Should I use GoPro Studio before importing my GoPro mp4 clips to FCP X?

I am super confused after reading all the material online to answer my simple question, which is?


What is the best way to import my GoPro Hero 3+ Silver addition clips into my FCP X(10.1.2)?


I have an Apple Desktop with following specs.

Software OS X 10.9.4

Memory 8 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Processor 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5

Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M 512 MB

Should I convert all my GoPro files through GoPro Studio and then import them into FCP WITH optimize media checked?

Should I convert all my GoPro files through GoPro Studio and then import them into FCP WITHOUT optimize media checked?

Should I directly import into FCPX with optimized media checked without using GoPro Studio?


I read a lot of posts but they seem to be year or two old so I don't know if I should be following them.

Really really appreciate your help.

Yes just import them straight into FCP X. You can choose to optimize them into ProRes if you like. I just leave them as is as I tend to work in Proxy mode.

Your system is right on the edge of being usable and more RAM would make a BIG difference.

I'm interested in how other people are doing it, too. On GoPro's website, they have this blurb about preparing for Mac

gopro.com/how-to-prepare-video-files-for-editing-apple-mac/

No reason what so ever to jump through these hoops.

I copy the contents of the disk to my RUSHES Drive into a folder that denotes the Shoot Day.
I then import from there copying the files so I have 2 copies.

Depending on the job I either back up the Rushes Drive or the FCP X Library Media Files.

Thanks, Seanus.

When I import while optimize checked and then drop the clip in the timeline, I see the clip lagging in the timeline, while the original imported clip in the event section does not have a lag. What am i doing wrong?



Also, rhoydotp, I am curious to know what the date is for that post.

Definitely the ProRes file should play a lot smoother than the native file. The only thing I can think is either it was still transcoding in the background or where you're optimizing your clips to is on slow media.

What storage are you using? If it's just the iMac then make sure it isn't more than 75% full.

I logged in just to reply to this topic. If you have FCPX, don't use GoPro's software. It's redundant and it will just take much more time than importing the clips straight from the card (or copy thereof) into Final Cut Pro X. Don't worry about what GoPro tells you.

This is what I do and I know it is an extra step. I am tired of how my 2 GoPro cameras import differently.

I created a droplet in Compressor that Converts them to ProRes 422. I just drag the files onto the icon and off they go to become happy ProRes 422 files. GoPro support blames it on a bug with FCPX but I am not buying that. I know a lot of people that have No trouble at all with the native GoPro files, however I am not one of them. It ends up taking some more time and HD space to do this. It is my workflow and It works for me.

Dave

tidiv wrote: Thanks, Seanus.

When I import while optimize checked and then drop the clip in the timeline, I see the clip lagging in the timeline, while the original imported clip in the event section does not have a lag. What am i doing wrong?



Also, rhoydotp, I am curious to know what the date is for that post.

Not sure about the date. But I have the same issue, hence, the extra step that I am also doing. It's a pain!
Btw, I have this on 2 different GoPro (3 Silver and 3+ Black)

Seeing how some people don't have any issues at all is somewhat disconcerting to me ... and not to mention a waste of time

Thanks, everyone.

I am going to go ahead and just let FCPX optimize the media instead of GoPro Studio.

To answer my other dilemma, my timeline clip was choppy because it was set to 29FPS and I had dropped a 60 FPS clip in it.


I will play around a lot more in next few days and publish my findings here if it helps anyone.

Thank you guys - This is good information.

I have another question kinda related to this...

Why is it when I view the video in VLC media player to mark down the clips I want out of it, it has a time index that starts at 0:00:00. However, when I run it through FCP X it has a time index of 10:33:43. I get that this is the cumulative time the gopro has been recording... but I want to see the clip start at zero in FCP so that I can use VLC media player to watch all my footage and mark down the times for later use in FCP for editing.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!
Jones

I think you will find that the time code on the clip is the time of day you shot the video. I have this problem with my GoPro Hero3+ black. Read my post above it might solve your problem.

Dave

Shouldn't you also import and create a camera/card archive? After launching the media import window select the camera/card from the camera section & click create archive, save it and it will also appear in the Favorites of the sidebar. Click the icon to view in browser & you can select ranges of your clips to import (rather then all the clips full length versions). You then have an exact clone to save and ability to view in browser of FCPX and select just the portions of clips you wish to import.
Robes

Thanks guys...

I was able to use a work around I found to create a compound clip of the video in FCP and mark it to start at 0:00:00:00.

I went through all my video footage previously and wrote down the time index so I don't want to have to watch it all again- so I will use this workaround. However, going forward I will probably just watch the clip in FCP and use the time index on the camera.

Thanks again,
Jones

I am interested in this discussion.
Today I tried and convert my GoPro 4 - 4k - ProTunes - all flat files using GoPro Studio. I then imported these .mov files, together with the original .mp4 from the camera into FCPX. Left the quality on original and there is a huge difference on how the 2 kind of files are displayed by FCP. The MP4 appears flat, as they should, while the MOV look like they have been "graded" (as when you use GoPro Color settings in camera.).

What could cause this difference?

I haven't tried and create ProRes from within FCP. Could this be a better way of converting?

I've seen this too. Its almost like GoPro Studio applies a LUT or something to the ProTune footage...