Anyone get FCP to 'export using compressor' without it crashing?

As per the subject lads, for a long while now FCP 6 produces the spinning beachball and hangs indefinitely when I try to 'export using compressor'. I have to export using QT, then import the QT file into compressor where it works from time to time ( I think it's a really buggy app ).
Done all the usual things to try to fix it including full updates etc but it still crashes FCP. It would be handy to get it to work so if anyone has an answer I'd be grateful.
Peter

Yep trashed the lot, but I do use instances. I've come across some folks who allow compressor to employ all the available instances but expect FCP to function in the background and they experience hangs and crashes. I have allowed compressor to use half my instances and it fairly whizzes through the work when dealing with self-contained QT movies ( when it isn't playing up ) but I didn't think that using half my instances would still crash FCp when exporting directly off the timeline.
I'll disable instances and see if that cures it. If it does then it's actually worth abandoning 'export using compressor' off the timeline when I know Compressor works so quickly with self-contained QT movies and instances.

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Why can't I export my FCP 6 sequence using Compressor 3?

I am wondering if anyone can tell me why I can't export my FCP 6 sequence using Compressor 3.0.5.
I have an hour-long 1080p Pro Res 422 sequence that I am trying to export using Compressor 3. Whether I export using the 'Pro Res 422' preset or the 'H.264' preset, transcoding commences but then stops abruptly 15 to 20 minutes later with an error message saying 'Quicktime Error: -50.'
For what it's worth, I have an early-2008 dual quad-core Mac Pro desktop with 6 GB of RAM and two ATI Radeon 5770 graphics cards. I am currently running OS X 10.6.8. The media (including Motion graphics) and project file are on an external drive connected via Firewire 800.
Any advice on how to properly export this sequence at the highest quality without getting the error message is greatly appreciated!
Shaun

Are you "sending" to compressor? Probably not the best way to work.
First step: make sure the sequence is COMPLETELY rendered. If you don't understand how to do that, post back.
Then, I'd strongly recommend that you export a quicktime file with current settings (file: export: quicktime movie NOT quicktime conversion) and bring that file into compressor and chose the appropriate preset.
This workflow isolates each step and makes it easier to troubleshoot.
Here are a few user tips that might be helpful
Some tips for using compressor
Common FCP Troubleshooting tips
sending to compressor from fcp - a few issues

Export using Compressor greyed out in FCP 4.5

The hard drive in my PowerBook recently failed. It was replaced by Apple and I've restored all of my software applications from a Retrospect backup.
I originally installed FCP with installer discs that were available for me at the company, now closed, that I used to work for until December of last year. (Thus the reason for reinstalling via Retrospect.)
FCP works without any problems other than this: when I attempt to Export a project, the option to "Export Using Compressor" is greyed out in the menu. Also, I cannot launch Compressor as a standalone application.
Any ideas? I was very meticulous in restoring Frameworks and Components into their proper Library and System folders. However I must have missed something. I've read through all of the FCP discussions mentioning Compressor and didn't come across anyone with a similar problem. So it clearly must be something I haven't done correctly.
This looks like one for someone who has deep awareness of not only Compressor but software installations and their included components. I hope that someone is reading this and can offer the nugget of knowledge that will get a project back on the air...
~ Ethan

Hi Jacob,
I notice the subject of your post involves an optical Intellimouse; I'm using a wireless trackball from Kensington. I don't suspect this is the culprit, but perhaps. I'm going to post my original message in the FCP discussion list and see if anyone has any feedback to offer.
Have you installed the recent Pro Applications updates? I have, but haven't gotten a sense of whether that's caused this current problem.
~ E

FCP Export using Compressor hangs 'em both

I searched for the answer earlier this week. Didn't find anything, but I eventually figured it out. Here was my problem:
The Compressor preferences allow you to choose a default preset. I never had defined a default preset, and things worked fine. When I do choose a default preset (I chose DVD Best Quality: 120min: All), there were problems. Selecting sequences in FCP and doing "Export using Compressor" results in a hang on both apps.
The number of sequences or their lengths seem to have no effect on the process. Just thought I'd post this in case anyone else has the same problem.
Alan

This sounds different from my problem. I was getting a hang when the sequences were being added to the batch list. It wouldn't even give me a chance to submit the batch. Maybe someone else has a clearer idea of what you're experiencing.

Exporting using Compressor failed, and other awekward issues with FCP

Hi FCP gurus! I need your help!
Everytime I try to export using compressor, my submission fails.
I even try a sequence a exported as m2v on Monday, but today is not working.
Compressor will some times say "Unable to view preview, FCP is busy". When I press submit, it goes to Batch Processor but it either will immediately show FAILED or it will just not do any processing. When I quit and restart, then the submission appears as failed.
Also when exporting, FCP comes back with a pop message saying that 4 files went offline. When I try to reconnect them it says: "There are not clips selected that have files associated with them". So, why is FCP constantly not able to fine this files, if they are not been used?
I need to export a file for my soundtrack guy, and he needs MOV, preferable DV-PAL or Motion-JPEG or similar frame-based codecs. What are my options?
In any case, what the problem here is that I CANNOT export anything. What shall I do? I already restarted the computer twice, nothing.
I realized that I have files using in this project, saved in two different external harddrives, do you think this has anything to do with the issue?
I am using FCP 5.1.4
Thanks so much in advance!

First off, fwiw, I never "send to compressor." I export a self-contained QT movie, not a conversion. Then I run that through compressor with the appropriate settings. I like the self contained file, it becomes a master from which I can make all sorts of variations. The only difference, in theory between self contained and reference, is that if for any reason you lose the render files the reference movie will not work.
Q1 No.
Q2 see above
Q3 There is no such thing as uncompressed. It's just a different codec rather than a perfect copy of your timeline.
Q4 lots of reasons for making a conversion, but none of them are valid for making DVD's
Q5 Nothing wrong with letting DVDSP make the encoding-- just be sure to get into the preferences for DVDSP and set the destinations to a folder for the project, so you don't overwrite any other projects. Depending on how long the project is, you can let it encode in the bg while you set up your project, build the buttons etc. It's all the same encoding engine, whether is is done in compressor or dvdsp. I find it much faster to use compressor then to take to dvdsp becaue you can use quickcluster.
Now a couple of questions for you: what sort of footage are you using and what are your fcp sequence settings?

Export Using Compressor locks up FCP

Im kind of a newb to compressor so bear with me.... I was under the impression that when you export using compressor from FCP that you were still able to edit and work within FCP as compressor is a separate program. However, whenever i use the export using compressor option i get a dialogue box in FCP that says 'compressor processing' and then it goes through my whole FCP timeline frame by frame. I know in the past i have exported using that option and was still able to work inside of FCP while compressor rendered. Could i have possibly changed some settings in compressor to cause this to happen?

This also is normal when compressing an HDV source sequence into h.264.
HDV is a Long-GOP format, which requires a lot of processing power to decode. H.264 is also a highly compressed format, which also takes processor power to use.
Depending on your machine, you may want to look into how to set up a Quickcluster.

FCP export using compressor

does anybody know where the jobs compressor submits get stored?
I can't export via compressor out of FCP 6.1, (FCP quits responding) but if I export a quicktime then get that in compressor using a quemaster quick cluster, it rocks along fine until I forget I can't export out of FCP, or a freelancer does it and resources get stupid until the job finally finishes. cancelling won't fix it, quitting, shutting down none of it stops the job. If I could find where the job is stored I could trash it and work could renew. Thankyou

duh
users/library/aapplication support/compressor/history
fixed it. now if only I didn't have to worry about export using compressor from FCP 6.1 Studio2. wouldn't that be something? if it really worked? wow that'd be cool

Export Using Compressor from FCP fails every time

When I try to use the File>Export>Using Compressor command in FC Studio 2, everything seems normal until I submit the batch. But the job fails every time.
I get the following message: "Processing service request error: Final Cut Pro.app generated an error or unexpectedly quitUser aborted Media Server".
I've gone through all the discussion stuff on how Compressor needs to be reinstalled and all that. That's not my problem here. Compressor will work fine if I use it standing alone. It's only if I try to use the FCP export that this problem occurs.

Compressor works fine as a stand alone when I import a Quicktime file. However, if I try to export a suquence directly from FCP, it gives me a message "File Error: A file of this name already exists". If I press okay it exports it to Compressor which gives me a message, "Can't preview movie Final Cup Pro App is busy".
Then when I go ahead and load the output settings into compressor ( actual compressor window shows the sequence as being loaded) it starts to render and then it stops with the following message logged
"Name: MPEG-2 6.2Mbps 2-pass
Time Elapsed: 0:00:00
Time Remaining: 0:00:00
Percent Complete: 100
Status: Failed - Final Cut Pro.app generated an error or unexpectedly quitUser aborted Media Server"
Any ideas what the problem might be?
I am using a Mac Pro 8 core with 9gigs of ram and running tiger 10.4.10 and this is FCP Studio 2

Problem exporting using Compressor in FCP?

I had a problem exporting using Compressor in FCP and then I found an interesting article from Apple:
http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1099
but it doesn't really explain the solution. What steps do I need to take exactly in Compressor to make it work?

James M. has it right. Convert the MP3 and the WAV files to AIFF, 48khz, 16 bit and use those in your Sequence. You might even have to convert the existing AIFF file(s) if they aren't 48khz, 16 bit.
Once you've edited the new files into your Sequence, do an Audio Mixdown, then export.
-DH

Export using Compressor - How?

I just got DVDSP, v3, and now the "Export>Using Compressor" menu option is available. When I selected it, I couldn't figure out how to get my files to be accessible in Compressor without first doing a "QuickTime Conversion".....
So, why and/or how the purpose for "Export>Using Compressor"???
Or do I even want to do this? From what I read on the forums, it sounds like I will get the best quality final product on my pushing-the-time-limits DVD that was shot with marginally acceptable quality video (DV) by tweaking the presets in Compressor. So that sounds like I need to get uncompressed files into Compressor (....and figure out how to "tweak" it....).
If I just drop a .fcp (Final Cut Express Movie File) into DVDSP, will there be any loss of quality vs using Compressor on its own first?
Well, I guess this shows my inexperience, to be sure, and I apologize to the forum for asking "newbie" questions....
Thanks in advance for the help!
CD

There are no batch send to Compressor, but you should be able to send them one after the other and set them off in the Compressor queue.
after I start the first one the system locks me out until it is finished.
Not sure what's happening here. What versions are you using? This doesn't happen for me. I can set a number of projects one after the other to Compressor, set the process, submit it, and return to FCP to set up the next one. The Compressor queue goes through them one after the other in the order in which they're submitted.

Audio Sync when Exporting Using Compressor

Hello!
Having an odd situation. Project in FCP 4.5 the audio is sync'd just fine in FCP export using Compressor and the audio is delayed about 5 seconds...so the video footage starts and about 5 seconds later the audio starts. Now, in the same project I have other footage and exported the same exact way without issues - I have no idea why this particular footage would be an issue! Because Compressor is exporting these files with the audio and video as separate files I am seeing this issue when the file is in DVD Studio Pro - but again none of the other files that are being placed on this DVD are having audio alignment issues...so this is not making sense.
I am not 'new' at this but I am no expert either - my main gig is audio - so I could really use some help.
Any suggestions? I am not sure what other information someone would need to help so ask away.
Thanks in advance!

Well I REALLY need some help with this one! I have tried so many different 'work arounds' without success. As mentioned in my first post the audio is not sync'ing with the video when exported. I have tried Exporting the file in QuickTime, I have tried using Compressor again exporting just the video then the audio - pulling it into a new session and lining it up again but everytime I pull it the newly exported file into a new project and render it FCP crashes not allowing it to render (nice!). I actually started from square one capturing the video footage again and assemble the project again without luck. I simply cannot believe what a pain in the arse this is!! I need to get this project done and it simply won't do it.
Where are my blood pressure pills????

Export using compressor

Hello, when i finished sequence in FCP i need export video to DVD. I using "Export using compressor", but when i used this, i see only rainbow circle and compressor not starting. I traied reinstall compressor without success. Can you has anybody some idea to solve this problem, please?

Export current settings/self contained/audio and video.
Open compressor, and use that as a source file.

Exporting using Compressor

This seems to be the same problem others have had. I was able to export with Compressor yesterday, but September 12th seems to be error date with Compressor. When I export, from FCP Studio 5 to Compressor I get a " File error: A File of this name already exists". It will then open Compressor, start the export, then fail. I've trashed the FCP, Compressor and Quicken prefs. Any solitions? Me, like so many others, are baffled that this would happen.
Dual 2ghz PowerPC G5, 3.5 gb ddr sdram, FCP Studio 5

I've been plagued by this since day one, and tonight I found a solution! If you are using an antivirus software, disable it. Save your FCP file and quit FCP and Compressor. Re-open your FCP file and go to File>Export Using Compressor again and all will be well. There is a post on Apple's Support site about this. Here's the link:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303261
Hope this helps.

Quality differences between "Export Using Compressor..." and Drag & Drop

There are quite a few people out there discussing the 24p workflow for the new Canon HV20 (on hv20.com, dvinfo.net, etc.). The HV20 can shoot 24 progressive frames/sec, but stores them as 29.97 interlaced HDV on tape, with an arbitrary cadence.
One of the better workflows is to capture into FCP using HDV over Firewire, and use Compressor to extract the progressive frames from the interlaced. Its Reverse Telecine seems to automatically figure out the cadence. I've been testing this using the "Other Workflows > Apple Codecs > Apple ProRes 422 for Progressive material (HQ)" preset, with the following modifications, Frame Controls: On, Deinterlace: Reverse Telecine, Frame Size: 1920x1080.
That's just background.
The problem is this. If I export the HDV clip from FCP, "Export > Using Compressor...", the resulting 24p footage is extremely high quality. However, if I drag & drop the HDV clip directly into Compressor, or set up a Compressor droplet (arguably more straightforward for batch conversions), the resulting footage has obvious resizing artifacts (jaggies).
Obviously, I'm keeping everything consistent setting-wise, and have thoroughly examined the resulting .movs. The only difference is the actual image quality.
Anyone seen anything like this?
I'm less concerned about this specific workflow than I am about Compressor producing non-identical results from identical footage with the same settings, dependent on your chosen workflow...
Mac OS X (10.4.10)

What I need to know if it is a dramatic different in quality that I should use DVD Pro instead of iDVD.
If you want a DRAMATIC improvement in quality, shoot sharp, high quality content like Hollywood (usually on film) and have it compressed by high quality hardware encoders.
There is a good reason Hollywood DVDs look better than iDVD/DVD Studio Pro DVDs.
F Shippey

Does Motion Filtering setting affect Export Using Compressor?

Hello!
Can anyone tell me if my Motion Filtering setting in the video processing tab of my sequence settings has any effect on the ultimate quality of my export when using the "Export Using Compressor" command? I know it certainly would when exporting to Quicktime, but I'm wondering if it matters if I'm going directly to Compressor. I am sending a completely unrendered sequence.
Thanks!
Cameron

Don't feel too bad. None of us can match what the big guys do with our software encoders and burners.
They have the advantage of very expensive encoding hardware/software. They have tons of technical expertise (the so called black art of encoding). And they are working with source material that is expertly lighted, shot and graded. Then they physically stamp their disks, rather than relying on dyes.
It's not a fair fight.
But we can do a very decent job using FCP and/or Compressor and/or DVD Studio Pro and/or iDVD. (I've seen – and made myself – some great looking DVDs by simply taking a ProRes 422 file into iDVD and choosing Professional Quality.)
I always start with a Pro Res master file – either 422 or HQ, depending on the original material. When possible the frame rate and size are the same as what was shot.
A Compressor>Create DVD or Compressor >DVD Studio Pro can produce superior results because you have more control over the process. Starting with the DVD stock preset, you adjust as necessary – bit rate and sometimes Frame Controls. So, for example, using Frame Controls you could reduce the chances of introducing artifacts in the down-convert from HD to SD by turning on the Resize Filter.
Open up the Preview window. Set in and out points to encode a manageable length test file with he stock settings. Burn a test DVD directly from Compressor using a DVD-RW disk. If you like it, great. Make a disk image (select HD as output device in Job Actions) and burn. Or if you want better menus, use Toast,
We're seeing less and less interlaced footage these days, but if working with a video intended for the Web or computer display, the video should be de-interlaced – again, in Frame Controls.
Finally, buy good media like Verbatim.
Good luck.
Russ

Anyone get FCP to 'export using compressor' without it crashing?

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