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Level 1

0 points

Upgrading from FCP 6 to FCP X (need help with upgrading to HD)

Hello Fellow Movie Editors!

So here's my situation, and I hope someon can relate and help me decide.

I currently own the LAST Mac with a Power PC processor (which I realize I may have to replace soon due to the fact a lot of newer applications will not work unless is Intel). I am a small production company that mainly shoot and edit events such as weddings, graduations, etc. I currently use 2 Canon GL2's and sometimes an XL1-S. Needless to say I need to take the plunge and jump into the HD world. So here's my dilema.

I have been researching and it seems like the JVC GY - HM100U will be my camera of choice because of the way it works with FCP and the fact that I won't need tapes. The problem is that my understanding is that these cameras will not work with Power PC computers, only Intel. Is there absolutely NO WAY to work those cameras with FCP6? I do want to get a new computer, but this HD upgrade might end up costing me around $9,000 (a $4,000 new Mac Tower and 2 JVC cameras). 😢

Also, I heard that my current FCP6 Projects will NOT be compatible with FCPX, is that true!? 😮

What would be the smartest way to upgrade to HD in your opinion?

Final Cut Pro 6

Posted on Aug 21, 2011 8:50 AM

Best reply

Andy Mees

Level 6

12,610 points

Posted on Aug 21, 2011 9:26 AM

The footage from those cameras should work just fine on your old G5, but thats no reason to stick with it! You realise a cheap as chips Mac Mini (or preferably at least an iMac) would likely run circles round that old beast? One thing that certainly won't run on that old clunker of a Mac is OS X Lion (if wanted) nor FCP X either (if wanted).

Also, I heard that my current FCP6 Projects will NOT be compatible with FCPX, is that true!? 😮

True. Do you envisage needing to? You can still run FCP 6 on the old system to open/update old projects.

View in context

22 replies

Feb 17, 2012 8:26 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

It renders when dropped into the timeline, but even after rendering it still plays back blurry in the viewer. When scrubbing it looks fine, even in the event browser, but playback is still blurry!

Interestingly I exported some of the footage to compressor and trascoded for the web, and the footage looks good, even with such a small file size.

Project properties are 1920x1080 25i

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,058 points

Feb 17, 2012 8:32 AM in response to djembefolla

Please can you post a screenshot of the project properties. You should not have to render when you place a clip in the timeline.

Feb 17, 2012 8:49 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Hi Tom is this what you mean?

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,058 points

Feb 17, 2012 9:15 AM in response to djembefolla

That doesn't look right. Normally for media that doesn't need optimization the codec will be displayed. Maybe it doesn't do it in XDCAM, but I thought it did.

Feb 17, 2012 9:20 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

It's confusing isn't it. I thought XDCAM was a Sony format, so I wondered why JVC would be wrapping that into .mov file???

Further investigations will have to be made!

Thanks for your input Tom, much appreciated.

Gary

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,058 points

Feb 17, 2012 9:22 AM in response to djembefolla

Sony created it. JVC licensed it, and went one better by wrapping it in QuickTime and making it immediately accesable in FCP.

Feb 17, 2012 9:24 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

I suspected it may be something like that!!! Like Mercedes licencing Citreon suspension!

Upgrading from FCP 6 to FCP X (need help with upgrading to HD)