H.264 into FCP convert to Apple ProRes?

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H.264 into FCP convert to Apple ProRes?

Hello -

I'm attempting to find out how to go about importing a H.264 movie file into my AppleProRes based project and

edit a small video and audio section into it, then re-export it for the purposes of lining it up with a separate mix - all of this is to be

screened in two days.

At first I thought I could just cut the H.264 file, render and export that - but it needs a bit of time to render

and then I thought - should I convert the footage and how should I convert the footage?

Any ideas? The reason behind all of this is to save time with a smaller (4 gig file = H.264) as opposed to my original 136 gig file.

There's no time to go back to the original to make small changes.

Every and any idea is appreaciated!

Thanks!!

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.7), FCP 7.0.3, Processor 2.8 GHz Intel

Posted on Mar 17, 2014 4:51 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Mar 17, 2014 5:40 PM in response to Bempa

Yes, you need to convert the footage. FCP Classic (7 and earlier) doesn't work with H.264 well at all...and one of the potential issues is SYNC, so yeah, you need to convert first.

Compressor will do this, as will MPEG STREAMCLIP. But compressor is easy...drag and drop a setting.

NOTE: The file size of the clips will increase dramatically...they will get VERY big compared to the originals. But Compressor and MPEG STREAMCLIP allow you to set IN and OUT points.

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Answer 2

Bempa Author

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Mar 17, 2014 6:11 PM in response to Shane Ross

Thanks Shane! My file is in the process of going through MPEG as I write this, although I can't afford for the file

to be bigger - ugh! I need to convert, edit, export and then compress the whole movie - wishing it was all under 4 gigs . . . is there any way to control/accomplish this and keep the size of the converted footage down?

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Answer 3

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Mar 17, 2014 6:15 PM in response to Bempa

Yes...don't use FCP 7. Use an editing app that best fits your needs. Adobe Premiere Pro will work with the files natively no converting. Import...edit...export/compress. UNDER 4GBs?

The final export you mean, right? not ALL of the files you intend to edit...right? Compressing the camera masters even more, to take up less space than they do now...will really make the image yucky.

Sorry, but FCP needs to work with FCP editing codecs...ProRes is the best bet. ProRes PROXY is the lightest, but still more than your originals. It cannot work with H>264...you'll have lots of problems in the edit, or the export.

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Answer 4

Bempa Author

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Mar 17, 2014 6:37 PM in response to Shane Ross

Hi again,

I only have FCP 7, so I have no choice. I was attempting to cut corners with a few minor tweaks in a

feature length movie (adding one credit) . . . so I thought I could import my 4 gig (the unworkable H.264) version of the movie into FCP, edit a credit in, then re-export and compress it all into the same 4 gig file size. All of this is an attempt to save time on the export/compress side. Otherwise I need nearly 24 hours to export and compress a feature, just to add one credit.

My MPEG is still converting - so I'll see if this is more manageable!

🙂 As always, thanks for your help Shane!!

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Answer 5

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Mar 17, 2014 8:14 PM in response to Bempa

So you will be recompressing the feature twice (once to ProRes, then again to H.264) just to add one credit. That will lower the quality quite a bit. It is always best to make any changes to the full resolution version, and then output that again. Will it take time? Yes. But the feature will look better

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Answer 6

Bempa Author

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Mar 18, 2014 7:02 AM in response to Shane Ross

Hi Shane,

Yes - I totally agree. I'm going back to the original FCP Timeline with the massive file to export!

Before you had suggested Adobe Premiere - is this the way to go these days?

Thanks for all of your help!

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Answer 7

Shane Ross

Level 8

43,110 points

Mar 18, 2014 8:29 AM in response to Bempa

It's up to you how you go these days. FCX is a fine option...it will work with some native formats, but still wants to OPTIMIZE the media. Premiere Pro works native. Avid...still in the realm of TV and film. But, you have options. Choose the one that works best for you.

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