Why is AVCHD distorted in Final Cut Express

I inported AVCHD into Final Cut Express using the recommended HDV Apple Internediate codec but my clips appear way overexposed and pixelated. They look great when I hook the camera up to a TV though.

Thanks for your help. I have used HDV for years with good success. This is my first AVCHD project though.
Screen Shot:
Clip :
Sequence:

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Capturing AVCHD straight to Final cut express

I have a Canon vixia HF10 camera that films in AVCHD. Mostly i have been importing to IMovie but I am trying to learn how to capture it straight into Final Cut Express. Any Help with how i can import the AVCHD files?

Hi,
You need to plug in your camera to your Mac, turn on the camera, and then go to the Log and Transfer window under the File menu. Your camera will show up there with all your individual files. You can select which one (or even parts of the files) you want to import. It's pretty easy; I have the same camera. Bear in mind, you need to have shot your material in FXP (the highest quality HD) in order for FCE to import it (at least, that's what I've read, and I haven't bothered to test the lower quality stuff for importing). Hope this helps.

Backup AVCHD Camcorder using Final Cut Express

I have previously used Final Cut Express to create a backup copy of all the video on my AVCHD Hard Drive Camcorder. However, since that time, I had to reinstall Final Cut Express. I can no longer remember or find how to do this again. Can someone please help? Did apple remove this functionality?

I just purchased FCE 4 with a new iMac but haven't used it yet. But I do know that iMovie '09 has an Archive feature that will do what you are looking for. It copies the contents of the camera in it's original Full HD format to the hard drive. I do this then import the video to iMovie using the compressed file type. With the original on the hard drive, you can always re-import to iMovie '09 (and FCE 4, I presume) if you want to use the Full HD original format at a later date.
Santiago

Need help with editing AVCHD files in Final Cut Express 4

The AVCHD files were recorded on a Canon HG10 before I bought a Mac Pro OS X 15.1.
I transfered them to a file on my desktop, like the instructions tell me to do, but when I get to the part of "mount the media files in the log and transfer", I get stuck.
The file is named AVCHD and when I try to upload it into the Log and Transfer window through the little plus sign on the left hand top corner, I get the following message:
"AVCHD" contains unsupported media or has an invalid directory structure. Please choose a folder whose directory structure matches supported media."
It does not allow me to import the files individually. I tried dragging the files to where it says "Drag media here" and nothing happens. If I try to drag the file to the area in the top left corner of log and transfer, I get the same message as above.
What do I need to do?

I have a different camcorder, but my experience might be of help to you.
I have a Sony HDR-UX1 AVCHD camcorder that records to 8cm DVDs.
I tried using Apple Final Cut Express 4's FILE > LOG AND TRANSFER command to capture directly from the 8cm DVD, which resided in an external Sony DVD drive... and I was not successful.
Then, I remembered my experience on Windows XP where I used Corel's Ulead VideoStudio 11 Plus.
With Ulead VideoStudio 11 Plus, I found I had to drag the contents of removable media discs and disks to my Windows desktop, which then allowed me to use the software video capture tools successfully.
So I tried the same thing with Apple Final Cut Express 4.
I dragged the BDMV FOLDER on my 8cm AVCHD disc to my Mac's desktop.
I then used the FILE > LOG AND TRANSFER command and simply browsed to the folder on the desktop and -- Voila! -- the contents of the folder appeared as video thumbnails in the LOG AND TRANSFER WINDOW and everything worked.
Hope this helps,
Private Idaho

Avchd video to final cut express

I was able to import the video from my Sony high definition hdr-sr11"AVCHD" video to my apple computers desktop. I cannot import the video that is now on my computer to final cut express. I am new to computers and do not have any idea how to do this. I have been playing around for hours but cannot get it to load. I really need to learn how to load the video. My son’s basketball games are starting and I would love to record them. I would appreciate some help more than you will ever know. I’m lost

Load directly from the camera into the computer using FCE. Do not copy the media off the hard drive onto the computer. In FCE use the log and transfer function. Read about it in the manual.

Avchd? does final cut express support it?

I just heard the final cut pro is now supporting this format, my question is will final cut express support also now??

Hi(Bonjour)!
Look on Final Cut express scpec web page:
"Input/Capturing Video
Plug-and-play support for most DV25-format camcorders and decks: MiniDV and DVCAM (NTSC or PAL)
Plug-and-play support for most HDV-format camcorders and decks: 720p, 1080i
FireWire device control of most FireWire-enabled MiniDV and HDV camcorders from leading manufacturers such as Sony, Canon, Panasonic, and JVC"
and as always: search this forum is your best friend:
http://discussions.apple.com/search.jspa?objID=f936&search=Go&q=Avchd
Michel Boissonneault

Needing Intel-Mac for AVCHD feature in Final Cut Express?

Hi, I was about to install Final Cut Express 4 when I noticed a tiny warning saying that the AVCHD required Intel-chip Mac. that seems crazy so I'm hoping someone can tell me it's not true???
I have an older imac (2004 or 2005), definitely not an Intel, and I need the AVCHD to import from my camcorder, Canon Vixia HF20, in fact the AVCHD is the only reason I'm considering "upgrading" to Express 4 (I currently have Final Cut Studio 5.0.4) I am also open to alternative suggestions besides FPX such as imovie if you know it works. I only have imovieHD 5.0.2 and was able to mount camera but see only jpgs, no movies. please help!!!

there IS an option for nonIntels.. :
Voltaic, http://www.shedworx.com/voltaichd , 35$, which allows a 'manual' conversion of such codecs on your hardware.. timeconsuming, slow (=conversion process, editing no problem), less convenient..
.. you get older Intel MacMinis 'cheap'..

Why is the playback in Final Cut Express 4 delayed by 30 seconds?

I am finding editing with Final Cut Express 4 has gotten slow and frustrating. This is a new problem. I have used this software for two years with no problems until now. I'll start out editing a project normally for about an hour. Then the playback function starts to lag. After I render a clip and try to play back what I've done by hitting the space bar, I have to look at the spinning color wheel for 30 seconds before my video will play. I have no other programs open, I have 10 GB of RAM. I upgraded my OS from Leopard to Snow Leopard a few months ago. All my Apple Software is updated. FCX has also been crashing and locking up. Is there a preferred way to save my project for more efficient editing? I also tried starting a new project with only a five minute audio mp3 clip and a 10 sec slug for video. I get the same playback delay with this project. In this case I only saved the project not "save all".

Hi Robert,
I've never unistalled and reinstalled an OS so it's a little scary for me.
I suggested uninstalling/reinstalling Final Cut Express, not the OS!
When I click on the FCE icon on my task bar to open it, which version is being opened?
Probably the one on your 1TB drive, but to be sure, you can always just open your /Applications folder on the 1TB drive and double-click the FCE application to start FCE.
Could there be a problem with a duplication of applications such as FCE on these two drives?
Highly unlikely. The system looks for applications in the /Applications folder on your startup drive, which is now your 1TB drive.
My video is 4:3 so I chose 640x480 to prevent stretching of the image.
No, you need to choose 720x480 (DV-NTSC) frame size. This is the standard 4:3 DV frame size. 640x480 is a computer monitor resolution. 720x480 is the actual, standard def, DV (television) frame size. It is 4:3. The 720 line height includes something called "overscan" which you never actually see. The image you see will be 4:3. FCE is not designed for 640x480 frame size ... do you have to render these clips after you put them in your DV-NTSC sequence?
Then after about an hour of editing, the playback delays started up again.
Well, that's bizarre, I must admit. Kinda has me stumped, except for the possibility that FCE may need to be uninstalled/reinstalled.

AVCHD footage and Final Cut Express 4

Can somebody tell me how to transfer 1080/60i footage recorded with a Panasonic AG-HMC40P in Final Cut Exptess? Please try to explain step by step in easy language because I'm a bit of a moron when it comes to computers I'll also mix this footage with the SD video recorded in DVCAM format on cassette with a SonyDVCAM. What kind of setup would you think is the best for minimum hassle? My MacBook Pro is one of the first ones with only 2GB of RAM! Cheers

Hello, later versions of FCP can do it, but see this maybe...
http://www.bigasoft.com/articles/how-to-import-avchd-to-imovie.html

Why does my logo in Final Cut Express 4 HD look jagged or interlaced?

Hi Everyone,
I'm new to Final Cut and I'm having a little trouble with a logo I want to animate over a movie. I've brought it in as a PNG file and I'm able to make it change size and go from one side of the screen to other, however although it looks nice and clear when it's still, once it starts to move it looks all jagged and terribly interlaced. Since I am new to this, I imagine there is some setting or something I am missing.
I made the PNG file by copying and pasting a vector file from Illustrator into Photoshop at 5" x 5" and 300 dpi so I think the resolution is high enough - also the logo does look nice and crisp and clear until it moves across the screen.
If anyone can help me with this, it would be greatly appreciated! I've happily used iMovie for years and am looking forward to what I will do in the future with Final Cut!
William

One issue is your video clips are MP4 (h.264), which all versions of Final Cut don't like.
I have two suggestions:
1) Transcode your video clips to AIC Quick Tme in MPEG Streamclip. It's a free download here.
2) Create an AIC 720p sequence.
Take a small section of the video with your PNG, render and export (QT Movie, current settings.
Open in QT Player. I think your logo will look a lot better.
(And if MtD has other ideas, my additional suggestion would be to pay attention to them.)
Good luck. Let us know how it works out.
Russ

How to Import AVCHD Files in Final Cut Express 4

Hello,
I try to import (log) my AVCHD files from a Panasonic HD Cam. The camcorder setting is 1920x1080 25i (HG). The logging-preview is fine but no matter which preferences I use in FCE 4, the clips are not synchronized. Video is a little bit fasterthan audio. How can I synchronize that?
Regards, Huwu

Tom Wolsky wrote:
Shoot and edit in standard video formats and use Graeme Nattress' Film Look plugin.
This? http://www.nattress.com/Products/filmeffects/filmeffects.htm
So my best bet is to shoot in 1440x1080 (12Mbps) and a frame rate of either 60i or PF30 when using FCE4?
What is the difference between 60i and PF30 frame rates?
I am using a Canon HF10.

Burning DVD with AVCHD format on Final Cut Express

Anyone knows how to export the edited file in the highest/closest quality of AVCHD on a DVD media? I tried all output and it seems the AVCHD quality is still superior when played in my Sony BD350 Blu-ray player. Thanks!

Hi(Bonjour)!
Here's my workflow to produce Blu-ray format DVD:
I shoot in HDV and edit into a 1080i60 AIC sequence. This process should work with AVCHD too.
Save the movie to quicktime. No conversion.
Drop the movie into toast with the HD plugin installed...(Toast 10 is available now)
http://www.roxio.com/enu/products/toast/plugin/overview.html
I burn a maximum of 20 minutes on a single layer DVD at 1080p in blu-ray tab in toast on my G5 2.3 dual 4.5 Go Ram, dual layer factory installed DVD burner.
Sorry, in my tests, menus are designed by roxio and there is issue with them and the looping feature, so I stay with the autoplay no menu. The latest PS3 firmware update may solve this issue.
I play the blu-ray DVD on a Playstation 3 perfectly.
You can also burn DiVX format in toast, but the res is limited to 720p. I encountered some playback problems with this format, but it is okay on PS3.
See those link about Blu-Ray authoring, they give a general idea on the workflow and option for BR burners and players:
http://www.kenstone.net/fcphomepage/taming_the_wildblu.html
http://www.kenstone.net/fcphomepage/taming_the_wild_blu2.html
http://www.kenstone.net/fcphomepage/blu-ray_fcpfields.html
Michel Boissonneault

Why can't I install Final Cut express HD?

I made sure I put the serial number in correctly at the user information section, but it won't accept.
Any thoughts?

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303184
-DH

Does Final Cut Express Support Other Formats (Avi, MPEG, flv, etc)?

I'm relatively new to Final Cut and I'm pretty excited to give this baby a try. Anyway, I've got some videos to edit and I know this software supports Quicktime videos but what about other formats such as Avi, MPEG, FLV, etc.? Do I need to get a third party software to convert these videos or can Final Cut Express handle them automatically?
Also, when I want to edit a video and viewing it on the viewer (The screen next to the Canvas), the screen is all white when it's being paused or when I want to scroll it with the dial thingy. Why is that?

Hi,
Final Cut Express 4 supports only DV, HDV and AVCHD (last one only on Intel CPUs) using the Apple Intermediate Codec.
On other than these formats, you can use Mpegstreamclip (www.squared5.com) to convert your files into one of those supported formats, DV or Apple Intermediate Codec (when using HD material).
Regards,
Armando.

Does final cut express support avchd lite?

Will final cut express resolve this issue, being that most of Panasonic's point and shoot cameras use avchd lite?
Reasons I bought this program:
One its good for editing.
Two it says its avchd compatible on the box.
However this does not seem to be the case.
definition of avchd lite: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AVCHD

You make a good point about the audio. I have a Canon SD870 and recently shot some stills and video with it at a birthday party. It takes great shots, but I was actually impressed with the video and audio, probably because I did not know what to expect. In fact, it gave me enough material to edit a little movie for the birthday boy,(he was 50!) in imovie9. The speeches came out clear and the video was very acceptable.
But things can always be better, and that is why I want to upgrade to FCE, and buy a still camera that can shoot HD on the fly and can be used in FCE. I have been a Broadcast Sports TV cameraman for over 25 years, and I am very tired of lugging around bulky TV camera equipment. It seems a novelty to be able to shoot and edit HD on a pocket size camera.
Thanks for you input Al, I appreciate it. I still have two outstanding questions and I apologize if you have already answered them. First, How good/bad is the video quality with HD video captured on AVCHD Lite and then converted to use in FCE? Second, where does MPEG 4 rate in all this. Thank you.
Bill

Why is AVCHD distorted in Final Cut Express

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