FCP X Transcoding using Streamclip...

Hi all!

In an effort to conserve storage space, I have been trying to transcode my H264 files into Prores 422 (LT) using Mpeg Streamclip rather than FCPX options.

For some strange reason FCP X imports these new Prores files but will not play them back and in place is a red box with a gold Exclamation point in it, these H264 files are imported fine using FCP X import options but the files are on the large size especially for a 5 minute music video.


I'm pretty sure I set Streamclip up correctly, (Batch list / add files / Export quicktime / compression = prores 422 (LT) / quality 100% / 1920 x 1080 / deselect interlace )

So I guess my questions are...
1. I was under the impression that FCP X would accept already Transcoded material, am I wrong? if not have I done it wrong?
2. do I need to get Compressor for FCP X for this to work?


Any help would be much appreciated...

The exclamation mark you are describing is displayed when FCP X cannot locate the required source media. What are the steps you are following in your workflow?

To be honest, the best way for you to achieve the results you want is to deselect the "Create optimized media" option when you are importing your H.264 media. This means that FCP X won't transcode to ProRes 422 and you can preserve your original media, saving you disk space. Be sure to also select "Copy to Final Cut Events folder" to prevent the exclamation mark appear if/when you "clean up" your original media files....

You could choose to create proxy media if you're finding playback a bit rough with H.264. In this case FCP X will create a 1/4 resolution file using ProRes 422 (Proxy) - which should produce incredibly small files sizes. You can then switch to using the Proxy media in Final Cut Pro > Preferences and under the Playback settings choose "Use proxy media". Be aware that this will switch *all* your projects to use the Proxy media option and if you have any projects that do not have Proxy media they will appear with the same exclamation symbol. Simply switch Playback preferences back to Original or Optimized media.

Hope this helps

Chris

Hi Chris,

Thanks for taking the time to respond, After reading what you said I imported the Prores 422 (LT) files again but this time selected create Proxy media (I had already selected "Copy to Final Cut Events folder") once imported I then switched to "use original or optimized media" and it played back fine as well as the proxy media.

Thanks for your tip on using the original H.264 files and creating a proxy, the reason I hadn't done this before is that I had read a few times that it was considered a "bad" thing to do but I guess FCP X and other modern editing software can handle it just fine. (I'd still use Proxy media as you suggest as my MBP can't really handle H.264 when editing.

Thanks again!!

Glad it helped. That Proxy Media setting in Preferences has caught a number of people out

Regarding using H.264, depending on your system you'll probably notice better performance using ProRes media.

Chris