FCE codecs vs. FCP codecs: Quality?

Hi,
I'm using a Canon HF10 (AVCHD) to shoot and Final Cut Express to edit. Quality is good for the most part, but I am wondering if the quality would be better if I upgraded to Final Cut Pro. If so, how?
Thanks very much.
Vic

Wow! I've been away from the forum for awhile. Thanks for all your inputs, folks! And, I actually understood some of it. I realize my HF10 is of limited quality capability, but the problem I'm having is this: I operate a real estate video tour business (just started it). I'm new to digital video, and really don't know a whole lot about codecs, etc. Nonetheless, I obviously want good quality for all my projects, and would like to be able to create video for television, eventually. In fact, that's what prompted my question. I recently began to run some 30-second clips on the local cable station, as a way to attract more business from Realtors. What I'm finding is that the picture quality (of MY clips) on the cable station is somewhat jittery and a little pixelized. Certainly, not what one would call 'pro' quality. (For the record, my videos look fine on the Net)
I use a Steadicam Merlin and a tripod for all my shooting, so my original footage is good. In fact, it looks really good on my HD TV which I use for a monitor. But how can I get the 30-second clips which I show on cable TV to look closer to pro-level stuff? I mean, if I could keep the quality up to what I see on my monitor, I'd be delighted. Here's where I think the problem lies: I shoot in AVCHD. I ingest into my MacBook Pro with FCE. I output as a QT movie, and then compress as a Flash video. I then email the footage to the cable station and they convert to their preferred format of MPEG-2. I don't have the ability to output to MPEG-2 (at least not to my knowledge). FYI, I'd bring them the files in QT format, but when I tried that, they couldn't open the files. A glitch???
Anyways, that's the situation. ANY advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Can you touch on what the weak links in my workflow might be? Also, can an HF10 camera shoot with enough quality for television??? Should I upgrade to FCP so that I can output in MPEG-2??? Other comments or advice???
Thanks very much for your help (all of you)!
Vic

Similar Messages

  • Codec quality of motion clip

    I have a question about codec quality when creating slow motion effects in FCP 6 vs. motion 3.
    I slowed down a clip in fcp 6 by 50% with simple frame blending and then sent the same clip to motion 3 and sent it through optical flow. While the clip from motion looks better I was surprised to discover the codec quality (when analyzed in fcp) stated it was of least quality and the same clip with the 50% speed reduction in fcp stated it was most quality.
    I’m confused. ? I’m screening on a monitor not the computer screen. I would have expected the opposite. Can anyone explain?
    Footage was shot DV NTSC 29.97
    Here is the analysis of the fcp clip:
    Video Track 1 (40.2 MB)
    Duration : 00:00:10:03 (at 100 % speed)
    Frame Size: 720x480
    Color Depth: 24-bit Color
    Codec: DV/DVCPRO-NTSC at Most Quality
    Frame Rate: 29.97 fps
    Average Data Rate: 3519k/sec (117k/frame)
    Here is the analysis of the motion 3 clip:
    Video Track 1 (11.8 K)
    Duration: 00:00:20:06
    Frame Size: 720x 480
    Color Depth: 32-bit Color
    Codec: at Least Quality
    Frame Rate: 29.97 fps
    Average Data Rate: 1k/sec (0k/frame)

    Perhaps the "quality" being referenced is simply the interlace flag. If you open the clip in QuickTime player, open the properties window (⌘J), and select the Video Track, is the High Quality box checked? If you check it and save the clip (⌘S), how does it affect the analysis?
    Patrick

  • Replacing FCE-4 with FCP-5

    What issues should I consider as I replace FCE-4 with FCP-5? Will FCE projects play in FCP?
    Thanks.

    As Zak Ray says,once you open an FCE project in FCP you can no longer use it in FCE.
    Should you wish to do so, simply copy the project file before you open it in FCP.
    The copy can then be used to open it in FCE.
    Project files are very small . . . . only a few megabytes . . . . so storage is no problem.

  • FCE to FCP? Can I transfer an unfinished FCE file into FCP?

    Hi all,
    I would like to know if i can transfer a FCE file into FCP and continue editing from there?
    I started my first project in FCE, after many months of learning the basics the hard way.
    Having now read about the features of FCP, I am considering upgrading as I am led to believe that a lot of issues that are consuming my time editing, (e.g. eliminating unwanted audio ticks, image stabilisation etc.) are far easier/quicker in FCP.
    I realise that you can not make something out of what you don't have, but FCE just doesn't cut it when you start off with less than perfect material and are looking to smooth things out in general.
    So if i buy FCP can i finsh my project?
    Will my macbook pro handle it for now?
    2.4Ghz Intel Core Duo Processor,
    2GB 1067 Mhz DDR3 Memory,
    Thanks for any information.

    You can open FCE projects in Final Cut Pro.
    Work on a copy of your project file -there's no going back.
    Your MacBook Pro will handle Final Cut Studio fine.

  • Can't open an FCE project in FCP

    I got FCE 4.0.1 and have now upgraded to FCP 6.0.1. When I try to open my existing FCE project in FCP, I get a message that says, " File's format is too new for this version of application."
    I just bought the FCS, so I assume it's the latest version of the program.
    Any ideas?

    The latest version of Final Cut Pro is 6.0.5.
    Use the software updater to get to that version.
    My guess is the 6.0.1 was released before FCE 4.0.1.
    "In general, Final Cut Pro can open a Final Cut Express project if it was last modified in a version of Final Cut Express that was released before the version of Final Cut Pro that you are using."
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TA24708?viewlocale=en_US

  • Importing FCE files into FCP

    Hi,
    I have some old FCE projects. My question is whether I am import the FCE project into FCP?

    I think you can just do a file > open and open them right up. you might get a warning that you are opening an older version and of course once saving you probably won't be able to open them in FCE again... so I would make a duplicate first then open away.

  • Importing a Motion file into FCP loses quality

    When viewed within Motion the quality of the graphics, text, etc. is excellent. However, if I import the Motion file or a Quicktime movie of that file into FCP, the quality goes down. The text is ragged, as well as any graphics. I'm creating at NTSC DV. I tried importing one of the tutorial files and the same thing occurred. Any ideas?
    Thanks, Matt

    Seperate but related question - if my intention is to make a DVD that plays only on a computer, is there anyway to replicate the Motion quality in a computer only format?
    I just don't understand why Motion's display so pristine yet FCP is not. I know it has been answered and explained, but I just don't get it.

  • HT4115 can i import a FCE projekt in FCP?

    How can i import a FCE projekt into FCP?

    If you mean FCP as in the original Final Cut Pro (part of Final Cut Studio), just open the FCE project in FCP.
    If you mean FCP as in Final Cut Pro X (the current Final Cut app), there does not appear to be any way to do this. At least none that I am aware of.  Try posting your question in the Final Cut Pro X forum, - perhaps someone has recently developed an app to migrate FCE projects to FCP-X.

  • ProRes422HQ codec quality

    Looking for comparison of (1080i) compositing quality comparison of anyone using Shake with the new 4:2:2 ProRes422HQ codec verus MPEG2 4:2:0 XDCAM files, HDV and DVCPRO HD.

    Perhaps the "quality" being referenced is simply the interlace flag. If you open the clip in QuickTime player, open the properties window (⌘J), and select the Video Track, is the High Quality box checked? If you check it and save the clip (⌘S), how does it affect the analysis?
    Patrick

  • Toast 9 Blu-Ray FCE Codec setting?

    Hello, I have been experimenting with the new Toast 9 since it can produce HD clips in Blu-Ray format on standard DVD+R's to work in a BD Player.
    I have a new Sony AVCHD SR11 camcorder and import it into FCE4. I have tried several codec's but when Toast burns the disc in Blu-Ray it forces the the image to 4:3 from 16:9. I viewed the file and it plays 16:9 in Quicktime but the BD plays in my PS3 and my Sony 300 BD player at 4:3.
    I cannot figure out what Codec to use in FCE4 and hope others have figured this out. The picture looks great played on a BD player except the image is squashed to 4:3
    Thanks for the help

    Thanks for the reply. It is 1920x1080 in QT. I was poking around in this forum and noticed guys were trying MP4 to play back on a Blu-ray player. I will have to try that out. So if I get this right, all that Toast 9 is doing is converting the file to MP4? I might have to do a little more research. I was hoping others were playing around with this.

  • FCE Codec For Windows Media PLayer

    Hey guys, I'm trying to render a video which can be played on a pc via WMV. I've been trying to convert it to different formats, etc avi, mpeg 4, and quicktime, but nothing seems to work. Any one have any ideas....

    If you're trying to create a standard DV clip to maintain resolution, one that will play on a PC to the projector using the WMP then you have to either use WMV or AVI.
    The AVI has to be in DV NTSC, 720x480, at 29.97fps. That's what the DV is, nothing else. There is no such thing as widescreen DV. It's always anamorphic. It's not going to play well on any computer, unless it's playing back off a media supported drive through a digital/analog converter onto an NTSC monitor or TV set because the material is interlaced and the computer display is not.
    To do this properly you need to deinterlace the material. I believe you can do that with Flip4Mac when you convert to WMV. That would be your best option.

  • I've been giving HD videos in MTS format and convert the for editing in FCE.  Looks good in the program, but when I export the finished film, quality had been noticeable diminished.  Is there any way to prevent FCE from lowering the output quality?

    Hello -
    I've been sent HD footage in MTS format and converted it to Mp4 for editing in FCE.  It looks good in FCE but when I export the movie, the quality is noticably diminished.   Is there any way I can prevent FCE from lowering the quality on export?
    Thanks.

    >I use Foxreal video converter for Mac to convert the MTS using the Apple intermediate codec setting and the problem is that I don't get image, just audio
    My thought would be to NOT use Foxreal video converter.
    Use MPEG Streamclip or Clipwrap.
    -DH

  • FCE + 5D Mark 2 = Poor quality after export

    Hi,
    I've been attempting to edit some footage shot on the 5D Mk2. Playing back the footage works fine once it has been rendered, but when I export it as a quicktime file and burn through either iDVD or Toast, the final results are very poor. It looks terrible! I understand its not possible to burn HD quality (unless you have a HD/BLU RAY BURNER) and perhaps I'm not exporting it correctly....
    Any help would be much appreciated!
    Thanks

    Neil Macgrain wrote:
    .. It plays back great in quicktime/FCP but when I burn it using iDVD/Toast the quality is very poor.
    a videoDVD has a fraction of res of your device/FCE sequence...
    watching a videoDVD on a 'HiRes' computer screen full-screen, blows up the 720x480 res by factor 4-6x..

  • Using FCE files with FCP?

    Hello - does anyone know if I can open FC Express files in FC Pro, and vice versa (with appropriate "save as")? I'm not an experienced user of these programs, but I think I will be soon. My collaborator on a video project uses Final Cut Pro, but I want to be able to make some edits, and can only afford (and probably only need) Express. Will we be able to exchange files in any way?
    iMac G5 2.1 ghz   Mac OS X (10.4.1)  

    In most cases FCE will not open an FCP project, unless the project is very simple. FCP will open an FCE project, if the version is new enough. It depends which versions of FCE and FCP you're working with. Once the FCE project is opened in FCP and updated it will most likely no longer open in FCE.

  • Camtasia to FCE: how to improve canvas quality

    I recently started using Camtasia on a PC and saving the files as an HD quality mp4 file and then importing it into FCE on my iMac. When I watch the file on Quicktime or in the FCE viewer the quality is great, however when I watch it in the canvas the video quality is terrible. The problem seems to remain after I finish the project and watch it in quicktime.
    I tried to change the file to .mov and that didn't help. It is also taking 30-40 minutes to render a 7 minute clip.
    Does anyone have any ideas on how to stop losing the quality of the video when I go to edit it?
    Thanks

    Hi and welcome to the forum!
    Open the clip in Quicktime and click Command-I to view more information. What are the exact specifications of the file?

Maybe you are looking for

  • Currency symbol in interactive report

    Hi, I used oracle format masks "FML..." to show the euro symbol which is defined in the Process "execute immediate 'alter session set NLS_CURRENCY=''€''';" When it is the first time to open the report, euro symbol shows. But after you do other action

  • How to get system Hostname in java

    Hi, I am a java developer trying to get the hostname of the system from java class. Meaning want the value when i run the $hostname command in linux and my server is Linux server. I am searching in the System Properties for the hostname but i could n

  • Enhancement of CRM Interactive Reports

    I have read it somewhere that we can enhance the interactive reports with ZFIELDs. I just want to get an idea that in our scenario we have separate ZTABLE which has this ZFIELD so is it possible to enhance any interactive report with this field? P.S.

  • FCE video quailty and widescreen problems

    hello friends!! im having problems with my video quality... i seems really crappy! i know it might be my camera cause its a cheap canan zr100 but still, is there a setting i can change? or somthing, also my camera has a 16:9 widescreen, but if i film

  • Autosuggest LOV results getting queued

    Hi, I am using JDeveloper 11.1.1.6.0. I have a transient attribute in a VO and it has an LOV defined. I have that as a input text with list of values in UI. (it has autosuggest defined, the default one) It works the first time. But, when I navigate a