Canon HF M400 and Final Cut Express?

I'm planning on buying a canon Vixia HF M400 camcorder and was wondering if anyone knows about or has had experience with its Final cut express compatibility. I know that with some AVCHD cameras final cut does not recognize the imported footage even when using log and capture, so i just wanted to make sure i don't buy a camera that i will not be able to edit with. if it matters, i plan on buying the latest version of FCE and editing on my macbook, using an external hard drive as a scratch disk.

Tony,
I have a HFS 10 which appears to be similar to the one you are looking at, and I have no difficulty ingesting the AVCHD video with Log and Transfer into FCE (note that this is different from Capture). However you should note that FCE is no longer available for purchase through Apple. You can find copies of FCE4 available on Ebay, but you should be aware that it not supported by the latest Apple OS Lion. Additionally there have been many reports of difficulty using FCE after upragrading to Lion.
Regards,
Marc

Similar Messages

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

1080p30 .mov files from canon eos 5DMarkII in Final cut express 4.0.1

Hi everybody.
i need some help to import HD vidéo .mov files from Canon Eos 5DMarkII in final cut express.
The files is in 1080p30 (h264) like avchd but in the final cut configuration i have only 50i and 60i option in HDV and AVCHD
Final cut necessity to do a render (5h for 15min on my G5) and the movement quality is not the same.
Anybody have a idea to import Progressive files in final cut ?
maybe they have an update with new avchd 1080p codec in configuration ?
or i need final cut pro...?
Thanks in advance
and sorry for my english...i'm french

There is no good solution for working with this camera in FCE. It's 30fps progressive. There is no true video format that is 30fps. This is something Canon was cobbled together for this stills camera.
You can use MPEG Streamclip to convert the material to QuickTime using the Apple Intermediate Codec at 1920x1080. I think that's what it shoot. You should check the camera manual to confirm it shoots 1920 and not 1440.
The problem is the frame rate. You can convert it to 29.97fps or to 25fps. 25fps conforms to the European frame rate, but I don't know how well Streamclip will do this conversion. You also need to make sure the material is not interlaced by Streamclip.
The other problem is that FCE handles 1080 as an interlaced format, because for production it's supposed to be an interlaced format, at least in the formats, HDV and AVCHD, that FCE works with. You can set your sequence properties to have no field dominance, which should prevent it interlacing during compositing of any effects.

Adobe CS4/5 and Final Cut Express On a MacBook Air?

Hey all
Im planning to get a MacBook for my GCSE's, and im leaning towards the air.
I will be running applications such as Adobe Photoshop CS5, After Effects CS5, Lightroom CS5, and Final Cut Express regularly, so would a 13" 1.86ghz MBA C2D Processor with 4gb of RAM be able to run these apps fast and efficiently with no lag? Or should I opt for the baseline MBP 13"? Im also looking for portability, as im going to be taking it into school
Thanks

After effects!? Yikes... that is a beast of a program! Depends how in depth you plan on using it. Are you going to be doing 3D animations with several camera layers? If so, I don't think a MBP is going to work too smoothly. If you are doing basic to moderate use of AE functions then I think it would work fine.
Just a heads up before buying, check out the apple refurb store. They have a bunch of MBP with different specs for a very reasonable price. I got my 17" MBP from there and it works awesome with the same warranty as new... for like $500 off!

Final Cut Pro 4.5 and Final Cut Express 3.0 - 5 minute captures then freeze

Something I have found with Final Cut Pro 4.5 and Final Cut Express 3.0.
After Updating to Tiger - 10.4.11 and Quicktime 7.4.1 - Both Pro 4.5 and Express 3.0 will not capture more then 5 minutes and 12 seconds. If you are having this issue the solution I used to fix both Pro and Express issues was an update on the software. Final Cut Pro 5 fixed the problem (or 6 if you can) and with Final Cut Express, version 3.5 fixed the issue but if you can go with FCX 4.
Let me know if this helped or if you have found a different solution. Downgrading the os might help but that is too much of a pain and it's time to upgrade the software anyway.

#29: Need AGP Graphics card
Shane's Stock Answer #29 – Error: “Need AGP Graphics card”
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302667
The Final Cut software is looking for a graphics card type that is required for that version of the software. FCP 4 and FCP 4.5 were released when AGP cards were the requirement. Attempting to open this on a Mac with a PCIe graphics card, such as an Intel Mac, will cause this error. FCP 4.5 is not supported on the Intel Macs. If you happen to have a PowerPC Quad processor Mac and get this error, you can try this hack:
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/feedback/finalcut_pro_on_oldmacs.html
You can also press the "esc" key as you launch FCP. This enables FCP to open and run, but know that it might not work optimally.
If that doesn’t work, or if you have an Intel Mac, you are going to have to upgrade to a supported version of FCP…and FCP 6, part of Final Cut Studio 2, is the latest version.
Shane

Upgraded to Mac OS X Snow Leopard and final cut express 4 will not work

upgraded to Mac OS X Snow Leopard and final cut express 4 will not launch but my final cut express HD 3.0 version comes up. I reinstall my final cut express 4 upgrade disc and it still will not launch.
Where do I go from here?

You installed from the discs, right?
What happens when you try to launch? What are you doing to launch and what happens you do it? Can't see you computer from here. If you probably need to contact Apple with an installation issue on a new computer.

Final Cut Pro Studio 5.1.1 and Final Cut Express HD 3.5

Hi,
I have a client with both of these installed on the same machine (running 10.4.6).
When they try and launch either application, the splash screen comes up, loading various filters, etc. then they get an error message:
"File Error: A file of this name already exists" "OK"
Clicking "OK" closes the app.
Any idea:
1. What the file in question is?
2. Can it be deleted to let the app run?
3. Can Final Cut Pro Studio 5.1.1 and Final Cut Express HD 3.5 be used on the same machine?
I'll post this on the Final Cut Express HD 3.5 thread too (but with the order reversed).

What you did was not enough to delete the preferences properly.
This article tells you how. It is for FCE2 but works the same for FCE3 so I assume it is also OK for FCE 3.5:-
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93690
It's simple to do so try it before reinstalling etc. - You should completely uninstall before reinstalling:-
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301182
Ian.

User Contributed Tips in Final Cut Express and Final Cut Express HD Forum

*The following User Contributed Tips are located in the Pro Applications: Video > Final Cut Express and Final Cut Express HD Forum:*
skalicki` - Working with AVCHD: Log and Transfer FAQs
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2672530
Publish date: December 03, 2010
skalicki` - Final Cut Express: Basic Troubleshooting
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2662419
Publish date: November 26, 2010
*The following related tips are located in other areas of Apple Discussions:*
Please see the User Tips Library

I'm relatively new to FCE myself, so I'll answer with what I know. I'm sure the more experienced folks will either add to or correct what I say.
1) For the Inconvenient Truth thing, I believe this would best be done in LiveType, which does allow you to do animations, and to work on individual letters and characters. Whether or not it could exactly reproduce the effects in the clip, I'm not certain, but I'm sure it could come very close.
2) For the Crowd or the Cross effects, there are two things going on at once: effects on the text, and effects on the video. My gut feeling is that both FCE and LiveType can do these, with lots of work and patience, but I'll defer to other people to answer.
3) The page peel is a transition built into FCE.

Panasonic SDR-H80 and Final Cut Express

Does anyone know whether the new Panasonic Camcorder Type SDR-H80 is compatible with an iMac running under the Leopard OS and Final Cut Express version 4.0.1?

Hey ,.. I just purchased the same videocam and I am having the same dilema? Did you figure something out on how to make itr work yet?

Canon HF200 and Final Cut Express

I just got my first Mac computer, a Mac Mini, and I ordered it with Final Cut Express. I also have a new camera, a Canon HF200, but I'm having trouble with it. When I connect it with the HDMI cable, nothing happens. I have some dics that came with the camera. The first one installed an image viewer type thing, but the second one is doing nothing and I can't even seem to eject it. Can anyone help? I just need to know how you can hook up a Canon HF200 with a Mac Mini and have the video content imported to FCE.

ColeRothacker wrote:
I just got my first Mac computer, a Mac Mini
congrats!
and I ordered it with Final Cut Express. I also have a new camera, a Canon HF200, but I'm having trouble with it.
I have the HF 10 & had an import error due to sound mixing settings, but we'll hold off on that for now...
When I connect it with the HDMI cable, nothing happens.
how are you doing this? did you buy the mini displayport adapter or something? if so, this will not work as that will be OUTPUT only, it can't import or input video.
I have some dics that came with the camera. The first one installed an image viewer type thing, but the second one is doing nothing and I can't even seem to eject it.
were these full size CDs? the canon software is useless, btw, so I wouldn't bother with it.
rebooting holding the left mouse button down will eject the disc, if it's the std size.
Can anyone help? I just need to know how you can hook up a Canon HF200 with a Mac Mini and have the video content imported to FCE.
USB cable & using the import function: http://www.apple.com/finalcutexpress/tutorials/ & select the one for "Transfer from AVCHD"

Optimal export from Canon Vixia HV30 via Final Cut Express for Blip.tv

I am looking to optimize the export of my videos from Final Cut Express (4.0.1). I shoot HD Widescreen on a Canon Vixia HV30. I've been having problems getting good quality in a smallish package.
For some reason, the videos come off the camera at the odd ratio of 496 x 279. This means I have to export them that size, but the final product ends up being huge. Literally, the screen is larger than the computer screen, and I have to view it on half size. I feel I could get more bang for my buck if these videos could be exported smaller initially.
Here are my settings for export (as Quicktime Movie with Quicktime conversion):
Compression: H.264
Quality: High
Key frame rate: 24
Encoding: Multi-pass
The only tweak I make is to set the kbits/sec to between 3000 and 3500, which gets me a decent looking video that's about two minutes long and between 40 and 70MB.
If I try to tweak the ratio or the format, the picture gets squeezed or the quality drops significantly. I've also been running into the problem of skipping playback on Blip.tv, which recently switched to a new version of Flash.
Any help on how to shrink the video and keep the quality?
Regards,
Philip

Export to where? Where are you trying to get to? Export QuickTime Movie is the original converted FCE media file.

Camcorder Campatibility with I Movie O8 and Final Cut Express HD

I am trying to decide between the Canon HV20 and the Sony HDR-HCR camcorders, does anyone have experience editing with either using I Movie 08 or Final Cut Express HD 4

I chose the Sony because of the overall build quality: it seems like it can withstand more wear and tear from lots of use better than the Canon, and the video quality is amazing. Its only negative point would be dark indoor lighting. However I'm not sure how the Canon does in low light.
Hope this helps

Canon HV20 Compatibility with Final Cut Express

I cannot get the latest version of Final Cut Express to work with my new Canon HV20 video camera. I can get the video into iMovie 08, but nothing I try can get Final Cut Express to recognize the camera. I cannot import the imovie file either. It gives me an error. I can drag the video from the Hard Disk to Final Cut Express to import it, but that is cumbersome.

Start here:
http://www.fcpbook.com/Video10.html
Then come back and do this:
Please give your full system specifications, what computer, what drives, what camera or deck, how everything's connected, what settings are on the media, what settings you're using in FCE, and finally what version of the software, of the OS, and of QT are you using?

Panasonic GH2 and Final Cut Express?

Does anyone have any experience in importing into Final Cut Express with a Panasonic GH2? I have about $1000 to spend on a new camera for work and the camera was recommended to me but not by someone who uses FCE. I have been using a Canon Vixia SR 20 smoothly with FCE, but now have a chance to purchase a new camera for video.
I am also wondering if it is a good choice should I eventually move to Final Cut Pro X. I have seen some of the forum talk about this camera and some issues it has with FCP X, but right now am looking to find someone who has used it successfully with FCE. Or a simillarly powerful camera recommendation in that range with a proven FCE track record also welcome. Thanks!
Douglas

I use the same camera and it works for me. Make sure you are using the log and transfer function, in FCE, and not the log and capture. I am not sure what other advice to give other than to confirm FCE4 and the SD5 do play nice together, at least for me. I will say I have only used the SD card media with it so if your using a disc maybe it may be a different story -- I don't know.
Edit: Sorry I misspoke my camera is the SX5 -- from everything I understand and have read, however, it is functionally identical to the SD5. The difference being the SD5 only works with SD cards where this one has the option to record to mini DVDs.
Message was edited by: l0gden

Xacti HD and Final Cut Express -- It used to work great! How do I go back?

I have a Sanyo Xacti HD700. It gives me 1280x720 MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 files, which my Mac just loves. I used to be able to quickly edit the clips together in Final Cut Express, export using complementary QuickTime settings (specifically, those recommended by Vimeo for HD playback), and get beautiful MP4 files, relatively quickly.
Then, one day, a friend needed me to edit a quick video using a DV camcorder. It was confusing as heck getting the footage into FCE, and not particularly elegant getting it out. But, the project was done overnight, I washed my hands of it, and wanted to get back to making beautiful MP4 files again, relatively quickly.
Except I can't! Now, for one, encoding takes hours. Hours! My source videos and export videos are very similar, yet I sit and watch as the estimate for completion actually goes up for an hour before slowly coming back down.
And frankly, that would be fine, except now my exported videos are the wrong size. They include letterboxes, and the video itself is squished, stretched. So I wait four times as long for a ghastly video. The best I could do is use the Quicktime export settings to "crop off" the letterboxing, but there's still some black bars and it's just not the same.
Here's how my videos used to look:
http://vimeo.com/1067235
Here's how an exported video looks now:
http://vimeo.com/1655414?pg=embed&sec=1655414
What happened? Out of the box, everything worked perfectly. Now, tainted with actual tape, Final Cut Express seems like it's running my videos through six extra wringers and giving me clips worse than I'd get just cut-and-paste editing the Xacti files in QuickTime Pro!
I Googled my brains out, and all I've learned is, if I had Final Cut Pro, "Project Settings" would have all the switches I need. Well, I don't have FCP, just FCE.
Somewhere, something was set that I want to unset. Can anyone help? Do I have to delete every trace of FCE and just reinstall?
Mahalo for any advice!

It sounds like you didn't change the settings after you made the DV video. Did you switch it back to 1280x720 and make a new sequence in that format? Check item properties for the sequence you edited. What does it say? Also check item properties for any media you captured since working in DV.

Canon HF M400 and Final Cut Express?

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for