So far seems like imovie not good for HD is final cut express better?

as a SUPER novice user so far I'm having a lot of trouble dealing with imovie. I think the major problem is that the files are so huge that they become almost impossble to work with. A 50 minute clip i brought in took up about 40gigs. and when I tried to merge clips from one imovie file to another or import more clips the import just takes FOREVER.
tried to output the 45min segment to .mov and it took 6 hours then failed because I ran out of disc space on my 100gig laptop.
from what I can tell it looks like iMovie won't use reference material only source files so everything is in it's original size. I think final cut express will allow you to use MUCH MUCH smaller files as ref points so you can actually edit and output in a timely way.
Also I think if you import in final cut express you actually get a .mov file where with imovie you just get a giant iMovie file which can't be opened with quicktime pro etc.
anyway, HD quality is amazing but I think most point and shooters will be very frustrated this christmas.

matt, you're right about external Hard drives just didn't realize that 10-30 minutes of HD level content could put me in that scenario. thought I'd be able to shoot my friends kids playing and give them a dvd for the holidays, didn't realize it would be so time consuming for the computer to manage that.
oh well live and learn. on the upside the quality is sick and if I get into it I think final cut will solve many of the problems. even the external hard drives might not be as required becasue final cut can reference the tape points and when I go out to dvd it will just tell me which tapes to insert and pull the appropriate content. too bad imovie doesn't do that would be a real space saver.

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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 ...

Converting .MTS for use in Final Cut Express, without loosing quality

I have an external hard drive full of .MTS files from my JVC camcorder that I cannot open with Final Cut Express.
I bought a piece of conversion software, iSkySoft Video Converter, to convert them into a more accessible format such as .mov or .avi, but they lose their HD quality during the conversion. I have also tried software available through Mac, Voltaic, but this also seems to dilute picture quality.
In a previous post, I was recommended Clip Wrap, but having downloaded it, it will not let me open my .MTS files to convert in the first place. I have contacted Clip Wrap Support about this, but am yet to hear back.
I would like suggestions as to how to open these .MTS files in Final Cut, or a piece of conversion software that retains full high definition quality when converting.
I am not very computer savvy, Im afraid, so can any technical jargon be explained as best as possible please! Just for reference, in case it helps, my camcorder is a JVC GZ-HD10.
Thank you.

MarkTrif, if iskysoft isn't working, use mpeg streamclip to try again, it is free. or get another good third party MTS converter like HD Video Converter for Mac, specially designed to convert HD video formats like AVCHD (mts, m2ts), H.264/AVC, MPEG-2 (ts), DivX, HD WMV, MPEG-4 to SD videos like AVI, MPEG, WMV, MP4, DivX, MOV, my friends recommend it to me, it's safe and works pretty well for me. keep the video image quality. If you are interested in it, here is a step by step guide about how to use it
http://www.flash-video-soft.com/blog/?p=459
I wish you haven't any problem too!

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.

How to convert MTS files for capture in Final Cut Express 4

*PLEASE HELP!!!* While waiting to buy my iMac I saved my Canon Vixia HF200 AVCHD video clips on a PC with backups stored on an external HD. I transferred these to my iMac and they are in .MTS format. I can not open them in either iMovie or Final Cut Express 4. I gather I need to convert the files somehow. What is the best way to do this? _Thank you for your help!_

Here are your options now that you just have the files...
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9966355#9966355
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2073767&start=15&tstart=0
As Tom said, next time import directly from the volume rather than copying the .mts files.

What are the best data and bit rate setting for uploading from final cut express to Youtube?

Can anyone suggest the best data rate and bit rate presets for uploading footage from final cut express 4 to Youtube? What settings will provide the best resolution, quality, and match the current youtube requirements?
Thank you in advance for your help,
Susan Kayne

It depends on whether you are using aspect ratios of 4:3 or 16:9.
Below is some simple guidance that will provide good quality with reasonably small file sizes.
The first part is for 4:3 video:-
1. File>Export Using QT Conversion.
2. The "Format" window should say, "QT Movie".
3. In "Use" select "LAN/Intranet" from the dropdown menu.
4. Click "Save" and when it has finished encoding, upload it to YouTube.
If you are making 16:9 video (Standard or High Definition) do steps 1 to 3 above.
Then when you have selected "LAN/Intranet" press the "Options" button and in the new
window that opens press the "Size" button and change the "640x480" to "853x480"
To do this you will have to click on the 640x480 and a dropdown menu appears.
Select "Custom" from the bottom of the menu and in the window that opens
you will see 2 boxes.
Put 853 in the first box and 480 in the second.
Click OK.
Then Save it.

How doI Import HD clips from HTC Desire HD for use in Final Cut Express?

Before anyone says it I know it's dead easy with and iPhone but how difficult is it to import video from the HTC Desire HD to use with Final Cut Express? I am looking at purchasing this phone and would be interested in people's thoughts.

Hi Tom,
Pleased to make your acquaintance, having recently used your FCE4 editing workshop as a bible I'd like to thank you for making an understandable read! Re my comments: This was early days with the application and I have a lot of work to catch up on before I get to work with it properly. In a test I set it up using the 720p25 apple intermediate codec and it needed rendering. the phone uses 3gp to record. I haven't gone into any detail with it yet, still busy trying to migrate from windows mid project from adobe premiere before even attempting to provide any focus to my camera on my phone. I will report back when I get there if anyone is interested!

What is the easiest way to convert .MTS files for use in Final Cut Express

I initially downloaded my Sony Alpha7 files into iMovie. As the production requires a little more professional software I then tried to import files into Final Cut Express. As these are now .MTS files what is the easiest way of converting them?

Hey Martin et al,
Related question...
After you convert files from M2TS or MP4 into something usable in FCE can you trash the original M2ts/mp4 files ?
I recently used Mpeg Streamclip to convert Mp4 into AIC for FCE for example..
Is there a general rule of when you have to save original files so everything works in FCE?
I'm running out of HD space.
Thanks a lot,
Al

Minimum Hardware Requirement for AVCHD-Video & Final Cut Express 4

Hey there,
I am currently searching for a computer to cut my private HDTV-Video (AVCHD format) and tend from rather buying a 4-core water-cooled Windows-PC to switch to a mobile apple solution.
Who knows which models of the current MacBook Pro - line are fast enough to handle AVCHD-Videomaterial in real-time? Is a 13inch 2,4GHZ Core 2 Duo fast enough, or the 2,66GHz version required, or even the 15inch with the better graphic card an issue?
Thanks,
Tom

You can edit AVCHD without to much of a problem on any Mac model. Most operations can be done realtime, though some it will be impossible to pull of in realtime. If you are using Final Cut, the operations that can be performed real-time are clearly indicated. Those that aren't realtime are typically things that go beyond basic composition.
For non-realtime manipulations, the speed is directly proportional to the CPU and bus speeds of the Mac.
When you export your finally rendered edits, however, that process can take time, depending on the nature of the transcoding and rendering involved. There's not much you can do about that. Even a dozen CPUs won't typically speed that up. However, there's hope that future versions of iMovie and Final Cut will support GPU-accelerated codecs that will improve that situation a lot.
That said, what's really important for video editing is: gobs of fast storage, and a really big display. Imagine that you are editing 1080i content. At full resolution, that's 1080x1920 pixels. If you're video editor is a typical NLE, you've got to accommodate the timeline window, the viewer, the canvas, and the clip library on screen all at once. In a pinch, you might be able to work with a tiny screen on the go (with the windows overlapping one another, or tabbing between them), but you're going to want to do most of your work using something with a LOT of pixels. AND, if you are doing it professionally, you're going to want to make sure that the displays are properly color-calibrated.

For novice is Final Cut Express 4 too much

i have delved into imovie for some basic movie editing... I would like more of a selection akin to what FCE 4 has to offer. For someone who edits movies as a hobby and for work (promo material) Is the learning curve too much. I would eventually dive into some of the other features as i would be aquainted but i am afraid it is going to be too foreign for me to learn even the basics!
thanks for time energy and helping me decide if i am going to shell out the dough!
kb

For your use and self-stated beginner status, iMovie 6 should be more than adequate.
I recommend that you do the Apple tutorials for whatever version of iMovie you use. Yes, you can have both iMovie 9 and 6 on the same computer; nice ability to use each for different purposes.
Tutorial for iM6: http://www.apple.com/support/ilife/tutorials/imovie/
Tutorial for iM8: http://www.apple.com/ilife/tutorials/#imovie
In addition, for more effects/filters/transitions/titles etc, after you have become familiar with iMovie, you might want to have a look at GeeThree plug-ins. They work great for iMovie6....cannot be used in 8. http://www.geethree.com/slick/index.html
(There are also GT plugins for FCE, if you ever choose to go that way).
Remember that these discussions offer a wealth of knowledge and experience, so utilize the iMovie discussions frequently.

Database roles seems like its not working for me - your help is appreciated

Hi,
I am using database 10g express edition.
I am using sql developer to connect to database.
I have 2 database connections,
one is called TCF and has a user called oracle.
two is called TCF_TEST and has a user called smith.
oracle user has privileges to do anything.
smith user has privileges to only connect, and something called resources.
I logged in to the database using oracle and gave the following command:
CREATE ROLE TCF_R;
GRANT SELECT ON EMP_IOD TO TCF_R;
GRANT TCF_R TO SMITH;Then I logged in as smith and was able to create a table.
first of all, the user does not have any privileges to create a table.
Second, when creating a table, smith can insert, update, delete records which also smith does not have any privileges to do.
so basically this whole thing is not working the way I want.
what am I doing wrong and what do I do to fix it ??
Thanks,
if you need more info, please let me know so I can provide it.

hey 009,
thanks for your help,
ok this is what I did step by step:
first , I created a user and granted create session to that user as below
CREATE USER SMITH IDENTIFIED BY SMITH;
GRANT CREATE SESSION TO SMITH;Then I logged in and gave SMITH privilege to create tables. (the reason for this is only for testing, I create a table and then I want to check if SMITH can drop it later on).
Then I created one table.
then Revoked the create table privilege from SMITH, log out, log back in and tested to make sure SMITH cannot create tables.
up to here everything is successfull.
Now since SMITH only has the following privileges which is only create session:
Privilege     Admin Option     From Role
CREATE SESSION          -
          1 - 1
it should not drop, insert , or update any table, or even select because I did not give it any grants.
but its doing all of the above.

External Hard Drive Setup for Backup and Final Cut Express?

I have 500GB internal storage on my iMac, using TimeMachine to back up to a 500GB Seagate FreeAgent (about 1.5 yrs. old) via FireWire 400. I currently use the internal storage as my scratch/capture disk (I know -- very bad). I recently bought an HD video cam, and my storage is running out fast.
I've done a good amount of research on external storage, and I am thinking of getting an external Mercury Elite enclosure from OWC (4 bays, connects via eSata, Firewire 400/800) and two 1.5GB Seagate LP hard drives. (I figure I might as well get the enclosure with 4 bays and an eSata connection for the future, even though the iMac has no eSata connection.) I plan to continue to use the FreeAgent to backup my internal storage (via FireWire 400), and with the FireWire 800, use one of the 1.5GB external drives as my scratch/capture disk and the other to back it up. Since TimeMachine allows only one backup volume (I think), I figure I can use ProSoft (which comes in a bundle with the enclosure) for the other backup (or for both backups for that matter). Dealing with RAID seems excessive to me at this point -- I'm mid-tech, I would say.
Any thoughts would be appreciated -- thanks!

Thanks for replying again. I think you've convinced me to scale back. But I still think I should go with an expandable 4 bay enclosure, but just starting with a 1TB drive, to back up my internal 500GB and the 500GB Seagate, which I'll use as scratch. Then, when that fills up, I can add a 2TB drive to the enclosure to back up the others, and use the 1TB drive as the scratch.

How to convert a DVD disc for use in Final Cut Express 3.5

I have a DVD disc of a conference which I would like to edit in FCE 3.5.
I would like to be able to import it into my FCE project, ad use it without having to the render it in FCE.
Is it possible to rip or import the disc (with Handbrake?) and then export the resulting file so it can be used in FCE. I am especially keen that when the file is imported, it doesn't have to then be rendered. I have had a number of problems with QuickTime files being imported to FCE where they then need to be rendered in the timeline before I can use them.
If anyone can suggest the following I would be very appreciative:
1/ how to import the DVD disc- Handbrake?- what settings are best to use? MPEG4, H.264...
2/ once imported to my Mac Pro, how do I convert it for easy use in FCE.
Just to show you that I did try this before posting to this forum, I tried the following:
1/ imported as a h.264 file with Handbrake (2hr video created a 2GB file)
2/ opened this file in an app called "MPEG Streamclip" and exported the file as a QuickTime file, and set as "Apple DV".
3/ BUT... the resulting file reached 17GB and then when imported to FCE, it couldn't be played in the timeline until I rendered it first- I didn't start this as it would have taken hours and hours!!
Any help or tips would be great
Thanks,
Simon

DVDs are in a socalled delivery format (mpeg2), which isn't meant and made for any processing as editing...
in recommended order, choose one of the following tools/workarounds:
DVDxDV (free trial, 25$, Pro: 90$)
Apple mpeg2 plugin (19$) + Streamclip (free)
VisualHub (23.32$)
Drop2DV (free)
Cinematize >60$
Mpeg2Works >25$ + Apple plug-in
Toast 6/7/8 allows converting to dv/insert dvd, hit apple-k
connect a miniDV Camcorder with analogue input to a DVD-player and transfer disk to tape/use as converter
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6010.shtml
http://danslagle.com/mac/iMovie/tips_tricks/6018.shtml
http://karsten.schluter.googlepages.com/convertdvdstodvs
(advice is for imports to iM... )
none of these methods or tools override copy protection/DRM mechanisms.. advice on 'ripping' is a violation of the ToU of this board ..
+be nice to copy rights ...+

How can I import iMovie HD 6 project files into Final Cut Express HD3?

Trying to import iMovie HD 6 projects into FCE HD 3 but 2 windows appear:
Importing XML data
and below it a
SAVE window
If I click SAVE, both windows disappear, a file with nothing in it appears in browser and when try to play it in the viewer, there is just black....
Is this all because FCE HD 3 won't support iMove HD 6? so I will need to upgrade to FCE HD 4?

Use File>Import>Files.
iMovie Projects as a whole do not Import correctly whereas individual clips do but will need the audio rendering to play correctly.
Al

Holding final note in a song in Final Cut Express

I need to hold the last note in a song for a video project. Any ideas?

Hi(Bonjour)!
Use the selection tool to shorten the audio file in timeline to a point where the note is sustained.
Double-click the original audio clip from browser to open the it in viewer and set a IN and OUT point that play just the final note (the portion where the sustained part start and end). Drag this short clip just after the OUT point of the audio clip in timeline. Put as many occurence as needed to play the sustained portion as long as you want.
Michel Boissonneault

So far seems like imovie not good for HD is final cut express better?

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