FCPX duplicating first frame on export

Our new Mac Pro running FCPX 10.1.1 and OS X 10.9.2 is exhibiting an interesting quirk in that any Master File we export seems to duplicate the first frame. We have a client that still needs HDCAM deliverables, so we generally export a master file and take it into FCP7 to go to tape. Our one minute of bars starts at 58:45;00 but the next cut to the countdown slate is hitting at 59:45;01. Consistently. We've verified that this is not a drop/non drop frame mismatch and all settings in both apps are correct. The same software running on a 2012 iMac exports just fine. I'm stumped! I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has seen this.

Thanks in advance,
Bill

Further testing on the iMac is a little less conclusive...

Sometimes the exported QuickTime is a frame longer than the original timeline, and sometimes it is not.

If I apply a TC reader generator to the entire timeline it's consistently the correct length. If I put it on just part of the sequence (I was checking frame accuracy at the head and tail) it's sometimes a frame long.

When I put the TC reader at just the head of the timeline the exported file's TC is correct. If I just put it on the last five or so seconds it's a frame late.

Is FCP adding a frame in the MIDDLE somewhere??? That's really not good.

Hm, I have not seen this. Have you actually taken the master file back into FCPX to really check if it indeed made a dupe frame? Just lay it out on top of the timeline you exported from and do a check at key points... pretty soon you should find where a dupe would be.

One thing also is the tape output from FCP7 is actually sometimes dodgy, even on a system synced to black burst! In the past, we have had to re-do outputs because of this. So if your master is absolutely correct, consider looking into this.

We did some more tests, and the results are not good.

We exported a Master File from our timeline, brought it back in to FCP, and dropped it on top of the original sequence. It was a frame longer than the original and it duplicated a random frame within the first minute of the program. It was a different frame that got duplicated each time we tried- totally random. I've seen this happen on two systems so far.

Dropping a TC reader generator on top of the entire sequence results in rock-solid, frame accurate exports every time.

That is odd. I can't duplicate that. I'd fill out the feedback form, let Apple know.

Both rooms in question are using AJA hardware, so I'll inform them as well.

Thanks,
Bill

Just to follow up (again)...

I uninstalled all AJA drivers and my exports are still a frame too long.

I put a blank title above my entire sequences (essentially an adjustment layer) and the exports are indeed dead on. I guess that's the workaround for now, but man is this a BAD bug for broadcast work.

Very interesting indeed. As to why it's happening I have no idea, but I'll keep an eye out for it. The bulk of my work is commercials and trailers, so it's possible that my timelines aren't getting long enough to exhibit this behavior. I'll be doing something long-form in a few months, though, so we'll see. What codec is your clips, and I take it you're mastering to ProRes 422 or HQ?

The shortest sequence where I've seen this is about 3 minutes or so. I too mostly do promo and short form, so this documentary I'm cutting is the first I've encountered this. I am using the default ProRes 422 codec in a 1080i sequence.

Thanks,
Bill

I've done some tests, and find FCPX10.1.1 will random duplicate 1 frame in timeline!
The solution is to use CPU to export, not GPU.
So 2 ways I've found:
1. send to compressor, using Prores422
2. timeline is Prores422, all render files is Prores422, but export Prores422 HQ.
You will get correct duration.

The fcpx must fix this bug!

10.0.9 the same bug!
mac os 10.9.2 or 10.9.3 or 10.8.x for 10.0.9
new mac pro or the old

Results are the same!