Workflow: AVCHD to Proxy editing (no optimizing), Export from original media. Any disadvantages?

I've been reading AVCHD threads for FCP 7 and now FCP-X for a year or two. I understand the concepts. Now with FCP-X, I don't see any advantages to optimizing media to Apple Pro Res 422 on import. I'd be using the Pro Res Proxy and then ultimately exporting out with the original source files. The Proxy files will make editing fast, the export from source files removes any chance of generation loss, and not optimizing to Pro Res 422 at import will save a ton of backup space over the years. I realize the final export may take a bit longer from the raw AVCHD files vs. from Pro Res 422 media (how long I don't know yet).

Based on this scenario, any good reasons as to why I should be also creating the Apple Pro Res 422 files? Am I missing anything?

Thanks,

Dave

Hardware: Brand New 2011 MacBook Pro i7 17" with external eSata drives.

Posted on Jul 12, 2011 12:30 PM

17 replies

billcode

Level 1

4 points

Jun 27, 2012 9:24 PM in response to Harmonica_Lessons

I wonder if you've had similar issues as I'm having with my first major export - real blurring on movement, basically a kind of shadow on anything which has moved.

I shot in AVCHD and the .mts was automatically changed to a .mov h264 on import. So I edited my sequence doing this, and now need to deliver an original quality output for broadcast. I've been asked to deliver ProRes.

But exporting ProRes via the Share function (I have compressor, but need to use the 'roles' function to ensure two audio tracks), leaves me with very nasty movement shadows. I tested DV PRO50 as well, that's almost as bad (if not the same)

Not sure where to go with this....Any help appreciated!

Jun 28, 2012 1:48 AM in response to hafken

hafken wrote:

Harmonica_Lessons wrote:

Questions:

1. When you are ready to export, you MUST switch the playback to Original Material so FCP-X knows not to export with the Proxy files? I've seen posts implying this might be true and also that FCP-X will know to export using the source files and not Proxies.

No. You don't have to do this. Playback is just that, playback. When exporting, FCP X will not use transcoded media as the source. You do of course need to have the original source available/on line for FCP X to access. However, switching back and forth is a simple and quick operation so even if you did have to,

NOT TRUE!!!

If you export without changing the preference back, you export from the proxy, NOT the original.

I have just confirmed it, and you can easily, too. Try compositing a video logo, with transparency (alpha channel) on top of some footage.

Here is a quick and dirty example:

Now, switch to proxy. The logo won't be transparent anymore, but have solid black background (that's because the proxy codec does not support alpha channels):

Export. (Share->Export Media... and choose whatever codec you wish). You'll get the black background.

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Workflow: AVCHD to Proxy editing (no optimizing), Export from original media. Any disadvantages?