Final Cut Pro 5.1.2 Just Released

Thanks Ben

Thanks Ben

Ben huge thanks for that. The stills were really great to see. One question for you, on the format on the sample clips you had in there, they all say 720p24. Are they non-native format then? Basically if I shot 720pN24 will the new dialogue show something different to show the fact that it was shot at the native setting? Thanks again.

cheers.
 
They are 720pa24, not native. I just tested, and it will list native mode shots. For example what I just tested was a 720p24 native mode shot. In the P2 Import window it shows up in the Format column as "720pN24" with the pull-down column reading "None". So you know exactly what it was shot in. Plus you can add more catagories to the headings to show more info about each clip.

I did also just discover something by accident. If the P2 Import window is open, and you're actually using clips, it won't let you eject the P2 cards from the finder. So, as long as you're ingesting, your P2 cards can't be un-mounted from the Finder. NICE!

Let me clarify that. I had a clip highlighted, the Finder said I couldn't eject (un-mount) that P2 card as it was in use by another application. I went back to FCP and made sure nothing was highlighted, it let me eject the cards. I began to import and tried to eject from the finder that same P2 card, it wouldn't let me. But I could eject (un-mount) the second P2 card in the camera that was not being used.

And one more thing I just discovered. You have two modes to list the P2 content, a hiearchial (sp?) or a flat list. I seem to like the hierarchical listing best. If I right click on the P2 card icon in that list, I can "Add to Queue" to import the whole damned thing. Or "Archive to folder..." which lets me pick/create a folder anywhere on my system to archive the original native format MXF data to. Or "Unmount" the volume.

BTW, I'm testing with P2 cards in the HVX200, via Firewire, on a maxed out Quad Core G5. No problems so far.

Again, I think I have no more use for P2 Log or P2 Geine at this point. If I were unloading from P2 cards with a laptop, I'd for sure want P2 Geine. But this does everything I need and then some. Great job, Apple!
 
Last edited:
I noticed the hierachical vs flat list stuff. I too really like the look of the hiearchical setting. So how exactly to do you toggle between those two modes?

Also, another couple of questions for you...

The clip is on the P2 card. I select it, it now shows up over on the logging side so you can add in all the logging info. When you change the name, from you still, it changes the name back on the left hand side. When the clip is actually imported from the card (or P2 store, etc.) will the media (not just clip name in the browser) be the RAW P2 name or will it be the logging info name?

Also, when a clip is loaded in the right hand side (the logging area), I notice you seem to be able to do In and Out points. So does this mean you can do partial imports of the clips? If you had to wait 20 seconds for your actors to get going you could trim that off? You'd obviously keep in it in the sense that your backup of the raw content would have it, but would the MOV files place onto your system only consist of the material between the In and Out point?

And keeping on that, when actually importing the media, is it simply sending it to my capture scratch? Or does the new dialogue window allow you to determine where the created MOVs go? And if so, does it default to the capture scratch if you just say don't care persay?

cheers.
 
I'll chime in here, if you don't mind. The new Log and Capture just blew me away. Yes, you can mark in/out points and that's all that FCP will ingest from your card, Firestore, MXF's copied to hard drive, etc.

It will not change the name of the MXF file, but will show up in the FCP Browser named and annotated.

The Quicktimes themselves go to the designated capture scratch folder (just like it did before) and the browser proxies will go to your designated logging bin in the browser. I have not found a way to redirect QT's; don't think you can.

But I spent more time yesterday getting FCP 5.1.2 to open on my G5 without crashing than I did editing. Culprit was Avid codecs.

Ned Soltz
 
VaricamLife said:
The clip is on the P2 card. I select it, it now shows up over on the logging side so you can add in all the logging info. When you change the name, from you still, it changes the name back on the left hand side. When the clip is actually imported from the card (or P2 store, etc.) will the media (not just clip name in the browser) be the RAW P2 name or will it be the logging info name?
Click to expand...

It keeps the name you give it, and only imports the section between the In and Out poinst. Exactly like Logging scenes from tape! I put "Blind River 1" in the Name field, ingest, in my Browser, the clip is named "Blind River 1".

VaricamLife said:
Also, when a clip is loaded in the right hand side (the logging area), I notice you seem to be able to do In and Out points. So does this mean you can do partial imports of the clips? If you had to wait 20 seconds for your actors to get going you could trim that off? You'd obviously keep in it in the sense that your backup of the raw content would have it, but would the MOV files place onto your system only consist of the material between the In and Out point?
Click to expand...

Again, it keeps the name you give it, and only imports the section between the In and Out poinst. Exactly like Logging scenes from tape! The clip in my Browser ONLY has the footage I marked between my In and Out points. Exactly like Log & Capture from tapes.

VaricamLife said:
And keeping on that, when actually importing the media, is it simply sending it to my capture scratch? Or does the new dialogue window allow you to determine where the created MOVs go? And if so, does it default to the capture scratch if you just say don't care persay?
Click to expand...

You have always determined where the capture files go with your Capture Scratch settings in FCP. This is no different, the exact same thing it does when capturing from tape. It is a very logical system if you learn it. I applaude Apple for keeping all ingesting from all sources working similarly as much as they can.

The new dialog window does allow you to determine where you ARCHIVE the original MXF data, though. Which is different from ingesting it.
 
BenB said:
They are 720pa24, not native. I just tested, and it will list native mode shots. For example what I just tested was a 720p24 native mode shot. In the P2 Import window it shows up in the Format column as "720pN24" with the pull-down column reading "None". So you know exactly what it was shot in. Plus you can add more catagories to the headings to show more info about each clip.

I did also just discover something by accident. If the P2 Import window is open, and you're actually using clips, it won't let you eject the P2 cards from the finder. So, as long as you're ingesting, your P2 cards can't be un-mounted from the Finder. NICE!

BTW, I'm testing with P2 cards in the HVX200, via Firewire, on a maxed out Quad Core G5. No problems so far.
Click to expand...
Excellent! This new update will be very helpful. I just hope my G5 doesn't run into the supposed problems some folks are having.

Oh, and Ben? Thanks for the recommendation on the Optimizing Your Final Cut Pro System book. It's great. I have been an Avid tech for 6 years, so I know my way around setting up a system. But this book encompasses the same kind of education and knowledge that Avid forces techs to spend several thousands of dollars to learn over years for supporting Avids. Patty Montesion has always put together a great group of people when it comes producing quality educational products.

EDIT:
nsoltz said:
But I spent more time yesterday getting FCP 5.1.2 to open on my G5 without crashing than I did editing. Culprit was Avid codecs.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Neil. I was concerned about installing it on my G5. Thanks to your info, I'll go forward. :)
 
Darn that Avid codec!!!!!

Remember to keep in mind that this process is trying to mimic the existing tape capture functioning/interface as much as possible. So you really aren't doing much of anything different, just not using tape, or something like that...
 
Ben,

Okay I understand it changing the name in browser for import, that I get, but what I meant is, does it change the media file name on your hard drive? If the name is 0061IST on the P2 Card. You call it "WS-Field-Day-01." When I want to search for the MOV using FINDER will I be looking for 0061IST.mov or WS-Field-Day-01.mov? That's what I meant by my earlier question.

And, so okay, it makes clips like a regular logging system, very cool. How about if I want to import all media, as if I was using the "Import All" button from the previous dialogue window. Is there a shortcut/easy way to do that with the new one? Not that I'd likely do this, considering how nice it is to have the proper logging system, but just curious none the less.

cheers.
 
I just checked, and yes, I have files in my Capture Scratch folder named the same as I named them in the P2 Import window!

Yep, one click, the whole danged P2 card is importing... in the background while you do other stuff in FCP, like check other P2 clips and mark them. In the hiearchial view, right click, as in my previous post, the P2 card you want, from the pop-up menu select Add to Queue, poof, the whole card's worth of clips are importing. That easy.

Ok, I'm doing this as I type this. Make a new project called P2 Import Test Project. Take a P2 clip and give it a Reel name of Int1Reel, Name of Interview 1, add to queue.

Now that it's done importing, I see it in my Browser as "Interview 1". I go to my hard drive, Final Cut Pro Documents > Capture Scratch > P2 Test Project > Interview 1.mov (.mov is hidden by default, but is there anyway).

So yes, it does give the copy on the hard drive that same name. Does that make your day or what?

Oh, a note here, if you import clips that "need" the pull-down, then the pull-down is set to happen by default. You can disable it, in the case of doing over/under cranking and should use the FRC instead (never use both pull-down and FRC on the same clip, it just doesn't work that way, they do very different things). Just right click the clip and select Preferences from that pop-up menu.


If you "unmount" a P2 card from the P2 Import window (same pop-up menu as above), it unmounts it from the Finder, too. No need to switch back and forth anymore!
 
Last edited:
Just installed 5.1.2 on my G5 and the new import dialog is spectacular. I just discovered that it now fully supports clip spanning. I loaded my first card directory and discovered that it recognized that a clip was "(Incomplete)"
FCP5_1_2.jpg

I added the previous folder and bingo, the "Incomplete" file is now named after the 1st clip and is notated as "(Spanned)".
FCP5_1_2b.jpg

It imports as a single clip named for the first clip in the series. Absolutely perfect.
 
I haven't had a chance to test that yet. That is just great to hear! Fan-frekin-tastic!

You go, Apple! I bet we see native MXF in v.6, and so native it'll make you PUKE!

Oops, sorry, was watching The Jerk last night....

Anyway, very cool to see clip spaning like that! Thanks for the info, Dave! You rock!

Um, now, WHY do I need P2 Log?

Now how do you guys get pics embedded into your posts? Someone PM me and let me in on this!
 
Okay question on the Spanned stuff... do you have to be in mode or the other for it to work right (and what I mean by that is Ben's reference to "hierarchical" versus "flat" from earlier on in the thread)? It seems like filmstox's is the "flat" mode.

cheers.
 
Anders, I might be missing something in P2 Genie, but aswell as naming an increment P2Card off the P2 Store as it copies them off, I'd love that it put the name of the new directory as a preface to all the file numbers/letters as it imported. I think it's important to have the cryptic number attatched to the directory it's from by name - film post-production, working with frames mentality.

This way stuff can be mass-dragged into the new Import/- Panasonic P2 window, all named up, and hence trackable to the directories they're from.

yours hopefully

mike.c
 
VaricamLife, what you refer to is simply a display mode, not an ingest mode. It's just one of a couple of ways to customize the interface to make it easier to work with. Has no effect on what and how things are done.

Give custom names in P2 Genie, or in FCP's "new" P2 Import, same process, same keystrokes, just how many apps do you need to do it? FCP's new import window has the ability to ARCHIVE the original P2 data as is, untouched, to any folder anywhere on your system you want it. And in FCP you can put the folder not only anywhere you want it, but name it anything you want.

But, P2 Genie is still the way to go for archiving ASAP in the field with a Powerbook. The new P2 Import window does the same functions, but not as specific and as fast as what P2 Genie does. Depends on what your personal needs are.
 
I see my P2 Genie as my reliable bridge with my P2Store and my Mac.

As much information as I can give it in the beginning is good, but although I can give the folder a name, I want the clips to have the same folder name as a prefix:

STORE_1_031.0016YH for example, instead of just 0016YH.

I've got 3 P2 stores from 3 different cameras coming in, so I want that extra detail in the file name in order to keep track of things.

300gigs of data.


mike.c
 
Last edited:
You can give clips the same folder name as a prefix, nothing is stopping you with the new P2 Import window. Unless I'm not understanding what you're after. You can give the "file name" anything you want!

BUT the Capture Scratch system is the FCP way. Every NLE has it's own structure, that's part of what goes into deciding which NLE works best for you, personally.

And P2 Genie for offloading in the field with a laptop is great! But I offload in a studio. If I offloaded in the feild, I'd be using P2 Genie like a mad man! I think it's GREAT software, and VERY worth the price!!!!

You have all the regular Log & Capture capabilities in the new P2 Import window. You can do what I seem to think you're asking of the system.

AND remember, there are TWO differnt functions in the new P2 Import window!

Again, TWO DIFFERENT FUCNTIONS IN THE NEW P2 IMPORT WINDOW! (Sorry, didn't mean to "yell", just drive an important new feature home.)

1- Ingest footage using the same system we're all used to using for capturing from tape, very flexable and powerful.
2- Archive the original MXF data from your P2 card, P2 Store, FS-100, or hard drive folder, in tact to any location on your local system, very flexable and powerful.
 
Last edited:
Here is a little summary of the features added in the 5.1.2 update:

The Import Panasonic P2 window is almost 4 times as large, divided into 4 areas, where you can:
--Browse all clips in the selected cards, complete with picons.
--Preview and scrub through each clip, with audio.
( The scrub window has buttons to go to next clip or go to previous clip. )
--Set In and Out points for importing only sub-clips.
--Select which video and audio channels are ingested with each clip.
( The audio one is a biggie. )

--Log database fields such as Reel, Name, Scene, Shot, Angle and Notes.
--Auto-fill and increment the database fields.
--Conduct searches on all fields, including timecode.
--Sort the list of clips on any field or property.
--View clips grouped by hierarchy.

--Eject and mount cards as though they are disk volumes.
--Change the clip names.
--Delete clips from the P2 card.
--Print video back to the cards.
--Pause or restart ingest at any time

Finally, clips retain a reference to the original clip, so they can be re-ingested.

In all, I expected only minor improvements in the 5.1.2 update, but these are major.
 
Last edited:
hatchmo said:
“Remove Advanced Pulldown and Duplicate Frames” still cannot strip duplicate frames from 720p60; it is useful only for 24-frame pulldown.
Click to expand...

What? Um, not on my system.
 
No, the unique clip name is a very long string contained in the XML file, not the simple filename of the XMF.
Click to expand...
Well, you're right--but not quite. I made the same slip: Confusing Clip Name with Clip ID.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top