FCP 7, which XDCAM format? at DVinfo.net

Simon Glidewell · May 31st, 2011, 06:31 AM

Dear All,

I've just installed the latest Final Cut Studio upgrade and I am now at the initial "choose setup" menu where it asks which format I want and the use (i.e. which video system/codec). For the Sony PMW 320K camera which of the XDCAM formats should I choose and can this be changed later on if we want to choose another use? We want to shoot in 1080 HD with a film look (so 25 frames per second would be the best I would imagine).

Many thanks as always
Simon

Chris Hurd · May 31st, 2011, 07:04 AM

Thread title changed from "FCP 7 question" to "FCP 7, which XDCAM format?"

Please avoid ambiguous thread titles -- thanks in advance,

Rick L. Allen · May 31st, 2011, 10:06 AM

According to Sony the PMW-320 records;

Video:
MPEG-2 Long GOP
HQ mode: VBR, maximum bit rate: 35 Mb/s, MPEG-2 MP@HL
SP mode: CBR, 25 Mb/s, MPEG-2 MP@H14
SD mode: DVCAM
Audio:
Linear PCM (2ch, 16-bit, 48-kHz)

Recording Frame Rate NTSC area:
HQ mode: 1920 x 1080/59.94i, 29.97p, 23.98p, 1280 x 720/59.94p, 29.97p, 23.98p
SP mode: 1440 x 1080/59.94i
SD mode: 720 x 480/59.94i, 29.97p
PAL area:
HQ mode: 1920 x 1080/50i, 25p, 1280 x 720/50p, 25p
SP mode: 1440 x 1080/50i
SD mode: 720 x 576/50i, 25p

After you decide which of the above formats is appropriate for each shoot then set FCP to that codec & frame rate.

Gary Nattrass · May 31st, 2011, 10:19 AM

Note that FCP 7 will automatically select the right format when you drop the first clip on the timeline.

With the PMW 320 you ingest the footage via log and transfer with the sony plug in and then once the footage is on your drive just drop it on the edit timeline and it will set it up correctly.

Your previous FCP version did not have this feature so it is far easier now and if you need a reference to how it has set it up look in the settings page.

P.S you need to be shooting HQ mode 1920x1080i 25p at 35mbs for the 320 although the HDV footage from your b-camera's will be 1440x1080i 25p at 25mbs and mixing the formats on the same timeline may be problematic for the limited processing and memory you have in your macbook pro's.

It may be better to transcode the HDV to pro res LT at 1920x1080i 25p so it is a closer match to the 320 format.

May 31st, 2011, 06:31 AM	#1
Simon Glidewell Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Manosque (France) Posts: 94	FCP 7, which XDCAM format? Dear All, I've just installed the latest Final Cut Studio upgrade and I am now at the initial "choose setup" menu where it asks which format I want and the use (i.e. which video system/codec). For the Sony PMW 320K camera which of the XDCAM formats should I choose and can this be changed later on if we want to choose another use? We want to shoot in 1080 HD with a film look (so 25 frames per second would be the best I would imagine). Many thanks as always Simon __________________ www.theholidaymoviecompany.com

May 31st, 2011, 07:04 AM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	re: FCP 7, which XDCAM format? Thread title changed from "FCP 7 question" to "FCP 7, which XDCAM format?" Please avoid ambiguous thread titles -- thanks in advance, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

May 31st, 2011, 10:06 AM	#3
Rick L. Allen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 536	Re: FCP 7, which XDCAM format? According to Sony the PMW-320 records; Video: MPEG-2 Long GOP HQ mode: VBR, maximum bit rate: 35 Mb/s, MPEG-2 MP@HL SP mode: CBR, 25 Mb/s, MPEG-2 MP@H14 SD mode: DVCAM Audio: Linear PCM (2ch, 16-bit, 48-kHz) Recording Frame Rate NTSC area: HQ mode: 1920 x 1080/59.94i, 29.97p, 23.98p, 1280 x 720/59.94p, 29.97p, 23.98p SP mode: 1440 x 1080/59.94i SD mode: 720 x 480/59.94i, 29.97p PAL area: HQ mode: 1920 x 1080/50i, 25p, 1280 x 720/50p, 25p SP mode: 1440 x 1080/50i SD mode: 720 x 576/50i, 25p After you decide which of the above formats is appropriate for each shoot then set FCP to that codec & frame rate. __________________ "The good thing about science is that it's true whether you believe it or not." Neil deGrasse Tyson https://www.nautilusproductions.com/

May 31st, 2011, 10:19 AM	#4
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	Re: FCP 7, which XDCAM format? Note that FCP 7 will automatically select the right format when you drop the first clip on the timeline. With the PMW 320 you ingest the footage via log and transfer with the sony plug in and then once the footage is on your drive just drop it on the edit timeline and it will set it up correctly. Your previous FCP version did not have this feature so it is far easier now and if you need a reference to how it has set it up look in the settings page. P.S you need to be shooting HQ mode 1920x1080i 25p at 35mbs for the 320 although the HDV footage from your b-camera's will be 1440x1080i 25p at 25mbs and mixing the formats on the same timeline may be problematic for the limited processing and memory you have in your macbook pro's. It may be better to transcode the HDV to pro res LT at 1920x1080i 25p so it is a closer match to the 320 format. __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/