No FCP file format for export in 4.0? at DVinfo.net

John Locke · December 7th, 2003, 09:53 AM

Can anyone give me some advice? I just recently upgraded to FCP4.0 and today I was going to export a finished project as I always have:

1. Export as FCP file (high quality, no compression)
2. Import into Cleaner and compress

But I was shocked to see that there isn't an option anymore to save as FCP?! I tried the QT export at "Best Quality" but it compresses too much to allow a second compression (and not at high enough quality). So, I tried using Compressor...but I was surprised to see that it's trying to do the same thing as Cleaner, but again, not as good as Cleaner.

How can I export an uncompressed file from FCP to compress in Cleaner?

Jeff Donald · December 7th, 2003, 10:18 AM

Can't you do a QT Export and use a lossless codec? What version of QT are you using? Did you check to see if it's licensed as the Pro version?

John Locke · December 7th, 2003, 10:26 AM

Jeff,

I have the pro version of Quicktime. Since I always worked with raw FCP files, I haven't had any experience with QT codecs. Which are lossless?

John Locke · December 7th, 2003, 11:25 AM

I've found two codecs that are labeled as "lossless". One says "10 bit" and the other says "8 bit".

Any limitations on using 10 bit with other programs like Cleaner?

Jeff Donald · December 7th, 2003, 11:34 AM

Some programs don't support 10 bit files. I don't know about Cleaner. The 10 bit files will probably take longer to encode, but may be of higher image quality.

Martin Munthe · December 7th, 2003, 01:40 PM

Export as QuickTime movie and uncheck "recompress all frames" and "Make Movie Self-Contained".

It will give you a reference movie that doesn't take up a lot of disk space and doesn't do any type of damage to what you have in your timeline. Bring that reference clip into Cleaner.

Stay out of Compressor. Compressor is bad beta bloatware.

John Locke · December 7th, 2003, 02:02 PM

Thanks, Martin.

Just curious...what kind of damage can be done to the timeline data?

Ted Springer · December 7th, 2003, 07:38 PM

Martin's method of Export to Quicktime is the same thing as Export > Final Cut Pro Movie was in previous editions. Export Using Quicktime Conversion is the same as Export > Quicktime was in the old versions.

They definitely could have labeled that better. I wonder why they changed it? Maybe Apple is confused?

December 7th, 2003, 09:53 AM	#1
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	No FCP file format for export in 4.0? Can anyone give me some advice? I just recently upgraded to FCP4.0 and today I was going to export a finished project as I always have: 1. Export as FCP file (high quality, no compression) 2. Import into Cleaner and compress But I was shocked to see that there isn't an option anymore to save as FCP?! I tried the QT export at "Best Quality" but it compresses too much to allow a second compression (and not at high enough quality). So, I tried using Compressor...but I was surprised to see that it's trying to do the same thing as Cleaner, but again, not as good as Cleaner. How can I export an uncompressed file from FCP to compress in Cleaner? __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

December 7th, 2003, 10:18 AM	#2
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Can't you do a QT Export and use a lossless codec? What version of QT are you using? Did you check to see if it's licensed as the Pro version? __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

December 7th, 2003, 10:26 AM	#3
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Jeff, I have the pro version of Quicktime. Since I always worked with raw FCP files, I haven't had any experience with QT codecs. Which are lossless? __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

December 7th, 2003, 11:25 AM	#4
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	I've found two codecs that are labeled as "lossless". One says "10 bit" and the other says "8 bit". Any limitations on using 10 bit with other programs like Cleaner? __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

December 7th, 2003, 11:34 AM	#5
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Some programs don't support 10 bit files. I don't know about Cleaner. The 10 bit files will probably take longer to encode, but may be of higher image quality. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

December 7th, 2003, 01:40 PM	#6
Martin Munthe Major Player Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Posts: 331	Export as QuickTime movie and uncheck "recompress all frames" and "Make Movie Self-Contained". It will give you a reference movie that doesn't take up a lot of disk space and doesn't do any type of damage to what you have in your timeline. Bring that reference clip into Cleaner. Stay out of Compressor. Compressor is bad beta bloatware. __________________ Martin Munthe VFX Supervisor/DP/Director

December 7th, 2003, 02:02 PM	#7
John Locke Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Austin, TX USA Posts: 2,882	Thanks, Martin. Just curious...what kind of damage can be done to the timeline data? __________________ John Locke SursumFilms.com

December 7th, 2003, 07:38 PM	#8
Ted Springer Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Glendale CA Posts: 328	Martin's method of Export to Quicktime is the same thing as Export > Final Cut Pro Movie was in previous editions. Export Using Quicktime Conversion is the same as Export > Quicktime was in the old versions. They definitely could have labeled that better. I wonder why they changed it? Maybe Apple is confused?