Batch Flipping Footage After Capture
 

I use MPEGStreamClip for a lot of things and find its batching feature quite useful inconverting HDV footage to other formats when needed. However, if I purchase a 35mm adapter that doesn't flip the image, I'll need some way to batch flip the clips after capture and before I import them into FCP.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Give VirtualDub a try.

Thanks Chris but VirtualDub is windows only.

So which OS do you need this for?

Since Final Cut Pro is an Apple-only product, I'm pretty sure that means Mac OS X.

Ben is correct. I took it for granted that mentioning "FCP" would make it clear. My bad :)

Any way, anyone have any thoughts?

I guess I could make an Automater workflow to use with QuickTime since QT will flip images, but I've never really gotten the hang of Automater.

squared5 has told me that 90 and 180 degrees rotations wil be included in one of the next versions of mpeg streamclip.
So that could be your solution then, now just have to wait for this version to come out.

MenteMaggica's Cinematiq does image flip. How much it automated is... i don't know. I'm pretty sure it exist for PC but for Mac - not a single steady proof. But You can ask right from developer himself - Alain Bellon.

No question you'll want to flop the footage *before* it gets into FCP. Otherwise you'll have to edit upside down and then apply an effect to the timeline to "flop" the footage. All in all a pretty big hiccup in the workflow for me.


It would be really nice if FCP had the ability to flop the footage on import.

Why can't you flip it after capture? Does it degrade the image? Doesn't FCP have a image flip feature?

It will not degrade the image.

You can flip it after capture but every time you make an edit to the clip that's been flipped it will need rendering.

I guess one could capture everything, put it in a timeline, let it render, export as a Final Cut QT movie or movies, re-import them into the project or a new one, then get rid of the original footage or archive it. That just seems like too much work.

i developed for myself following workflow:

1. capture (as it is)
2. size downconverting, flipping and recompressing - because
i use my laptop which isn't particular videoediting beast
3. editing - small proxyfiles
4. replacing - place original files instead of proxy files
5. adding necessary filters - deinterlace and flip to editing project
6. output - as you see original footage get only one time recompressed.

What Dave said, plus you have to pull clips onto the timeline from footage that is upside down and backwards. Makes editing a little rough (to say the least).

Here is what the viewer window in FCP looks like:

-> http://dev-null.com/upsidedown.jpg

This and the fact that you have to render clips on the timeline to flop the footage are two BIG hiccups in what would otherwise be a pretty smooth workflow.