Using "custom" Proxy Files in FCPX

Hey guys,

I'm currently editing my first 4K project in FCPX. Now the problem is that the proxy files Final Cut creates are 2K files, which is still way too heavy for my macbook pro, considering that I need to use a huge multicam clip for this edit. The reason behind this is, that FCPX creates AppleProRes (Proxy) files that have half the resolution of the original media. For Full HD projects this always worked fine for me, but now it doesn't as 2K is still too much for my machine. I tried to batch convert the Final Cut proxies, and half their resolution again (so that I get 1K files), but after that FCPX doesn't recognize them anymore and says "changed file".

Is there any way to use smaller proxies for this project?? It must be possible to edit HD files and link them back to the R3D files when finished editing!?

Hope you guys can help!

Cheers!

Hi Chris,

You can batch convert existing Proxy media to lower resolution Proxies and replace the existing Proxies with the lower-res ones in the Library > Transcoded Media > Proxy Media folder. FCP X will recognize the lower-res Proxies, but there are two conditions:

1. The names of the original Proxies and the lower-res ones much match.
2. You must do the proxy batch reconversion in FCP X to preserve metadata integrity and correct pixel aspect ratios.

It takes a few steps, but your other option is to buy a system than can handle 4K media or 2K Proxies

Here's how you can do this:

1. Import the 4K media into an FCP X Event and transcode the imported 4K footage to Proxy. Close FCP X.

2. In Finder R-click your Library and choose "Reveal Package Contents". The Library will open, go to the Event folder that holds your 4K media and open the Transcoded Media > Proxy Media folder. Leave your Finder window open and launch FCP X.

4. Create a new Event in the same Library where your 4K Event is and name the Event "2KPROXY". Then drag the contents of the Proxy Media folder in your Finder window onto the "2KPROXY" Event in FCP X. Your 2K Proxy files will be imported as original media in the "2KPROXY" Event. This will be fast.

5. Select all the clips in your "2KPROXY "Event, R-click the selection and choose Transcode. Select "Proxy" to convert all your 2K Proxy media to new half-res Proxies. This will be very fast.

6. Now back in Finder open both the Proxy Media folders from your 4K Event and from your 2KPROXY Event and replace the proxy files in the 4K Event with the proxy files of the 2KPROXY Event. When you launch FCP X it will work with the low-res 1K Proxies. If you wish you can try this with one clip first, you will see that it works.

Many of us have requested for a faster way to work with external Proxies in FCP X, so this workflow might get much easier in a next FCP X update.


-Ronny

Great tip!

I really wish we had more control over proxies. Like a limited data rate. So frustrating when working working with SD Media and HD Media in the same project.

Hi Sean,

Agreed, I think improved proxy-handling is high on the request-list.

-Ronny

You can hack/trick out one of my little apps.
www.spherico.com/filmtools/X-Files/X-Proxy/X-Proxy.dmg

Once the app is installed there will be compressor settings installed in "~/Library/Application Support/Compressor/Settings"

Depending of your version of Compressor the are named
For v < 4.1
ProRes 422 Proxy.setting
ProRes 4444 Proxy.setting

For v4.1 +
ProRes 422 Proxy.cmprstng
ProRes 4444 Proxy.cmprstng

These settings can be edited in Compressor. The current settings are set to 50 percent. You can change them to 25 and save.

With the app open a library and an info table will show a list of all original media and some info about the media.
Then press "create proxies". This starts a Qmaster background task to create proxies for your movies inside the library. Existing proxies won't be touched.
The little trick doesn't affect stills – they are scaled to 50%.

-Andreas

Thanks guys! What actually helped was updating to 10.1! I was on 10.0.8 and FC didn't recognize any kind of different Proxies. Now it works like a charm! Thanks for the great hints!!

Sorry to dig up an old topic, but did anyone get X-Proxy working?

On startup I get:

ditto: can't get real path for source '/Applications/X-Proxy.app/Contents/Resources/basicApps/ProRes 422 Proxy.setting'

Using Compressor 4.2.1