FCP with GoPro footage at DVinfo.net

David Lutzy · February 23rd, 2010, 08:37 AM

Hello all ...

My new toy : A GoPro Wide HD GoPro Official Store: Wearable Digital Cameras for Sports

It gives me a mp4 format. Using "flip4mac" I usualy can import to FCP (I do it often when shooting with my FlipHD as a second cam with my EX3). But with the GoPro FCP doesn't want to use that format. Had anyone ever used a GoProHD with FCP? What are the base settings you use on FCP and on the GoPro?

Thank you for the help

David

Mike Flynn · February 23rd, 2010, 12:02 PM

I have one of the original GoPro helmet cams which I have used for multicam motocross race productions. That model produces .avi files which I just drop into FCP and then export a full size Quicktime movie to bring back in and multiclip.

Have you tried converting the .mp4 with Compressor? I've done that a number of times and had no problems.

Craig Parkes · February 23rd, 2010, 01:13 PM

transcode to Quicktime using Mpeg Streamclip. Mpeg Streamclip is free, has batch capabilty and will do an excellent job.

Robert Lane · February 23rd, 2010, 08:12 PM

According to the specs on the GoPro site (we've been looking at that system for a few months now) it's recording in H.264 and most likely the AVCHD wrapper. With FCP all you need do is use Log & Transfer (assuming you have at least FCP 6) and transcode into ProRes 422 (not HQ). MPEGSC can do the job but it's not required with the built-in tools in FCP.

Craig Parkes · February 24th, 2010, 06:36 PM

While you are right Robert, MPEG Streamclip is free and can do the job in batch, with a much larger variety of options and export capabilities than log and transfer, and can do it in the background while FCP is running (whereas at least with FCS2 Log and transfer ties up Final Cut, whereas MPEG Streamclip doesn't)

Personally, I'd much rather be editing while footage transcodes in the background, and mpeg streamclip allows me to do that.

And did I mention it's free.

Some tools are unnecessary, some tools are useful but not mandatory, other tools are simply no brainers. MPEG Streamclip is a no brainer.

David Lutzy · February 24th, 2010, 07:53 PM

Thank you for all the help,

I transcoded usin Mpeg Streamclip and could import to FCS2. all is good but my FC is working really realy hard to keep up and clips keep hagning the system.

I trancoded to .mov h.264. It doubled the size of the clips. What format would you recomment I transcode to?

Robert Lane · February 24th, 2010, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Lutzy

I trancoded to .mov h.264. It doubled the size of the clips. What format would you recomment I transcode to?

David,

The GoPro footage is *already* in H.264 format which is not an editing format, which is why FCP is struggling to keep up.

You need to transcode the footage into ProRes 422 using either Log & Transfer or, MPEG Streamclip. Alternatively if you don't want to use ProRes (in case you have to hand-off files to another editor who doesn't have FCP or a PC-NLE not capable of handling ProRes) you can also transcode into DVCPRO-HD 720p which is also a 4:2:2 color space and "i-frame" just as ProRes is.

Robert Lane · February 24th, 2010, 07:57 PM

The intent was to clarify that nothing else is *required* outside of FCP6/7 to use the GoPro footage. MPEGSC and other free apps can easily do the job as a standlone app - but *not required*.

David Lutzy · February 24th, 2010, 09:22 PM

Thank you verry mutch for the explication.

I will keep you posted on my progress.

Paul Cronin · February 26th, 2010, 07:19 AM

I have a few GoPro 1080p cameras and have been using MPEG Streamclip but when Robert speaks on this forum I listen. So as I write this I am trying Log and Transfer with FCP6. the problem with QT from MPEG Streamclip is the size of the files. And if you are putting say 20 hrs of helmet clips in a job that adds up.

Will report back shortly.

Paul Cronin · February 26th, 2010, 07:25 AM

Well sorry to say FCP 6.0.6 will not import the files. So MPEG StreamClip is what I will still use and import the clips as ProRes not ProResHQ which is the upper of the two.

Unless Robert has a method that works?

David Lutzy · March 2nd, 2010, 09:10 AM

Hello,

I have to say that Log and trasfer does not work for me as well. Maby there is a trick like you say.

February 23rd, 2010, 08:37 AM	#1
David Lutzy New Boot Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 11	FCP with GoPro footage Hello all ... My new toy : A GoPro Wide HD GoPro Official Store: Wearable Digital Cameras for Sports It gives me a mp4 format. Using "flip4mac" I usualy can import to FCP (I do it often when shooting with my FlipHD as a second cam with my EX3). But with the GoPro FCP doesn't want to use that format. Had anyone ever used a GoProHD with FCP? What are the base settings you use on FCP and on the GoPro? Thank you for the help David

February 23rd, 2010, 01:13 PM	#3
Craig Parkes Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 444	transcode to Quicktime using Mpeg Streamclip. Mpeg Streamclip is free, has batch capabilty and will do an excellent job. __________________ www.afterglow.co.nz

February 24th, 2010, 06:36 PM	#5
Craig Parkes Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 444	While you are right Robert, MPEG Streamclip is free and can do the job in batch, with a much larger variety of options and export capabilities than log and transfer, and can do it in the background while FCP is running (whereas at least with FCS2 Log and transfer ties up Final Cut, whereas MPEG Streamclip doesn't) Personally, I'd much rather be editing while footage transcodes in the background, and mpeg streamclip allows me to do that. And did I mention it's free. Some tools are unnecessary, some tools are useful but not mandatory, other tools are simply no brainers. MPEG Streamclip is a no brainer. __________________ www.afterglow.co.nz

February 26th, 2010, 07:19 AM	#10
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	I have a few GoPro 1080p cameras and have been using MPEG Streamclip but when Robert speaks on this forum I listen. So as I write this I am trying Log and Transfer with FCP6. the problem with QT from MPEG Streamclip is the size of the files. And if you are putting say 20 hrs of helmet clips in a job that adds up. Will report back shortly. __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com

February 26th, 2010, 07:25 AM	#11
Paul Cronin Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 4,048	Well sorry to say FCP 6.0.6 will not import the files. So MPEG StreamClip is what I will still use and import the clips as ProRes not ProResHQ which is the upper of the two. Unless Robert has a method that works? __________________ Paul Cronin www.paulcroninstudios.com

February 23rd, 2010, 12:02 PM	#2
Mike Flynn Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 94	I have one of the original GoPro helmet cams which I have used for multicam motocross race productions. That model produces .avi files which I just drop into FCP and then export a full size Quicktime movie to bring back in and multiclip. Have you tried converting the .mp4 with Compressor? I've done that a number of times and had no problems.

February 23rd, 2010, 08:12 PM	#4
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,825 Images: 15	According to the specs on the GoPro site (we've been looking at that system for a few months now) it's recording in H.264 and most likely the AVCHD wrapper. With FCP all you need do is use Log & Transfer (assuming you have at least FCP 6) and transcode into ProRes 422 (not HQ). MPEGSC can do the job but it's not required with the built-in tools in FCP.

February 24th, 2010, 07:53 PM	#6
David Lutzy New Boot Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 11	Thank you for all the help, I transcoded usin Mpeg Streamclip and could import to FCS2. all is good but my FC is working really realy hard to keep up and clips keep hagning the system. I trancoded to .mov h.264. It doubled the size of the clips. What format would you recomment I transcode to?

February 24th, 2010, 07:57 PM	#8
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,825 Images: 15	The intent was to clarify that nothing else is required outside of FCP6/7 to use the GoPro footage. MPEGSC and other free apps can easily do the job as a standlone app - but not required.

February 24th, 2010, 09:22 PM	#9
David Lutzy New Boot Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 11	Thank you verry mutch for the explication. I will keep you posted on my progress.

March 2nd, 2010, 09:10 AM	#12
David Lutzy New Boot Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Montréal, Québec, Canada Posts: 11	Hello, I have to say that Log and trasfer does not work for me as well. Maby there is a trick like you say.