HOW2 import FS files as clips in FCP?
by Ron Craig
on
Apr 4, 2008 at 4:04:28 pm
We have an upcoming project to be shot on a Panasonic HDX900. The cameraman will record to tape and, for the first time, to a Firestore FS100. So, a couple of newbie questions, if you don’t mind:
We’re shooting 720p 30fps. The Firestore can record the data as Quicktime or Quicktime native, and P2 and P2 native, if I remember correctly. What’s the difference in quality, if any? (I’m looking for quality; not drive space conservation.)
Also, I have seen that the Firestore records into a series of 1.9 gig (or smaller) files. I assume those files include metadata which will break them into actual shots (camera starts and stops) when I bring them into Final Cut Pro. But I don’t know that step of the workflow and I haven’t seen it in the materials I’ve looked through. Can someone here give me advice on how to import those files -- either QT or P2, whichever is better -- as separate shots into FCP (v.6)?
I have poked around this forum some, looking for this information. I suppose you’ve already covered this early but I’m afraid I didn’t see it. Any advice appreciated.
Re: HOW2 import FS files as clips in FCP? by Michael Sacci on Apr 4, 2008 at 8:22:58 pm
First - do not use the Firestore on a project until you test the workflow out throughly.
the Native mode is a pulldown removal of duplicated frames, in your situation I would NOT use it. I would think you would want the same TC on the tape and firestore. Using the non "N" mode and setting the TC to ext you should have the same clips and TC on both tape and HD.
The Firestore is formated as Fat 32 so it has a 2 GB file size limit so a long clip is broken up. If you shoot QT mode you can now do a Make ref movie that gives you something to bring into FCP as a single movie (NOTE: this is a non self contained movie so it needs all the individual clips)
The difference of QT vs P2 is a workflow one, Do you just want to drag the QT file into FCP or do you want to do more of a log and capture (transfer) to trim clips and add notes.
Re: HOW2 import FS files as clips in FCP? by Ron Craig on Apr 4, 2008 at 8:47:50 pm
Thanks, Michael. I agree entirely about testing out the workflow first. Your note regarding matching timecodes -- and, thus, the preference for non-native mode -- is particularly important.
Regarding my preferred workflow, what I am hoping to be able to do is to import the Firestore material in such a way that it automatically shows up in an FCP bin as separate clips, defined by camera start/stop. Is that possible?
Alternatively, my preference would be to log-and-capture with the assumption that I would retain access to all the original data so that I could go back and do a follow-up log-and-capture, if necessary. I should note that I would be importing from a hard drive onto which the original Firestore files were copied; not directly from the Firestore -- which raises a question about how to do that data transfer. (So many issues!) I should also note that I expect to be editing in ProRes 422 (HQ).
Finally, I take it there is no quality difference between the P2 and Quicktime files?
Thanks again for your time -- and for reading all this follow-up.
Re: HOW2 import FS files as clips in FCP? by Michael Sacci on Apr 4, 2008 at 9:37:37 pm
[Ron Craig]"Regarding my preferred workflow, what I am hoping to be able to do is to import the Firestore material in such a way that it automatically shows up in an FCP bin as separate clips, defined by camera start/stop. Is that possible? "
Before you transfer the content of the Firestore to your hard drive, you do the "make ref movie" and this is make a separate file for each start and stop of the camera. They have RM in the name with a whole bunch of numbers. These ref movies reference all the 2GB clips that are made.
the thing about using the QT format is that you do not log and capture (transfer) like you do a tape. This gets you editing faster and if you are editing a long show that you want to start with all the footage on the timeline or in the browser this is the way to go. If you want detailed notes and to trim footage before bringing in your clips than the P2 is better.
Here is one other thing, using the QT does not give you an backup like the P2 method does. WIth P2, when you are finished with the Log and Transfer you basically have to copies of the good parts. Since you by pass this step with the QT methods you should make a second copy of all your footage. This is not as important since you are recording to tape (the great thing about the 900 vs the P2 only cameras).
I'm not an engineer and so far as I can tell (and have read) there is no difference in quality between the two methods.
Re: HOW2 import FS files as clips in FCP? by Ron Craig on Apr 4, 2008 at 10:38:51 pm
Thanks again, Michael -- and I promise this will be my last question posted on this thread:
From your description of things (and since I will also have tapes of everything) I believe I would choose the Quicktime option. Just so I understand, is this the correct workflow:
- Set the Firestore to record Quicktime (non-native).
- When shooting is finished (or to free up space on the Firestore mid-shoot), do a "Make Movie," to create a reference file of all the material, divided by camera starts/stops.
- Copy all the data -- the Quicktime files and the reference movie -- to my drives/arrays.
Now...the last question: What is the correct method to import this material into Final Cut Pro so that I end up with all those individual clips appearing in a bin?
