Final Cut Express - Too Much?

Is Final Cut Express overkill for someone who wants to make movies using primarily still photos?

Thanks for all the answers. I'm still a little uncertain about the various products. I've been using iMovie '08 to put together a movie composed of stills (Ken Burns effect), music, transitions and titles. However, iMovie '08 is really limited with respect to title options, transitions and it doesn't have themes. So, I tried the making the same movie using iMovie HD, which has many more transitions, has themes that are great for opens, bumpers and credits, but titling over stills is a pain because a title can't span more than one still, e.g. a lower third that I want to use for 4 adjacent stills in the timeline, which is possible in iMovie '08.
I tried a workaround to the issues by creating an open in iMovie HD, exporting to full quality QT and importing the movie of the open into iMovie '08. Unfortunately, the quality of the image suffered slightly - it looks soft. The same was true in the opposite direction - did the whole movie with stills, transitions, music and lower thirds in iMovie '08, exported to a full quality QT movie and imported it into iMovie HD. Of course, the open created in iMovie HD looks great, but the imported iMovie '08 movie looks soft.
So, I guess what I'm asking is this: can I accomplish everything I want by using FCE - an open, titles, lower thirds (that span adjacent stills), transitions, music, effects, etc.?
I know that most of this won't make sense, but I'm really trying to make a really great movie from the stills of my dog that just passed away. We had him for 11 years and I want to make this movie for a great keepsake that will last forever.

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Final Cut Express keeps stopping and saying "Too many files open"

Final Cut Express keeps stopping and saying "Too many files open". I don't see how this is the case as I only have the one project open...

Try here:
http://www.fcpbook.com/Misc1.html
Al

TS2611 I re installed my Final Cut express software, now when I go to use my "halo" and "arrow" application I get a message that says the file format is too new for this version of the application. Anybody have suggestions?

I re installed my Final Cut express software, now when I go to use my "halo" and "arrow" application I get a message that says the file format is too new for this version of the application. Anybody have suggestions?

After install, did you go to Apple menu > Software Update to update your FCE to the latest version?
MtD

When I move high quality clips into my timeline in Final Cut Express HD, they look and export low quality. I have tried converting the clips and de-interlacing them, but they always look the same, What is the problem? Thanks so much.

When I move high quality clips into my timeline in Final Cut Express HD, they look and export low quality. I have tried converting the clips and de-interlacing them, but they always look the same, What is the problem? Thanks so much.

You should check that the Project settings match the clip settings before editing them to the Timeline.
Only newly created Projects will change not existing ones by adjusting the Project settings.
If, for example, you have a Project set to NTSC DV you can only end up in trouble if the clips are PAL 1920 x 1080i.
Al

Final Cut Express Edit = TOO BIG for iDVD - Why?

I am trying to import my 16:46 edited wedding video into iDVD, but it is far too big to fit on 1 DVD.
The edited version is 16:46 minutes [in Final Cut Express], but when I convert it to a quick time movie [to import to iDVD] it ends up being 14 GB and 271 minutes [and I have tried various conversion types]. I don't understand this?
THE ONL THING I THINK IT COULD BE IS:
I have a lot of "extra duration" in Final Cut Express that I did NOT cut off. Would that affect the size of my video?
If that is my problem...Is there an efficient way to get rid of all the extra duration?
Thanks...Keep Seeking and SMILING:O)

You mean you left 254 minutes of empty space at the end? Yeah, that would do it.
FCE doesn't know to cut off anything that you don't tell it to. If you have a lot of "dead" space, it's probably because you left a small clip somewhere at the end of all that space. Try going back to your sequence in FCE, positioning the playhead over your intended ending, tap "T" four times, and click. This should select everything after the playhead, which you can then delete.*
*this shortcut may be for FCP only, I'm not sure. Anyone?

Need advice on a system setup / Final Cut Express or pro

Hi all,
I am about to take on a pretty big project. I will be working on a full length documentary, approximately 90 minutes running time.
We currently have a 2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo iMac with 4GB of memory (667 Mhz DDR2 SDRAM) which we will be using for editing. We are using a mid-level Sony High Definition camera that records on MiniDV.
We don't have a huge budget and I wanted to get the opinion of some experienced editors on what would be the right choice. We can get a new 3Ghz iMac or Final Cut Studio. We currently own Final Cut Studio Express and are relatively well versed with it.
So, the question is, would we benefit more from the speed of an upgraded Mac, or the additional functionality of Final Cut Studio?
Editing a full length feature like this can be a long frustrating process. With a 2Ghz machine, are we really going to feel the pain while trying to work with Final Cut Studio? Might we find ourselves gliding along with more ease (or less burnout) without the additional chugging along of a 2Ghz processor when editing on a 3Ghz processor with Final Cut Express?
I understand that the two greatest benefits (as far as I've read) is the batch capturing and color correction of Final Cut Studio. There is also something about keyframes that I know little to nothing about. Are these things you believe we might get a lot of use from, particularly in the context of a documentary? I can definitely see using the batch capturing but don't see that being worth and additional $800. I'm unsure too how beneficial color correction is.
Any tips or experiences would be greatly appreciated. So far we've only done 15 minute shorts and don't see too much computer slowdown. I'm a little worried about the sheer number of gigs of video we're going to be dealing with against a 2-year-old computer.
Thanks for taking the time.

I vote for FCS3. Of course you'll love what you can do and then you'll want a better machine, but that can wait. All the modules, Color, Soundtrack and Motion as well as Compressor make it worthwhile.
Make sure all your footage is the same format (ProRes) and you'll have much fewer timeline rendering issues.

Final Cut Express 4

I need help with final cut express 4, i was told when when i purchased this software that it would work with final cut pro, i have tried to put my film from final cut pro onto express and it says that the file is too new, what does this mean and can it be fixed? thanks so much

is there no way that i can use them both together? because i was told by a man who sold me express that i could use both together. For example i could do work on my university macs and then bring it home and work on it at home.

HD quality iMovie vs. Final Cut Express (AIC)

Hello,
I was finally able to carry out a simple test to compare output from iMovie '09 vs. Final Cut Express (FCE), which has proven to produce much cleaner output when compared with iMovie '08. Just as I have received help from online mac community I feel obliged to share my experiences with you in case it's of interest to you and helps you.
* Footage: filmed on Canon 5D Mark II (1080p, bitrate >40Mbps
* Imported into iMovie '09, no stabilization and other tricks, exported to Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC) with as little quality loss as possible
* Imported into FCE, exported to AIC
Resulting file from FCE is sharper and cleaner when compared side by side in QuickTime. Not surprisingly the same AIC export has different sizes, too.
* FCE: 477 MB for 32 seconds of footage
* iMovie: 253 MB for the same 32 seconds of identical footage
Hope this helps someone. Happy filming!
Roman

It's been long discussed, but your conclusion is not fully correct:
1) If you import at FULL, no pixels are lost by iM. Thus, his Canon footage could have come in perfectly.
2) "One field is DISCARDED with 1080i." Not true. IF AND ONLY IF you use a function or FX that performs scaling, ALL video is chopped to 540p.
3) The functions that do NOT cause conversion of ALL video to 540p include SPEED, DISSOLVE, and FADE. If you use only these FX, then EVERY pixel that is recorded by your camera CAN BE exported by iM 09.
4) If you use no FX, then EVERY pixel that is recorded by your camera CAN BE exported by iM 09.
5) To export ALL pixels, you of course, must choose the correct settings in the QT dialog. They would be the same as you use with FCE or FCP.
The fact he got different sized files shows HE did something to cause the difference. Had he done things "correctly," he would have the same size file.
PS1: Page Curl is a perfect example of a scaling FX. So, by violating the #1 rule of using iM 09 you get support for your incorrect conclusion. Folks shooting with a camera like the Canon do so mostly to get a high-end film look. Very few folks making a film use anything other than SPEED, DISSOLVE, and FADE. In fact, no one making a high-end video would use anything other than SPEED, DISSOLVE, and FADE. So, it is perfectly possible to NOT use any of the "bad" FX. (Although they can be fun I admit!)
PS2: Be aware the black Background IS one of the bad FX. Unless, this bug was fixed in the last update. A static background should not need to use scaling! If this bug remains, use a black JPEG! I keep a black and white matte in iPhoto to use with "Fade TO" FX.

I NEED HELP! How do you do this in Final Cut Express 4?

Hey guys,
I am a pretty amateur video editor, and I have been using Final Cut Express 4 for some time now for my YouTube drum covers. What I mostly use it for is for audio and video syncing and some small effects.
My question is, how the **** do you make a small video appear as a window over another video? I know that is not the best way to explain it, but I really don't know. If you don't know what I mean, I will post a screen shot of an example. Also, if there's a YouTube tutorial on how to do that that you have seen, that would be even more helpful.
I'm looking forward to your replies. Thanks for the help!
Message was edited by: DrummerGS
Message was edited by: DrummerGS

I will ditto what skalicki said, and add that you can graphically change the little clip's position by clicking on the Viewer's 'Center' button (has a plus sign in it) in the Motion tab, and then clicking in the Canvas where you want (you can drag it around if you haven't unclicked yet).
You can also add a border effect to that clip, which I would recommend for vids like the one in the screenshot you posted; the inset blends in too much with the underlying clip and seems undefined...

Convert MTS files for use in Final Cut Express

Having just bought a Canon Legria HF R16 (which in America would be the Vixia) I was struggling the past hours to get my video files from the camera to my mac. Canon doesn't provide much help in this. But I finally got the files in iMovie. Is there a site somewhere where I can find more information about organizing those videos and how best to transfer them from camera with this setup?
So far the procedure seems to be: import in iMovie then import the mov files into Final Cut Express. But maybe there is a more efficient way.
Thanks.

Yes, it's an AVCHD camcorder. Just tried the log & transfer and it imported in Final Cut Express alright. I checked the info about the imported video clips and it looks fine too, at least it says that it's Apple Intermediate Codec. So that would allow me to import my stuff into FCE directly without converting anything. Touch wood.
I am right now trying everything out on my camera, got it today. The size is 1440x1080 if I saw correctly in FCE. Have to check on that om my camcorder. Yes, I had it on SP (standard), changed that to FXP (full size).
I guess I'll manage from here on. Thanks, Martin.
The first moments can be so confusing.
So I guess there is no need to convert the movies in iMovie first, unless I wanted to use iMovie for editing.
I'm still studying the FCE manual as well.

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

PrE 9 (Windows) vs. Final Cut Express 4 (Mac)

Hi,
I've managed to do real work with PrE 4 on my Sony laptop and have generated a few reasonably good videos for my purposes at work. I bought PrE 8 but never managed to make it work, even on a clean machine running Win 7. I've mentioned my trevails elsewhere on this forum.
I called Adobe direct sales, mentioned that it's reasonably common knowledge that PrE 8 doesn't work, and asked if there was any deal going to v. 9. As the final cost is only $79 after rebate, I wasn't surprised when they said no. But PrE 8 did not work at all for me. I got 0 utility out of it.
Still, my experience with PrE 4 keeps me hopeful and I have some investment in the Premiere Elements UI.
I am considering the following:
New Windows machine with PrE 9
New Mac with Final Cut Express 4
I quickly read some user reviews at Apple.com and it appears that even FCE4 has some issues, although those were short user reviews, not a forum like this with details and responses.
Anyways, is there anyone who can give me a high-level comparison of the two programs? I would like to move to AVCHD. I like the Avid-style interface. Is there another inexpensive alternative I should be considering?
Also, is Premiere Pro that much better? I would consider that but when I read about problems with video drivers, stability, etc., I assume those relate to a common code base between Pro and Elements. Also, my problems with PrE 8 have made me gunshy about dropping the bigger bucks with Adobe for Pro.
Thanks.
Steve

Well, you're asking to cover a lot in a brief forum post. Especially since it's a bit like comparing a sedan to an SUV to a pick-up to a minivan. They all have four wheels -- but which serves you best depends on your specific needs.
BTW, as I'm sure you're aware, Premiere Elements 9 is now available for the Mac too. So, although, at least in my experience, version 9 has fixed most of the bugginess of version 8 on the Windows platform, it also runs quite well on a Mac too. So that gives you another option.
Basically, Premiere Elements is a consumer program. It's got lots of pro features, but it's very user friendly and easy to work with.
Final Cut Express is just like Final Cut Pro, except without all the high-end features. Like FCP, Express can be challenging to learn. But, in my experience, I've not seen any bugginess with it.
Final Cut will digest pretty much anything you feed it. It also edits AVCHD very efficiently, since it does so using a proxy codec -- sort of a lower-rez preview file. The challenge is that this means that, when you want to output your project, it can take hours for the program to render it.
Both Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro are used by professionals. Each has its own advantages. As I've said, Final Cut Pro has a lot in common with Final Cut Express -- but there are very few commonalities between Premiere Elements and Premiere Pro. They both edit video and look somewhat alike -- but comparing one to the other is like comparing a Honda Civic to a Mack truck. It's not really a fair comparison.
As for the bugginess you read about online -- I guarantee that there's not a program or computer system in the world that SOMEBODY hasn't reported issues with. The only true way to know if a program will work on your system or not is to download the free trial.
So -- if I can use the car metaphor one more time -- give them all a test drive. Only you know what's right for your needs.

Why does Final Cut Express 4 quit automatically when I open Log and Transfer window?

I'm using a Sony NXCAM and I am editing on a Mac OS X. The clips I have recorded are in MTS format so I understand I must use the Log and Transfer setting to import my clips. I plug the camera into my computer, go into Final Cut Express 4, turn the camera on, and then go into the Log and Transfer window. Once I open that, Final Cut quits and an error message pops up that reads, "Final Cut Express quit unexpectedly." Final Cut quits too fast for me to even click on anything in the Log and Transfer window. I really don't understand why it does this. The only thing I can think of why Final Cut is quitting is because I have over 100 clips on the camera, so maybe that is too much for Final Cut Express 4 to handle. However, I wouldn't think that would be the case. If anyone knows of anything I could do to fix this problem, then please send me a reply. I've looked around the internet to see if anyone else has had this problem, but I haven't found anything. Thank you, any responses will be greatly appreciated!
-Snowconedxx39

Shooted videos directly saved to the SD memory card is no problem, the log and transfer window immediately recognizes the sd card and I was able to convert the videos. I will check later today if this were 25p, 50i or 50p footages.
Strangely enough is that transferring the .mts files from the internal memory to the sd card (using the Mac finder, I don't know if it is possible within the camera itself) won’t help, the log and transfer window doesn't the recognizes the transferred files, strange!
I hope that this problem will not occur using Final Cut Pro X, which I will start using soon.
I'm curious what the exact problem will be.

Preferred input format with VHS via Canpous 55 to iMovie/Final Cut Express

I am using VHS deck to Canpus 55 to iMovie 08/MacBook Pro.
I do the input to iMovie 08 as it is less problematic for input than Final Cut Express and also I can share these with family for their video making in iMovie.
However I import the video files from iMovie events to FCE for editing.
1. I notice the VHS-to Canopus-to iMovie are .dv files with frame size 720x480 and compressor file says DV/DVCPRO - NTSC, not Apple Intermediate Codec.
2. I also import AVCHD files and those are frame size 960x540 and compressor is Apple Intermediate Codec.
When I bring the .dv files in from iMovie 08 to FCE, I sometimes get the warning about the files not in the standard settings and the drop down list of settings include Apple Intmediate Codec in various choices and the NTSC in various choices.
Should these be somehow standardized or will the eventual output be ok? I had one VHS 15 min segment look great on the computer in iMovie, then FCE but was very digitized after output to iDVD.
Thanks for the help.

misterdmmc wrote:
... and I also don't have Imovie.
you do.
on the Installer Disks, your Mac came with, there's 'Installed software', which allows to install the iLife Package only.
for most of your needs, esp. being no professional editor , iM offers all you need:
https://sites.google.com/site/karstenschluter/how-to-make-a-vidcast
shows you how to use pic-in-pic, green-sceen, integration of 'charts' and other 'effects' of iM, to produce a vidcast.
-Subtitles
'Subtitles' is for me a switchable feature on DVD ... if you mean 'titles in lower third' - any editor offers this. what iM does NOT offer, is a free-locatable title (or e.g. logo-bug), but there's a simple workaround working with transparent pngs, see my site too ....-
-Split screen video. Half/Half or Full screen for one video source, and a tiny screen say on the top left of another source...
side-by-side? iM no, FC yes.
-Export video in ipod compatible format
afaik, any Apple video-app allows that ..
general advice:
• iM is meant for consumers - convenient, but limited.
• FC/e or /p is meant for (semi)professionals - what iM offers as a 'one click done'-solution, is a many-steps-process with some background-knowledge and understanding needed.
• for sure, FC offers MUCH more options .. any option, you'll soon get lost
• the learning curve for FC is steep! buy a book of master-mind TOM WOLSKY, who generously participates here at this board ...-
• I don't see a need for you in spending 1.000$ more for the FC/pro suite ... Motion? Color? Compressor? Highly complex tools for even more complex processing ...
I would 'play' with iM to get familiar with your project - what do you need, how should it look? if you reach the limits, have a look at FC/e at any Apple-store ... if it doesn't scare you, get the app and the book, and spend some months studying ...
and Welcome misterdmmc to the  boards ...

MXF file conversion for import into Final Cut Express 4

Does anyone know of a good software product to convert mxf files to quicktime for import into Final Cut Express 4? Not having much luck finding one. Thanks

alski999 wrote:
Does anyone know of a good software product to convert mxf files to quicktime for import into Final Cut Express 4?
the makers of famous flip4mac (=wmv plug-in for QT), offer a mxf-modul too
http://www.telestream.net/telestream-products/desktop-products.htm
they offer a trial - test before buy.
mxf is a professional format, so professional price ...

Final Cut Express - Too Much?

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