editing h.264? at DVinfo.net

Jonathan Putnam · August 13th, 2005, 02:53 PM

Does anyone have any idea how I can edit footage in the h.264 format? I have a large clip at 720x480 but FCPHD won't import it. Does FCP 5 import h.264? I have QT7 pro installed, and would simply create in and out points and export to DV NTSC but there is no way to set in and out points. Any ideas?

Nate Schmidt · August 13th, 2005, 03:24 PM

I've never worked with h.264 personally Jonathan but I thing that you should be able to open it in Quicktime Pro and then export it to DV NTSC to edit with. There is probably a faster way but that is all I can think of.

Dave Perry · August 13th, 2005, 05:58 PM

Yes, you can import an h.264 clip into your timline in FCP 5, however, it'll need to be rendered for playback and then again every time you make an edit.

Nate's suggestion is the way to go. Then you can use it in any version of FCP as well.

Shane Ross · August 13th, 2005, 11:07 PM

H.264 is a DELIVERY format...not an editable one. It was never intended for use in an NLE.

Mind you, it is also a HIGHLY COMPRESSED format, so when you convert it (like was suggested) and work with it, it won't look good. Recompress it again for viewing and it will look downright bad.

Cemil Giray · August 13th, 2005, 11:55 PM

Agreed. H.264 is a delivery format. I've just had a pretty rough week putting together a PSA with footage provided on H.264 (the originals had been deleted by the editor and the tapes have been overwritten). Argh. I did the same thing as above, exported through QT and reimported in FCPHD.

Shane Ross · August 14th, 2005, 01:19 AM

Captured files deleted. I can see that. But ORIGINAL TAPES OVERWRITTEN?!?

Why on God's green earth did you do that? Never...ever...EVER tape over your footage.

1 - You may need it again in the future. As you just found out.
2 - Taped over tapes are prone to dropouts or double images.
3 - DV tapes cost $5. None of these headaches are worth $5.

Cemil Giray · August 14th, 2005, 05:25 AM

Nope, nyet, nada -- not me. I have tapes going back to 1979. A freelancer who worked for us did it. His contract stipulated that he should turn over the tapes but he 'thought' that I would not need them and he 'needed' them. Let's not go there, if you don't mind. I am 'fuming' enough as is.

August 13th, 2005, 02:53 PM	#1
Jonathan Putnam Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 31	editing h.264? Does anyone have any idea how I can edit footage in the h.264 format? I have a large clip at 720x480 but FCPHD won't import it. Does FCP 5 import h.264? I have QT7 pro installed, and would simply create in and out points and export to DV NTSC but there is no way to set in and out points. Any ideas?

August 13th, 2005, 03:24 PM	#2
Nate Schmidt Major Player Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Welland ON Posts: 515	I've never worked with h.264 personally Jonathan but I thing that you should be able to open it in Quicktime Pro and then export it to DV NTSC to edit with. There is probably a faster way but that is all I can think of. __________________ "We've done the impossible, and that makes us mighty."

August 13th, 2005, 05:58 PM	#3
Dave Perry Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 796	Yes, you can import an h.264 clip into your timline in FCP 5, however, it'll need to be rendered for playback and then again every time you make an edit. Nate's suggestion is the way to go. Then you can use it in any version of FCP as well. __________________ Dave Perry Cinematographer LLC Director of Photography • Editor • Digital Film Production • 540.915.2752 • daveperry.net

August 13th, 2005, 11:55 PM	#5
Cemil Giray Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: France Posts: 58	Agreed. H.264 is a delivery format. I've just had a pretty rough week putting together a PSA with footage provided on H.264 (the originals had been deleted by the editor and the tapes have been overwritten). Argh. I did the same thing as above, exported through QT and reimported in FCPHD. __________________ Stop AIDS. Make the Promise! \| Messages must cause change.

August 14th, 2005, 05:25 AM	#7
Cemil Giray Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: France Posts: 58	Nope, nyet, nada -- not me. I have tapes going back to 1979. A freelancer who worked for us did it. His contract stipulated that he should turn over the tapes but he 'thought' that I would not need them and he 'needed' them. Let's not go there, if you don't mind. I am 'fuming' enough as is. __________________ Stop AIDS. Make the Promise! \| Messages must cause change.

August 13th, 2005, 11:07 PM	#4
Shane Ross Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 539	H.264 is a DELIVERY format...not an editable one. It was never intended for use in an NLE. Mind you, it is also a HIGHLY COMPRESSED format, so when you convert it (like was suggested) and work with it, it won't look good. Recompress it again for viewing and it will look downright bad.

August 14th, 2005, 01:19 AM	#6
Shane Ross Major Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 539	Captured files deleted. I can see that. But ORIGINAL TAPES OVERWRITTEN?!? Why on God's green earth did you do that? Never...ever...EVER tape over your footage. 1 - You may need it again in the future. As you just found out. 2 - Taped over tapes are prone to dropouts or double images. 3 - DV tapes cost $5. None of these headaches are worth $5.