Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

22 points

How to edit/export SD footage? Must be a better way...

Extreme newbie here in FCPX...

I'd like to use FCPX to edit some old VHS footage that I have converted to H.264/AVC, 640 x 480 AAC, 48000 Hz, Stereo (L R) and then export it in the same format. What is the best way to do this?

I created a destination using the H.264 codec but a 35 minute project is taking a LONG tome to export... Is this normal. Can my project edit and export in this standard def H.264 format without having to trancode on the export?

Thanks

MacBook Pro with Retina display, Mac OS X (10.7.4)

Posted on Dec 10, 2012 6:27 PM

26 replies

Dec 13, 2012 7:51 AM in response to AppleMan1958

FCP needs the timecode on the *tape* - you can't import, not because it as consumer camcorder, but because it is being used as passthrough device.

With all due respect to Tom, I think that the original poster's workflow using Elgato Video Capture was quite effective - considering how the original VHS tapes have much lower resolution and quality, therein lies the weak link, especially if the point is to preserve old material - and maybe distributing to family members, etc.

You immediately get an h264 file that you can use. If you go DV, you'll end up going to further conversions down the line - possibly to a final distribution of it in h264 - and I don't think there is much to be gained by that.

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Dec 13, 2012 8:04 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Hey Luis.

Is that a fact? If so it would explain a lot. I had thought the very limited tape capture capabilities of X were equivalent to Legacy FCP's Capture Now/Uncontrolled Device settings (which didn't require TC).

Russ

Dec 13, 2012 8:34 AM in response to Russ H

I have imported dv video directly into FCP X from tape - using a very old (circa 2001) Sony Digital 8 camera (these cameras recorded dv streams on tapes which used the same form factor of old analog Hi8 tapes, and IIRC only Sony and one or two other manufacturers ever made them). This is/was a low end consumer camcorder.

There have been numerous threads in this forum discussing the incapability of FCP X to work with dv cameras as merely passthrough devices. I haven't tried, but the conventional wisdom (and your experience...) is that it does not work.

105437 Author

Level 1

22 points

Dec 13, 2012 9:39 AM in response to Russ H

Thanks for the replies guys... tonight I will try and connect the VCR to a MiniDV video camera and see if FCPX will capture the analog -> digital converted media by using the video camera's pass-through feature.

One question I do have, If I do have to continue to capture these VHS tapes in iMovie how can I ensure when I create a new project that it is the proper format. Last night I noticed only two settings, if I remember correctly, where I had to check 16:9 or 4:3. What tells iMovie to capture the event media as DV and when I import into FCPX how do I tell it to either leave it as DV or convert to something else that's more suitable to editing SD footage.

You guys have been a huge help! I'm getting there albeit slowly... 🙂

105437 Author

Level 1

22 points

Dec 13, 2012 10:46 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Luis... you are right, I'm trying to preserve these old VHS videos in a digital format while at the same time adding them to my Plex Media Server so family and friends across the country can easily view them at their leisure.

I suppose the possible problem with the Elgato Media Capture dongle/software solution is that it captures at 640 x 480 instead of 720 x 480. I will admit, in viewing the same video captured at 640 x 480 by Elgato and at 720 x 480 with the Sony deck pass-through to iMovie... the iMovie capture footage is slightly better with a little more sharpness.

Thanks for your reply!

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Dec 14, 2012 10:57 AM in response to 105437

I am finally able to confirm that FCPX and the Canopus converter box work perfectly well together. FCP recognized the ADVC 110 immediately and about 5 minutes of VHS tape were imported as DV without any glitches whatsoever. (Note that you cannot control the player from FCP's import window; you have to treat it as an uncontrolled device and start the player manually – as in legacy FCP.)

BTW, the initial problems I had were not related to the Canopus box, but were a combination of operator error and the VCR player I was testing on. Switching to a different player and an attitude adjustment cleared away all problems on the spot.

Best of luck with your projects.

Russ

105437 Author

Level 1

22 points

Dec 14, 2012 2:28 PM in response to Russ H

Thanks for the follow-up Russ... I think I've pretty much decided to just import to iMovie and then edit in FCPX. I still have a couple of unanswered question in my last two posts. Hopefully, help is on the way! 🙂

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Dec 14, 2012 4:38 PM in response to 105437

Well, thanks for the excuse to try the Canopus with the new Final Cut. I'm sure it will be put to good use on my end in the very near future..

Russ

Alchroma

Level 7

23,809 points

Dec 14, 2012 5:24 PM in response to Russ H

Russ,

Can you walk us through your setup procedure please?

I use a ADVC 300 but not yet with FCP X.

Knowing the "ropes" will save me from some brain drain. 🙂

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Dec 15, 2012 5:56 AM in response to Alchroma

Alchroma wrote:

Russ,

Can you walk us through your setup procedure please?

Al, Here's the setup I used.

VCR composite out to ADVC analogue in

DV out from ADV to Mac (I used a 6 pin to 9 pin FW cable, so it was bus powered; those who use a 4 pin FW cable also need to use an ADVC power supply.)

Set the Input Selector 'button" on the ADVC to analogue in.

Inserted tape

Opened FCPX and confirmed ADVC was recognized under Cameras.

Created event and opened import window.

Manually began play of tape using VCR player controls

Hit import.

Russ

Alchroma

Level 7

23,809 points

Dec 17, 2012 8:26 PM in response to Russ H

Thanks.

Will take it for a test drive. 🙂

How to edit/export SD footage? Must be a better way...