16 Bit Vs. 12 Bit on FCE

What effect, if any, is there in FCE if the digital video that I have captured is done in 16 bit vs. 12 bit audio?

Some will argue that 16 bit audio gives you a technical edge over 12 bit. 48,000 Khz vs 32, that sorta thang. Recording 12 bit on your cam usually gives you access to another set of audio tracks but they may not be captured into FCE
The main thing to bear in mind is that, no matter which format you choose, it matches your Sequence settings (Easy Setup) and that all other audio material (music for instance) is the same frequency

Similar Messages

Capturing in FCE HD vs iMovie

I am very new to this so please excuse me if this has been answered before or is too basic...
I am familiar with iMovie and like very much the way it captures from a camera by creating an icon for each individual scene, which I can then drag to the timeline.
After reading a bit about FCE HD I am under the impression that it does not capture this way at all, but involves a much more tedious method of having to designate starting and ending points for each capture (each scene?).
IS there a way to get FCE to capture by just playing the entire tape and having it recognize individual scenes which can be added to the timeline, or does it just not work this way? If not, can iMovie be used to do the capturing and then export the footage to FCE for editing?

Let me add to Tom's instructions (that I regularly use myself) that the result is what you'd expect as a former iMovie user, but one point: at the end of this process in FCE you still have a single big media file, while in iMovie you have many smaller files, one for each clip. As a result in FCE there is not way to recover unused disk space, as there is in iMovie.
Piero

Buy FCE? Mixed formats? Mixed bit-rates?

Hello All,
History:
I ran into a very depressing reality about a year ago in iMovie (9). I came to realize that the project I spent months on had dv video with mixed 12 & 16. I ended up with the most depressing sound issues. I don't want to get into the history now and here. I am very tired of people telling me that I needed to record at 16, etc. etc. I know that now but that doesn't do anything to the large number of video files I have, some in 12 and some in 16. I have way too many to export back to the dv and reimport at 16. I am not hung up on the sound quality... if its a little fuzzy, fine. I can deal with that much better that it utterly messing up my "art" and basically stopping me in my tracks from doing what I want to do.
To complicate things, I no longer use that camcorder that I bought a decade ago. I now have Canon Vixia HF S200 (Imovie 9 support says: Canon VIXIA HF S200 - AVCHD dile format - Issues w/ Memory Video stabilization limitations and Filming in Cinema or 24p mode more... ).
I have spent hours and hours perusing forums, blogs, etc trying to figure out how to deal with my dv files with mixed bit-rates. But I still have no idea what program could help me with that...
1. First I was looking for a video converter to convert all my dv in 12 bit to 16 bit. I don't want a lesson in what I should have done... Is this possible? Can I just take my 12 bit .dv file and convert to .mov in 16? Quicktime Pro? Roxio? In FCE? I really need confirmation on this.
2. Do I even need to do #1? Does FCE allow me to use video in Avchd, avi, mov, dv (IN 12 BIT AND 16 BIT) in one project? If not, what would one suggest? (that is for a hobbiest and doesn't need the highest quality but maybe simplest route?)
3. I can "make do" in iMovie, but would be excited to get at least FCE for more options and expand my hobby/desire in art. I'd like ideas on how to move forward in the most effective and logical way. We are pretty slow in our house to modernize. We just got a PS3, but don't plan on burning to blu-ray, at least not yet as a lot of our family doesn't have it and I will burn to standard DVD and youtube most often. I understand that my HD camcorder might have to be dumbed down in quality (still better than what I had)? So thoughts with that might be useful before I get too far ahead of myself but also leave myself room for growth.
I hope on spending $250 to get what I want need. But if there is a much more streamline way to deal with this for $500 or $1000, taxes are coming back, and I could make it work even if it stings, a lot. And although I don't really want to (or am I able to) spend money on this, this is my main hobby and my familiy depends on my renderings as well for preservation of family history, etc. Please advise.
Thanks in advance!

I am neuviemmefemme too...
When I wrote:
I don't want a lesson in what I should have done...
What I mean is each time I have gone searching and read blogs of others who have this same problem or when I have asked for help, all I had found was the response "well you should have recorded at 16 bit". Yes, gotcha. Noted. I am continually learning from my mistake because I am only learning from trial and error, self-direction, manuals, and people telling me what I have done wrong. But, if all one EVER says is "well you shuda recorded at 16 bit audio" and no constructive help on how to work with the error of having all this video with 12 bit audio and to move forward, I'm not going to get anywhere. I got it, I recorded at 12 and should have at 16. (I don't even have a camera that records in 12 bit anymore...) And yet, I am still stuck with hours and hours of digital video embedded with 12 bit audio and an extensive project that I spent months on that will be tossed in the trash if I can't figure out how to convert videos with 12 bit audio to 16 (or find out if it is even possible and with what software) so that all the video clips can co-exist in this project together (all in the 16 bit range).
So back to your constructive help - I'm finally getting somewhere. You are saying that QuickTime Pro will allow me to convert my .dv files with 12 bit audio to another video format that has 16 bit audio. (AIFF suggested?). Should I expect a loss in sound quality? (which is fine, just curious).
I do not understand when you say the iMovie captures as DV (.dv) stream and FCE cannot use that format w/o conversion. I thought that iMovie projects could go directly into FCE for further editing, etc? Will the project be prompted to be converted? I am not understanding this...
In your second point, you write that FCE works natively with DV (quicktime) and AIC. Does AIC=AIFF? In 1 you mention that I should convert to AIFF so that FCE can work with it natively?
It seems I need further understanding of the different file formats. I haven't been able to fully understand what makes the different formats names different other than some work in some and some work in others, but it doesn't make much sense to me and I'm not really sure what will work in one or the other? Is there a resource that explains this well?
And finally, FCE doesn't work with .mov or .avi? ("All other formats must be converted prior to importing into an FCE project"?)
Thank you very much for your help
Message was edited by: mkusafr
Message was edited by: mkusafr

2nd audio track at 12-bit lost when importing into FCE?

I have got some DV-tapes with finalised movies which I would like to import into FCE for a) applying some enhancements and b) then burning them onto DVD. These movies once were created with FCE but after they had been exported to DV-tape (in 12-bit manner) some additional audio was added, directly via camcorder. The issue which I have got now is that although I can easily re-import these movies into FCE, the additional audio does not appear in FCE. Also, when directly checking the imported files in FCE's Capture Scratch by using the Quicktime Player the additional audio is not there.
I tried importing into iMovie and here (as opposed to FCE) the complete audio is available, both the audio originally composed via FCE and the additional audio which has been added afterwards via camcorder. Unfortunately iMovie will crash multiple times at importing due to the large number of individual clips, btw this is the reason why I once had to give up working with iMovie and bought FCE.
Anybody has an idea how I can import into FCE the movies along with the entire audio, or is this a weak point in FCE? In case of the latter, anybody has an idea for a workaround?

"Do you have an idea how to fumble out the 2nd audio pair at a Sony TVR900 i.e. how to proceed corresponding to your advice "configure the camera to ouput the second stereo pair to another DV camera with it's audio set to match the existing"? Or did I misunderstand your advice? The user manual of the Sony camcorder is ridiculously poor.."
The user manual of course is the best (should be) place to go for info on how to operate your camera. Might be one of those direct to English translations.
My idea is to use a camera that can access the 2nd stereo pair seperately. Then dub to another camera. Usually this is done via a switch or menu system.
That's where that camera manual comes (should) in handy. Also, some cameras allow you to MIX the four tracks, if this feature is available, you could dub the MIXED audio (all four tracks) to another camera.
"e.g. iMovie (provided it does not crash)? Because then I could capture the missing audio pair 2 like that in a separated manner and import it into FCE?"
iMovie to FCE is not my first choice as the importing is accompanied with quirks of all sorts, the audio is multiplexed with the video, the audio will always need to be rendered as well. Use it as a last resort IMO.
I have have heard of third party applications that can do this job, sorry, can't recall the details.
Al

Importing 24 bit audio into FCE

I have a project that calls for impeccable audio quality. The client has supplied me with 24 bit aiff files.
The files import easily and when placed in the a 1080i60 timeline show no sign of needing a render.
Does this mean that I will retain the 24 bit quality all the way through to authoring of the DVD in iDVD?
I can find little or no information about this particular question in the manuals of the discussions. Thanks in advance.
Mike Pulcinella

Hi
iDVD gives in it's help file 48 kHz (16-bit as I get it)
nothing about 24-bit 96kHz
So me = doubtful
DVD Studio Pro most certainly handles it.
from Toast™ Document/Manual
+Toast encodes PCM at 48 kHz / 16-bit or 48 kHz / 24-bit levels, which+
+are higher than standard CD quality, and exceed the level of most+
+songs in iTunes library. Audio that has been recorded at 96 kHz /+
+24 bit is downsampled automatically unless you choose the 96 kHz /+
+24 bit option, which maintains the higher quality but significantly+
+reduces disc space.+
Very informative from Roxio - I think
Yours Bengt W

NEW BOOK: "FCE HD 3.5 Editing Workshop" - Just a bit too late for Xmas!

In case anyone hasn't heard yet, there is a new book coming out in February - "Final Cut Express HD 3.5 Editing Workshop" by Tom Wolsky.
UK FCE 3.5 editors can pre-order it from Amazon:-
Tom's New Book
If it's anything like his others it will be a useful addition to anybody's library.
Ian.

The home key is separate key on most keyboards. On a laptop it's Function and left arrow. That's how you press the Home key.
Make sure Show Overlays is turned on in the window where you're marking the out point.

Still image quality poor, Help

I posted a similar question last night. This one is more of the same.
Issue: Poor image quality (flickering, Jumping) when viewing stills on my TV only...
I have made 2 test videos. One was made in FCE and one in iMovie8. Both are identical and consist of only 5 still pictures. I added motion to a couple of pics in each test. The video from iMovie looks great on my TV. The video fro FCE looks very poor. The image is jumpy and flickering.
Why does the same movie movie look different depending on the source? What is different? Do I have something set up incorrectly in FCE?
I tried applying the De-interlacing filter and the Flicker filter. I tried all variants of the De-interlace filter, ie odd/even. I have made several exports from FCE trying to get rid of the flicker/jumpy-ness to no avail.....Even the still pics that have no movement flicker a bit from FCE, for example, one of the pictures are of my son holding a dark green fishing rod while standing in a tent. The picture has no movement but the fishing rod and tent poles are flickering, almost like there are lights in them blinking on and off. A similar picture that has movement shows the fishing rod as alternating dark and light lines instead of just a dark green rod. The same pics from the iMovie clip look great. The color is correct and no flickering at all.
To export from FCE I am using Quick Time Movie. From iMovie 8, I am using 'Export Movie' high quality. On each video I then just dropped them into iDVD and viewed on my TV.
I am a new user to FCE and so far I like it much better than iMovie 6 or 8. I have a hard time believing that the still picture quality output form FCE is worse than iMovie. So I must be doing something wrong.
Thank you in advanced for help,
Toshiro

Well I can only assume that there is a difference in the way the data is handled between the 2 apps. I have resolved my issue by not compressing the data while exporting. Unfortunately, my 3 minute video is 7G !!...oh well
...now if I could just get rid of the thin green line at the bottom of the screen during my opening segment it would be great....
Thanks for taking the time to assist
Toshiro

Audio and visual sample rates

hello
everytime i capture using FCE it comes up with the warning that my rates do not match and says 'make sure the audio sample rate of your capture preset matches the sample rate of your tape'.
when i ignore this warning, the visual and audio often match nonetheless. then at times they do not, and there is a definite lag.
i posted a question about this before and the reply was to change the settings in Easy Setup to DV-NTSC. however, this did not work. i bought my camera in the uk (it is a sony DCR PC330E PAL) and so can't really see why ntsc would work.
im sure this is a simple problem, but i am too inept to solve it! can anyone offer any help?
thanks in advance

Hi(Bonjour)!
It's important to match video and audio format between your sequence(project) and your shooted material(camcorder settings).
If you camera support PAL or NTSC, select the correct video format in easy setup dialog. That's the video format.
Check your camera settings for audio format: there are 2 options 12 or 16 bit (in standard DV). It's preferable to use 16 bit with FCE.
Select the correct audio format in easy setup dialog: if your shooted in 12 bit, select 32 kHz in easy setup. If you shooted in 16 bit, select 48 Khz in easy setup. That's the audio format
Michel Boissonneault

Buy Final Cut Express?

I have Mac OS X 10.5.8 and am considering buying Final Cut Express on Ebay. The Imovie on my system won't import the HDV from my new Canon HV40 Camera. and I have been told that Final Cut Express will work for me. Is this true?

Your Canon should wrok OK.
First thing to establish with HDV cameras such as the HV30 is what type of footage is currently being output from it.
That's because if the camera shot HDV it can be set to downconvert to DV in which case FCE should be set up to recieve DV or it won't work.
Start thinking about HDV cameras as a split personanity (two cameras), only one of the personaltities (cameras) will work with FCE at any given setup.
If as you suggest that your camera is outputting DV, then, the first step in FCE is to set the Easy Setup to match the output from the camera.
DV can be different flavours, 12 or 16 bit matching FCE Easy Setups 32 or 48 kHz respectively.
Also 4:3 or 16:9 matching FCE Easy Setups, DV or Anamorphic respectively.
Only one Easy Setup is correct, so you must know what is coming out of your camera.
The HDV/personality requires a completely different Easy Setup that matches, you will see these in the Easy Setup drop down list.
Here's the cruncher: If you have the wrong Easy Setup for the camera you will get a Cannot Initialize warning.
Easy Setups must be changed before starting a New Sequence/Project or the changes will not apply. Existing Sequences cannot be changed by selecting a New Easy Setup.
BTW: DV and HDV must be captured over firewire. USB with your camera will only transfer stills.
Al

Can't export 16 bit tiff in A3.1.3 Lion

If I try to export a 16 bit tiff, the extension automatically changes to jpg. I can only export an 8 bit tiff. Thanks for any tips.

Aloha Tom and Ashley. Perhaps I should start another thread. This is my first time looking for help in this way. Thanks in advance Ashley are you going from Keynote to iMovie to FCE? Sure would be nice if we didn't need so many steps! The only reason I am in FCE is because I have been unsuccessful in getting a QT export from Keynote that marries sound file with movie and is stable.
Tom here is how I exported. Playback uses: manual advance, Compression H.264, Frame rate 29.97, keyframe - all, data rate automatic, compression quality - best. Then I imported to FCE, married music and movie (so easy), rendered and exported with same settings. Big black area around movie, little tiny movie in middle. Then I discovered on the Sequence canvas there is a drop down with the choices <image> <image with wire frame> <show overlays> When I select image with wire frame it looks like it is creating a larger letterbox. But the export output when it is large is both fuzzy and distorted even when I import a 1920 x 1080 version.
Tom/Ashley perhaps this isn't the program to use. All I need is a high res 16:9 QT with music and movie married into one file and stable being used on computers and LCD players. It will not be TV viewed. I could reframe the Keynote to 4:3 if I have to to get the viewing size and image quality.
What would you suggest. And again thank you. I have been fiddling with this for weeks, with progress but no success. Cathy

Establishing Proper hz and bit rate for AIFF files

Hello Hello
I was under the impression that AIFF sound files need to be imported into FCE with specs of:
16 Bit, 48K
Yes?
Or if not, any harm done? - since I just bought a bunch of royalty-free sound AIFF files at 48K?
(Hope I don't need to convert them)
(Hope this doesn't stress out the audio encoding process)
Thanx my friends
Mike

On the off chance you ment to say that the material you purchased is 44.1khz, you can convert them easily using QT Pro, iTunes or an audio program such as Peak or Soundtrack Pro before you bring them into Final Cut.
Final Cut does not do a very good job of converting sample rates on the fly and you can end up with issues such as audio sync drift, unexplained pops and clicks or other anomalies.
good luck.
x

Will there be a 64 bit version in June 2011?

There has been talk of a 64-bit version of Final Cut Pro out in June. Does that mean that FCE will also be 64-bit? Does this matter if Final Cut Pro is going to sell for only $300? I have not found anything in the news, just wondering if I have missed something. Thanks, David

It seems from statements made at the FCP X demo in Las Vegas in April that there will no be further development on Final Cut Express. The upgrade will be to FCP X. It also appears will be no further upgrades to the current version of FCP. FCP X to released in June will be a wholly new application.

How to check for 12-bit versus 16-bit audio?

Several hours of my first digital recordings were done with 12-bit audio (factory default). Later I changed the camera's settings to 16-bit, but I'm not sure when I did that.
Is there a way to check the audio bit-rate of a clip if the camera doesn't display that information? I'd like to periodically check the imported clips to determine when I started recording with 16-bit audio, because at that point I'll need to change the Easy Setup settings in FCE.
Thanks.

Unfortunately not. FCE assumes you set the easy setup correctly and will capture the audio as if it's that sampling rate. It's unfortunate that some cameras don't display this. If you capture fairly short segments, around 10 minutes, you should be able to get away with it however, especially if you don't capture across a TC break.

Figuring out what audio bit-rate I filmed at?

I started making DV movies in 2003. I am not sure what the audio setting was (probably the default 12 bit). My camera is a Sony DCR-TRV33. Is there some way I can determine what the setting is on the miniDV tapes before I capture it with FCE? That way I can make sure I get the right speed. Could I use Image Capture to grab a small section of tape and open Quicktime Player and see if I can see what the characteristics are? Thanks.

When I open the viewfinder and play my first miniDV it says 16-bit; but I don't believe that that is correct. I don't believe I made any changes to the camera when I first got it. I hope R. Mitchell Fore is correct and that FCE will tell me if the captured bit rate does not match the camera.

Any Disadvantages to Core Duo iMac Having A 32 Bit Processor?

I have posted this in the iMac Forum with no response. I know a lot of FCE/FCP users have iMacs and plenty of technical knowledge.
I have just read the following statement in MacRumors where they were reviewing the Intel iMac:-
"Whereas the G5 was a 64 bit processor, the Intel Core Duo is strictly 32 bit".
Is this likely to have any practical significance or cause any problems?
I use programs like Final Cut Express and Photoshop.
Ian.

It will have no significance. The only significance to the everyday user a 64-bit system allows is much larger addressable memory. Thus you can have your 64-bit computer with, say, 16GB RAM, as distinct from the 32-bit CPU computer's limitation of 4GB RAM. There are of course other factors, but none that would in any way affect a user outside a large science lab.
Since you can very happily use FCE and Photoshop with even 1GB RAM (although more is always advisable), and since you can't actually PUT more than 2GB RAM into the iMac, this issue is totally irrelevant and you should not factor it into your purchase decision.
BTW, you're not the great Ian Brown of The Stone Roses, are you?

16 Bit Vs. 12 Bit on FCE

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