Final Cut, what am I doing wrong?

owaltec

Well-known member
Please Help. I just shot my first scenes with the AF and loaded them up into FCP using Load and Transfer. Seeing them in FCP they look good, but after I render them (using uncompressed 8 bit) then burning a dvd to see how it looks on a TV... I got a terrible all pixeled image. I used to do the same thing with my HVX200 and in no way did I get that result. Can anyone tell me what Im doing wrong?

Thank you very much.
 
Need more detail. What format/codec are you using in FCP? For example proRes, or whatever? What is your FCP sequence codec? How did you burn your DVD? I'm assuming this not FCPx?
 
1. How did you export.
2. Did you use Compressor? What settings. 60 min best quality is pretty good.
3. What are your sequence settings. HD or SD. SD sequence gives poor quality. I always edit and finish in HD then down convert in compressor to DVD format.
4. Your sequence should match your video format. If you log and transferred to Prores that's what your sequence settings and render settings should be.

This is a good start.
 
Thanks guys.. here is what im doing.

First i Log and transfer the images. Then when I put the images on the timeline, it tells me that I need to set the timeline to the resolution that the images have, so I click ok. I put the images there start to edit and then, export, using quicktime conversion and use uncompressed 8bit. Once I have the file, i put it into the asset box in the DVD studio pro.
 
Ok I just typed a very similar message on another thread. Dont export using "quicktime conversion". It blows. If you want to put the final edit on a DVD (keeping in mind that unless its blueray the DVD will not be HD), then just export as is and then open with compressor. Use compressor's DVD best quality preset to encode for your dvd.

Then simply bring those assets into DVD studio pro.

Also this belongs in the FCP section, so I will move it over.
 
Definitely don't wast time doing a QuickTime conversion. Just doing a normal save QuickTime will save it as the same format as you are working in. I also wouldn't let DSP do my conversion to MPEG. You will definitely get better results from compressor. Also, make sure your LOG and TRANSFER is set to at least proRes, or proRes HQ and not proxy or DVCPRO HD.
 
Definitely don't wast time doing a QuickTime conversion. Just doing a normal save QuickTime will save it as the same format as you are working in. I also wouldn't let DSP do my conversion to MPEG. You will definitely get better results from compressor. Also, make sure your LOG and TRANSFER is set to at least proRes, or proRes HQ and not proxy or DVCPRO HD.

Thank you very much!!! I will try that. Can´t thank you enough!!!
 
Hey guys, just wanted to let oyu know that I tried what you told me and it works AMAZING!!!!! I don´t know why is there a quicktime conversion setting put there!!!! OMG.. Thank you guys very much.
 
Definitely don't wast time doing a QuickTime conversion. Just doing a normal save QuickTime will save it as the same format as you are working in. I also wouldn't let DSP do my conversion to MPEG. You will definitely get better results from compressor. Also, make sure your LOG and TRANSFER is set to at least proRes, or proRes HQ and not proxy or DVCPRO HD.

Hi bgundu,
Why "not proxy or DVCPRO HD" ? Please explain to me, I don't understand very well about the difference. I am using DVCPRO HD (shooting withP2 Panasonic HVX200)
Thank you
Cooki
 
If you're shooting on an HVX, go ahead and use DVCPRO HD, that's what you're shooting at. But if you're shooting AVCHD like the AF100 does, you'll lose resolution since DVCPRO HD isn't full raster and AVCHD is.
As far as proxy goes, my understanding is that it's like offline editing; cutting at lower quality and then matching back to the original files. So you'll lose quality if you log and transfer directly to proxy, since you won't have those original files to begin with.
 
As moseph said, converting avchd to dvcpro is degrading the image since you are recompressing. Essentially, converting avchd to at least proRes LT or to something uncompressed (overkill) is the best workflow. Dvcprohd was good but avchd is far more efficient.
 
I think your problem was that you had a "fields" problem. If you shot Progressive, and converted to dvcpro HD, make sure your sequence has changed to "no fields". This is normally a problem when you shoot in 25p Pal or 1080 50i. If you want to create an SD master, try this:

1- Export a Master DVCPRO HD quicktime file to a folder or desktop. make sure you select NO FIELDS in sequence settings.
2- Create a new sequence with Uncompressed 8Bit 4:2:2. Make sure you select No fields in sequence settings, and in the custom settings change to "progressive". Now import the DVCPRO HD master clip and place it in the uncompressed sequence. What will happen is that it will probably letterbox your video but will keep resolution and motion without problems. I sometimes used this method when I needed to deliver to a client that could have a display ratio problem on projection- Most venues still have 4:3 projectors and staff often doesn't know how to operate the projection systems.

2B- You can also create a new sequence with 10 bit Prores 4:2:2 25p SD, which is great and you avoid the hassle of messing with sequence settings.

3- Export your quicktime SD master

4- From your SD sequence, "send to compressor"

Of course, if you need a 16:9 DVD, simply send from your HD sequence to compressor like the previous posters said very well.
 
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