FCP 6/Kodak Zi6/H.246

Greetings.
Just bought a Kodak Zi 6. Thought I had a handle on H.246, but now I'm feeling relatively clueless. Can run both 30 and 60 fps, and FCP doesn't love the 60 natively. I saw someone say on here that I have Compressor do it, but I tried running it into ProRes, and couldn't really get it to do anything after that. Thoughts?

Right. Sorry. I think I assumed someone would say "just flip that particular switch" or the like and it would be that easy to fix the issue. That I just was messing something simple up. Many thank yous for replying, Andy.
Your correct, that Log and Transfer didn't seem to work. The file structure inside of it is similar to a point-and-shoot camera (that is, it has DCIM folder where the videos record themselves to). So I tried moving the footage to the computer in the conventional way: dragging them from the folder on the camera and depositing them onto the Desktop.
Once there, I tried a few different presets, and one or two custom settings in Compressor on one of the clips, but all of them seemed to just make them "unrecognizable" files. After that, Quicktime won't run the exported files.
FCP can see and edit the normal 30 fps files, but doesn't recognize the 60 fps ones. iMovie (just wanted to see what it would do) does, and transfers and converts those files. That and iPhoto can see the videos like it would photos on a camera.
Any thoughts?

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'Unknown File' error with H.264 clips from Kodak zi6

Hi everyone
I'm trying to import some clips taken with a Kodak zi6 into Final Cut Pro, and I'm getting an 'Unknown File' error. The clips are H.264 quicktimes, 720p60 (well, actually 59.94fps). They open & playback in Quicktime Pro without any problems whatsoever, so I can't figure out why FCP doesn't like them. I've just now tried transcoding one to a ProRes422 as well and FCP rejects that as well. Does it have something to do with framerate?
As an aside, I'm not terribly thrilled with the ProRes transcode either, there's a HUGE difference in colourspace for the worse. The H.264 actually looks better and more accurate.
Any thoughts welcome!

I experienced the exact same problem. However iMovie 08, which has radically reduced functionality imports the files fine. Something that I noticed that might be an issue is that in Quicktime Pro if you "Show Movie Inspector" you will see that the codec of the Zi6 files is listed as "Ambarella AVC encoder." They are NOT listed as H.264. This may be significant. It may be a flavor of H.264 but seems kind of "windows low budget" to me.
Also as a point of clarity, in my experience Final Cut Pro WILL edit H.264 files with no problem. It is not ideal for quality reasons but it works fine.

Importing Mov from a Kodak Zi6

Hi,
I am trying to edit footage someone gave me on their Kodak Zi6. I plugged it into my computer via USB and dragged the files onto my HD. I then imported them into FCP v.5.0.1. I am able to view and edit the files however, the render time is VERY long. (20 minutes for 10 seconds of footage) I don't where the issue lies. (Sequence settings, incompatible format etc?) Can someone help please!
Thanks

Duh! Just answered my own question after a little more searching.
I used Mpeg Streamclip and exported the files using the following Export settings:
Compression: Apple Intermediate Codec
Quality: 100%
Frame Size: 1280x720 (unscaled) or 1280x720 HDTV 720p
The Bad News: The converted files will be about six times larger than the original. So if you're using a lot of clips make sure you have lots of hard drive space. Thinking about going back to iMovie for uncomplicated everyday video stuff.

Kodak Zi6 Support??

I found an HD video someone posted up on vimeo.com and he posted that he used a kodak zi6 and final cut pro to make the video. But does Final Cut Express 4.0 work with the Zi6? it doesn't seem to be recognizing the files from the camera in the log and transfer window. Please help

using mpeg streamclip i converted zi6 files to:
29.97 fps
1280 x 720
apple intermediate codec
5.8 mb/sec
square pixel
for sound i set to uncompressed:
48.0 kHz
16 bit-integer
i set the FCP audio/video settings:
HDV 720p30
but still, i have to render. so i try to do a clip without sound (thought maybe sound was causing need to render in fcp) but it still asked for render.
what could i be doing wrong? is there another conversion software i should try?
thank you!

Kodak Zi6 -- ipad2 iMovie?

I have read that as long as my movie is 720p, it should import into iPad2.
I have imported a few movies and I can play them in the Photos app with no problem. But when I open iMovie, they are not there. The Kodak Zi6 creates .mov files so you would think this would not be an issue.
Here is the specs on the Zi6: http://www.retrevo.com/search?q=Kodak+Zi6&rt=sp&modelid=21284703
Thanks for any help.

In your Events library, there should be an event called "iPhoto Events". It should be in there. I have a different Kodak that shoots 720P h.264 and it works fine.
Note: This answer is for iMovie 11, which is where you posted. If you are referring to the iPad version of iMovie, let me know and I will ask the hosts to move your question to the iMovie for IOS discussion. There are people there who will likely be able to answer.
Message was edited by: AppleMan1958

Kodak Zi6 and Premiere Elements?

I tried to import HD video from a Kodak Zi6 into Premiere Elements 3 and it wouldn't take it. Will Version 7 accept it? Has anyone tried it?
If I try to convert it to a format that Version 3 will take, will it degrade the HD quality?

Thanks so much Steve for answering so quickly. I had already found one of
your earlier posts about the Prism Converter and converted the HD60 video
from the Kodak Zi6 into avi and it worked like a charm. I was able to
import it into Premiere Elements just fine. I usually shoot with a Sony VX
2100 DV Camera but have a cheap Sony DCR HC-52 DV camera to carry in my
saddlebags when I am trailriding on my horse. I am not satisfied with the
quality of the video of HC-52 and think the Kodak Zi6 might be easy to carry
and solve the problem of portability. The video seems quite satisfactory,
much less grainy than the DV from the HC-52 even if the controls, especially
the zoom, are unbelievably limited. I ride into some beautiful back-country
and hope to bring back some video others would have a hard time acquiring.
Thanks again,
Tracy Matern
Lucas, Texas

Flip Ultra video, Mino HD, or Kodak Zi6 camera

I am interested in purchasing either a Flip Ultra Video, Flip Mino HD or a Kodak Zi6 video camera. I know the Kodak will hold more video as it will take a SD card. What I want to use one of these cameras for is quick, on the spot videos from kids parties, sport events, quick vacation videos, etc... I want to be able to shoot video, plug it in to the USB, store the video on the mac and be able to burn a disc (easily) when I want to and be able to send them out to family for play on their DVD players. I'm not interested in doing a lot of editing (yet), just point, shoot, plug in and burn. I have been to the electronic stores to play with them and have seen how easy they are to use. Does anyone have opinions or advice on which one will be the best for my more simple needs?

Welcome to iMovie Discussions.
I can't speak for the other two models, as I haven't tried them (..though I have tried, and used, the ordinary Flip which shoots in standard-definition 4x3 aspect).
But I use the Flip minoHD occasionally (..whip it out of the pocket, press the switch to start, and then press the big red button to record..) and it's very handy, and the resolution is terrific for such a teeny device.
It has only a 2x zoom, however, and that's a digital zoom; which means that the picture is less sharp (..it's simply magnified..) than normal when it's zoomed.
At its standard, un-zoomed, resolution though, it's a surprisingly good camera.
Just so that you can see how it looks, here's some footage (..the last sixth of this short video..) shot with the FmHD. You may have to wait a little while for this to load, depending on how fast your broadband connection is..

System Settings for Kodak Zi6

Yikes, this is driving me nuts.
When I export from FCE for youtube, I'm getting some funky borders/margins. And I think it is my system settings.
I'm eager to export to 1280 x 720, as that is what YouTube says is it's max.
What do I set for System Settings for the HD from a Zi6?
Thanks so much.
Brad
For a bonus question, do I have to change the settings when I use lower quality video from my Casio Exilim, which I only rarely use, but sometimes like to mix video from that camera in w/ video from the Zi6
THANKS!

here's the youtube video to see the margins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B9SkvhoUYw

Flip hd...sony webbie...kodak zi6

anyone using these small hd cameras with final cut pro 6.0? thoughts? need to convert in fcp with aic?
thanks

If this is a version of AVCHD then yes you will open Log & Transfer and transcode to AIC or ProRez.
Good Luck
Z1

Kodak Zi6 Pink – Mother's Day Special!

Just for you special Moms out there that love the color pink as I do, we are excited to announce that we will be offering this spectacular pink camcorder in our stores this week in honor of you this Mother’s Day (http://tinyurl.com/momsluvpink)! I personally love these pocket-sized camcorders as they are easy to carry around and can be used quickly… plus available in pink now, how much better could it get?! J
I encourage everyone that has a Mom who loves the color pink and is passionate about their family’s most precious moments to go and check this product out. Also, if my own kids should happen to come across this post, hint, hint!!
Happy Mother’s Day!
Sarah
Message Edited by Sarah-BBY on 05-05-2009 12:00 PM
Sarah|Community Connector | Best Buy® Corporate

Hi Sarah-BBY,
I know you love the color pink, and I'm sure any mother that wants to capture videos of their family that likes the color pink as much as you do would love this camcorder. They could also look at the new Flip Video UltraHD flash based camcorder which has the added bonus of being able to record in High Definition and costs only slightly more. This camcorder has gotten very good reviews, but sadly it doesn't come in pink.
Allan
Community Connector
Best Buy® Corporate
Allan|Senior Social Media Specialist | Best Buy® Corporate
Private Message

Zi6 .. a christmas present that I'm struggling with

Took a few videos of te kids this morning with my brand new zi6, but when I transfer them onto my imac and try to watch them in quicktime the picture is jumpy for both HD and HD 60fps.
Any bright ideas before I get too depressed about my new present!
Happy xmas
j

I also received a Kodak Zi6 HD camera and so far am very impressed with the results considering the price ($160).
I have no problem in playback with my Sony HD tv. However, I would also like to use my computer (S.R. MB).
The camera comes with a USB interface and my MB recognizing and downloads the movies with no problem. Quicktime basic WILL play the VGA movies, but seems hamstrung with the HD movies. The first frame does appear, but there is no playback button that I can find that will start the movie. Grabbing the slider at the bottom of the screen enables a slocky manual playback. I'm wondering IF I buy Quicktime Pro for Mac, if I can then play these movies in a normal manner.

Rendering 1280x720 takes 27 hours for 30 minutes of footage.

Hi,
I am trying to edit footage from a Kodak Zi6. I converted it using MPEG Streamclip. I can open it in FCP but am having trouble finding an import setting which will allow me to not have to take 27 hours to render the clips once they are in FCP. Help Please!
Dave

The material is probably originally some version of h.264, which QT7 should understand.< </div>
Your issue is more about working the camera and making it work with FCP than it is about FCP. Don't forget to pop open the manual for the camera and to go hang out on whatever user forums are available for that camera model. It may shoot a nice high def picture but where are you going with your video? Do you expect to play from a computer? Standard DVD? Blu-ray? KNowing your output destination will make a lot of difference with the workflow we might suggest.
Video is hard. Really hard.
bogiesan

FCE rendering

So i am using a digital movie camera the Kodak zi6 Pocket video camera and i import the video files in FCE and want to put one clip on the sequence and it wants to render the entire clip. I know i should put its settings to Easy setup but i dont know which.
all i know is the movie file info:
Dimensions: 1280 X 720
Codecs: H.264, ACC
Channel Count: 2
Total but rate: 8,374
Original Format: Digital Camera
Extensions: .mov

You are in the wrong forum (this is FCP) but your problem is caused because you are using a format that FCE does not support.
FCE 4 will only work with DV, HDV and AVCHD ........ the latter two formats being converted to AIC (Apple Intermediate Codec) on capture.
No other formats will work properly and that is why your clips need rendering.

Premiere Elements 8 and crashes

Question: I have tried all the Adobe recommended fixes due to my NVidia graphics card but my project still regularly crashes and now as soon as it starts loading the elements, it crashes with no error message.
System: Windows 7 Professional (x64) (build 7600)
               2.80 gighertz Intel Core i7 860
               Multi-core (4 total)
               Hyper-threaded (8 total)
               64-bit ready
               32 kb primary memory cache
               8192 kb secondary memory cache
               999.99 Gig Usable Hard Drive
               748.24 Gig free space
               Main circuit Board Gigabyte Technology P55M-UD2
               Bus Clock: 133 MH
               Bios: Award Software International F11 06/23/2010
               4 Gig Memory; 2 Gig each in Slot A0 and A2
                Single ATA Hard Drive     WDC WEd002FAEX-00Z3A0
              NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS Display Adapter with newest 64 bit driver 266.58
Assets:   About 300 still images imported from an album in Photoshop elements shot with a Cannon Power Shot a570 IS
              Stills are at 3072 x 2304 or vice version, RGB, 180 resolution
              27 short video clips from a Kodak Zi6 converted to avi files by AVS Video Converter
Project: I believe the presets are for NTSC DV although I can't get in to check; they've been this way because I usually shoot video with my Sony VX 2100.
Workflow: I imported the stills in chronological order preceding the first video. Then more stills in chronological order before the next relevant video. I am using the timeline. After each import I save, add transitions (mostly the cross dissolve), save, and render. Sometimes after saving rendered files, the system crashes and when I get back in the files haven't been rendered.
     Some vertical stills it accepts just fine. For some others, I have to rotate them.
What I have done: I read all the suggestions from Adobe and the forums for dealing with the NVIDIA card. This is what I have done in the approximate order I have done it:
     1. Installed the 8.0.1 update
     2. Updted the NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS driver to the newest 64 bit driver 266.58. I tried to do this update a couple of times. The sytem kept telling me the 260 driver was current but the NVIDIA website said to use the 266.58. I finally got it installed but a little later in the process.
     3. I could not disable the Hardware Acceleration as the NVIDIA card would not let me...the option was grayed out.
     4. I set both the global and the Premiere Elements threaded optimination to off.
     5. I turned off "Enable GPU playback" at one time when I could still get into the program.
     6. I recreated the adobe premiere elments plugincache.
     7. I uninstalled the Nvidia 3D Stereo driver...it was called Stereo not steroscopic. In the NVIDIA control panel I did not install the Stereoscopic functions.
     8. I was still crashing frequently. I was getting the low memory message, so I searched the forums and found directions to change the size of the paging file by clicking Start/accessories/run as administrator/enter at the command prompt BCDEDIT/SET INCREASEUSERVA ####. I started with 3072 then gradually increased as it wasn't helping up to 8000.
     9. I think I finally upgraded the driver to the 266.58 at this point.
    10. This morning I found directions on how to check the size of the paging file by accessing the control panel. It showed my paging file was only 4096 (I guess the former advice didn't work) and it changed it to a virtual memory minimum of 8000 and a maximum of 10000.
     Now I can't get into the program at all. It says it has loaded 100%, then there is a 100 second pause. It starts loading the media and crashes.
I love Adobe products and was a former Adobe Premiere 6.5 user. Premiere Elements as described is perfect for me as a video hobbyist. Please help! I would welcome any more suggestions that I can try. Do you think I should just find a replacement for the NVidia board? If so, what would you recommend. I tend to do long projects. I just can't live with all these crashes.
Sincerely,
Tracy Matern
[email protected]

Tracy,
Great job with the details - very well done!
This should be a "poster-child" for how to state details, and a problem.
Now, first thing that I see, regarding the crashes are the size of your still images. Overly-large stills require a ton of resources, and can crash the program, and/or the computer. Scaling of the stills to near the Frame Size of the Project will help greatly, and actually improve the quality of the output. This ARTICLE will give you tips.
Next, with a 64-bit OS, like Win7-64, 4GB of RAM is about the minimum for just the OS. Though PrE cannot use more than the 3.5GB of RAM, as it is still a 32-bit app., but the OS and other programs, certainly can. I would bump that up, if at all possible. Your OS and any other programs, will love you for it.
Off the top of my head, it sounds like you have got the video sub-system well handled, and would look beyond it (for now), to other factors.
You might want to see this ARTICLE on setting up a computer for video-editing sessions, and especially the link to Black Viper's Win7 Tune Up Tips Web site.
Also, check that you have the latest version of Apple's QT Player.
If necessary, there are more troubleshooting tips, and I'll be glad to share those, if necessary.
Thanks for the great post, and good luck,
Hunt

Help me choose a mini dv camcorder

I've been trying to decide between the Kodak Zi6 and the Canon ZR900. I've never used a camcorder before but want to be able to edit frame by frame I have a brand new iMac and am enrolled in the one to one program so I will be able to learn how to use iMovie. The canon costs $100 more.
Any thoughts?

If you are looking specifically at mini-DV camcorders, you will see that individual makes / models are not listed on the "iMovie '09 Camcorder Support" page.
There is only the generic statement:
"+iMovie '09 works with most Mini DV tape-based camcorders that use a FireWire cable (also known as IEEE 1394 or i.Link) to transfer data. iMovie works with DV (standard definition) or HDV (high definition) formats.+"
So, it sounds to me like you better get one with a Firewire port, and then take a gamble that it will work with iMovie '09. Perhaps a thorough web-search can answer the question.
I am fairly sure I will be buying iLife '09 soon. My Canon Elura 100 (mini-DV) camcorder works flawlessly with iMovie HD ('06), so I have my fingers crossed regarding '09.

FCP 6/Kodak Zi6/H.246

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