FCP: Getting the best image from a DSLR

D

DDirector

Veteran
Whenever I shot anything on a DSLR it looks awesome. So much work to have a perfect image. Then when I edited it and exported it, it looked like crap. It wasnt that HD quality Ive been wanting.

What I used to do is just import the footage onto the timeline and then it would ask me if I wanted to adjust the settings to the video, I would press 'yes'.
And exporting, im not sure what id do, but i think it was just 1080p - 24, but it looked crappy. It looked like video artifacts - If thats the correct word.

As if there were large squares all pixelated. It just wasnt 'clean, crisp, HD' quality.


So, when importing the video to FCP what do I do?
And to export it at the HIGHEST and best quality possible, how do I export it? - What would my settings have to be?
 
Yeah, your workflow should be as follows:

Save footage somewhere on hard drive. Download MPEG Streamclip, make sure to click Batch List, export to QT, select Apple Prores 422, set quality to 100%, un-check de-interlace option, select something different than uncompressed for audio (unless you haven't recorded dual sound, in which case - leave it) and hit okay.

Bring those new clips into FCP. Edit with it - it'll be much easier and then when you have your final cut, drop in the source clips in place of the ones on your timeline. Then export.

Kegan
 
Oh right! Yeah, I remember hearing about this a long time ago, totally forgot.
So, that besically the importing part... So, if i drag my clips into the timeline will it ask me to change the settings to match the video? - I should press 'yes' if it does, right, obviously?


And what about exporting?
How do i get the best output?
Id want to get Blu-Ray copies after so i want the best possible.
 
The threshold requirement is to convert your DSLR footage into an editing codec such as pro res or pro res LT.

Then allow FCP to set the sequence settings automatically.

Once you get these initial items set up properly, export QuickTime (not conversion), current settings, self contained, no recompression.

You cannot export to a higher quality than your original footage.

In future, it's best to include information about computer, OS and FCP version numbers, which DSLR you are using, and its settings.
 
David Saraceno said:
In future, it's best to include information about computer, OS and FCP version numbers, which DSLR you are using, and its settings.
Click to expand...
Well, Its not my computer, so I cant give you details about them. Same as FCP. And i didnt think it would matter.

Canon T2i
1080p - 1/50 shutter

I know I cant get higher quality than what I record, obviously, but if shot 1080p, I want the full 1080p quality I should be getting out of my DSLR. Not 1080p size and 1/4 quality.

So, just simple exporting o Quicktime will give me the best quality? ~ For Blu-ray to be viewed on a large TV or Youtube viewing?
What would happen if I did Quicktime conversion and did 'uncompressed'? Because I tried that once and thought that it would give me best quality as its uncompressed.
 
The FCP version number does matter, because that determines workflow, and available codecs.

Exporting uncompressed will result in huge files sizes and no impact on quality.

As I indicated, you cannot improve the quality of the footage by converting it to another codec.

The key issue remains converting the Canon footage to pro res before importing and editing. The version number of FCP will determine which codec should be used and how that is accomplished.

In addition, what frame rate was the footage shot at? 1080p doesn't provide that information.

Google "How to use Canon T2i with EOS Movie Plugin-E1 Final Cut Pro" and you'll get links to the proper workflow depending on which version of FCP you use.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top