FCP Fails on Export of HDV Footage

Here's my problem in a nutshell: I have a 75 minute edit that will not export from the timeline. I have 2 tracks of video - the first track is HDV (1080i60 - imported from JVC GYHD 100U), the second is a mix of HDV b-roll (1080i60 - imported from Sony HDR-HC7) and .png and .tiff images along with some motion lower 3rds. Everything has been rendered and plays back fine in the canvas. Any time I try to export footage from the timeline it fails with "General Error" or occasionally FCP crashes. Please see below for all the different export types and methods, none of which have proven successful.
*Export Options*
1. QuickTime Movie - as a reference movie - current settings
2. QuickTime Movie - as a self contained movie - current settings
3. QuickTime Movie - changed to ProRes422
4. Using Compressor - MPEG2 (DVD Best Quality 90 minutes - to go into DSP)
5. Using Compressor - as a ProRes422 file
6. Using Compressor - as DV NTSC Anamorphic
*Steps Taken to Resolve Issue*
1. Disk Utility to repair permissions on boot drive - permissions repaired
2. Disk Warrior and Drive Genius on all drives - no problems reported
3. Trashed FCP preferences
4. Deleted render files - then export without re-rendering
5. Deleted render files - re-render and then export
6. Exported footage in smaller chunks - still fails
7. Exported only V1 - still fails
8. Created a new project - copy and pasted contents from timeline and then export
9. Created a new project - this time with timeline as ProRes 422 and then export (this last one is currently writing, but as you can tell I'm kind of clutching at straws here...)
The only export success I have had is audio only to AC3, video so far just fails.
Next stop is to print to tape in two parts and then re-import and try and export again. The ultimate goal is to output to DVD.
If there are any suggestions or if there is anything I've overlooked, I'd be grateful for some input.

Elated - I have found the problem and, more importantly, a solution.
While converting the original footage to ProRes, Compressor complained about one of the segments (the JVC camera records in around 18 minute chunks) I was trying to import. Sure enough there were some visual glitches on playback but FCP never seemed to care, but Compressor refused to convert it to ProRes.
Which got me thinking.... back to the timeline I went. Knowing which segment had caused Compressor problems, I isolated it, and cut out all footage with distortion on it. I had used b-roll footage to cover the glitches anyway, but this time I used the blade tool to remove the offending video on V1 even though it was being obscured by V2.
As if by magic, and to my great relief, the footage rendered and as we speak DVD Studio Pro has just spat out my first burn of the DVD (mind you it did take close to 6 hours to encode the footage to MPEG2!)
So there you go folks, corrupt video footage, even though it isn't playing was enough to halt my export and suck two days from my life. Lesson learned.

Similar Messages

Audio lag when exporting 90min HDV footage as QT movie via FCP6

Hy Guys I desperately need your help!
Ive exported a 90min QT movie from an 1080i50 HDV project in FCP6 & found that the audio progressively "lags" as the clip plays.
At the start of the clip the sound is in sync with the video but by the end it lags nearly 15 seconds behind the video!
The footage had captured perfectly & everything works fine in the timeline & is rendered properly.
I've checked everything I can think of (settings on timeline are the same as the export settings - audio rate is 48KH, 25fps in both etc (I'm based in the UK)but getting no joy at all.
Initially I exported the footage using the "export quicktime movie" option, set to "use current settings", as a "self contained movie", & un-checked "re-compress all frames" option.
(The intention ultimately being to import the file into Compressor 3 to produce M2v/Ac3 files & then import them into DVD studio pro to produce a PAL anamorphic 16:9 SD-DVD.)
Since that didnt work however, Ive tried all sorts of different settings for both timeline & QT export - the only thing I havent tried is exporting it totally uncompressed (should I use 8bit or 10 bit??).
I'm a bit wary of that as It will take 12-14hrs to do so & use up an awfal lot of space.
The footage itself is of an action horror feature - so LOTS of quick cuts, whip pans & transitions.
I'm using a brand-new rented Mac G5 so I have no idea what drivers of service packs have been added - but i think its pretty well serviced (its VERY stable).
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Many thanks
Mike

Exporting a self contained Quicktime movie does not cause any compression to the actual images.
When using QT movie export FCP copies each frame of your finished movie and create new ones out of any transition between original media.
Editing HDV can require extra time indeed as it needs to be conformed after you finish. I would try to send the movie straight from the timeline once rendered. If you want to check out the result why not copy a portion of the edit on a second identical sequence and send it to Compressor.
Testing is always a crucial part of the process.
G.

When exporting my HDV footage the titles get squished (pic) - Why?

Hereos a screen:
I'm using FCP 5.1.4.
Sequence Settings:
1440x1080 16:9 (I really need to make this smaller, any suggestions?)
Pixel Aspect Ratio: HD 1440x1080
Anamorphic 16:9 box is NOT checked (not sure if that's correct or not)
Editing timebase: 29.97
Field Dominance: Upper Odd
QTV Settings: HDV 1080i60
I exported using Compresor with the following custom settings:
.mov
Format: QT
Width 960
Height 540
Pixel Aspect Ratio: defualt
Crop: none
frame rate: 100% of source
codec: h.264
Multi-pass: on
If you need any other info, please tell me.
And by the way, I'm using the Canon HV20 set at 24p.

Okay, I've got more of a clue as to what's going on. While in compressor I clicked off "show as sq. pixels" and while the image was smushed horizontaly (giving off the impression that it's stretched vertically) the titles were also affected. So, when exporting with the usual settings I noticed that the video has the correct aspect ratio while the titles were still smashed horizontally as if "show as sq pixels" was unchecked.
So, there is definitely an issue with the titles being treated differently than the video. Now I just have to figure out how to get the titles to have the proper aspect ratio when exported...
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FCP X not image stabilize HDV footage

I have a Imac 27 inch 11,1, I5.
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I tried adjusting the IS controls via inspector. Still no IS, the image would zoomed in a bit more or less based on what I did in the inspector. But no IS.
Anyone with this problem??
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You are right, there is the suspicion that image stabilization is broken for interlaced media. However, I've also seen reports that you can get it working for interlaced clips, as long as you don't do any analysis while importing, and only do the analysis inside the timeline. But it sounds like that's what you did.
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CS3...Exporting 24F HDV to DVD

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I tried the one I would use for the SD (Widescreen NTSC 23.97 High quality), and it looked bad. I know there are options that don't specify the frame rate in the headline, but when going to the options for frame rate, there is no 24 listed. So this is the area I need help on to know how to not lose quality.
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Best format for HDV footage online

I'm wondering what format people are using to export their HDV footage for online consumption.
I've tried all the preset avilable in PP CS3 and either the quality sucks or the file size is way too big.
I've seen a bunch of HDV footage online and some incredible looking video (really HDV quality looking) but can't seem to get the correct settings to achieve that.
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Steve,
Dimensions that will be effective (for online purposes, assuming the visitor has a high bandwidth connection).
I believe 1/4 the original size of HDV will be a good starting place. So that's 480x 270 (or is it 360x270).
That's the other thing, I see some HDV online that seem wider than others. Is that because they were shot using 24f?
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The Quicktime format in particular sucks (at least with encoded using PP CS3). The resulting video looks completely washed out and artificial). I have seen other people post their footage using quicktime and it looks great (no color correction).
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Hi Varkgirl,
That would be great but I don't really know where to start with this. Can you help?
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How I export from HDV to SD (DVD)... What about HD versions suitable for Macs and Pcs?

Hi,
      I have just finished editing a short movie based on some high res stills combined with some 1080i HDV footage.
   After completing the edit in CS4 (in a HDV 1080i environment) I went through Adobe Media Encoder in order to downsize and converting into an m2v file ready for my Encore project.
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So, after giving up on the Dan Isaacs method, AVI synth didnt seem friendly to this user... as well as the inability of CS4 to frameserve..
My solution was to exported the Microsoft AVI using the HUFFYUV codec at 100% - With Progressive scan, when ever I interlaced my output it showed obvious interlacing in my player, odd or even fields first...
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I want to export straight from CS4 to media type that can be played on both PC and Macs in HD.
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   Many thanks,
Phil.

let me see if I can help out a little here.
The problem with converting 1080i to SD in software is that FCP seems to do a not-very-good job of downsampling the image, particularly when you are going directly to DV. Details get blurry, and other compression artifacts become quite noticeable. I have also experienced trouble with the HDV fields not getting processed correctly if I go to SD mpeg directly from an HDV timeline or movie file.
Your best bet is one of the following workflows:
Export a 1080i HDV or AIC movie file and re-import to FCP. Place this clip into an anamorphic SD sequence. It doesn't matter if the sequence is DV or Uncompressed if you send the sequence directly to Compressor from FCP, because this will ignore any rendered material and use an uncompressed image buffer as it encodes the mpeg. Do not letterbox your widescreen video if you are going to DVD - widescreen DVD video should always be full-frame anamorphic.
Your other option is to attempt to use Compressor to down-res the sequence or a self-contained movie of your HDV, starting with one of the advnace format conversion presets in Compressor. However, you'll have to cutstomize the preset by turning on the frame controls, and testing the settings to make sure you are happy with the result. Turning on frame controls will increase the ratio of your encoding time anywhere from 4 to 20:1.
I have tried all of these methods, and none of them look as good as capturing the downconverted video from the deck after mastering to HDV tape.
Hope this helps -
Max Average

Workflow Circuit between FCP and After Effects with HDV

I am trying to set up a workflow circuit with FCP 5.1.1 and AE 7.0 using HDV. We are:
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2. exporting to AE
3. adding in FX with AE
4. putting those back into FCP
The footage we are using is compressed with HDV 1080i60 in FCP.
My problem is finding the correct way to export the HDV with FCP. I have tried using Quicktime Conversion but the only option I can find for uncompressed video didn't work when we tried to transfer it.
I think the main problem is that the AE work is being done on PCs and the video that we have tried sending can't be read by PCs. The audio plays through fine but the video shown is nonexistent.
What conversion should we use in FCP that allows us to keep the video uncompressed and in its best quality for use in AE? And what works best on the AE end of it?
Can someone give some advice on steps that they would or have taken for a project of the same ilk.
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What's your system setup? What FX exactly (e.g. color correction, or just random FX thrown in every now and then)? What went wrong when you tried using an uncompressed codec?
1) If everything's on an external FAT32 formatted drive (fat chance, get it?), then i think you could export a quicktime reference of your timeline (choose the option that ends up giving u a tiny file). Then plug the drive into your PC, load the Quicktime Ref (also known as QT Ref) into AE7 and FX away. Then export a QT with HDV 1080i60 specs and reimport into FCP.
2) If you're only doing occsional FX (e.g. gun flashes, lasers from robots, etc..), and nothing that encompasses the entire length of the project (e.g. color correction), you could export a hashed down QT Conversion of the timeline with whatever decent codec that works (e.g. DV NTSC). Then import into AE7, lay down the video, add your effects. But then before you export your FX, turn OFF your original video layer so all your FX are on a transparent background. Export clips with alpha channel and reimport those into FCP.
3) Ensure that the PC is using the latest version of quicktime. It may need to be upgraded to whatever version is on the Mac, and it may need to be registered as Pro.

Sequence Settings for HDV footage to create SD 16 x 9 -help!

I shot HDV footage (using Sony Z1U) and want to use it as SD footage in final cut.
How do I set up a sequence to be able to create an SD sequence in 16 x 9? Which sequence settings should I choose for this?
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HDV has a natively wide aspect ratio, and is not anamorphic (stretched) like SD widescreen.
FCP seems unable to correctly allow for the reversed field order of HDV when converting to SD with software, whether exporting QT, going direct to compressor, or nesting into SD and rendering.
Also, if you go direct to compressor from your HDV sequence, type elements and pixel layers will shift around and change aspect ratio.
I have had good luck exporting a self-contained native HDV movie and running that through compressor, though I am forced to turn frame controls off in my compressor preset, which throws out every other field and gives a pattern of progressive frames where every 5th frame is repeated. Our producer called it the "max headroom" effect.
If you know you won't need HDV output for the current planned workflow of your project, I would start by capturing SD by turning on the DV downconvert setting on your HDV deck. You'll save yourself a lot of time and headaches.
Otherwise, if you want to work in native HDV, output and HDV master of the finished sequences and recapture those as DV if you want to retain the origiinal fields in your SD output, whether to tape or to mpeg2.
When you recapture as DV, whether the original source, or a recapture of you finished master, that's the point at which you'll want to capture anamorphic.

General Error; failed to render the timeline and failed to export HD mpg2

I have searched for the posts if there is same issue I'm having on the forum, and it seems it's similar yet not really...
So I decided to post one.
I have 2100 sequential frames in jpgs. (each jpg size is 1280x720)
I open "image sequence" in QT 7.04 with 29.97 fps, then save it as MOV in external HD with firewire.
Then I import it into FCP 5.04 on Timeline.
Timeline setting is
Frame Size : 1280x720 HDTV 720P (16:9)
Pixel Aspect Ratio : Square uncheck Anamorphic 16:9
Filed Dominance : None
Editing Timebase : 29.97
Quick time Vieo Setting : Compressor -DVCPRO HD 720P60 Quality 100%
After I place the mov file on the timeline, the Red Bar shows up.
I tried to render the timeline, it will only try to render to 3% and stop, and "general error" pops up.
I tried to use Compressor 2.01 with HD mpg2 preset to export out as HD mpg2 format, and it will fail to export.
After I read several posts on here, I was wondering I might have corrupted mov...
I re-create MOV file from QT and import in FCP5 and do the same... but I still get the same error...
I tried to re-start computer and tried, no luck..
Then I was wondering maybe some of the jpgs is corrupted...
I'm not sure how to check which jpg file is corrputed since there is 2100 frames in directory.
It is able to show all jpgs as thumbnail images..
So my questions here.. are...
If I do anything wrong during the step?
If not... what's wrong? why i can't render the timeline, and why i can't export to HD?
Or if there is a "way" to figure out what file is corrupted..?
This is not first time I have the same problem, I even tried to test out with 10,000 jpgs frames and create mov ... and import in FCP5..etc...
I had no problem with render and export... so I don't think it's the "HD length" issue...
If anyone have the same issue or know what's wrong... please help!!!
Thank you,

I downloaded iview Media pro free trial version to catalog the image to see if there is any corrupted jpgs.
Unfortunately, it didn't find any corrupted jpgs.
I also tried to change the sequence setting, under "QuickTime Video Setting" from "DVCPRO HD 720p60" to "HDV 720p30" (since I found out the frame size for DVCPRO HD 720p60 is 960x720 with 59.99 fps).
The result I get after I placed mov on timeline, it used to give red bar, it gave me orange bar... which made me be able to render the timeline without problem.
However, Compressor still is not able to export HD mpg2.
Then I changed QuickTime Video Setting from HDV 720p30 to "photo-jpg", the bar is now grey, but still not able to export to HD mpg2.
now I don't really don't know what's going on.
anyone can suggest me what else I can try and see...??

*** Best way to SHOW my HDV footage?

I need to show my HDV footage the best way possible this weekend. Here's my current set-up and plan. Could anyone let me know if it's a good plan or if they have any suggestions to improve the quality. Ultimately I need to be able to show the best quality possible without incurring much expense beyond what I already have. My main question is whether I should play my project from the timeline in FCP (risky) or what the next best quaality output option would be. For example, would exporting it as a full-quality Quicktime Movie be the best option or burn an "HD-DVD" DVD and play it off my tower. Which would be the best option?
Equipment:
Powermac G5 DP 2.7 with 4 gb ram
32" Philips LCD TV
The Plan:
To bring the G5 tower in and play the HDV footage directly to my LCD tv via DVI (out) and HDMI (in). Native resolution of my LCD TV is 1366x768 so it looks better than playing it on most plasmas.
Thoughts? Suggestions?

The sequence I just worked on was almost all slow motion, which seems to be rather difficult with HDV and the basic FCP Speed filter. I have been experimenting with lots of Quicktime Movie exports and Compressor settings to get a decent anamorphic SD DVD. Nothing comes anywhere near the Print To Tape of my HDV footage. I'm viewing everything on a Sony 32" HD Plasma. Which by the way is not Native 1080i, as many HD TV's are not. Just got Sony's new SXRD HD TV which is native 1080i, but haven't tested on that yet. (either SD DVD or HDV from camera)
I don't know how long your sequence is, but dump it over and over to tape and run that. Assuming it's OK to rewind every 60 minutes.

FCP Fails on Export of HDV Footage

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