FCPX not matching original footage at DVinfo.net

Scott Hiddelston · September 4th, 2014, 12:02 PM

Hi all,
I have been using PP5.5 but I am interested in moving over to FCPX. I shoot with a Canon XF100, and use the Canon Utility to import my clips. When I import to PP5.5, the clips match very closely to the originals, but when I import to FCPX using the Canon plugin, the clips seem very washed out. I am sure there is a way in FCPX to fix this (although I don't know it yet), but it would be a lot easier for me if there was a way to adjust the import or change some setting to make it match from the start. Has anyone any ideas on this? I've added a screen shot showing the original clip viewed in the Canon XF Utility on the left, with the clip imported into FCPX on the right. Thanks
Scott

David Dixon · September 5th, 2014, 08:30 AM

I also use FCPX and the XF100 and XF Utility. I've never noticed this before since I shoot very flat in-camera so I can get the exposure/saturation/sharpness, etc. I want in post.

However, yes, the imported clip looks flatter in FCPX. First, do you have FCPX set to display at Best Quality or Best Performance in the Timeline? That might affect it. And how do we know which is accurate - XF Utility or Final Cut? And what to compare it to, the playback of the originals on the LCD? I also have a freeware MXF Player - playing the clip back directly from the CF Card with that is slightly different as well. It's not quite as flat as Final Cut, but much closer to FCPX than to the look in XF Utility.

I didn't take the time to fire up Davinci Resolve (I have the free version but don't really use it) but that might also be an objective high quality source to compare.

I love and use XF Utility all the time, but it's essentially a archiving utility that Canon gives away with the camera. I use it to make backups and Virtual Archives, and the details of the camera settings used are an excellent resource to refer to in adjusting picture settings. However, I would personally not rely on it being as accurate as FCPX on displaying clips.

Charles Newcomb · September 7th, 2014, 03:29 PM

I've not experienced that issue with FCPX, but if I had I would give this a try Finishing Plugin, an easy to use enhancement effect for Final Cut Pro - FCPeffects - Final Cut Pro X Plugins & Effects - FX for FCPX

Scott Hiddelston · September 8th, 2014, 08:56 PM

Thank you David and Charles. I will give your suggestions a try. I'll see how the footage looks in mxf viewer and compare. Thanks again.

September 4th, 2014, 12:02 PM	#1
Scott Hiddelston Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Oak Harbor WA Posts: 66	FCPX not matching original footage Hi all, I have been using PP5.5 but I am interested in moving over to FCPX. I shoot with a Canon XF100, and use the Canon Utility to import my clips. When I import to PP5.5, the clips match very closely to the originals, but when I import to FCPX using the Canon plugin, the clips seem very washed out. I am sure there is a way in FCPX to fix this (although I don't know it yet), but it would be a lot easier for me if there was a way to adjust the import or change some setting to make it match from the start. Has anyone any ideas on this? I've added a screen shot showing the original clip viewed in the Canon XF Utility on the left, with the clip imported into FCPX on the right. Thanks Scott Attached Thumbnails

September 5th, 2014, 08:30 AM	#2
David Dixon Major Player Join Date: May 2011 Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Posts: 495	Re: FCPX not matching original footage I also use FCPX and the XF100 and XF Utility. I've never noticed this before since I shoot very flat in-camera so I can get the exposure/saturation/sharpness, etc. I want in post. However, yes, the imported clip looks flatter in FCPX. First, do you have FCPX set to display at Best Quality or Best Performance in the Timeline? That might affect it. And how do we know which is accurate - XF Utility or Final Cut? And what to compare it to, the playback of the originals on the LCD? I also have a freeware MXF Player - playing the clip back directly from the CF Card with that is slightly different as well. It's not quite as flat as Final Cut, but much closer to FCPX than to the look in XF Utility. I didn't take the time to fire up Davinci Resolve (I have the free version but don't really use it) but that might also be an objective high quality source to compare. I love and use XF Utility all the time, but it's essentially a archiving utility that Canon gives away with the camera. I use it to make backups and Virtual Archives, and the details of the camera settings used are an excellent resource to refer to in adjusting picture settings. However, I would personally not rely on it being as accurate as FCPX on displaying clips.

September 7th, 2014, 03:29 PM	#3
Charles Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Salida, Colorado Posts: 561	Re: FCPX not matching original footage I've not experienced that issue with FCPX, but if I had I would give this a try Finishing Plugin, an easy to use enhancement effect for Final Cut Pro - FCPeffects - Final Cut Pro X Plugins & Effects - FX for FCPX

September 8th, 2014, 08:56 PM	#4
Scott Hiddelston Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Oak Harbor WA Posts: 66	Re: FCPX not matching original footage Thank you David and Charles. I will give your suggestions a try. I'll see how the footage looks in mxf viewer and compare. Thanks again.