Editing Canon t2i Footage with Final Cut Express?

[vision_filmz]

Seems like Express does not natively support 24p shot by this camera? Is there any way around this?

Also is it better to shoot at 30fps than since it seems like this is what Final Cut Express supports? Every time I tried to move something on my timeline by just dragging the original files creative by the camera it was a nightmare. I read that if you convert the files to AIC then you are able to work freely inside of the program.


Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.


ps. As of now I do not have the money for Final Cut Studio

 

[Alex H.]

FCE is, unfortunately, not a great choice for editing T2i footage. AIC is your only option, and 24p is out of the question. AIC was great for the early days of HDV, but the advent of ProRes pretty much made AIC obsolete. It can still be used, but don't expect miracles... and you'll need to stay in 30p.

If 24p is what you want or need, you might be better off with the new version of iMovie, which I believe can handle 24p material.

Every time I tried to move something on my timeline by just dragging the original files creative by the camera it was a nightmare.

That's because FCE cannot handle native h.264 editing. You do need to convert the files from the camera in order to work with them in FCE. h.264 is not an editing codec, despite the fact that some NLEs do offer native editing. You'll always be better off converting to an I-frame codec for editing.

 

[vision_filmz]

FCE is, unfortunately, not a great choice for editing T2i footage. AIC is your only option, and 24p is out of the question. AIC was great for the early days of HDV, but the advent of ProRes pretty much made AIC obsolete. It can still be used, but don't expect miracles... and you'll need to stay in 30p.

If 24p is what you want or need, you might be better off with the new version of iMovie, which I believe can handle 24p material.



That's because FCE cannot handle native h.264 editing. You do need to convert the files from the camera in order to work with them in FCE. h.264 is not an editing codec, despite the fact that some NLEs do offer native editing. You'll always be better off converting to an I-frame codec for editing.

iMovie though is a totally different work flow, I actual own and operate Final Cut studio but this post was made for a friend and me using his final cut express system. This is a mess!

 

[Alex H.]

I rarely, if ever, see people insist that everyone should standardize to ProRes. The argument isn't ProRes vs. _______; it's I-frame vs. GOP codecs. There are other perfectly suitable I-frame codecs outside of Apple's ProRes, like DNxHD and NeoScene. Heck, even DVCPRO HD is a viable option.

h.264 was not made as an editing codec. That's a truth that will not change, as to do so would require time travel. It was conceived and created to be a distribution format. It has been adapted, and yes, there are NLEs that offer native h.264 editing. Bully for them. It's still a codec that cannot be pushed as far in post as beefier I-frame codecs. But more importantly, in the world of FCP, ProRes is the way to go... and in the world of FCE it has to be AIC.

 

[David Saraceno]

This thread has been cleaned up.

The OP was inquiring about Final Cut Express and editing footage derived from a Canon DSLR. This thread has nothing to do with Vegas, or Apple. Stay on topic please.

Adding noise to the discussion by criticizing other members will not be tolerated. Neither does it address the OP's question.

This is not an open forum. It is a privately run forum, and the rules are straightforward and to be observed.

This thread is not a place to argue about whether Apple has made bad decision or that Vegas is a better editing tool. This forum is for users of FCP to exchange information, support, advice, and otherwise enable and help people to accomplish their goals with their chosen product. In other words, to try to answer the OP's question.

Thank you