FCP7 Studio Easy Set-UP/AV Settings for Sony F3 Media

[petermullett]

Hello everyone.....I've posted this on the NLE / FCP Forums but as we are all F3 users I thought I put it up here too to see what you all use or would advise me to use.........Here's the post:

I really should know this, but I'm starting an edit on a long term project I want to make sure I set up the FCP7 system correctly at the get go so to avoid heartache down the road. Been there and done that before, not pretty!

So, this documentary project has all recent filming shot with the Sony F3 / PIX 240 at 1920x1080 29.97fps Apple ProRes 422, 24 bit, these pieces form the current backbone of the film, all the recent and relevant interviews.

I have a lot of B-roll shot on S16 film plus still photographs and possible some old BetaCam footage.....All of these I will cut into the film's timeline then before final assembly re-transfer the film to suit, adjust the stills to fill frame or crop to 16x9, and see what can be done to any of the BetaCam footage if I decide to use it, ( unlikely, maybe just audio clips ).

So what settings in the FCP7 setup menus should I use seeing that the F3 footage will be the prime media?
Also...what is VBR and CBR? I see those options in XDCam EX settings and I haven't a clue as to what they mean!
Many thanks...
PM

 

[WestView Digital]

Probably the easiest way to set up your FCP sequence is to take a clip shot on the PIX and drop it into a timeline. FC will ask if you want to adjust the settings to match that clip, click yes, you're done.

CBR / VBR - Constant bit rate, Variable Bit Rate. You don't need to to worry about these - they're more for your final compression settings, not your sequence or FCP settings. Since you're using the PIX, you shouldn't be using the XDCAM EX settings.

 

[petermullett]

Probably the easiest way to set up your FCP sequence is to take a clip shot on the PIX and drop it into a timeline. FC will ask if you want to adjust the settings to match that clip, click yes, you're done.

CBR / VBR - Constant bit rate, Variable Bit Rate. You don't need to to worry about these - they're more for your final compression settings, not your sequence or FCP settings. Since you're using the PIX, you shouldn't be using the XDCAM EX settings.

Thanks Andrew, tried that and it appears to have worked ok.
I see that you have an EX1 as well as the F3. I sold my EX1 (R), a short time after buying the F3 and still regret doing so. For what I got for it I should have kept it as a B camera at the very least. I used it a couple of times that way on some interview shoots prior to selling it and it matched very well in that kind of a situation.
Anyway, thanks again, best, Peter

 

[WestView Digital]

I sold my EX1 (R), a short time after buying the F3 and still regret doing so. For what I got for it I should have kept it as a B camera at the very least.

I actually still carry my EX-1 with me on all shoots - The bag it's in holds everything my foam cut-out F3 case can't... wireless mics, shotgun mic, cables, batteries, walkie-talkies, tools, headphones, follow focus, gaffer tape... It's almost like the EX-1 is part of my grip package now. Never know when I client will ask for a "quick zoom in on that" It's hard to explain why your Super-Star camera can't zoom. Good luck on the docu!