Hello people -

Is there a way to take a project that was edited in a Windows based NLE (Premiere, Vegas, SpeedEdit, etc...) and then import it in to Final Cut Pro to edit?

If so, how would you set up the project to be exported?

(If this has already been discussed, please point me to that discussion thread; I would greatly appreciate it...and my apologies for my oversight!!)

FCP will allow you to import an avi as long as you exported it using a codec FCP can read. For example DV for SD video.

When you say :project" do you mean video files, or do you mean the timeline with edits, transitions, etc.?

When you say :project" do you mean video files, or do you mean the timeline with edits, transitions, etc.?

It would be the timeline scenario.

Andrew, it depends on which NLEs you are transferring between. Do a search on EDL, AAF and MXF on your NLE to see how well it handles those exchange formats. But, re-creating timeline edits in another NLE is still a bit of a crap shoot. There are rare instances where it's done well, for example, Automatic Duck for AVID & FCP, but it can also be a lost cause depending on the software.

If you're just transferring video files, yes, many formats can be cross-platform, or you can re-encode and sometimes re-wrap the video into a more compatible format.

Creating and EDL in CMX3600 format would be the standard way of doing this, although don't expect resizes, repos, transitions, etc to come across.

Basically you ensure that you have a logical track order, ideally with a simple cuts only edit (dissolves do work too for given scenarios) and then export an EDL from the PC platform, re import EDL in FCP, then connect to the re digitised media in FCP (assuming tape/reel names and time code conforms).

Other programmes such as Automatic Duck potentially offer more advanced cross project capabilities, but totally depends on the software in Question. EDL is the closest to industry standard.

Just wanted to say thanks to all of you for your suggestions/advice.

Thank goodness for these forums!!