RE: starting over: HD learning - need some advice

[Nelson May] "I just can't do that anymore. I want to plan out and know my formats, codecs and how they work and don't' work. One of the things that is bothering me to death is adding DVCPRO HD to a timeline only to get the "do you want FCP to change your setting dialogue box". When I record 720p or pn 30fps on my HVX200, I always set up FCP for 720p pr pn 30fps. But I always get the dialog box when I drop the first clip. I assume this is from DVCPRO HD being 720x960 and FCP wants 1280. Do you guys just go with it and let FCP fix it or am I missing something? "
Hi Nelson,
Keeping on DVCProHD makes sense if you are delivering on that format.
if you are going to any other format/standard (BR, Web,..) keeping that size/pixels, makes no much sense.
1280x720 Square pixels is the HD standard.



[Nelson May] "I am tired of getting the FCP "would you like me to fix this dialogue box"."
but this is because your "Sequence Preset" is not the same than the footage you are editing.
If you set your Sequence Preset DVCProHD 720p, FC won't ask you again when you drop the footage on the time-line.

But Nelson, this is nothing about HD or SD.
is FC what you have to earn.
Cheers,
rafael

http://www.nagavideo.com

[Nelson May] "I assume this is from DVCPRO HD being 720x960 and FCP wants 1280"

No, FCP does not want 1280. It will edit DVCPro HD 720 natively in the frame size. The dialogue box most likely comes from your frame rate setting. FCP is wanting to switch the frame rate to a native editing frame rate.

HDV is also an anamorphic format as are most recorded HD formats.


[Nelson May] "I am tired of getting the FCP "would you like me to fix this dialogue box". It is killing my confidence and I want to walk away and stop learning. But I do want to have a good handle on the basics so I can go on to using more plug ins."

Why are you tired of it? It's there to help you. If you don't have your timeline set up absolutely correctly to get the most realtime performance, FCP is asking if you'd like it to fix that situation. WE use it all the time and depending on what we're doing, we'll let it change or decline.

There are dozens of HD cameras, formats, frame rate, frame size, codec combinations. Trying to learn them all at once will make your head spin. Even I don't know all of them. What I do is concentrate on what I need to know right now. That is, what cameras / workflows am I working with. I get to know and understand those.

When a new camera / codec is being presented to use for a project, then we research that (usually here on the Cow) and add that to our knowledge base. What I find is too many people try to learn too much at once about HD and formats. Just learn what you need to know about your workflow, once you master that and know it like the back of your hand, start adding more codecs into the mix.

One great guy to follow / search for in these forums and in the articles is Gary Adcock. He's a walking encyclopedia of HD, 2k and up. If you ever go out to NAB, be sure to check out the Post Production workshops they have out there.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author, Chef.
HD Post and Production
Biscardi Creative Media

"Foul Water, Fiery Serpent" Winner, Best Documentary, LA Reel Film Festival...

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