FCP 7, which XDCAM format?
 

Dear All,

I've just installed the latest Final Cut Studio upgrade and I am now at the initial "choose setup" menu where it asks which format I want and the use (i.e. which video system/codec). For the Sony PMW 320K camera which of the XDCAM formats should I choose and can this be changed later on if we want to choose another use? We want to shoot in 1080 HD with a film look (so 25 frames per second would be the best I would imagine).

Many thanks as always
Simon

re: FCP 7, which XDCAM format?
 

Thread title changed from "FCP 7 question" to "FCP 7, which XDCAM format?"

Please avoid ambiguous thread titles -- thanks in advance,

Re: FCP 7, which XDCAM format?
 

According to Sony the PMW-320 records;

Video:
MPEG-2 Long GOP
HQ mode: VBR, maximum bit rate: 35 Mb/s, MPEG-2 MP@HL
SP mode: CBR, 25 Mb/s, MPEG-2 MP@H14
SD mode: DVCAM
Audio:
Linear PCM (2ch, 16-bit, 48-kHz)

Recording Frame Rate NTSC area:
HQ mode: 1920 x 1080/59.94i, 29.97p, 23.98p, 1280 x 720/59.94p, 29.97p, 23.98p
SP mode: 1440 x 1080/59.94i
SD mode: 720 x 480/59.94i, 29.97p
PAL area:
HQ mode: 1920 x 1080/50i, 25p, 1280 x 720/50p, 25p
SP mode: 1440 x 1080/50i
SD mode: 720 x 576/50i, 25p

After you decide which of the above formats is appropriate for each shoot then set FCP to that codec & frame rate.

Re: FCP 7, which XDCAM format?
 

Note that FCP 7 will automatically select the right format when you drop the first clip on the timeline.

With the PMW 320 you ingest the footage via log and transfer with the sony plug in and then once the footage is on your drive just drop it on the edit timeline and it will set it up correctly.

Your previous FCP version did not have this feature so it is far easier now and if you need a reference to how it has set it up look in the settings page.

P.S you need to be shooting HQ mode 1920x1080i 25p at 35mbs for the 320 although the HDV footage from your b-camera's will be 1440x1080i 25p at 25mbs and mixing the formats on the same timeline may be problematic for the limited processing and memory you have in your macbook pro's.

It may be better to transcode the HDV to pro res LT at 1920x1080i 25p so it is a closer match to the 320 format.