What are advantages of FCP over FCE4?

Question

Hi folks,
I've been using FCE4 for the past 3 years. I've also used a pretty low-end camera, but am thinking about upgrading (Panasonic AG HMC150... it doesn't have 4:2:2 color). Typically, I do a lot of compositing when I edit. Will Pro Res give my final output better quality (DVD output)? Are there any other advantages to upgrading my software?
Thanks,
Vic

Answer 1

Hi Martin,
I will answer all your questions as accurately as possible. Bear in mind, however, that I use different settings in different situations, as you'd expect. In any case, though, it seems my end product, i.e. the DVD, had a rather weak video signal. As I've said, it's not jittery... but seems as though it's teetering on the edge... as if it's about to go jittery. I'm usually watching, saying, "I hope it doesn't start to flicker!" Not sure what anyone else is thinking, but to me it's nowhere near what I see on a rented DVD. Perhaps I'm expecting too much?
Anyways, here are my answers to your questions:
What settings on the HF 10?
I typically use manual exposure and auto white balance. However, depending on the circumstances, I sometimes use one of the white balance presets (a "Fluorescent" setting, since it seems to give a good coloration)
The lighting is often pretty crappy. I do real estate videos, and by necessity I shoot with whatever light I can get (i.e. turn on all lights, open drapes. That's why I use the Fluorescent setting; it seems to be a good balance for the various types of light). In shooting weddings, for example at the one I just shot, the lighting in the church was pretty bad. But, it's not that the video signal gets stronger for outdoor shots; rather, it just seems weak throughout. Anyways, as a result of the less than ideal lighting, the exposure was sometimes grainy.
Is my HF 10 working properly?
Yes, it sure seems to be. I very recently purchased an HF M400 and, man, what a friggin' difference! Still has a 1/3" chip, but WOW! I cut together a side be side comparison, and the difference is amazing. So, perhaps that will make a difference on my next shoot (which is this weekend).
What's the nature of my compositing?
I do play around with Picture in Picture type stuff; however, mostly, I incorporate still images (photos, logos, etc.) I don't have Motion or AE, so I do it right in FCE4. But, again, it's the quality (or, rather, the "strength") of the video signal throughout the whole DVD that seems weak, so I dunno if this is an issue.
Do I apply filters in FCE4?
Typically, no. I've experimented a bit, but really haven't incorporated any special effects, or for that matter, even any color correcting. Actually, when I tried to brighten the image (because, as I said, the church was kinda' dimly lit), I "undid" it because the video looked worse with the filter applied.
Did I render the video before exporting?
Yes. I always do.
How did I export the video from FCE4?
I tried it two ways: Export as a QT movie (stand alone); and Export as a QT movie (not stand alone). These were direct exports, not QT conversions.
Settings in iDVD? I left it at the default, which was "Best Performance". Videos range from 5 mins. to 45 mins.
What DVD player did I use?
I used my own, which is a Samsung. And, also tried it at my buddy's house, but I don't know what brand he has. I believe in both cases, the machines were connected using the red, white and yellow cable (i.e. the standard connection, I believe you'd call it)
Type of TV used?
Both myself and my buddy still have the old CRT TVs. I have an HD TV (Samsung) which I use as an external monitor, but I don't have a way to connect my regular DVD player to it, i.e. it doesn't take the red, white and yellow connectors typically used on SD DVD players.
Anyways, I'm not sure if you intended for me to provide answers to those questions; perhaps your were just giving me food for thought? In any case, you've convinced me that the problem is not with FCE4 or with iDVD, per se (though, perhaps the issue is in how I'm using... or mis-using... these programs). So, in that sense, you have answered my question: I should invest in a better camera rather than in the Final Cut Pro7 Studio. Because, ultimately, I just want to be able to give my customers a good quality DVD, and that's it. And, based on what I'm hearing/reading here, FCE4 and iDVD should do the trick nicely... and without the apparent complexities of learning yet more software, i.e. DVDSP and Compressor.
So, thank you very much for chiming in! I very much appreciate your taking the time to help out. If you have any additional thoughts, I would love to hear them.
Thanks again,
Vic