FCE 4.01 and 5d Mk II

The Canon 5D Mk II shoots H.264 video in 1920x1080 30p/25p/24p and 640x480 30p/25p - all of which are progressive modes. The only progressive format that FCE works with is 720p, which the 5d doesn't shoot. Also, FCE does not support 24fps (interlaced or progressive).

You will need to convert 1920x1080 footage to QuickTime - Apple Intermediate Codec - 1080i60 (US) or 1080i50 (Europe) in order to use the video in FCE; these are interlaced formats. If you shoot 640x480 standard def, then convert to QuickTime - DV NTSC (US) or DV PAL (Europe) both of which are interlaced formats. DV is 30i (NTSC) or 25i (PAL). The "30i" is actually 29.97 fps interlaced.

As far as I know, you cannot export progressive video from FCE unless you were working in a 720p sequence in the first place.

I´m going to dive into this conversation as Martin seem to be the guy in the know :-)

I need to find the best solution to work with my old computer but with high end DSLR HD files.

I´m feeling really stuck in my set up, as I have a very old Mac Pro, G5, from 2007 with old software and no upgrades. I have just replaced the graphic card as it caved in and have ordered Snow Leopard to start upgrading.

I´ve got Final Cut Express HD 3.0 and I´m not getting on with it at all - nothing works as it should. If it´s not the sound, it´s the pix or all of it together.

My biggest problem now is that I´m testing a Nikon D800 for video use and I can´t get the footage to play with FC at all. I´ve tested in Imovie (´09), and it works, but with horrible jutter, it works ok in VLC. First I thought it was the settings in the camera, then the card, then the computer, but now I understand that it´s probably the version of FC that´s not managing the files and I probably need to purchase a new version of FC Pro X unless you can recommend another option?

Will my HD footage work with FC Pro X in Snow Leopard or will I still have trouble?

If you are used to shooting with DSLRs, please let me know if you have any advice on external audio devices - I´m looking at the Zoom H4n.

Many thanks!
Mi

"Will my HD footage work with FC Pro X in Snow Leopard or will I still have trouble?"

Yes HD will. Thing is there are many blends of HD footage and not all work. We need specifics.

Also your G5 is going to be the biggest drag factor. It's not an Intel chip Mac so that's like having a boat anchor dragging on the wrong boat.

You need a minimum OS 10.6.8 to have the App Store available on a Mac to even purchase FCP X.

Older Macs can't even access the App Store to purchase FCP X because if the graphics card is not supported you get a "Cannot Do" warning.

Even newer Intel Macs need to meet Apples standard to purchase Mountain Lion or FCP X.

Most Macs need to be about 2009 or later to be in with a chance.

You will have to transcode your files from your camera to get it to work with FCE 3. Match one of the FCE Easy Setup specs.

If you want to move to FCP X then it's time for a shiny new/ish Mac. 🙂

In short do lots of homework before buying anything.

Al

Well, first things first. You need an Intel Mac in order to upgrade to Snow Leopard. Snow Leopard won't run on a G5 Mac. Ditto regarding Final Cut Pro X.

As for the D800, its video capabilities are very similar to the 5D MK II, although in the case of the D800 you could shoot 720p30 and ingest the footage directly into Final Cut Express v4 provided the camera really is AVCHD and not just a flavor of "H.264AVC". But, again, you need an Intel Mac to use FCE4 with AVCHD video.

D800 video specs:

Hi, FCE's native file format is Apple Intermediate Codec as well as iMovie. We have to use a plugin (L&G or capture )to import H.264 MOV from 5DM. If you have backup the footages to your Mac or other card. You have to use a Video Transfer tool to convert H.264 MOV to AIC before getting to FCE for editing.

Learn more: http://www.editavchdmac.com/how-to-import-canon-5d-mark-iii-mov-to-imovie-on-mac /