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Preparing files on MPEG Streamclip for FCP

Still trying to master converting files correctly...mpeg stream clip not working, see shot below:

...has anyone else had this problem? How did you solve it? What am I doing wrong? thanks

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.3), Final Cut Pro X

Posted on Jul 7, 2015 12:45 PM

33 replies

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,058 points

Jul 7, 2015 3:54 PM in response to Fiona Trainee Editor

I Don't know why the application can't open the file.

Jul 7, 2015 4:04 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Okay Tom thanks for looking into my query. I've just sent an email to square5 so maybe they will be able to shed some on the issue.

Russ H

Level 7

22,432 points

Jul 7, 2015 5:48 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Tom, Is it that Streamclip can't open the file…or that Streamclip can't create an output file?

Russ

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,058 points

Jul 7, 2015 6:06 PM in response to Russ H

MMaybe Fiona can clarify that. The first image with the Squared 5 logo looks as if the file hasn't been opened in Streamclip.

Jul 7, 2015 6:22 PM in response to Russ H

Hi Russ,

streamclip will open the file but there's no audio and can't prepare movie window appears. I have not purchased the mpeg2 component - would that have anything to do with it?

Jul 7, 2015 6:34 PM in response to Fiona Trainee Editor

Russ,

This is what I've been doing...

I drag and drop the file onto the square and open it with the play button, then I go to file, export to quicktime and click on H264 or Apple pro res, increasing the quality to 100% and click make movie. Instead of converting the clip I get the error message? So it is the output file that is the problem.

Alchroma

Level 7

23,809 points

Jul 7, 2015 7:06 PM in response to Fiona Trainee Editor

"I drag and drop the file onto the square and open it with the play button, then I go to file"

Will the clip play at this point?

Tom asked about drive type and format, can you tell us what these are please?

Have you tried adding the clip to FCP X as is and Optimising there?

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,058 points

Jul 7, 2015 11:01 PM in response to Fiona Trainee Editor

TThe file is where, your system drive? How big is the drive? How much free space? What other drives are attached? How are they formatted? Where are you trying to save the file? Do you have enough drive space to convert to ProRes? The video is 50fps. Which is 186GB/hour. If you don't have a lot of action you don't need that and can reduce the frame rate to 25fps, which will make it under 100GB/hour. If you don't have the space and drive speed leave it in H.264.

MAke sure you're doing the audio as well. Uncompressed 48k. Don't leave it in AAC.

Jul 8, 2015 7:15 AM in response to Alchroma

Hi Al,

yes the clip will play but with no sound. The file format for conversion is m4v (not native to FCPX) and the drive I am saving them to is a 2TB WD external drive with nearly 700GB free space (can create more). The external drive has been reformatted to suit mac. I haven't tried importing them into FCPX and optimising. Where is that option on import?

Jul 8, 2015 7:49 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Hi Tom

the file is in my 2TB External Drive formatted for mac (have 700 GB free) can have more if needed
there is very little action as this is a seminar (one person speaking at a time)
am happy to leave it in H264 if necessary
can you explain 50fps which is 186GB/1 hour? Do you mean that 1 hour of 50fps footage takes up 186GB space on a drive?
how can I change the frame rate from 50fps to 25fps?
how can I change the AAC audio WAV in mpeg stream clip - don't see an option for this?
need to make good audible and visual quality suitable for YouTube

Thanks

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,058 points

Jul 8, 2015 4:28 PM in response to Fiona Trainee Editor

ProRes is a high data rate format. One hour of Prores at 1080 at 50fps takes approximately 186GB of drive space.

In Streamclip select the codec. If you decide on Prores select it. or H.264 and set the quality.

Right in the Streamclip there is an audio popup to set to uncompressed and the same rate and a box to enter the frame rate.

Alchroma

Level 7

23,809 points

Jul 8, 2015 10:06 PM in response to Fiona Trainee Editor

Fiona Trainee Editor wrote:

Hi Al,

Where is that option on import?

Right click the clip in the FCP X Browser after you import it and select Transcode Media:

Select if you want Proxy or Optimized or both:

ac3 audio could be the glitch.

Do you know exact specs?

Jul 10, 2015 4:37 AM in response to Alchroma

Hi Al, just to clarify, are you suggesting importing the m4v file, clicking on the clip and choosing the transcode media option and then choosing create optimised media? thanks

Jul 10, 2015 4:58 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Hi Tom, thanks for your last reply, decided to wait until I had more details on the original footage and here it is:

the files are not direct from camera they were originally .mts files that were converted to m4v using this MP4 Tools program http://www.emmgunn.com/mp4tools-home/
unaware of this information I converted the m4v files using the free mp4 converter program to quicktime mov files in order to make them compatible for use with final cut pro x
this action changed the original quality and aspect ratio

My question at this stage is, could this new information in reference to the files be the reason that they are proving difficult to prepare in stream clip?

thank you

Jul 10, 2015 5:06 AM in response to Alchroma

Hi Al,

I have very little info on the audio specs, just popped a message on the site to Tom re original details on the files.

They were .mts files converted to m4v and then converted by me to quicktime .mov (where I unknowingly crushed the aspect and quality). Now trying to get them back to a working state by putting them through stream clip which is where I've stalled.

So I'm going to try your option with one of them and see how that goes. Thanks

Preparing files on MPEG Streamclip for FCP