Quicktime screen recording blurry in FCP X

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Quicktime screen recording blurry in FCP X

I use both FCP 7 and FCP X but am making the permanent switch to FCP X. I recently made a video in FCP 7 with screen recordings from Quicktime. The quality looked perfect when I exported the finished video as an .mov. However, I tried using the same clips in FCP X and found that the clips look blurry/low quality in the playback window and also when exported as an .mov. I've played around with a few different export settings but none of them are resulting in a high resolution final product. How do I get high quality screen recordings from Quicktime into Final Cut Pro X? Should I be more scientific about the screen size/ratio than I needed to be in FCP 7? Am I doing something wrong when importing the clips?

MacBook Pro with Retina display, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Mar 31, 2015 12:46 PM

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Answer 1

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Luis Sequeira1

Level 9

64,352 points

Apr 1, 2015 8:31 AM in response to mjhimmel

Just to make sure: is it possible that are editing in proxy mode? Proxy is a quarter the resolution and lower quality, so it could explain what you are seeing.

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Answer 2

mjhimmel Author

Level 1

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Apr 1, 2015 8:31 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

How can I tell? I checked video codec and resolution under preferences and both are listed as "Same as Source" rather than proxy.

I am using the FCP X trial but read somewhere that the trial provides the same capabilities as the full program.

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Answer 3

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Mar 31, 2015 1:55 PM in response to mjhimmel

So your QT recording was H.264. You brought that into FCP 7 and edited natively – or transcoded? Then what codec did you export?

In general I would say that FCP 7 should be pretty cranky if you imported the native clip. In contrast FCP X, would be quite OK with it. FCP 7 would want a standard resolution; FCP X could work with just about any dimensions you gave it.

Russ

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Answer 4

Mar 31, 2015 2:07 PM in response to mjhimmel

The trial has all the capabilities of the purchased version, that is not the problem.

To choice of proxy vs full quality is done in the little menu accessed from the triangle at the top right of the viewer:

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Answer 5

mjhimmel Author

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Mar 31, 2015 2:48 PM in response to Russ H

I edited natively in FCP 7 and allowed the clips to match the sequence settings.

Why do you think FCP X is not showing the clips in their full resolution?

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Answer 6

mjhimmel Author

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Mar 31, 2015 2:49 PM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Just checked and I had been using the same settings selected in the screenshot.

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Answer 7

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

150,986 points

Mar 31, 2015 2:58 PM in response to mjhimmel

You should give the complete specs of your media, sequence settings in 7, and output procedure and settings, together with your projects properties in X and export settings. TThere is no reason they should be different.

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Answer 8

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Mar 31, 2015 3:00 PM in response to mjhimmel

Hard to think of a reason why importing your file into FCP X would cause a noticeable quality loss.

In QuickTime Player, please open the video you exported from FCP 7 and open the Movie Inspector. Post a screen shot of what the Inspector reports.

Russ

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Answer 9

mjhimmel Author

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Mar 31, 2015 3:14 PM in response to Russ H

FCP X exported video specs:

FCP 7 exported video specs:

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Answer 10

mjhimmel Author

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Mar 31, 2015 3:17 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

FCP X export settings

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Answer 11

Apr 1, 2015 12:33 AM in response to mjhimmel

That causes 'muddy' pics:

FCPX is basically meant for video = standards, e.g. 1080 or 720 ...

Screen-recordings, in 99% cases, are 'off'' those standard resolutions => 'un-even' scaling neccessary = loss of quality.

(plus, the harm added, to playback those files again in some 'uneven' scaling...)

best-practice:

Use designated tools, as the widly recommended Screenfflow ...

Plan B)

… for the small budget:

learn how to create FCPX with custom resolutions ...

http://help.apple.com/finalcutpro/mac/10.1/?lang=en#ver4353c0d3

"… To enter an arbitrary frame size, choose Custom in the Format pop-up menu. …"

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Answer 12

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

150,986 points

Apr 1, 2015 1:03 AM in response to mjhimmel

OOne is scaled and the other isn't. If you want a non-standard video format you have to make a custom project.

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Answer 13

mjhimmel Author

Level 1

8 points

Apr 1, 2015 6:46 AM in response to Karsten Schlüter

I see... very helpful... what export and import settings should I use with Screenflow? Would I get the same result recording my whole screen in Quicktime rather than selecting a custom size?

In Screenflow can I ultimately crop things out that I don't need - ie extra space on the side, the task bar, the internet browser bar at the top? I'm assuming I would need to resize to scale to prevent the same issue from happening, which might be difficult for this particular project.

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Answer 14

Apr 1, 2015 11:01 AM in response to mjhimmel

I included a link to the manufacturers website - there, all your questions will be answered,

Yep, you can select just areas fo recording, Screenflow works with any resolution and aspect-aspect ratio ....

Before I start to sound like a salesman, follow the link .... 😝

Not cheap, but best screen-recorder AND editor.

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