final cut pro advice
by Parveen Virdi
on
May 22, 2008 at 6:08:56 pm
Hello there,
Ive recently filmed an interview and my subject is far too low in the frame.
The final vid will be around 400 x 320 pixels, so smaller than PAL dimensions.
Could i change my sequence dimensions (to a smaller size) so that I can better position my PAL sized vid. Is this a better option than scaling the footage which loses resolution quality, or does this lose a lot of quality also.
my other idea was to kind of letter box the footage and fit the subject within this.
Re: final cut pro advice by Dave LaRonde on May 22, 2008 at 7:22:45 pm
Do you have Motion or After Effects? You can easily set up a 400 x 320 project in either one and import the normal PAL-sized video after you've edited it. Then simply scale and position the footage properly, and render out a completed file.
Keep in mind that FCP is an application that simply has delusions of also being an effects and compositing application. If FCP did the job properly, why would Apple have included Motion in Final Cut Suite 2?
Dave LaRonde
Sr. Promotion Producer
KCRG-TV (ABC) Cedar Rapids, IA
Re: final cut pro advice by Parveen Virdi on May 22, 2008 at 7:28:44 pm
Thanks for the quick response.
I have both AE and motion, do you recommend one over the other?
Can i just ask why I would make a new project in one of these rather than chnging the dimensions in fcp? Is it to do with qualityc ,compression, ratio etc
Re: final cut pro advice by Nick Toth on May 22, 2008 at 8:53:14 pm
You can do exactly what you've described. Since your original video is larger than your final output you will be fine and there is no scaling involved. Just set the sequence settings to 400X320 (or maybe 400X300) and you will be able to drop your PAL video in and center it as needed. It's like using an oversized photo for pan and scan.
Re: final cut pro advice by Joseph Moore on May 22, 2008 at 9:39:59 pm
What he said. ;-) I'd edit the piece on a normal PAL sized timeline, then export the finished cut and bring it into a new sequence of the smaller size. Then use the motion tab to position it however you want. If you keep the scale @ 100% (or less) you won't have any quality issues.
