Google Pixel H.264 Video - Choppy Import

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Level 1

4 points

Google Pixel H.264 Video - Choppy Import

Greetings...(First time poster and I did use the search. )

MacBook Pro (2016)

Final Cut Pro X 10.3.2

Using video files in 1080P from a Google Pixel recorded in H.264 Video, when imported into FCPX the video seems to be missing frames. The video is choppy and I can not seem to find a way to correct it. It plays back just fine in QuickTime, but FCPX does not seem to like it much.

I have to run the video though Compressor to allow for smooth playback and editing. This of course is NOT something that should be needed to be one as it takes a good amount of time.

Even if I open a new project and import just one test file, the result is the same. So it does not have anything to do with frame rates in respect to editing. I have tried optimize media on and off just for kicks. Same result.

Has anyone run into this? Can someone advise?

Thank you kindly.

David B.

<Personal Information Edited by Host>

MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2016)

Posted on Feb 11, 2017 11:40 AM

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Answer 1

Alchroma

Level 7

23,918 points

Feb 11, 2017 5:00 PM in response to DavidBott

This clip plays OK on my system.

Also plays OK in the FCP X Viewer.

And also plays OK when added to a new Project, then drag the clip to the new Project.

Note: When you add the first clip to a new project FCP X auto assigns the Project to conform to the clip settings.

However, this is what QuickTime X reports regarding the frame rate of your supplied clip:

This is probably impacting somewhat on your playback.

Can you provide the specs of your Mac and where the clips are being stored please?

Al

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Answer 2

Meg The Dog

Level 6

13,862 points

Feb 11, 2017 6:18 PM in response to DavidBott

As others have noted, some smartphones use variable frame rates to help with exposure issues, slowing the frame rate down to increase exposure, and speeding the frame rate up decrease exposure.

Try running your footage through Handbrake (free):

https://handbrake.fr/

where you can make the frame rate constant:

I ran your test clip through Handbrake, then imported that clip in FCP-X and it appeared to run as smoothly as the original.

MtD

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Answer 3

DavidBott Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 11, 2017 2:45 PM in response to Alchroma

Hi Al...

The Google Pixel camera footage, per the inspector, is 1920x1080 | 30P | AVC1, AAC and is an MP4 file.

The project does not matter as if I just new a totally new Library and then import the files, even the playback when just looking at the imported file is not correct. So at that point, nothing has been set as no project has been started.

I could upload a small file somewhere if needed.

Thanks.

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Answer 4

DavidBott Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 11, 2017 5:23 PM in response to Alchroma

Hi...

As mentioned, is the new MacBook Pro (late 2016)

Model Name: MacBook Pro

Model Identifier: MacBookPro13,3

Processor Name: Intel Core i7

Processor Speed: 2.7 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 4

L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

L3 Cache: 8 MB

Memory: 16 GB

Graphic Chipset Model: AMD Radeon Pro 460 and Intel HD Graphics 530

The files are running off the internal 1TB SSD.

It surely is not a horse power issue. 🙂

When I add it and then just try to play it in FCPX, it is like it is skipping frames, looks like slow motion but it is not as it is playing back at normal speed.

As mentioned, if I play the clip directly using Quicktime, No issue. Plays back just fine. It is only in FCPX and is still like that even after rendering.

So very pondering to say the least.

(Currently rendering the same file though FCPX so you can "see" it. Will post when uploaded.)

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Answer 5

DavidBott Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 11, 2017 5:29 PM in response to DavidBott

Here is the same clip rendered through FCPX, so you can actually see the issue.

Added new Library.

Imported Clip.

Dropped into new project.

Rendered Apple 1080P

Thanks

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/50337588/Test.mp4

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Answer 6

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,816 points

Feb 11, 2017 6:42 PM in response to DavidBott

The problem is the video is unstable. That's OK for straight playback in an app like the QT player, but in a production environment the frame rate has to be timed with absolute accuracy, and the camera is just not doing that. The frame rate is fluctuating. The FCP project is outputting it as 30fps, but that's not the frame rate of the original, and probably isn't at any one time.

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Answer 7

Alchroma

Level 7

23,918 points

Feb 11, 2017 6:42 PM in response to DavidBott

I'd second Tom's post.

After playing the clip using QuickTime 7 Pro the frame rate is fluctuating between 29 & 31 frames.

I converted the playback to a constant 30 using Streamclip and it reports as 30 consistent.

Seems to look a bit better.

Mobile cameras all seem to apply similar frame hunting to compensate for low light.

Maybe you can get an app to manually control frame rate on the phone.

BTW: Your Mac should be very capable.

Al

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Answer 8

DavidBott Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 11, 2017 6:41 PM in response to DavidBott

Hi All...

Yes, to correct the issue I ran it through Compressor as mentioned and I then can edit with it. The downside is the amount of time it takes to do that for each file even on this MacBook Pro. In this case I did not have a lot of files that I needed to deal with as the files were used for crowd "in the audience" type cuts.

Total bummer on the frame rates though on the phones and I would not have expected that but does make sense. Heck, these phones can shoot 4K video these days. Interesting to note...I do not have the issue trying the same files inside Adobe Premier. It hurts to think that it can adapt to it and FCPX can not.

Thank you all for your time. If anyone knows of a phone app that can set a constant frame rate in Android, please let me know.

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Answer 9

Meg The Dog

Level 6

13,862 points

Feb 11, 2017 7:10 PM in response to DavidBott

DavidBott wrote:

Interesting to note...I do not have the issue trying the same files inside Adobe Premier.

Be very cautious with variable frame rate material in Premiere Pro. It usually will throw the audio way out of sync very quickly. This may not matter if you are using the footage as crowd shot cutaways, but if the audio sync matters, you'll want to convert the source footage to constant frame rate for use in Premiere as well.

MtD

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Answer 10

DavidBott Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 11, 2017 7:43 PM in response to Meg The Dog

Oh...FCPX is my go to editor. I had done that just as a test. I was just kind of surprised it handled it without an issue.

This personal project I am working on is really from one camera. One fixed cam with some cellphone footage tossed in. It is fun to use the digital editing tools to make one camera seem like a few. (Crop, Ken Burns kinds of things.) Just need to remember the more I get close, the more pixels. 🙂 And that is even worse when the colors change to say purple as then it gets really noisy quick. (Night time concert) But hey, what you going to do when you only had one cam running? 🙂

I am guessing there is likely more I can do with just one cam in FCPX other than crop and Ken Burns.

But really, thanks all for your thoughts in this issue I am/was having.

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