Best way to RTFM on Final Cut Express HD 3.5?

Is anyone aware of a good book on Final Cut Express HD that's been updated for version 3.5? I need to upgrade as I'm switching to Intel, and I'm looking for something written for someone experienced in NLE (but not specifically FCE) that will include mention of the newest additions.
Powermac G5 (soon to be Mac Pro) Mac OS X (10.4.7)

imho the single biggest additions in 3.5 are that effects can now be keyframed + in-canvas motion keyframes.
Tom Wolsky's book is still the best thing out there to get started, don't be put off that it was written for FCE2, there isn't all that much different w/r/t basic functions & editing in FCE3 or 3.5. Tom has also recently announced a training DVD for FCE-HD; and at some point I trust he will publish material about keyframing in v3.5.
You might also want to take a look at the articles on Ken Stone's website - they are very helpful & thought provoking.

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Best way to go from Final Cut to DVD preserving Color Corrections

What is the best way to take my video project from Final Cut and burn it on a DVD (using DVD Studio), I need to preserve the color corrections I have made (used an external video monitor)? Also my camera shoots at black level IRE 0 and I have edited it that way, but as we all know NTSC TVs use IRE 7.5 is there anyway DVD Studio or FCP can convert the IRE so it matches?

from FC; export to compressor
In compressor, choose appropriate preset (i.e. best quality, >90 minutes, 16x9)
encode the sound as dolby 2 (if you choose "all" you'll get an extra aif file)
take the 2 files (video and audio) into dvd studio to encode.
Not sure about your IRE 7.5 question, I always assumed it was automatically converted but now you have me thinking...

Best way for exporting a final cut file

Hi, I'm exporting a final cut project so i can use it in dvd studio pro 4. But it's over two hours. does anybody know the best way to compress it?

Your post isn't clear.
Are you exporting it through compressor to mpeg2/m2v or are you exporting a self contained movie to be encoded in Compressor?
There's a different.
If self contained, use the current settings default.
In any case, clarify what you are doing.

Best program to use with Final Cut Express to make DVDs

Im using FCE 3.5 HD and I want to create nice DVDs. I know how to edit and create good picture videos, but iDVD just doesnt cut it. It compresses my image WAY too much and it makes everything look bad. I had a 4.2 GB HD video that I dropped into iDVD and it downsized it to about 2.7 GBs Anyone know why exactly? Is it because iDVD makes everything SD? If so, then whats the best way to grab my full HD video and drop it into iDVD (for the mean time) so that it fits it exactly into a 4.7 DVD and doesnt compress it sooo much like from 4.2 GB down to 2.7 GB (thats a really BIG down conversion). So more like, what can I do to make perhaps a 10 GB full HD video drop down to fit into the 4.7 GB on the DVD? <---Thats actually question 2. For question 1: I would LOVE to have DVD Studio Pro, but it only comes with Final Cut Pro and I dont know all that as of right now. Any way of getting DVD Studio standalone or what other programs can you refer that is as good, better, or almost as good as DVD Studio?? Thanks!
GC

noloc45 wrote:
.. Anyone know why exactly? ...
FCE works with dv (=13GB/h) or AIC (=~40-60GB/h).
videoDVD contains files in mpeg2; the standards allow a max. bitrate of ~9MB/sec ... = 1h=4GB ...
so, the encoding from FCE to iDVD HAS to drop the file size.
iDVD is a consumer tool, so no manual settings of bitrates.. it has some 'automatic' benchmarks= project length <60min = max. bitrate, <90min=6MB/sec, <120min=4MB/sec.
iDVD allows import of HiDef projects, but does not support creation of HDDVD(=dead format) nor BR-disk.. Toast9 + Roxios plug-in + an ext. BR-burner allow creation of BR-disks.
you find older versions of DVDSP sold single at eBay.. but those versiosn are not for Intel-Macs, will run under Rosetta=slow..

What is the best HD camera for mac final cut express?

Hello
I am looking to buy a new video camera. I have a really old one that my sister is always taking to use as well. I am a video artist. I do not need super super fancy, not professional. Under 700.
However, I would love to buy something with a big storage space. I am going cross country and will have little axcess to upload my footage everyday. I would like a mic jack, and just something EASY to upload and deal with.
I have final cut pro on another computer if express is not good. I am leaving July 1st and am in need soon. Hopefully someone will know the answer to my question. Thank you.
Will take any suggestions. IE: stores I can go talk to people? I am in NYC.

Hello JG,
You can go either tape or non-tape based cameras.
Sounds like you are leaning towards a non-tape cam?
I use a n SD card in my Panasonic SDT-750 and it works fine. Has external mic input, headphone socket and a raft of manual overides with 3 CMOS sensors.
This camera is a joy to use when you understand all the features.
A 32 gig card gives around 4 hours of HD highest quality interlaced footage, much more if you lower the data rate (I wouldn't).
Buying several cards is very affordable and you have srpead the footage over a few cards rather than one large hard drive (they can fail).
Any standard AVCHD camera, such as mine, wil work OK with FCE.
Al

Best Tools to use w/Final Cut Express HD

Hello. I am considering purchasing FCE-HD and am wondering if anybody can give me some pointers on what equipment would work best when importing videos from older formats like VHS & Beta. I currently have an ADS Pyro - but it doesn't work half of the time in iMovie, so I am not going to kid myself into thinking it might work any better with Final Cut!
The reason I am considering FCE is the creative things that I will be able to do with it versus iMovie.
Any input would be appreciated!

I use the DAC 100. It is quite cheap and seems to work well.
Read a test review of it here:-
http://sol4.net/multimedia/dac100.shtml
Ian.

Best Way to export from Final Cut

Hi,
I have just completed work on a projct using extensively TIF files, with Audio. The client wants this rendered to the highest quality. There is music and voice overs with the images. What is the best method to export this so that I get the best quality.
Ultimately they want TV, H264 and 3GPP versions.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Hi There
These questions are more FCP than compressor but I'll give it a shot. Firstly, to get the highest quality rendering out of FCP your need to make some changes in the Video Processing tab in the Sequence Settings section of the Sequence dropdown. Change 'Render in 8-bit YUV' to 'Render all YUV material in high-precision YUV' and Process Maximum White as: Super-White, and Motion Filtering Quality: Best
The quality you get is also dependant on what project preset you've used - the resolution of DV, for example is much less than 10-bit uncompressed.
To output for television the highest quality you can go id HD, then Digi-beta, then DVCPro, then DV, then SP Beta (this is not my field so I might be mistaken with this order a bit), but to output to any uncompressed format you need a capture card and codecs to do this like in my case the Decklink Extreme card (can't do HD - couldn't afford that card).
I have supplied TVCs to a satellite distribution company using high bitrate self contained mpeg files (9-11mbps) - this may be an option for you if the project is short enough.
Your other options of H264 and 3GPP are pretty straight forward - you can do these directly out of FCP using Quicktime export.
Hope all thats not too confusing.
Good luck
B

Best hd video camera for Final Cut Express HD?

About to purchase an HD camera for use with FCE HD ... any suggestions? Running a 2..6GHz Intel Core i& MacBook pro with 8GB RAM.

Hi
If You won on the lottery.
Google RED Cameras
astronomical costs - but that's what some pros use
nice to see then at least - no cost to view
Yours Bengt W

Final Cut Express 4 ---- iDVD 7

is there a semi-easy way to get a Final Cut Express project into iDVD??
i realize i can use all sorts of compression settings and even export it to a DV stream,
but it takes quite a while considering the duration of the video...
also, the project i'm working on right now is in widescreen,
and it has trouble even keeping it at the proper resolution when exporting to quicktime movie..
it's somewhere in between 16:9 and 4:3
it looks squished...
anyway...
i'm thinking about saving it back to the tape,
and then importing it into iMovie,
and then from iMovie to iDVD
I'd do the 'one-step-dvd' feature,
but the resolution is terrible...
this seems like an annoying workaround that will discourage me from even using FinalCut (i have limited hard drive space... so two projects with uncompressed clips of 2 hour length are out of the question)
please let me know if i'm completely missing out on some feature...
since Final Cut Express isn't packaged with anything else for DVD authoring, i would think this is a fairly common problem...
Thanks,
-Nate

1) Have you tried exporting as quicktime movie, but ensure that the 'Make Movie Self-Contained' unchecked. This will save you conversion time and converting when it is typically not necessary (unless iDVD is on another Mac). i.e. here is a more detailed of what i am get at http://www.fcpbook.com/Misc2.html
2) Here is how to handle your 16:9 issue at least in part if not all http://www.fcpbook.com/Video9.html

Exporting Final Cut Express Documents

Yes...I was wondering is there any way to export a final cut express document (movie) to an external device (such as a camcorder via firewire), other than just burning it to a DVD (through IDVD or such) for viewing?
-Thanks

Yes, you can either use Print to Video or just play the timeline while a camera is connected via FW. Just make sure View is set to direct video out to FW.

I have a mpeg file I want to edit in Final Cut Express. How do I best go about importing this file? I assume I must find a way of converting it....?

I have a mpeg file I want to edit in Final Cut Express. How do I best go about importing this file? I assume I must find a way of converting it....?

Use MPEG Streamclip to convert it. Depending on the type of file you might need to purchase the MPEG-2 playback component.

Best Settings using the new Canon HV30 and Final Cut Express HD v3.5.1?

My wife presents programs at schools and uses digital movies that we make and edit as one of her media materials. We want to present higher quality videos that look more film-like. I am hoping that the combination I described above will enable this improvement. In the past we used a Canon ZR20 and iMovie HD and put these on DVD's that were then played on a MacBook Pro with with QuickTime or iDVD hooked up to an Epson PowerLite projector.
I am now the proud owner of a new Canon HV30 and Final Cut Express HD3.5.1 (had FCE for a while so know how to use it). From my research, though, it looks like FCE will not be able to handle CINE MODE recording in combination with 24fps progressive frame rate [HDV(PF24)] which would allow the enhanced effect of the Cinema Mode. I can't justify the cost of Final Cut Studio 2 so I am hoping that the new [HDV(PF30)] will allow me to more easily edit in FCE.
Does anyone know if this is true and if so can please tell me the settings that I need both on the camera and in FCE to get the best quality movie that can played directly from my MacPro using QuickTime or iDVD or from a DVD in the MacPro using the iDVD player. I won't have the opportunity to always play the videos directly from the camera to an HDTV because of the school setting and the need to use a projector.
I know this is a lot to ask for, but I am sure that it will come up again and again as more people purchase this new camera. Thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Lou Hosta

Without totally repeating myself with my post to MaccyLeopard, I haven't shot any footage yet. After doing a lot of reading I think I confused myself more than helped myself as far as settings go. So if you remember from my initial post I am asking for advice and guidance primarily on camera settings with the HV30 that will be used in a classroom (artroom) setting and then edited using FCE HD v3.5.1. I wish I was the type of person that could jump right into using a new piece of equipment but I like to get the advice of others beforehand. That way I'm not always questioning myself as to 'whether or not is this the best I can get'. I also am wondering if the 30fps frame mode would be the best to use in the classroom setting? From my reading, this mode should allow more light onto the tape allowing me to shoot in conditions with lower light levels that are typically found inside? Finally, is FCE HD able to edit this new 30 fps frame mode of the HD30? I've heard that FCE HD can't handle the 20 fps frame mode.
Thanks for taking the time to help me out.
Sincerely,
Lou Hosta

I am traveling with my macbook pro and I forgot to install final cut express and quicktime pro before I left. How can I in a way download them for free on my laptop from where I am

I am traveling with my macbook pro and I forgot to install final cut express and quicktime pro before I left. How can I in a way download them for free on my laptop from where I am? I need them and don't want naturally to buy them again!!!
Thank you

Assuming you purchased QT Pro, you can always download it again at no extra charge by logging in to your Apple account.
Regarding FCE, there is no way to download & install the product. You need an original FCE install disk and your FCE serial number.
Final Cut Pro X (aka FCPX) can be purchased & downloaded from the App Store.

Best export method of footage from Final Cut Express to DVD?

I'm exporting footage from Final Cut Express using Quicktime Player and then burning the footage to DVD using iDVD.
The end result on DVD has very jagged interlacing (or noise) on objects in motion which aren't present when viewing the footage on FC. I don't think the problem is with iDVD (I assume I'm burning a pristine copy of an already reduced-quality clip).
Are there any changes I can make to the system preferences either on FC or Quicktime Player to reduce or prevent loss of digital information, or can anyone suggest better methods of export from Final Cut Express to DVD?

Hello
I'm not sure if this is relevant:
I've been using the Quicktime Conversion settings;
http://www.locationstudio.net/Settings.jpg
29.97 Frame Rate
Highest Quality
NTSC/PRO
I was under the impression that this was usually best - haven't had any problems with iDVD
Mike

What are the best data and bit rate setting for uploading from final cut express to Youtube?

Can anyone suggest the best data rate and bit rate presets for uploading footage from final cut express 4 to Youtube? What settings will provide the best resolution, quality, and match the current youtube requirements?
Thank you in advance for your help,
Susan Kayne

It depends on whether you are using aspect ratios of 4:3 or 16:9.
Below is some simple guidance that will provide good quality with reasonably small file sizes.
The first part is for 4:3 video:-
1. File>Export Using QT Conversion.
2. The "Format" window should say, "QT Movie".
3. In "Use" select "LAN/Intranet" from the dropdown menu.
4. Click "Save" and when it has finished encoding, upload it to YouTube.
If you are making 16:9 video (Standard or High Definition) do steps 1 to 3 above.
Then when you have selected "LAN/Intranet" press the "Options" button and in the new
window that opens press the "Size" button and change the "640x480" to "853x480"
To do this you will have to click on the 640x480 and a dropdown menu appears.
Select "Custom" from the bottom of the menu and in the window that opens
you will see 2 boxes.
Put 853 in the first box and 480 in the second.
Click OK.
Then Save it.

Best way to RTFM on Final Cut Express HD 3.5?

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