MPEG2 w/ Audio (from Streamclip) won't import into FCP

[dsnyw]

I am going to be working with small video files on Final Cut that I created using MPEG Streamclip. I have been using MOV and DV formats up until this time without problem, but I'm hoping to switch over to MP2 since the files are so much smaller.

However, no matter which MPEG options I select, I cannot seem to get Final Cut Pro to recognize the mp2 audio encoded into the file. I have had issues with this before, but my test is usually to see how Quicktime reads the file, because it was my impression that anything that can be read by Quicktime should also be importable into FCP. Now, Quicktime is reading my MP2 without issue, and the audio is fine, but when I Import into FCP, the file has no audio attached to it.

Any insights would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Darnell

[terryj]

You wrote:

"it was my impression that anything that can be read by Quicktime should also be importable into FCP"

You are HALF right. The rules of Q.R.E.A.M. do apply,
but but due to limitations within FCP and FCE for that matter,
set by Apple engineers, only DV formatted files,
( or .movs that can be processed in the background upon import to become .dv clips)
can be ingested properly for use.

FCP/FCE 's limitation is that it will not
DEMUX the mpeg-2 file into its proper components,
so that you can have both the audio AND the video,
and instead reads only the "top" track, in this case the
video. Doesn't matter if Quicktime likes it, its FCP/FCE
that is being finicky, thanks to Apple Engineers.

[dsnyw]

That sucks, but thanks for the education. I reallly appreciate it.

Since MP2 is out of the question then, can anybody suggest the best way for me to create files using MPEG Streamclip? I've been making MOV files using the JPEG A codec at 100% quality and the files are HUGE (way bigger than they should be, according to a friend with more video experience). I've also tried making DVs or MOV using DV codecs, but the files don't get that much smaller and I seem to be sacrificing quality and/or smoothness of readability within FCP.

[AntnyMD]

Can videos with the Pixlet codec be edited, or will FCP convert those to DV as well?

[terryj]

dnsyw:
DV files will be huge, but I don't understand your statement
of smoothness or readability? Are you perhaps double processing
the files ( once to DV, then again on import)?

Ant:
AFAIK, Pixlet is delivery ( end use) only, not editable
(like MPEG-2).

[dsnyw]

I don't understand your statement
of smoothness or readability?

For some reason, when I preview DV files, I find it difficult to navigate through them to find the precise clip I want. MOVs are completely smooth, but DVs are jerky.

Are you perhaps double processing
the files ( once to DV, then again on import)?

Perhaps, but if I'm processing anything upon import, I don't know about it. Once I import a DV or MOV and pull it into my timeline I have to render it, but I assume this is NOT what you mean by processing upon import. How would I know if it's being processed duing the import?

[havema-1]

I have no experience with FCP but the best method to convert DVD/VOB/MPEG to iMovie is to choose "File/Export to DV.../Compression: DV (DV25)" in MPEG Streamclip's export options.

iMovie wants .dv streams and I'd be surprised if FCP couldn't handle them, too.

The only trouble is that the current MPEG Streamclip version can flag the exported .dv only as 4:3. If you want 16:9 you have to re-export it as .dv via QT Player 7 with the 16:9 flag set, (or export as a 16:9 .mov from MPEG Streamclip -- AFAIR you could use the default codec).

If the aspect ratio flag is incorrectly set, then iMovie pillarboxes the clip when importing to a 16:9 project. Putting a 4:3 flagged .dv clip straight into 16:9 iMovie project's Media folder bypasses the pillarboxing but I don't know whether this may produce unexpected results.

[dsnyw]

Thanks for the helpful response. I'm sure there is a way to adjust aspect ratio within FCP -- I'm teaching myself to use it now but I will call in some expert help if I can't figure it out. DV25 files are significantly smaller than the JPEG-A MOV's I've been using so I'll give that a try.

Best,
Darnell

[RatVega]

Firstly, what is the source format of your clips? .mov is the native format for FCP, so it should be preferred. Any additional compression results in poorer image quality and more difficult playback, especially if your sequence settings aren't correct for the footage.

You could rip the MPEG-2 audio in QT and import it separately, but you'd still be cutting an inferior image that requires rendering to play back well and I'm not sure what the output would look like after all those compression/decompression cycles.

Any time your sequence settings don't match your footage, playback will be problematic.

Aspect ratio for a clip can be adjusted in the Motion tab of Viewer, in the Distort section (at the bottom) or in the sequence settings.

My general advice is to cut the work in whatever format it originated, making sure your sequence settings support it, then output the work in whatever format is required. File size issues will disappear if you take the time savings and convert them into another hard drive...

The ability to support many source formats is one of the blessings of FCP, learning to use it is the challange.

Good luck!

[terryj]

Firstly, what is the source format of your clips? .mov is the native format for FCP, so it should be preferred.

"Native" is a relative term, which we'll define for the sake of argument,
as "easily handled without error."
.DV stream is actually the PREFERRED format,
for FCP/FCE, and as it will pickup the time code, be the least error
free ( no pesky codecs or strange audio formats for FCP to figure out)
and give you a true WYSIWYG interface.

.mov, is the default Quicktime based video and audio file type
for the macintosh, as rules of Q.R.E.A.M. apply. However, because
much like the often lamblasted and often hated .avi format,
you can impossibly muck up a QT .mov from Quicktime Pro
to where importing it into FCP will cause FCP to "reject" the
file. We have seen this here within this posting,
and I myself have done tests with .mov files encoded with Divx 6,
and gotten similar results.

So, if anything is "native" to FCP/FCE, it is .DV streams, period.

8)