Is it really true that Final Cut Express cannot import full HD footage?

I have seen a comment on the Apple store website for Final Cut Express saying that FCE cannot import 1940 1080/ 60i/24p/30p frame rates, converting them to a degraded 1440 1080 14p instead!
I have bought a Canon HF100 on Ebay, and it is shipping from Canada to Britain by surface mail, so I have a few weeks to sort out my editing software. I was planning to buy FCE, but when I saw that comment I was surprised to think Apple haven't got a leading edge program for editing HD footage, which is the coming thing. I have trawled through all the posts in this forum, but with my head spinning I am still not sure what FCE can do.
So in desperation I am asking for a simple answer from someone: can I import the best quality footage I will shoot on this camera and retain that quality in FCE, or do I have to look for another program? And what would that program be? Please help me!

Hi Ian, thanks for getting involved with my potential fiasco to help me out! I have just been on ebay and saw a british person selling a vixia camera, so I messaged him to ask about this issue, and this is what he has replied:
"A good question! You are quite right, UK frame rates are 25p and 50i. This used to be an issue with analogue cameras with NTSC vs PAL, but with HD, it is no detriment at all, in fact it is an advantage. Firstly, it means you get more frames per second, so you get less blurring with fast moving objects and have more raw material to work with; secondly, HD TV's will automatically recognise the format and play the footage with no issue; finally, if you do need to output at 25p or 50i, any decent editing package will convert the frame rate. A quick bit of maths shows that a long GOP under 25/50 is 0.6s long, whereas under 30/60, it is only 0.5s. I import the clips into the PC, edit them, render into a single file, then use Nero 9 (the only software currently able to do this) to create an AVCHD folder back on the camera, so that the finished film can be played out in glorious full HD using the HDMI port. Hope this helps! "
I'm not really clear on what he is saying with regards to showing the footage... can only play it via the camera? Means cannot burn DVD? Uploading to Facebook not an issue?
He says editing software can convert the frame rate, so can that be done in FCE? What do you say, Tom?

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Final cut express HD Importing Video files

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B

Try opening one in QuickTime Pro, and exporting them as DV files from there.
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Final Cut Express HD: Importing

So I bought final cut, and some HD screen recording software.
Once I had edited my video, I went to export, but it came out very low resolution, even though the original was 1080p.
I thought it was how I was exporting, until I realised upon importing into final cut, the clip was suddenly SD.
What am I doing wrong here?
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some HD screen recording software
What software? What export settings, specifically codec, frame size & frame rate.
The more specific you can be about your setup the more likely we will be able to help you.
Final Cut Express is designed to work natively with QuickTime DV (NTSC/29.97 or PAL/25) and QuickTime AIC (Apple Intermediate Codec 1080i50/60 or 720p25/30). Your video clips need to conform to one of these selections. FCE does not support 1080p or 24fps footage although there are some workarounds for 1080p. If you search the FCE discussions you will find previous posts about dealing with 1080p footage.
When you import DV, HDV or AVCHD video directly from a camcorder, FCE takes care of saving the video in the proper format/codec provided you have first selected the appropriate FCE Easy Setup (see FCE > Easy Setup.) This is not the case when you import video from other sources - usually you have to convert or transcode those clips yourself first. The default FCE Easy Setup is DV NTSC - that's why you got 4:3 standard def output. If you have other types of video, you need to change your Easy Setup before creating a sequence, importing clips and editing.
Because FCE is based on QuickTime it is possible to import all sorts of video but that doesn't mean that FCE can actually work with it, work with it well, or produce acceptable results. The best approach is to make sure your clips match what FCE is capable of editing natively.

Final Cut Express File Import Problem

Can anybody help me? I am doing a class project with final cut express and I imported some songs in AIFF encoding into final cut to work with them…I finished the project but realized I made a huge mistake for class. When I imported the music files I did it from my flash drive directly, instead of copying them to my hard drive first. So when I try to open the project without the flash drive I get an error message saying missing files and then there is a reconnect, ok, and another button. This means it is searching for my flash drive for those source music files, plus the sound edits I made don’t load without them. If I copy those files from my flash to the hard drive how can I have the software locate the files in the new location? I can’t have this project loading from the flash or my professor can’t grade it after the semester….I hope I don’t have to delete my edits and start over….PLEASE HELP!!!!
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Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Copy the song files to a folder on your hard drive. Then disconnect the flash drive. Start FCE, open your project. When you get the Reconnect Media message, be sure to check "Select Files Manually" and then follow the dialog boxes to point to the files in the folder you just created. Once FCE reconnects to the song files, save your project and you should be fine.

Final Cut Pro Cannot Import Quicktime file "File Error: Unknown file."

Very strange. I have two .MOV files. One of which I can import into Final Cut Pro without a problem. The other gives me the error as described in the subject header.
They have the same Codecs (H.264, AAC), were both shot with the same camera. The only difference I can see is that the one that does import has dimensions 640x480 and the one that doesnt import has dimension 1280x720. Could that be the problem?
thanks for taking the time to help!
Uri

Please give the complete information from the QuickTime movie inspector. Neither file should be used in FCP, but converted to a production format.

Final Cut Pro not importing full clip

What i am using is a JVCpro GY-HM100 which records native mp4 and native mov files. I record native mp4 1080i60 and when i make an attempt to import the files it only imports 30sec of the file when it originally is a 4min clip how can i solve this issue so that it can import the full clip

Welcome to the forum!
FCP does not work with those highly compressed MP4 files. Use an editing codec to edit with. MP4 is a acquisition and delivery codec not an editing one. Use an application like Compressor to convert the files into something like ProRes (LT) if you are working with an HD file.
You can search this forum for "MP4" topics. It's covered at least once a day.

What software will convert .MTS files to something that will open in Final Cut Express?

I need a reccomendation for a software that will convert .MTS file to a file type that Final Cut Express HD will recognize.

Thanks for your reply, Martin.
What I'm doing is converting an .MTS file to .mp4 using HandBrake. FinalCut Express opens the .mp4 files (sometimes) but they have pixellation with huge squares all over the screen. I'm guessing it has to do with keyframes. So that's why I'm trying to convert it. When I open the .mp4 file in QuickTime in order to Export as QuickTime Movie I select these options for AIC:
This is what the QT Inspector window shows for each:
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Format
MPEG-4(Perian), 1920x1080, MIllions, AAC, Stereo (LR), 48,000 kHz
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Final Cut Express Vs. Final Cut Pro Vs. Adobe Premiere

Hey all,
I just bought my first Apple computer and I'm loving it. I have worked with Final Cut Pro in the past and I really enjoy working with it. However, $1000 is a bit steep. I would like to ask what your opinions are on maybe getting Final Cut Express or Adobe Premiere Pro.
I have the trial of Adobe Premiere right now, but whenever I place a clip into the timeline, it needs to be rendered. This was never an issue with Final Cut on the computers at my school. I was wondering if you knew if Final Cut Express would have better rendering times and wouldnt need as much rendering. Also, it may be the graphics card in my computer. If you think this is the problem, can you provide me with a solid video/graphics card that I should look into?
Thanks all,
Kevin

I own all three programs actually - here's my advice.
Stay the heck away from Adobe Premiere. It is no where nearly as Mac friendly and for the price, just isn't worth it. I purchased it for the Blu-ray authoring capabilities of Encore, so that's all I use it for. The plus to Premiere is that it can edit some native formats that Final Cut Pro cannot. For example, native AVCHD as well as MPEG-2 in program streams. That being said, Encore is the best option for Blu-ray authoring at a reasonable cost that gives you the ability to modify menus, etc.
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So the real question is, what are you going to be doing?

FINAL CUT EXPRESS 4.0.1 WON'T OPEN!!! DESPERATE HELP!!!!

Every time I open Final Cut it says "Final Cut Express cannot be opened because of a problem. Check with the developer to make sure Final Cut Express works with this version of Mac OS X. You may need to reinstall the application. Be sure to install any available updates for the application and Mac OS X." There isn't anything in the Waveform Cache Files, Autosave Vault, Thumbnail (except Final Cut Express Thumbnail Data), Audio Render Files, Render Files (except Constant Frames), nor is there anything in Capture Scratch. I have been clearing up space on my hard drive recently, and I think I might have deleted the Capture Scratch contents (if that does anything). Do I need to reinstall? If so, how? And, also, I have installed it on my old computer once and my new computer (old one broke from stupid HP Printer) with the same disk, does Final Cut Express 4.0.1 only come with two Serial Numbers?

Was FCE working before (on this Mac), and is this a change in behavior? Or did you just now install FCE and can't get it running the first time?
Exactly what model MacBook do you have, and exactly what version of 10.6 is installed on it?
If your MacBook originally had Leopard (10.5), was FCE installed before you upgraded your MacBook to Snow Leopard? If so, you really should uninstall FCE and reinstall it from scratch.
Also, FCE has to be installed in an admin account, and must be run at least once in that same account before you can run it in any other accounts on your Mac.

Buy Final Cut Express?

I have Mac OS X 10.5.8 and am considering buying Final Cut Express on Ebay. The Imovie on my system won't import the HDV from my new Canon HV40 Camera. and I have been told that Final Cut Express will work for me. Is this true?

Your Canon should wrok OK.
First thing to establish with HDV cameras such as the HV30 is what type of footage is currently being output from it.
That's because if the camera shot HDV it can be set to downconvert to DV in which case FCE should be set up to recieve DV or it won't work.
Start thinking about HDV cameras as a split personanity (two cameras), only one of the personaltities (cameras) will work with FCE at any given setup.
If as you suggest that your camera is outputting DV, then, the first step in FCE is to set the Easy Setup to match the output from the camera.
DV can be different flavours, 12 or 16 bit matching FCE Easy Setups 32 or 48 kHz respectively.
Also 4:3 or 16:9 matching FCE Easy Setups, DV or Anamorphic respectively.
Only one Easy Setup is correct, so you must know what is coming out of your camera.
The HDV/personality requires a completely different Easy Setup that matches, you will see these in the Easy Setup drop down list.
Here's the cruncher: If you have the wrong Easy Setup for the camera you will get a Cannot Initialize warning.
Easy Setups must be changed before starting a New Sequence/Project or the changes will not apply. Existing Sequences cannot be changed by selecting a New Easy Setup.
BTW: DV and HDV must be captured over firewire. USB with your camera will only transfer stills.
Al

Input iphone movie to Final cut express

Can I use Compressor to convert an iphone movie to a format that Final Cut Express 4 will accept?

Yes. Compressor can transcode the H.264 to Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC). It can also convert the 44.1 kHz audio to 48. (Note: you could also do this in MPEG Streamclip.)
Russ

Final Cut Express HD on Intel? When & how?

I bought a Mac mini to play about with, and a few days later bought Final Cut Express HD - the full product reduced to UK £99 at my local John Lewis store. Bargain! I dipped my toes in it and found it very much like Adobe Premiere on the PC, but better obviously.
Within a couple of weeks I decided to take the plunge, sold all my PC kit on Ebay and upgraded to a 20" iMac Intel - the Apple Store did a full refund on my Mac mini, no questions asked. They are such nice people
However, I've since read that Final Cut Express HD won't work on the Intel iMacs, probably not even under Rosetta, and that I'll have to wait until the next feature release for the Intel coded one. There are rumours that this release will be mid-March, which is great, but how will this 'crossgrade' be deployed?
Will it be in the format of a retail boxed upgrade package for existing users making the 'switch-within-the-switch' to Intel-based Macs?
Or perhaps even a free download and/or mailed-out disk for existing users?
Or will it only be sold as a full-priced retail boxed package?
I'm just wondering if it is worth me keeping hold of the version I've got, or trying to sell it on Ebay - I'll probably get what I paid for it, especially as I hadn't registered it with Apple.
Anybody got any inside knowledge on the deployment?
cheers,
iMark.
20" iMac Intel Mac OS X (10.4.5)

I guess I'm lucky in that, after ten years spent under a desk poking around inside boring beige boxes, I've come fresh from the big bad world of Windows PCs straight into the brave new world of Mac Intel. Apart from my minor but very fulfilling diversion with the Mac mini, this is my first ever Apple computer, so I don't come laden down with the expectations for old software.
Right now I'm happy to play with the included apps. And I don't mean the trial of Office 2004. That got dumped straight away
I've hardly looked at Garageband and iWeb, but iMovie is a breeze and great for quick knockups - and the way it integrates with iDVD is a joy... but I am itching to properly get underway with Final Cut Express.
Having said that, I've got all five Myst games in dual PC/Mac format... and I was hoping to be able to carry on playing them but it seems my Intel iMac (that still sounds so wrong!) doesn't like the installs. A shame, I was just getting into End Of Ages when I ebayed my PCs.
But my god... who cares! Just look at this big white thing sitting on my desk in front of me. It's so... beautiful. It's the most beautiful thing I have ever owned, materially speaking. And I can't believe it's mine! Somebody pinch me.
Anyway, if anyone does come up with any answers or any wandering Apple executive happens to toddle along this way and is feeling generous please do post it here.
Many thanks.
20" iMac (Intel) Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Can I do this in Final Cut Express and or livetype 2

Hi There
I'm thinking about buying FCE 4 HD and I wanted to know if it could handle a couple of things before I do.
I wanted to do something similar to the closing credits in the movie An Inconvenient truth. Could I do this in FCE or with Livetype 2.
Here is a link to a quicktime movie of the credits I'm talking about
http://www.artofthetitle2.com/media/film/2006/aninconvenient_truth480p.mov
I'd also like to be able to create something in the style of this movie http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/mini-movies/27/The-Crowd-Or-The-Cross
Is that something that final cut express could handle?
I'm also interested to know if i could do some sort of page turn effect i.e. the screen peels off from one corner to reveal the next scene, is this something that could be done?
Thanks in advance for your replies. I appreciate that technical ability will be needed and I'm happy to put in the time to get the skills but I'd like to know if the software is capable before i buy it.

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.

Will my camcorder work if I buy Final Cut Express HD 3.5?

I have been enjoying iMovie for a long time and thought I would move on to Final Cut Express, but before I do I want to make sure my camcorder will work with it. My computer is one of the intel iMacs so I know it's not a problem. My camcorder is a Sony DCR-HC32. It uses miniDV tapes. I have an ominous feeling that Final Cut Express won't work with cameras that use miniDV tapes, but I'm not sure. Please let me know if you have any knowledge in this area. I don't want to buy the product if my camcorder can't work with it. Thanks in advance!

Hi Scott.
FCE is designed for cameras that use DV and Mini-DV tapes.
What it is not designed for are DVD and HDD cameras.
So long as your Sony has a Firewire (iLink) connection it should be OK - but nobody can guarantee that every camera in the world will be compatible.
To double-check you should take your camera along to an Apple store that has FCE loaded on a Mac and check that it will capture some footage.
Ian.

Final Cut Express HD version 3

Ok, I am getting an error that Final Cut Express HD version 3 will not open due to a missing agp card. How can I get around this?

This worked for my intel macbook
1. Control-Click on the Final Cut Pro application and select "Show Package Contents."
2. Open the "Contents" folder
3. Open "info.plist" with your favorite plain-text editor. Maybe make a backup copy first in case you accidentally save in RTF or some other format.
4. Change "AGP" to "PCI" under a string named "<RequiredIODevice>" or something similar to that.
5. Save and close "info.plist."
Optionally, you can also simply delete the line "<RequiredIODevice>" and the following line containing "AGP."

Is it really true that Final Cut Express cannot import full HD footage?

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