Best codec for editing with FCP 7 at DVinfo.net

Anas El-Biad · January 15th, 2011, 09:45 PM

Hey guys! So I'm finally getting my T2i in about a week (woot woot!!) and I was wondering what was the best codec for editing with Final cut pro 7? And since I've never done that, is it as easy as downloading a software, importing your videos and press "transcode into this or that codec"?

Thanks!

Robert Turchick · January 15th, 2011, 09:59 PM

Lots of threads on this but in a nutshell, ProRes 422 1920x1080 and whatever frame rate you shoot.
How you get there is the real debate.
I use mpeg streamclip (free app) which does batch processing.
Cineform seems to be the other popular method.
Happy shooting!

Anas El-Biad · January 15th, 2011, 10:12 PM

Thanks Robert!

I'm so excited, after months and months of watching test videos, short movies and all kind of stuff shot on the t2i and trying to learn as much as possible about DSLR video shooting, i'm finally getting it!

Joel Peregrine · January 15th, 2011, 11:32 PM

Hi Anas,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anas El-Biad

Hey guys! So I'm finally getting my T2i in about a week (woot woot!!) and I was wondering what was the best codec for editing with Final cut pro 7? And since I've never done that, is it as easy as downloading a software, importing your videos and press "transcode into this or that codec"?
Thanks!

Like Robert I encode to ProRes - the (LT) version. There are lots of comments that (LT) and the standard ProRes are virtually impossible to tell apart and (LT) saves a lot of disk space. The LT file sizes for 24/1080p are approximately 50% greater than the original H.264 files from the camera. So 8GB of H.264 translates (roughly) into 12GB of ProRes (LT). Below is a quick walk through if you'd like to give MPEG Streamclip a try:

~ H.264 TO PRORES LT WITH MPEG STEAMCLIP ~

David Chapman · January 17th, 2011, 08:33 AM

Agreed, ProRes LT is the way to go. You can also download the EOS E1 pluton for Final Cut Pro to capture and transcode instead of MPEG Streamclip. It's slightly slower but many have decided the end result looks better. It should be seen in the drivers/software tab of Canon's product page after you select your OS.

Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : EOS 60D

Anas El-Biad · January 18th, 2011, 09:20 PM

Thanks guys!

The store should call me very soon to come and pick up my t2i, I can't wait.

Dave Partington · January 19th, 2011, 06:03 PM

Just to echo what others have said, we're using ProRes 422 (LT) to edit all our DSLR footage and have seen no real detrimental effects and we're glad of the small files sizes !

Matt Davis · January 22nd, 2011, 07:41 AM

It's great to see everyone backing ProRes LT. Yes, so do I, with the venerable MPEG StreamClip. One more thing to add to the mix: as I often work at 720p (great for Web, SD, WMV in PPT, and more importantly, less pixels to share the 35 Mbit bandwidth) in fast turnaround, I've found it useful to shoot 1080p and downres to 720p ProRes LT for editing amongst XDCAM EX 720p.

This can reduce quite a bit of the aliasing that crops up (but not all, and moire isn't helped at all), but even better: the LT version of the rushes are SMALLER than the H.264 originals. It makes a difference when you're shooting and editing in the field, backing up and moving projects around.

Joel Peregrine · January 24th, 2011, 10:54 AM

Hi Matt,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Daviss

One more thing to add to the mix: as I often work at 720p (great for Web, SD, WMV in PPT, and more importantly, less pixels to share the 35 Mbit bandwidth) in fast turnaround, I've found it useful to shoot 1080p and downres to 720p ProRes LT for editing amongst XDCAM EX 720p.

This can reduce quite a bit of the aliasing that crops up (but not all, and moire isn't helped at all), but even better: the LT version of the rushes are SMALLER than the H.264 originals. It makes a difference when you're shooting and editing in the field, backing up and moving projects around.

Never occurred to me but its a great idea. I'm not seeing any interest in Blu-ray and have to convert everything anyway. Will do a test with 720p this week...

Anas El-Biad · January 26th, 2011, 12:10 PM

Thanks guys I appreciate it.

Sean Vincent · January 27th, 2011, 05:07 AM

I gotta say i'm backing Magic Bullet Grinder all the way.

I transcode to Pro Res 422 (not LT)...quite big files, but Grinder makes it really easy. It can even burn in timecode and generate proxies if you need them. For £50 it's a bargain.

S

Matt Davis · January 29th, 2011, 12:37 PM

Lissen to da man... No dissen...

YouTube - EightclipAnonymous "I The Pro Res Maker"

Lisa Maxwell · March 28th, 2011, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Daviss

Lissen to da man... No dissen...

YouTube - EightclipAnonymous "I The Pro Res Maker"

I love that video! Too funny and FUN!

Lloyd Ubshura · April 7th, 2011, 08:11 AM

Best codec for FCP? Premiere CS5. ;)

January 15th, 2011, 09:45 PM	#1
Anas El-Biad Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 33	Best codec for editing with FCP 7 Hey guys! So I'm finally getting my T2i in about a week (woot woot!!) and I was wondering what was the best codec for editing with Final cut pro 7? And since I've never done that, is it as easy as downloading a software, importing your videos and press "transcode into this or that codec"? Thanks!

January 15th, 2011, 09:59 PM	#2
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	Lots of threads on this but in a nutshell, ProRes 422 1920x1080 and whatever frame rate you shoot. How you get there is the real debate. I use mpeg streamclip (free app) which does batch processing. Cineform seems to be the other popular method. Happy shooting! __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

January 17th, 2011, 08:33 AM	#5
David Chapman Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 346	Agreed, ProRes LT is the way to go. You can also download the EOS E1 pluton for Final Cut Pro to capture and transcode instead of MPEG Streamclip. It's slightly slower but many have decided the end result looks better. It should be seen in the drivers/software tab of Canon's product page after you select your OS. Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : EOS 60D __________________ David Chapman www.davechapfilms.com

January 19th, 2011, 06:03 PM	#7
Dave Partington Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: York, England Posts: 1,323	Just to echo what others have said, we're using ProRes 422 (LT) to edit all our DSLR footage and have seen no real detrimental effects and we're glad of the small files sizes ! __________________ Qualified UAV Pilot with CAA PFAW Aerial Photo / Aerial Video \| Corporate Video Production

January 22nd, 2011, 07:41 AM	#8
Matt Davis Trustee Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 1,562	It's great to see everyone backing ProRes LT. Yes, so do I, with the venerable MPEG StreamClip. One more thing to add to the mix: as I often work at 720p (great for Web, SD, WMV in PPT, and more importantly, less pixels to share the 35 Mbit bandwidth) in fast turnaround, I've found it useful to shoot 1080p and downres to 720p ProRes LT for editing amongst XDCAM EX 720p. This can reduce quite a bit of the aliasing that crops up (but not all, and moire isn't helped at all), but even better: the LT version of the rushes are SMALLER than the H.264 originals. It makes a difference when you're shooting and editing in the field, backing up and moving projects around. __________________ Director/Editor - MDMA Ltd: Write, Shoot, Edit, Publish - mattdavis.pro EX1 x2, C100 --> FCPX & PPro6

January 15th, 2011, 10:12 PM	#3
Anas El-Biad Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 33	Thanks Robert! I'm so excited, after months and months of watching test videos, short movies and all kind of stuff shot on the t2i and trying to learn as much as possible about DSLR video shooting, i'm finally getting it!

January 18th, 2011, 09:20 PM	#6
Anas El-Biad Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 33	Thanks guys! The store should call me very soon to come and pick up my t2i, I can't wait.

January 26th, 2011, 12:10 PM	#10
Anas El-Biad Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Montreal Posts: 33	Thanks guys I appreciate it.

January 27th, 2011, 05:07 AM	#11
Sean Vincent Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Hitchin UK Posts: 66	I gotta say i'm backing Magic Bullet Grinder all the way. I transcode to Pro Res 422 (not LT)...quite big files, but Grinder makes it really easy. It can even burn in timecode and generate proxies if you need them. For £50 it's a bargain. S

January 29th, 2011, 12:37 PM	#12
Matt Davis Trustee Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Berkshire, UK Posts: 1,562	Lissen to da man... No dissen... YouTube - EightclipAnonymous "I The Pro Res Maker" __________________ Director/Editor - MDMA Ltd: Write, Shoot, Edit, Publish - mattdavis.pro EX1 x2, C100 --> FCPX & PPro6

April 7th, 2011, 08:11 AM	#14
Lloyd Ubshura Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 204	Re: Best codec for editing with FCP 7 Best codec for FCP? Premiere CS5. ;)