FCP 7 - DCS file stuttering on timeline

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Level 1

29 points

FCP 7 - DCS file stuttering on timeline

Hi guys,

I'm having some very frustrating problems editing some DCS files shot on a Nikon camera. When I put them on the timeline they stutter like crazy making them totally un-viewable.

The file's are H.264 at 23.98fps, and 2.3 MB/sec data rate. Frame size is 1920x 1080. File size is 69.3mb for a one minute clip.

I'm using a fairly powerful 2.26 Octo Core Mac Pro, so wouldn't imagine the computer is an issue.

I even set the RT to 'Use Playback Settings' but that didn't help either.

Any help or advice massively welcome.

Mac Pro 2.26 8 Core, Mac OS X (10.6.2), 6GB Ram, 640GB HD, 1TB HD, X2 GT120's, X2 24" Cinema Displays, F

Posted on Aug 8, 2016 9:22 AM

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Answer 1

Meg The Dog

Level 6

13,850 points

Aug 8, 2016 9:59 AM in response to A1ps

FCP-7 has never worked correctly with H.264 material.

As forum contributor Shane Ross has said, this problem is made worse as it appears that it should work, but it does not.

You need to convert your h.264 source material into an edit friendly format like ProRes prior to ingesting into FCP.

If you have lots of material to convert, you may want to look at an app like Edit Ready:

http://www.divergentmedia.com/editready

MtD

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Answer 2

A1ps Author

Level 1

29 points

Aug 8, 2016 9:59 AM in response to Meg The Dog

Hi MtD, thanks for your very helpful answer.

I just converted a couple of the H.264 files to ProRes 422. Thing is, for each file on FCP7 I need to Render before being able to play them on the timeline. Is this normal?

I'll also check out EditReady. I've used MPEG Streaclip in the past but not been too happy with it.

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Answer 3

Meg The Dog

Level 6

13,850 points

Aug 8, 2016 12:01 PM in response to A1ps

Create a new, empty timeline and drag one of the files you have transcoded to ProRes into it. You should be prompted to match the sequence to the source material. Do so.

Once that it done, you should be able to play the timeline back without rendering (the timeline may show a yellow bar, but that is just saying your hardware cannot guarantee realtime playback in the timeline).

If you get the dropped frames warning, dismiss it (and turn it off in preferences).

MtD

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Answer 4

A1ps Author

Level 1

29 points

Aug 8, 2016 12:02 PM in response to Meg The Dog

I want to kick my own behind for not realising my absolute school boy error! 😊 I forgot I'd been using the H.264 timeline!

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