Exporting Surround AC-3 from FCP with Compressor

I have a sequence in Final Cut with Video and the 6 audio tracks of a 5.1 surround configuration from the audio editor. I would like to be able to export the video as MPEG-2 and Audio as AC3 in one step using compressor.
I understand how to assign these tracks to seperate outputs of the FCP mixer, export audio as individual AIFFs and then send them to Compressor or APACK manually,but....
I'm wondering is there a way in which Compressor can recognize these discrete outputs and encode them directly to AC3 without having to "export audio as Aiff" first?
Brian
Mac OS X (10.4.6)

I checked the FCStudio Workflows pdf, and it does not describe a method for exporting surround directly to compressor from a multichannel FCP sequence. I think this may be a limitation of the audio format, either aiff, or the quicktime movies, in that they only support 2-channel audio. FCP will give you separate outputs for monitoring and output, but the quicktime files that compressor uses as its source are probably limited to 2 channels, hence the need to output the 3 pairs as individual files.

Similar Messages

Problem exporting from FCP using compressor

Out of the blue - I'm getting batch failures trying to export from FCP for use in a DVD. Immediately after selecting compressor for export, I get an error reading "That file already exists", and a new tab appears in the media browser with a lengthy character string. Compressor opens fine, and I select Best Quality 4:3 encoding for video and aiff48 for audio. When the batch is submitted - it promptly fails and blames FCP for generating an error.
Did all kinds of restarts and work arounds to no avail. The promising news is that this error seems to occur only when exporting from FCP through Compressor.
My work-around is to export a QT movie of the piece, quit FCP, launch Compressor, and then import the QT for batching.
Hope this helps anyone else in similar situations
Martin
G5 PPC Mac OS X (10.4.8) FCP 512 post production

Hi:
How long is your movie?
The best workflow is FCP > Compressor > DVDSP.
You can encode your timeline directly to get MPEG2 video and Dolby 2 (AC3) audio files. Then import those in DVDSP and author your DVD.
Using Compressor you control the full encoding process. You can test with small parts of your movie (those where you got problems with iDVD) and find the best encoding options fopr your footage.
Of course the DVDSP learning curve is longer than iDVD but once you learned ir you probably never go back. Like iMovie and FCP.
To give you detailed info about what encoding settings to use you must post some info about your FCP project.
Hope that helps !
Alberto

Best Way to Export 24p from FCP for Compressor

When you click file> export...
You are prompted to the drop down menu that says stuff like quicktime movie, quick time conversion, export for Compressor, etc.
My question is do you think "exporting for compressor" is a good workflow?
My two main criteria for "good workflow" being 1) speed and 2) quality of final image.
Thank you,
Trey

treyvon wrote:
My two main criteria for "good workflow" being 1) speed and 2) quality of final image.
If you're doing compositing or color correction work in FCP that degrades when rendering because you're using a highly compressed codec (like DV or HDV), then sending an unrendered timeline directly to Compressor produces the best quality.
Outside of that, exporting a reference movie from FCP (from a rendered timeline) then dropping that into Compressor is the fastest way to go. Especially if you're working with a 4-core or better machine (then encoding time is greatly reduced).
Otherwise, if you're working with, say, the iMac listed in your profile, sending unrendered material directly from Compressor will take about twice as long as a QT movie would.

Export DPX files from FCP with Timecode

Hi,
Have anyone found a way to export DPX files from FCP, and also get the timecode in the DPX header...
Thanks for answers!!
//P

Your workflow is not correct.
In FCP I bring the clip to the timeline, trim, color correct it then File> Export> Using Compressor. Compressor opens up and places the clip into the Batch Window. This works fine, but when I go back to FCP, delete the clip from the timeline and place an other clip there and when I Export>Using Compressor, Compressor places the clip in a new Window title "Untitle 1" and so it goes on. As far as I understood, whenever you add a clip from the FCP it places it below the first clip so when I want to add my settings, I can add all 3 settings to all the clips. Did I missunderstand something?
You're misunderstanding a couple of different things. When you send a clip or sequence from FCP to Compressor, you cannot then apply the settings you want in Compressor then go back to FCP and delete that clip from your sequence ... Compressor is trying to reference that sequence. If you keep removing clips, then Compressor won't follow those clips ... you're essentially breaking the link between Compressor and FCP by doing this.
Try this:
1. Load Clip A into the Viewer, Set your In & Out points and add your Color Correction.
2. Press Command U to Make a Subclip. This will create a separate "clip" in your bin. Rename as necessary.
3. Repeat this process for your other 19 clips.
4. Then Select all of your new subclips in your Browser, then File > Export > Using Compressor. This will open Compressor and add all of those subclips into the Job window.
5. Add your appropriate Target settings and set your Destinations and revise any filenames if necessary.
6. Click Submit.
For a good, quick overview on the basics of how and when to use Compressor, check out this video from MacBreak Weekly: http://www.pixelcorps.tv/macbreak153

What is the workflow from FCP to Compressor to preserve 24p frame rate?

I just exported my 108-minute project from FCP to Compressor (v3.0.3). I used the MPEG-2 "setting" in Compressor. My end result was a Compressor file whose frame rate is at 29.97. When I import this new compressed file into DVD Studio Pro, the DVD project defaults to 29.97.
I'm a little unsure of how this works. I have an FCP project set at XDCAM EX 1080p24. I'd like to preserve 24 frames per second for a "film" look in the final product, which right now is ultimately a burning of a DVD using DVD Studio Pro.
Should I be using a different setting in Compressor to achieve 24 frames per second? Am I missing a switch to toggle in Compressor? Or FCP? Or DVD Studio Pro? Or... is my final DVD product, which is listed at 29.97, actually preserving the 24 frames and I'm just seeing things incorrectly? (It looks video-ish.)
thanks,
Shanked

Hi Jerry,
To respond to your info request: my "settings" indicate my Editing Timebase is 23.98.
Moreover...
Editing Timebase: 23.98
1920x1080 HDTV 1080i 16:9
Pixel Aspect Ratio: Square
XDCAM EX 1080p24 VBR 35Mb/s
Quality: 100%
Audio: 48khz
Audio Depth: 16bit
Indeed, to achieve a film look I undertook the following steps in production and post...
shot 24p
shot with a Letus Adapter and Zeiss lenses
created an appealing depth of field where possible
avoided various "videofying" shots, like fast pans and so forth
crushed the blacks in color correction
used Nattress and adjusted the S curves in certain areas
I'm just wondering if I missed a step somewhere when it came down to designating the frame rate in Apple Compressor. When I saw the 29.97 frame rate designation in DVD Studio Pro, it surprised me. And then watching my movie on DVD (which is always a slightly difficult experience) I was really feeling like I was seeing an undesirable crisp video-ish feel that I hadn't seen before outputing to DVD.
obliged for the help,
Shanked

Best way from FCP using Compressor (too long render - 3 days?)

Hi
What's best quality, most efficient way to get our 85 min documentary out of FCP 6 to an SD DVD master?
Using 2008 model Mac Pro 3.0, 8GB RAM, I'm going from FCP to Compressor, via QT movie (current settings Pro Res) of Timeline, bring it into Compressor = NTSC, 16x9, 2 pass VBR best, 6.5 to 7.6 bit rate, GOP = IBBP closed, size 15, Frame Controls ON, resize filter = BEST, De-interlace = fast, Rate Conversion = Good...
I did a 2 minute test and it took an hour! And that was for a web-friendly 480 x 270 size. What's it going to be at 720 x 405 (the 16 x 9 version) - 3 days? What to do? Should I print the timeline to tape and bring it to a post house and they can do better or what? I know if I turn frame controls to OFF it'll speed up significantly, but then the FONTS/Text especially when over Black BG look horrible after compressed to 720 x 405.
Suggestions?
K

This ain't going to help much, sorry. Give us a few more hours, maybe a day or two, one or more of the DVDSP wonks will stop by and offer better advice.
What's best quality, most efficient way to get our 85 min documentary out of FCP 6 to an SD DVD master? < </div>
The DVD will be MPEG2. Working in anything higher quality than that has questionable benefits, the ratio of increased processing time to improved results is completely one-sided, a waste of time.
Compression is a disappointing series of compromises unless you totally understand the process. You can spend a few hours researching articles by Jan Ozer to help you decide what your workflow should be. Me, I would export a self-contained movie out of FCP to a codec that would hold a reasonable amount of spatial rez before going to Compressor.
Exporting self-contained creates a new media file that requires no further handling or rendering which is probably holding you up now. Every frame is being recreated before it can be compressed.But I never use Compressor to create the MPEG2, I let DVDSP do that for me. This shortcut produces every bit of quality I need for my projects.
Your situation, apparently, is different. And there is no real shortcut for you except to research it and try to find a recipe that suits your expectations. But whatever you do, MPEG2 is going to be a real bummer, especailly if you are shrinking or scaling your large format image to letterbox or anamorphic.
bogiesan

Exporting from FCP to Compressor, FCP causes crashes

When I export a particular FCP sequence to Compressor (with the intention of then moving on to DVD Studio Pro with the resultant compressed video and audio file)on first gesture to export I receive a message saying one render file is missing. However, when I was in FCP before launching Compressor, the sequence showed nothing that needed rendering. When I "render both" from the sequence menu, there is nothing to render. When I watch the sequence in FCP it views perfectly. Then I export using compressor. I receive the message that a render file is missing. I tell the system to continue without this one render file since I have no evidence that the file is missing. I then set off the compressor work, and it grinds away. Ultimately sometime in the two plus hour processing period (the sequence is 8 minutes long) FCP generates an error and Compressor aborts its work, blaming FCP. Any idea what the problem is and how to fix it? Please let me know if you need further info. As always, I am up against a deadline with this final output. The behavior is one I have never seen before in the four years I have been using this software. Thanks in advance.

Do you have motion files on the time line - a Google search shows posts about this problem:
http://forums.creativecow.net/readpost/8/1013775
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1460437
I would export a Quicktime Movie from your timeline File > Export > Quicktime Movie using current settings, then take that exported Quicktime Movie into compressor as opposed to trying to go direct from the FCP timeline.
Also, is you timeline fully rendered? Have you placed a checkmark on every Render condition -
!http://www.spotsbeforeyoureyes.com/RenderMarksChecked.jpg!
and then clicked on the timeline, typed Command + A to select all then Command + R to render the whole timeline?
Hope this helps.

What is the best compressor setting to use ... when exporting a 720p timeline from FCP for a project that will only be played back in a standard def monitor?

What is the best compressor setting to use for DVD StudioPro ... when exporting a 720p 30 timeline from FCP for a project that will only be viewed in a standard def monitor?

Update: The iBook can play any 480p video and higher if I encode them with DivX and in AVI format. But of course this is not compatible with my iPhone 4. At least I can shrink my library now and get away from the full MPEG-2s. I don't get why I can't use Apple's h264 though. There has to be a setting I am missing. The sample Apple h264 videos from the days of Tiger worked flawlessly on my iBook when it was new so the CPU must be capable of decoding it. I really can't understand this.
Also, since I made my videos in English for my family, I had to create soft subtitles for my wife's Chinese family, and I can't get players like QT with perian or MPlayerX to sync them properly to an AVI encoded with DivX, they only sync well with the iPhone 4 m4v/mp4 formatted files I made. This is a real pickle.
So now I may need three or four copies of each video, LOL. I need to hardcode the subtitles if I want to use AVI to playback on older machines, and keep the mp4 file for the iDevices too, while keeping higher quality h264 videos for my American relatives...
If h264 is compatible with my iBook, what is the proper encoding settings? Must I dramatically lower the settings or frame rate? I can settle on 2 copies of each video that way. One iBook/G4/eMac compatible video that syncs correctly with my srt soft subs, and another version that works well with my iPhone 4 and iPad.
All in all, I will end up with more than 3 or 4 version of each video. On my late G5 dual core I have the full 720-1080p uncompressed master files. On my i5 iMac I have the h264 compressed versions for distribution, and lower versions for my iDevices. Now I need to keep either full MPEG-2 files for the iBook to play, or convert to older formats like DivX AVI for our family's legacy machines. I am running out of hard disk space quick now, LOL.
Is there an easier way?

Export From FCP to Compressor adds a Frame to Clip

When I export a sequence from FCP 5.04 all my chapter points are off 1 frame in Compressor 2.01. For some reason it seems to be adding a black frame at the front of the sequence pushing the sequence down the timeline and off setting all the chapter points. It is happening to other sequences as well, it's not project or sequence specific.
This is Weird. I think it started 2 weeks ago. It might be related to the 7.1 Quicktime upgrade. I just upgraded to 7.1.1 to see if it would solve this issue however no luck.
Any ideas, any body else having this problem?
Guillaume

I have exactly the same problem : Compressor adds a white picture for some clips when I'm converting to MP4.
How can I solve this problem?
Thanks in advance.
Sand

Exporting from FCP to Compressor 3

We just upgraded to the new version of FCP and compressor 3 which we use for exporting mpegs.
The way we used to export mepgs was though the "Export using compressor" function in FCP.
We would be able to export multiple clips to compressor and then hit submit meaning that we could create multiple mpegs easily.
When I try this in Compressor 3 it allocated each exported clip to a new tab (or new batch) and not to the same tab so i have to hit submit, wait for the it to finish and then hit submit again for the next clip/batch.
Does anyone have any idea how to get the newly exported clips to all be within the one tab/batch?

Thanks for the suggestion, doing it that way does make them all appear in the same batch. problem is that when I create a sub clip I loose in the in and out points of the clip so I have to go into each subclip set the in and out points again and then export the subclips to compressor. When i have to export 10 individual 30 second mpegs it's going take make the process a lot more complicated then it was with the old version of compressor. I will keep playing with it, seems like others are having similer issues http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1256649&tstart=1277

Exporting Sequence in fcp with compressor

When I try to export a finished sequence with Compressor to Mpeg2 and Aiff files so that I can author a DVD a window comes up in fcp stating
"File Error: a file of this name already exists" Compressor then begins to open and allows you to choose your exporting formats and then when you submit, it fails or crashes.
I have been using this process with success for a couple months and now out of nowhere this problem arises. Any ideas on what went wrong and how to fix it?

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

DVD Studio Pro not playing back audio of asset converted from FCP via compressor.

I exported project via compressor:
File Extension: m2v
Estimated file size: 4.34 GB
Video Encoder
    Format: M2V
    Width: 720
    Height: 480
    Pixel aspect ratio: NTSC CCIR 601/DV
    Crop: None
    Frame rate: 29.97
    Frame Controls: Off
    Aspect ratio: 4:3
    Field dominance: Bottom first
    Average data rate: 3.6 (Mbps)
    2 Pass VBR enabled
        Maximum data rate: 7.5 (Mbps)
    High quality
    Best motion estimation
    Closed GOP Size: 15, Structure: IBBP
    DVD Studio Pro meta-data enabled
This took about 7.5 hours. I exported the audio separately as AC3. Finder plays it sound & pictures. Quicktime plays the video. DVD Studio Pro, when I drag the assets (video, audio) to the timeline editor, so I can play it in the viewer, it plays the audio the video is black. No setting in view or any other setting will get it to play the video. This project is due to ship today and I don't want to re import it if I don't have to.
I exported this project before the MPEG2 export as a Qicktime with .mov suffix. This plays alright, but there is artifacting around motion. I think this is due to low VBR, but don't know. Can ayone help?
Dix Moser
[email protected]
FCP Studio
PowerMac 1.8G 3G mem 250G HD
750 G ext. Firewire drive (where media is stored)

If I may chime in...
I'm a little confused on the "what plays what" part, but all that really matters is what DVDSP sees/plays.
I've worked on a system like yours and what I'd recommend is:
1. NEVER export via Compressor. It's just ungodly slow on anything less than a Quad. Export a self contained QuickTime Movie using the first export option and use that to feed Compressor.
2. Segment your output into manageable clips (I like 15-20 minutes) both to perfect the encoding and so you aren't re-encoding the whole show if something goes sour. It will all play fine as long as it's all in the same DVDSP timeline.
From what you describe, I'm thinking you're on an early version of Compressor that had A-Pack as the AC-3 encoder. This is no biggie, I mention it mostly to verify. Early Compressor was good too.
Make maybe a 5 minute piece to tune up. Just export as normal, then into Compressor. Your encoding values seem about right. Get the AV pair into DVDSP and it should play. I'm guessing that part of your problem is that the processor is fighting to handle the project size. Build the test clip project and look at it in DVD Player to view what would have been burned. If all looks OK, go for it. If not, bring back the results for discussion. This should be a snap, it's just a really big project. Keep your head up, I had a friend do a 225-minute disk on his G5...

HELP NO Chapters from FCP and Compressor-Did the FCP markers correctly too.

Hi Everyone,
Having allot of good Beans with FCP.
One problem though:
1. Export to DVDSP4 with CHAPTER markers on my timeline and when I try to import my m2v file from Compressor its greyed out for some reason so, I drag it into DVDSP4 from finder and highlight my play button on the 1st template
MENU: SET ASSET AND CREATE CHAPTER INDEX.
It usually works great while it continues on but, I dont see my chapters anywhere.
I know they are there but, someone on online here said that you dont see the chapters while in compressor (which I wish showed them in the preview windo to confirm they are there) but, have yet to see them who up in DVDSP4.
I still think this is a FCP inquiry but, trying to forums.
HELP<

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=2010186&#2010186
Has some info on Chapter Markers to help.
Are you exporting the markers when you export from FCP? Are you adding them and making sure that they are on the timeline (not the track) in FCP? (If you open the movie in QT you should see the markers on the lower left in a crop down selector if they exported properly.)

HELP. Quicktime Movies from FCP with DVCPro = Black Boxes across image.

When exporting my HD movie from Final Cut Pro (5) using either Quicktime Movie or Quicktime COnversion with the footage's native setting of DVCPro HD 720p the resulting movie has thick black rectangles on the left and right sides and one right in the middle.
Is it a codec issue?
Please help.

It is a 16X9 CROP, not some sort of anamorphic distortion... so just choose that, and export...
If you set it to be 320X180 THAT will distort it. It should start as 320X240. The crop then results in 320X180. If it's new software it's Compressor 3.
Jerry

Export settings for sequence from FCP to Avid PC

Hi,
Please can someone give me the best export settings/codecs to use if I need to export a FCP sequence with clips shot on XDCam EX1, 1920x1080i, 35 mbs at the least quality loss possible so that it can be imported into an Avid on PC for titling, effects and other bits added? My on-line editor is on Avid PC.
Many thanks
Belinda

Hee....missed that final sentence somehow.
So...offlining imported footage on FCP that you will online in Avid? What is there to online? You imported at full resolution. Must be color correction.
OK then...you edit in FCP from imported XDCAM EX footage...and you intend to go to Avid for the final color correct and titling. Did you plan for this? Test this? because I am pretty sure that the QT files that were created when you imported with the transfer tool won't work on a PC. Unless you tested and they did. But it appears that they don't as you are asking how to get them there.
Did you not ask this question when you started this show? That is ALWAYS something you do. If you plan on doing a certain workflow, you have to make sure that the workflow in question will work. Offline and online from tape is fairly simple, as you can recapture from the tape...timecode being the big thing there. But this is IMPORTED footage. Full clips, and I don't see how you can import only what is used in a sequence.
This issue, coupled with FCP to Avid...and Avid on a PC no less. Well. Find a codec you can export from FCP that the Avid can read (this will require testing), then MEDIA MANAGE the footage to that codec. Hmm....but then how will the Avid read the FCP project file to reconnect to the footage?
Nope...I stand by my original answer. Output to XDCAM disk and recapture, or to HDCAM or HDCAM SR tape and recapture.
Shane

Exporting Surround AC-3 from FCP with Compressor

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