M2T files and Final Cut Pro at DVinfo.net

Joe Moulins · November 10th, 2005, 01:30 AM

How can I use these files (from a firestore fs-4 pro HD recorder) in FCP? Sorry if this has come up before, but for some reason I'm unable to search in these forums.

Joe Moulins · November 14th, 2005, 05:00 PM

Is there a software solution that will convert the Firestore's M2t files into the same quicktime format created when transfering from the Sony Z1U to final cut via firewire?

Tim Dashwood · November 15th, 2005, 12:38 PM

Yes, use MPEGstreamclip to batch convert m2t to any other quicktime format.
http://www.alfanet.it/squared5/mpegstreamclip.html

However, you should be able to just set the Firestore to write Quicktime files, and then you won't have this issue.
I haven't received a FS-4 with the HDV upgrade yet, so I'm not sure if this is still possible with HDV.

Joe Moulins · November 16th, 2005, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Dashwood

Yes, use MPEGstreamclip to batch convert m2t to any other quicktime format.
http://www.alfanet.it/squared5/mpegstreamclip.html

However, you should be able to just set the Firestore to write Quicktime files, and then you won't have this issue.
I haven't received a FS-4 with the HDV upgrade yet, so I'm not sure if this is still possible with HDV.

There is no quicktime setting for HDV in the firestore, and I understand the streamclip-converted files don't keep their timecode.

Dylan Pank · November 19th, 2005, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moulins

There is no quicktime setting for HDV in the firestore, and I understand the streamclip-converted files don't keep their timecode.

But isn't TC irrelevant with a HD recording device? (That is, unless you're doing multi-cam where the time code is used to sync the different cams). After all you're not going to recapture from tape are you - simply re-transfer/demux the files direct from the disc and re-connect.

Joe Moulins · November 22nd, 2005, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylan Pank

But isn't TC irrelevant with a HD recording device? (That is, unless you're doing multi-cam where the time code is used to sync the different cams). After all you're not going to recapture from tape are you - simply re-transfer/demux the files direct from the disc and re-connect.

Good point, but I'm a little wary about beginning work on a long project without having the safety net of timecode pointing to the backup tapes. - I've been recording to the FS-4, and to mini-dv tapes.

Also, I'm not sure if the missing timecode will lead to problems further along the postproduction road...

Dan Euritt · November 22nd, 2005, 04:58 PM

timecode is mandatory for when you have to re-import all the footage into the previously-edited project, because it needs to be re-edited.

think about your workflow... i shoot tapeless mode only, then have the fs-4 playback all the clips at once over firewire, recording the output to a tape deck... that way the entire shoot is backed up, and i'd imagine that timecode is written to the tape as part of the lossless recording process.

Tim Dashwood · November 23rd, 2005, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Moulins

There is no quicktime setting for HDV in the firestore, and I understand the streamclip-converted files don't keep their timecode.

HDVxDV converted clips now retain the timecode. You can download the free trial to make sure it works for you.

www.hdvxdv.com

Joe Moulins · November 24th, 2005, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Euritt

think about your workflow... i shoot tapeless mode only, then have the fs-4 playback all the clips at once over firewire, recording the output to a tape deck... .

Dan, how do you make the FS-4 play back all clips at once? Focus support sent me instructions on how to set up the FS-4 so that FCP sees it as a deck, allowing capture of the files through firewire...works fine except that I can't see a way to capture more than one file at a time, and there doesn't appear to be a way to choose which files you capture. For now, I'd settle for being able to batch capture everything on the hard drive in one go.

Dylan Pank · November 25th, 2005, 04:47 AM

Batch Add TC http://www.dharmafilm.com/sebskytools/ might be able to add TC to your quicktime files

Dan Euritt · November 26th, 2005, 03:59 PM

the fs-4 will play 'em all back in a row with the "play all" menu selection, in the fs-4 setup menu... of course i'm talking about using the fs-4 play buttons, not controlling playback with the computer.

when the fs-4 is plugged in to a computer via it's computer i/o port, it's just another hard drive... but if it's plugged into your mac thru it's dv i/o port, it should look and perform like another dv tape deck... pc users cannot do that, because we do not have a winxp software driver for it, so you have an advantage there... i think that it was daniel who suggested in that other thread to simply hit the fs-4 play button, and see if the mac can view the fs-4 output as if it were a live stream from a deck, and capture the footage that way... without issuing any type of control command to the fs-4 from the mac.

that's how i capture all the fs-4 clips at once to dv tape, via the dv i/o port of the fs-4, hooked up to a dv tape deck or camera.

Michael McQueen · October 9th, 2006, 11:48 AM

sorry to bring up an old topic but i've recently came across this issue as well and with some research i learned that focus has a firmware updater that makes the hdv file quicktime. its $30 on their site.

Matias Baridon · July 9th, 2009, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael McQueen

sorry to bring up an old topic but i've recently came across this issue as well and with some research i learned that focus has a firmware updater that makes the hdv file quicktime. its $30 on their site.

whats the url to the focus website?

Shaun Roemich · July 9th, 2009, 12:32 PM

Focus Enhancements

Gary Nattrass · July 9th, 2009, 06:23 PM

I use this:ClipWrap
And it works as it just re-wraps the files really quickly.

November 10th, 2005, 01:30 AM	#1
Joe Moulins New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 16	M2T files and Final Cut Pro How can I use these files (from a firestore fs-4 pro HD recorder) in FCP? Sorry if this has come up before, but for some reason I'm unable to search in these forums.

November 14th, 2005, 05:00 PM	#2
Joe Moulins New Boot Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 16	Software solution to M2T file question?? Is there a software solution that will convert the Firestore's M2t files into the same quicktime format created when transfering from the Sony Z1U to final cut via firewire?

July 9th, 2009, 12:32 PM	#14
Shaun Roemich Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Vancouver, British Columbia (formerly Winnipeg, Manitoba) Canada Posts: 4,088	Focus Enhancements __________________ Shaun C. Roemich Road Dog Media - Vancouver, BC - Videographer - Webcaster www.roaddogmedia.ca Blog: http://roaddogmedia.wordpress.com/

July 9th, 2009, 06:23 PM	#15
Gary Nattrass Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Cornsay Durham UK Posts: 1,992	I use this:ClipWrap And it works as it just re-wraps the files really quickly. __________________ Over 15 minutes in Broadcast Film and TV production: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1044352/

November 15th, 2005, 12:38 PM	#3
Tim Dashwood Wrangler Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 3,637	Yes, use MPEGstreamclip to batch convert m2t to any other quicktime format. http://www.alfanet.it/squared5/mpegstreamclip.html However, you should be able to just set the Firestore to write Quicktime files, and then you won't have this issue. I haven't received a FS-4 with the HDV upgrade yet, so I'm not sure if this is still possible with HDV.

November 22nd, 2005, 04:58 PM	#7
Dan Euritt Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Carlsbad CA Posts: 1,132	timecode is mandatory for when you have to re-import all the footage into the previously-edited project, because it needs to be re-edited. think about your workflow... i shoot tapeless mode only, then have the fs-4 playback all the clips at once over firewire, recording the output to a tape deck... that way the entire shoot is backed up, and i'd imagine that timecode is written to the tape as part of the lossless recording process.

November 25th, 2005, 04:47 AM	#10
Dylan Pank Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Portsmouth, UK Posts: 611	Batch Add TC http://www.dharmafilm.com/sebskytools/ might be able to add TC to your quicktime files

November 26th, 2005, 03:59 PM	#11
Dan Euritt Trustee Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Carlsbad CA Posts: 1,132	the fs-4 will play 'em all back in a row with the "play all" menu selection, in the fs-4 setup menu... of course i'm talking about using the fs-4 play buttons, not controlling playback with the computer. when the fs-4 is plugged in to a computer via it's computer i/o port, it's just another hard drive... but if it's plugged into your mac thru it's dv i/o port, it should look and perform like another dv tape deck... pc users cannot do that, because we do not have a winxp software driver for it, so you have an advantage there... i think that it was daniel who suggested in that other thread to simply hit the fs-4 play button, and see if the mac can view the fs-4 output as if it were a live stream from a deck, and capture the footage that way... without issuing any type of control command to the fs-4 from the mac. that's how i capture all the fs-4 clips at once to dv tape, via the dv i/o port of the fs-4, hooked up to a dv tape deck or camera.

October 9th, 2006, 11:48 AM	#12
Michael McQueen Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 41	sorry to bring up an old topic but i've recently came across this issue as well and with some research i learned that focus has a firmware updater that makes the hdv file quicktime. its $30 on their site.