1080 footage + final cut pro + macbook pro = 2nd monitor questions

R

robfilms

Veteran
i'm a producer who uses final cut pro on a 15" macbook pro. i often do my own rough cut and then start to work with an editor. but for that first pass on the footage, i'm looking to move to a larger, second monitor.

i've read great reviews of the apple cinema series along with the dell ultrasharps. lately, i've been shooting with the sony ex1/ex3 which produces a 1080 image. my questions:

if the footage is 1080 but the monitor is 720p, what happens? will the image be down-sized to fit 720 or will i lose image information on the sides?

i would like the color to be very good but i am not using this monitor to color grade the final project. does that change my ultimate decision as to which monitor?

during this holiday season, i've seen several hdtv/monitor by samsung, sony, panasonic and other brands pointed towards a consumer market, not a professional video maker. does the idea of using a hdtv/monitor change my ultimate decision as to which monitor?

i apologize in advance for my newbie-type questions.

thanks to any and all who care to share.

be well

rob
 
The question is a little vague... There are at least two ways in FCP to do monitoring on a second screen. You can select your second monitor from the submenu in View>Video Playback, or you can drag your Canvas over to the second monitor.

I have a MBP and use a Dell Ultrasharp, and I find that I prefer the second method. I usually keep the Browser, Effects, Viewer, and Timeline open on my Mac, and use the external monitor for the Canvas. In this case, you can select "Fit to Window," which will resize the footage to fit the maximized canvas on your external monitor.

Hope that helps...

Paul
 
canvas is not a second monitor, it's for editing purposes only, second monitor gives you what would be the final output.

if the monitor has 1:1 pixel option, then you can look at a cropped part of the 1080 footage, i think even the 30" cinema gives 1050 in 1:1 pixel mode,it's view to fit in 1920*1200 mode

or you can view to fit into the monitor or tv.
 
amrrahmy:

I understand that moving Canvas over to a second monitor isn't the same as a "real" production monitor setup, but given my gear, it's the compromise that suits my workflow best, especially as I'm nearing the end of a project.

That said, when I can afford an MXO, I'll upgrade. :)
 
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