FCP Server and Workflows
by Melissa Datre
on
Jun 15, 2009 at 12:50:22 am
We are just about to set up a new Final Cut Server which will integrate with 4 G5's using FCP6 software. Most of the video programs we produce are about 1 hour long (lectures, seminars, conferences, etc.) We are looking for an improved workflow and format export (compression)process. We need to be able to deliver the final program to YouTube (shortened version), iTunes (mp4), web streaming (flv)and at times, DVD (mpeg2). Can we output from FC Xserve to all these different formats at one time? Our current set up is to output using compressor to mp4 (mv4)-h.264 at 640x480 which takes several hours and then outputting an .mov h.264 and running it through Sorenson Squeeze to get the flv. I am curious what other workflows producers are using to meet all the new points of delivery. Any suggestions?
Re: FCP Server and Workflows by Russell Fletcher on Jun 17, 2009 at 8:11:18 am
*Can we output from FC Xserve to all these different formats at one time?
Yes.
Make sure the server is very well spec'd and let the server do most of the hard work.
I recommend you install Episode Pro from telestream. You can then export the assets directly from the server to all the formats you mentioned including FLV with a few clicks or via automation.
Episode pro can be setup to pipe directly from compressor. So you set all the presets in episode for your mp4's and flv's and then you setup episode settings in compressor, basically they are just link files that point the server straight to the corrsponding episode settings. Then you setup transcode settings in final cut server to point to the compressor links.
So then for example you would right click the assets in final cut server, click export, select the Client1flv compressor setting and the destination folder and away it goes to the batch queue.
In reality what it's doing is coming out of the server through compressor, through episode and then out to the destination folder which sounds convoluted but when it's setup correctly it runs very smoothly.
So then you just queue up all the jobs. Select clips 1-10 export to the client_1_flv folder using client1flv compressor settings. Then clips 1-10 in mp4 and so on. How long it takes to process the queue is how fast the server is. If you use a well spec'd new xserve it will churn through h.264's without much of a problem. To get more power just add more machines to a qmaster compressor cluster. They don't even have to be more xserves you can use mac pro's or g5's as part of the cluster.
Re: FCP Server and Workflows by Nicholas Stokes on Jun 17, 2009 at 8:50:22 am
You can definitely create all of the deliverable outputs you've listed from Final Cut Server (FCSvr). And yes you can output each of these from FCSvr simultaneously. One caveat, outputting flash would require you to purchase the Episode Pro Plug-In for Compressor.
Your lag time in compression maybe due to misconfiguration in how you've configured Compressor to leverage you multi-cores.
If you'd like to speak about workflow for FCSvr in depth. Give me a call when you can.
Re: FCP Server and Workflows by Matt Geier on Jul 1, 2009 at 2:16:04 am
Melissa,
I was browsing some of these old forums and saw your post. I'm active here on the COW forums in SAN Networks mostly.
If you still need a solution, there is a Shared Storage solution from Small Tree that you can use to Edit Video and have your video stored all on one storage network to stream. If you still have a need or you want more info, you can give me a call.
