Help Please - Changing Frame Rates and Rate Conform

I am cutting a sequence with RedCode 4K 23.98fps footage. I've just now noticed that I set up the initial sequence as 1920x1080 24p. All of the clips I've already placed in the project show "23.98 converted to 24" in the rate conform section of video properties - whichI'm thinking is not a good thing.

I tried creating a new 1920x1080 sequence @ 23.98fps and cutting and pasting the clips from the 24p timeline into the new timeline. But all of the clips in the new 23.98 timeline still say "23.98 converted to 24" in the rate conform section of video properties and there appears to be no way of removing this attribute. The Reset Parameter button does nothing.

Any thoughts on how to address this? Is FCP X actually conforming this footage in the new 23.98 timeline (and then possibly reconforming it a second time back to 23.98)? Or is FPC X correctly rendering these clips at native framerate and I should ignore that Rate Conform parameter?

You shouldn't notice any difference between 24p and 23.98.

Once a clip is dropped into a timeline, it's properties are set when copy and pasting.

• Select the clip in the original timeline, right-click and Reveal In Event Browser.
• go to the new timeline, "E" to drop that original clip's rage into the new timeline.
• This way it has not been touched by the original timeline and will conform to the new timeline from the Master clip.

But again, I'd not worry about it, you're probably not going to notice any difference. Won't hurt to rebuild a new timeline, and can be done quickly.

BenB wrote: You shouldn't notice any difference between 24p and 23.98.

Once a clip is dropped into a timeline, it's properties are set when copy and pasting.

• Select the clip in the original timeline, right-click and Reveal In Event Browser.
• go to the new timeline, "E" to drop that original clip's rage into the new timeline.
• This way it has not been touched by the original timeline and will conform to the new timeline from the Master clip.

But again, I'd not worry about it, you're probably not going to notice any difference. Won't hurt to rebuild a new timeline, and can be done quickly.

Thanks, Ben. One of my colleagues just suggested a similar solution, but to drag the "revealed" clip onto the existing clip in the timeline and execute a "Replace From Start". Which works - but all of the clips have colour correction/filters already placed. So, for each one I'd have to copy the clip attributes, do the replace and then paste the attributes.... Time consuming.

I'll export and see if I can detect any playback issues and just leave it as-is if it looks good on playback.

I agree with Ben that the 24p shouldn't be a problem- most of the time.

The only case where this will be a real issue is if you have to record your show onto a video tape format of any kind. There are no tape decks that will accept a true 24p timeline.

This also depends on what application you plan to use to go to tape. Autodesk Smoke would give you a warning message that 24p is not a real video format, but it would do the conversion for you on the fly and would successfully get it to tape. FCP 7 would need you to convert your show to 23.98 first.

Avid would also require that you drop your 24p show elements into a 23.98 timeline to go to tape.

If you want to have others work on your show with you. I.E After Effects artists, then you should just make sure they are working in the same time base you are. This will ensure that their elements will line back up perfectly in your timeline when they're done.

Reconforming is also the correct thing to do if you are to broadcast your finished work on TV in any fashion. As all broadcast standards require either 23.98, 29.97, or 59.94 frame rates. Almost every broadcast station will reject a true 24p QT or other asset. (At least the TV stations I've dealt with on the East Coast.)

Cheers,
Scott M