Normal speed files turn slow motion on import. Why?

Hi

I'm importing normal speed files (720p/25fps) into FCPX, but after the little "loading wheel" on each clip is done (import and rendering), all of the clip play back in slow motion without sound. I can't for the life of me find out what's wrong.

I've tried basic stuff like changing clip speed etc. It says they're already at 100% normal speed.

When I try to create a new event and project it seems like it only links them up with the import of the original project, and they are all slow motion for some reason.

Why is everything slow motion? How can I fix this?

Any help is much appreciated.

- What is the origin of these clips? Are they on a card? Which camera?
- Are you using an older version of FCP X? Which one?


-Ronny

I have found out that for some reason, the codec changes to DVCPRO HD 720p50/25, Linear PCM. This must be the reason for the sudden slow motion. But why does FCPX convert/use this codec? The files that play back just fine use the codec DVCPRO HD 1080i50, Linear PCM.

During filming I changed setting from 1080p to 720p to save space on the memory cards. But the change in settings does not coincide with the sudden slow motion.

Atm. I'm trying to use Adobe Encoder to convert the files to mp4. I hope it works. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Hi Ronny, and thanks for the reply.

I'm filming on a Panasonic P2HD camera on Panasonic P2 E series 32GB cards.

I'm editing on FCPX version 10.1.3 on Build version 251130.

Okay, and what version of FCP X? This is important.

- Ronny

Yeah, forgot to mention the version. I edited it in when I saw, but here it is again:

FCPX version 10.1.3/Build version 251130.

Why would you convert to MPEG-4?

I only asked because you talked about creating a Project and an Event, so it could be you were working with an older version which had problems with DVCPRO HD footage. But this one is okay.

I agree with Tom there is absolutely no need to convert this footage toMP4, you will lose a lot of quality.

Is it possible that the camera has been set to shoot 720p "slow motion"? That's where, in a P2 camera, it records 60fps @30fps. Normally you can drop these clips in a 720p 59.94fps timeline and they should play at normal speed. Can you try this?

- Ronny

Upon import, try check the "Remove Pulldown" option in the Import Settings window, if it is active. If it is grayed out, there is no pulldown, and the issue may be something else. But I think Ronnie is correct, there was a setting in the camera that wasn't right. We used tons of P2 up until just recently, shouldn't be any issues normally.

I know P2 cameras have two modes to shoot non-60i frame rates. One adds pulldown in the 60i wrapper, the other is native (or Advanced). That 25p Advanced I think is what you want, if memory serves me correctly this morning.

Thanks for the help guys.

When playing the files copied from the camera, the playback is normal. So I doubt I've messed with the settings in the camera.

I ended up copying all of the original files to my harddrive, took them home and imported them into my own FCP7. Voila, no slow motion.

Why FCPX won't import the files properly remains a mystery. To be exact, all of the files are fine up to a clip where a car is driving out of a driveway in normal speed, and in the middle(!) of the take it turns slow motion. And all the clips after that take is then played back in slow motion. Very weird.

I will try the "Remove Pulldown" option tomorrow BenB, out of sheer curiosity. I will also try to drop the clips in a 720p 59.94fps timeline, Ronny. I'd like to know what makes FCPX mess this up.

But all in all I'm just happy good ol' FCP7 took care of it.

Thanks for the help guys, really appreciate it.