Easily split large Apple ProRes 422 HQ files

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Level 1

4 points

Easily split large Apple ProRes 422 HQ files

I had old 8mm film-based movies of historical significance to us digitized by a company and they provided me with Apple ProRes 422 HQ files...VERY LARGE files. Some are 50-60 GB or more in size. I think they may have joined a number of 50 foot reels to one file. This causes me problems when I wish to upload them to a cloud for backup/archiving off-site. A file that large can take a long time and has to be restarted if there is a problem during upload. Or the cloud service may simply not allow files of that size.

What is the best way to break these into smaller clips without losing ANY quality in case they are needed in the future for new productions or editing? I'm a video editing novice. I bought Final Cut, but it's overwhelming to learn to do this.

Is there

(A) a program that would simplify this job, or

(B) is there a simple step-by-step workflow in FC that you could point me to?

I'm using an iMac and/or a Mac Pro running 10.11.6 El Capitan right now for this project.

iMac, OS X El Capitan (10.11.6), MacPro, MacBook Pro

Posted on Dec 6, 2016 7:55 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 8, 2016 7:34 AM in response to JRC54

This is easier and more effectively done in another program, like Quicktime Player.

1) Open the long movie file

2) Press command-T for Trim

3) Adjust the start and end of one part of the film and press the trim button (this will open your shortened version in an Untitled window)

4) Save the file with an appropriate name - such as MyFilm-part1.mov, for example

repeat for the other parts of the film.

This has the advantage that there should be no recompression.

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Answer 2

Dec 8, 2016 7:34 AM in response to JRC54

You are going to make copies of the files on export, there's not other way that I know of to make smaller chunks of a master file. Other forum folks may have a better suggestion so don't just jump into this yet.

You can do this in FCPX or in QT Player. Open the media, set an in point and an outpoint, share. You will use the share settings to make a copy at the same settings as the media--no loss in quality. Be sure you name the new movies carefully so you know what they are and can find them. Then you will import the new media in to your Library and get to work. You'll need some patience and time in the FCPX Help system to figure out the details.

What you don't want to do is alter in any way or delete youroriginal media. Suggest you maintain your original files on an external drive and send your shared copies to a different drive.

Welcome to the family. FCPX may not have been the tool you needed to do this work but we'll try to help you where we can. Unfortunately, the "pro" part of FCPX assumes much knowledge and experience on the part of the user. You may need to spend many hours cruising youtube an other sites for basic training in how video works , not just in how FCPX works.

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Answer 3

JRC54 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 8, 2016 7:41 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks so much! I can't believe it's that easy with just Quicktime player. It still takes a good deal of time to Save the trimmed video, but it does work and it's simple. Do you know if there is a way to fine-tune the trim points? Dragging the trim handles, the edit point seems to jump several seconds with each attempt to move it. Course trims are OK for this purpose, but it would be nice to be trimming right at a scene change for other projects.

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Answer 4

JRC54 Author

Level 1

4 points

Dec 8, 2016 7:46 AM in response to David Bogie Chq-1

Thanks for the information, David. And especially for clarifying that it's going to create a new file after the trimming process. I was wondering if I needed to work on a copy or not (it's not my only copy anyway). And I wasn't sure the quality settings would be the same using either program. The few times I played with FCP the save or export options were numerous. As I mentioned to Luis, the trimming adjustment in QT Player are fairly corse. I can't position it to a specific frame it seems. I assume FCP has much more control over the trim or edit point. I need to look into a course to teach me the basics. I used to have a subscription to Lynda.com but let it lapse. Do you know which course company would be the best for FCP basic training?

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Answer 5

Dec 8, 2016 10:44 AM in response to JRC54

there are literally thousands of free tutorials for all aspects of video production and FCPX use. If you have the cash, Ripple Training may be the best these days. The total FCPX package will run you $200.

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