I imported an mp4 file into Final Cut Pro, but if I click on it or try and put it on my timeline it gives me a genral error message and says "error: out of memory." I tried to convert the mp4 file in MPEG Streamclip but it said, "Error: can't prepare the movie." The mp4 plays fine on my computer but I can't seem to convert it or edit it. I would really appreciate any help. Thank you so much!
Final Cut Pro 6, Mac OS X (10.6.8)
Short answer: You don't.
Long answer: Search this forum, it's been discussed thousands of times why it doesn't work and what you should do about it when presented with this material to edit.
Search terms: H.264, MPEG, mp4, Long GOP format and the legendary "... is not an editing codec".
As long as you have permission to use it, try using Compressor to convert it so it matches your FCP Sequence settings exactly.
-DH
He said he TRIED converting it, and was having no luck..
Ahhhh I thought he had just tried MPEG Streamclip.
If MPEG can't do it, I don't think Compressor will
Thanks, I appreciate your responses. I do have permission, that is just what the client sent me in dropbox, so it wouldn't be such a massive file (it's 30 minutes and he sent it from another country). Shane and David, I can't open the file in Final Cut so I didn't try to convert it there, only in Streamclip. I tried converting the file to several formats in Streamclip and it wouldn't allow me to do anything. Nick I will also try your suggestion to look into other posts on this topic. If anyone else has another solution I'll give it a try too!
>>If MPEG can't do it, I don't think Compressor will<<
That's what I always thought, too. But a couple of months ago a client brought an HD MP4 file that he shot with a borrowed camera (he couldn't tell me which brand or model) that I needed to convert for an SD Sequence in FCP 6. I first tried converting in MPEG Streamclip and then in QuickTime Pro without success. Compressor was able to convert it properly ... go figure.
-DH
Thank you David! I have only used Compressor to export from my timeline before. I was able to import the file into FCP, but it won't let me put it on the timeline, so cn you tell me how I would convert it in Compressor and what to convert it to? Thank you so much!
In order to determine what format to convert the mp4 to in compressor, we need to know what your end use is, what the original pixel dimensions and frame rate are and if you're going to be using any other formats in your sequence.
The end use is going to be for television, they are requesting a DVD. Would the mp4 file (if I can convert it to edit it) be high enough quality for use on TV? (I'm thinking it's public access in another country, but still thinking about quality). I don't have the information of original pixel dimentions or frame rate. It might be difficult to get that information but I can try and get it if I need to. The dimentions on the mp4 are 1280 x 720 if that is helpful. There will be no other formats in the sequence.
I'd suggest maintaining the pixel dimensions and converting to prores 422 and editing in that format. Make sure you enable audio in the enoder panel in compressor and set it to 48k 16 bit.
Thank you! How do I use compressor to convert the file if i dont export to compressor via my timeline on fcp? (it won't let me put the mp4 on the timeline) Can I use compressor with the mp4 file alone?
Compressor is a stand alone application. Open it up. You'll see a DROP ZONE in the upper left. Drop your video files there, and then look in the presets for ProRes 422. You can even SEARCH.
Thank you all!! It worked!
I am having quite an issue with this. I am not sure what format to use instead of prores422 that i can edit in final cut and still have good quality. Those files are just too big for me. I am not trying to make 300mb files into 10gb files. I am trying to convert an mp4 to something. This is difficult for me. Can anyone help?
How do I edit a mp4 file in Final Cut Pro?
