX.

4) Use MPEG Streamclip to make the audio work:

Load the .DV file from iMovie (File, Open Files, Navigate to iMovie Events, select the event folder and find the .dv file (called something like clip-xxx-xx-xx xx;xx;xx.dv). Then File, Export to DV... select compression DV (DV25) and check Resample Audio to 48 kHz). Press Make DV and call it a new name. This does not appear to re-encode the video (if it does then it is very fast and doesn't seem to change anything - I compared same clips side-by-side and could not see a difference). Then import the new .dv in FCPX and audio will now be there.

Since you cannot adjust the date/time in FCPX itself (strange that iMovie 11 allows you to), you must use the touch command in a command prompt. For example, I want to change the date to July 1, 1995 01 AM:

touch -t 199507010100 movie.dv

If you do not do this then FCPX will organize your event using the current date. The touch command above changes the creation date to whatever date you want. (as a side-note, this is not-issue with AVCHD but make sure you have clock set correct in camera when filming or you will end up with incorrect date - touch won't help you with those since it reads the timestamp of file).

Hope this helps

NOTE: I tried using Quicktime Pro 7 instead of MPEG Streamclip and export to DV and select DV NTSC 48kHz preset. The results seem the same. MPEG Streamclip is free though so I recommend it.

For some reason, once you use touch -t it doesn't change the creation date if you try again. I found this script here which works:

http://www.hamsoftengineering.com/codeSharing/ChangeFileDates/ChangeFileDates.ht ml

I've experimented some more & it looks like the clips that have no audio were the result of my attempt to import from my DV camera using FCPX.

So, I think FCExpress is innocent & files produced by it do have audio in FCPX.

I will have to keep FCExpress installed as long as I have the miniDV camera I'm using now.

Brian, I'm afraid your pointlist doesn't easy any confusion for me. You only mention "analog video" in relation to DV camcorders. But DV is a format for the digital recording and playing back of digital video.

My camera is miniDV, and these are well supported by FCPX...

This is what Apple says:

"Final Cut Pro X is compatible with most MiniDV tape-based camcorders using DV and HDV formats, which use a FireWire (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.LINK) cable to transfer video"

furrytoes, sounds like you have a different problem if you get no audio capturing DV directly into FCPX.

The DV Video I have captured directly using FCPX has audio. Rather, it is problem with previous DV footage that was captured using iMovie, which I want to use now in FCPX, that contains no audio.

One can also use Digital 8 camcorders to import Analog 8mm video, which will also save as a .dv file. FCPX cannot do this because it is stubborn - no timestamp in video stream as I mentioned above. But on iMovie, fortunately the analog 8mm capture just fine. The problem is that there is no audio when importing these same clips captured using iMovie into FCPX, so a conversion is necessary. This conversion is also necessary for "real" digital DV tapes (not analog) captured in iMovie.

Did you try any of the conversion methods using Quicktime Pro 7 or MPEG Streamclip on your video?

Brian