It struck once more! The Blackmagic/FCPX 'gotcha' that I swore I'd never be caught by again. Why doesn't the selected output work with Final Cut Pro X?
Yes I did swear, because I had the idea for writing the article the last time that it happened- and then it has happened again! So hopefully this article is a way of me getting this gotcha into my brain so I don't waste time wondering why my monitoring isn't looking the way it should.
What am I talking about? The broadcast output format selector when you configure the Blackmagic Desktop Video app to work with Final Cut Pro X.
If you only use the monitoring of your computer or headphones, then you might not come across this problem. However, if you need a broadcast output from your Mac via a Blackmagic I/O box or card, then this might seem very familiar.
To get a signal through the broadcast output of Final Cut Pro X, you have to have the A/V Output toggled on.
If you look in the FCPX Playback preferences, it will tell you the signal format that FCPX will send out of the I/O box. This normally feeds a broadcast monitor for example or connects you into a larger system via an HD-SDI matrix.
Here you can see in FCPX that it's set to the default 720x486 setting from the Blackmagic Desktop Video app.
No problem, open up the Blackmagic Desktop Video app settings in System Preferences and toggle to the required format. Here we have gone for 1080p at 25 frames a second.
Once saved, we get graphic confirmation that the Blackmagic box should be outputting 1080p.
All good so far... Actually no. You can restart FCPX and your Mac as much as you like, it will carry on outputting 720x486.
This is the gotcha! To change the format of the output, there is a further dedicated Final Cut Pro X output setting in the Blackmagic Desktop video app.
Just scroll down until you find it.
Once you have that set, restart FCPX and the correct format should be available in the Preferences. Toggle the AV Output on and away you go.
Until the next time you forget that extra preference is there!
I am the Editor-in-Chief of FCP.co and have run the website since its inception ten years ago.
I have also worked as a broadcast and corporate editor for over 30 years, starting on one inch tape, working through many formats, right up to today's NLEs.
Under the name Idustrial Revolution, I have written and sold plugins for Final Cut Pro for 13 years.
I was made a Freeman of Lichfield through The Worshipful Company of Smiths (established 1601). Though I haven't yet tried to herd a flock of sheep through the city centre!
Current Editing
2020 has been busy, the beginning of the year was finishing off a new property series (cut on FCP) for Channel 4 called The Great House Giveaway. I also designed and built the majority of the graphics as Motion templates. It has been a great success and the shows grabbed more viewers in the 4pm weekday slot than any previous strand. It has been recommissioned by C4 for 60 episodes, including prime-time versions and five themed programmes. The shows have also been nominated for a 2021 BAFTA.
Although both were postponed to later in the year, I worked again on ITV's coverage of the Tour de France and La Vuelta. 2020 was my 25th year of editing the TdF and my 20th year as lead editor. The Tour was the first broadcast show to adopt FCPX working for multiple editors on shared storage.
BBC's Snooker has played a big part in my life, I've been editing tournament coverage since 1997. I'm proud to be part of a very creative team that has pioneered many new ideas and workflows that are now industry standard in sports' production. This is currently an Adobe Premiere edit.
Covid cancelled some of the regular corporate events that I edit such as trade shows & events. I was lucky however to edit, from home, on projects for Amazon Kindle, Amazon Black Friday, Mastercard and very proud to have helped local charitable trust Kendall & Wall secure lottery funding.
As for software, my weapon of choice is Final Cut Pro and Motion, but I also have a good knowledge and broadcast credits with Adobe Premiere Pro, MOGRT design and Photoshop.
Plugin Design & Development
I'm the creative force behind Idustrial Revolution, one of the oldest Final Cut Pro plugin developers. It hosts a range of commercial and free plugins on the site. One free plugin was downloaded over a thousand times within 24 hours of release.
I also take on custom work, whether it is adapting an existing plugin for a special use or designing new plugins for clients from scratch. Having a good knowledge of editing allows me to build-in flexibility and more importantly, usability.
FCP.co
Now in its 10th year and 4th redesign, running FCP.co has given me knowledge on how to run a large CMS- you are currently reading my bio from the database! Although it sounds corny, I am pretty well up on social media trends & techniques, especially in the video sector. The recent Covid restrictions has enabled live FCP.co shows online. This involves managing a Zoom Webinar through Restream.io to YouTube and Facebook.
The Future
I'm always open to new ideas and opportunities, so please get in touch at editor (at) fcp.co. I've judged film competitions, presented workflow techniques to international audiences and come up with ideas for TV shows and software programs!
