When you only need a couple of clips from an external HD at DVinfo.net

Cameron Poole · January 25th, 2012, 02:34 AM

As with any FCP project, the raw footage is in a PRIVATE file imported from the camera or SD card which ideally should be on the computer/laptop.

However, let's say I want a couple of stock clips from a massive project I did in the past which is backed up on an external HD. In some cases I would log and transfer, note the clip number, then convert said clip in a file converter such as Wondershare Video Converter, however - by converting a clip to a Quicktime file is the quality going to be as good as if from raw?

If not, how can I get just the raw clip without importing the entire stock file?

In my experience, raw files don't work outside of the PRIVATE file.

I just did a clip conversion to MOV at 1280.720 Codec H.264 Frame rate 30, bit rate High Quality and it doesn't look crisp enough, when there's movement on the subject thousands of lines are visible almost like a tv set. Is this an issue with interlacing?

William Hohauser · January 25th, 2012, 06:12 AM

Use MPEGStreamclip or ClipWrap to convert to ProRes if you are going to edit with the clips. What camera are you coming from?

Les Wilson · January 25th, 2012, 06:23 AM

The QuickTime Animation CODEC is another popular and high quality format for stock footage.

Cameron Poole · January 25th, 2012, 07:14 AM

My camera is a Panasonic AV HMC 152.

I downloaded an MTS file converter and it has got rid of the linear stuff, but I updated Wondershare Video Converter and that seemed to do the trick also. It still doesn't seem as crisp and clear as it should but then again, most of the footage I am shooting with was shot on a camera twice the price of mine, so perhaps that's why!

I use MPEG Streamclip a lot (to convert GoPro Hero footage to ProRes 422) but it doesn't like MTS files.

January 25th, 2012, 02:34 AM	#1
Cameron Poole Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London Posts: 212	When you only need a couple of clips from an external HD As with any FCP project, the raw footage is in a PRIVATE file imported from the camera or SD card which ideally should be on the computer/laptop. However, let's say I want a couple of stock clips from a massive project I did in the past which is backed up on an external HD. In some cases I would log and transfer, note the clip number, then convert said clip in a file converter such as Wondershare Video Converter, however - by converting a clip to a Quicktime file is the quality going to be as good as if from raw? If not, how can I get just the raw clip without importing the entire stock file? In my experience, raw files don't work outside of the PRIVATE file. I just did a clip conversion to MOV at 1280.720 Codec H.264 Frame rate 30, bit rate High Quality and it doesn't look crisp enough, when there's movement on the subject thousands of lines are visible almost like a tv set. Is this an issue with interlacing? Last edited by Cameron Poole; January 25th, 2012 at 03:24 AM.

January 25th, 2012, 06:12 AM	#2
William Hohauser Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York City Posts: 2,650	Re: When you only need a couple of clips from an external HD Use MPEGStreamclip or ClipWrap to convert to ProRes if you are going to edit with the clips. What camera are you coming from? __________________ William Hohauser - New York City Producer/Edit/Camera/Animation

January 25th, 2012, 06:23 AM	#3
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: When you only need a couple of clips from an external HD The QuickTime Animation CODEC is another popular and high quality format for stock footage.

January 25th, 2012, 07:14 AM	#4
Cameron Poole Major Player Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: London Posts: 212	Re: When you only need a couple of clips from an external HD My camera is a Panasonic AV HMC 152. I downloaded an MTS file converter and it has got rid of the linear stuff, but I updated Wondershare Video Converter and that seemed to do the trick also. It still doesn't seem as crisp and clear as it should but then again, most of the footage I am shooting with was shot on a camera twice the price of mine, so perhaps that's why! I use MPEG Streamclip a lot (to convert GoPro Hero footage to ProRes 422) but it doesn't like MTS files.