How to set a custom frame rate in Final Cut 10

We haven't had any trouble with Compressor 4. So far it has handled the these frame rates fine.

We need to input the files at their native frame rate (we capture them progressively at 16fps, 18fps, ect), edit them, and then export them. All at their native frame rate. Currently we do this in Final Cut 7 and export out of FCP with Compressor 3. We use Compressor 4 when we need to change the format of the master file (for example change it from Uncompressed 10-bit to Pro Res or H264) or uprez SD to HD, ect. So we run files with these frame rates through Compressor 4, but we haven't used it to export out of FCP yet since we can't get FCPX to work with the files.

That is a similar process to what we had to do in FCP 7 to get sequences with odd frame rates. Thank you! We will have to give up on FCPX if we can't find a work around and our next step is to find a program that allows us to work with these files. We will give this a try!

Our scanner captures the images progressively so if you go through the timeline one frame at a time each frame matches the next frame from the original film. When you place a 16fps progressive capture into a 29.97 sequence then some frames must be repeated so as to keep the film at the right speed. In a 16fps timeline there are 16 frames in one second. When you put that film into a 29.97 sequence then there are 29.97 frames in one second so some of those original 16 frames must be repeated. The film will still run at the proper speed and look ok, but it will look much better if frames aren't repeated.

We do put 16/18fps films into 29.97 timeline when we are making a DVD or Bluray (since the film has to be 29.97 or 23.98 to work in those mediums), but we want the archival files to be in the correct frame rate and when researchers, producers, ect. order them they expect them to be at their native rate.🙂