The Flip digital camcorder and FCP...

JoeFowler

JoeFowler

Well-known member
I have been hearing a lot about this new camera from Pure Digital. Now, I am in no way saying this will replace my DVX100A, but to make little youtube videos, and for goofing around it looks pretty sweet. Not to go into too much detail, but for the size and money, it shoots 640 x 480 at 30 fps progressive. Better then your cell phone or digital still camera's "video" feature.

My question is if anyone here has used one, and what they think, but more importantly, how well does the footage work with FCP?

I have read a bunch of reviews about the camera itself, and it really does sound awesome, but I am asking (and why it's here in the FCP forum) is how well I can edit my clips in final cut.

Thanks a bunch.
 
From the product web site: MPEG-4 recorded video files saved in AVI format

So based on that, I'd say, not great for FCP. MPEG-4 isn't really a great editing format and AVI container isn't the format FCP uses (as you should be aware its Quicktime based). So the RAW as is files aren't super FCP friendly.

What you'll need to do is convert the files to the Quicktime format and use a friendly codec (like DV). While the codec you chose may be of higher quality, you won't improve your image (you can't invent pixels after the fact). But it will just make FCP happier. I'm not sure if Compressor could do this for you (not sure how well it does with AVIs). If it does, that would likely be most optimal since it can do batches. If not, I think MPEG Streamclip might do the trick then (not at the office though so don't have it at hand to really examine that).

cheers.
 
NoahK said:
Why on earth would you want webcam-quality video when you've already got a DVX?

Noah
Click to expand...

You have a good point. I have used my DVX for all kinds of "grab and go" type situations. But it's big, and with the pelican case and all the goods it's bulky. I'm preaching to the choir here, but I wanted a very inexpensive solution for some "goofing around" type projects.

Lately, all I've been doing is work, and my creativity is going down the...

~drool~ What were we talking about?

A small video camera with decent quality (it's better then webcam, although not much!) would be a fun tool to let my creativity go, unrestrained, and "fill the well" (Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way) when it gets dried up at work.

That's all.
 
Just buy any DV handycam for $300 at Best Buy- it will have *much* better image quality than some junky little MPEG-4 webcam- promise. :thumbsup:

Noah
 
I have the Samsung SC-X205L, the rugged cam for offroad, and helmetcam stuff. It records to a SD card and a 2gb card holds about an hours worth of 720x480 30fps. Its good for strapping to stuff to get a different image. I put it on a friend's frame slider on his street bike ad was recording a full 30fps, image stabalized, video, 4inches of the ground at 70-85mph. Cool shots....but this is for the 15 year old to play with....
 
Oh, man. Those look just like the disposable ones that CVS pharmacy marketed a couple years back. You returned the camera to them and they put the info on DVD for you. then they reusold the camera again.

Man I was pissed because the specs looked OK I went ahead and shot some family fun with it. Took it to the beach on vacation, etc.

The picture was SOOOOO bad, even for family video.

I'm not saying this IS the same camera, but it looks like it with the addition of the usb and a couple of fixes. The video was so bad that it was distracting.

Buy and HV20 so just incase your boredom spawns brilliance you will have marketable material.

just my two bits.
 
insanityfw said:
Buy a HV20 so just in case your boredom spawns brilliance you will have marketable material.

just my two bits.
Click to expand...

What would be better is to just get a Red Camera... yeah, they record to a harddrive and they shoot pretty nice footage I've heard. They look small enough, I may be able to get one into a backpack, or just start carrying a purse of some sort (just for my camera, I'll still keep my wallet in my pocket, ha ha) and then if I'm out and about I can always bust out the Red and catch the best footage there is! Ooooooooowwweeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!

What? They're how much?!

Hmmm... I may have to just stick with what I was thinking. Oh, well. :2vrolijk_08:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top