Help, how can I correctly import video/audio and set project in Final Cut Pro 7

I'm a bit new to Final Cut Pro 7 (to video editing, that is) and am looking for advice on how to properly start my project...how to properly import video and audio. I'm working from 3 video files originally filmed on Super8 and transferred to video (.mov files, QuickTIme movie) in England (so PAL). Specs on the video are as follows:
Dimensions: 720 x 576
Codecs: DVC - PAL
Color profile: PAL (5-1-6)
Total bit rate: 28,800 (though one file reports 18,917)

The audio I'll be working with is, thus far, .wav files, all recorded in stereo on a ZOOM digital audio recorder.

I don't think there's much issue about importing audio (but please correct me if I'm wrong).

It's the video that I'm concerned with. In the end I'd like to be able to both burn my project to DVD for viewing in commercial DVD players (North America), as well as be able to upload to the web (You Tube and so on).

I also want the video to present in 16:9 (widescreen). I recognize that this means cropping the original image in order to "create" a widescreen appearance, but as I would like to edit the project in 16:9 (so as to see what the final video will look like as I work) I'm concerned about how to accomplish this.

My apologies if these questions are too elementary...again, I'm just starting out. If you've any suggestions on how I can best set/begin my project, and how to import my video files, and how to work in the project viewing it at 16:9 please let me know.

Thanks,
EC

Hi EC,

The first thing you want to do when starting a project is set your scratch disks (where your captured video and generated render files etc will live). This is found in the menu 'Final Cut > System Settings.' If you're editing to an external hard drive it will pay to point your scratch disks to there, or wherever your video and audio files are.
You'll also want to save your project to this location also.

Next step is to go to 'Final Cut > Easy setup and select a PAL setup with the second menu item as 'DV-PAL Anamorphic' This will force the timeline you're editing on to be widescreen.

After this you can either go to 'File > Import > Files' to bring in your video and audio, or just drag and drop them into your browser.

When you drag the first video onto your timeline you'll be asked if you want to change the timeline settings to match the current video clip. Select NO. Now you should have 4x3 aspect clips on a widescreen timeline. It's your choice how you zoom and or stretch them up to fill the widescreen frame. (Note you will obviously be losing pixels when you do this, but there's not really anyway around this).

As for your audio, WAV files will work fine on a timeline also.

The only other thing I would check is as you're using super8 videos converted to DV, they may be running at the wrong frame rate so you MAY want to change the speed of the clips. If you need to do this, right click on the file on the timeline and select 'change speed'.

Good luck!

Dan Soekov
danielsoekov.com

Dan,

Thank you so much for your help. Your directions were simple and clear and i've now been able to set my project up exactly as i wanted.

In terms of frame rate (re: Super8 converted to DV)...is this something i can check or is it just about how it looks to my eye? And if i do change frame rate should i be doing this to all my footage or bit by bit (i ask since some of my filming was done in slow motion)?

Also...now that i've got the 16:9 frame is there a way to see both that framing and the entirety of my clip as it plays? That is, i'm zooming the original 4:3 clip to fit the 16:9...but is there a way to simultaneously see what i'm cutting off the top and bottom so as to be able to make decisions of which and/or how much of which i want to lose in each clip? (i'm guessing this might be possible in the left viewer?...but i've no idea).

Thanks again for responding to my post...and so long as it's not a bother i might well pose a few more questions to you as i begin working on my project.

Cheers,
Ethan

Hi Ethan.

For the frame rate, I would just go with how it looks to you.. When I've done this sort of thing in the past I've kept the speed fast so it has that 'super 8 look'. Alternatively you can play around with the speed to make your video fit with any music or audio track you're using.. Or just to play at 'normal speed'. So it's really up to you if and when you change the speed.

To view which part of the frame you're losing, go to the 'canvas' and change the percentage tab at the top of the window (which will probably be set to 'fit to window') to 25% or another value.. This will allow you to see the wireframe of the video as well as the edge of frame.
With the relevant clip selected on your timeline (double clicked), and the playhead over the part you want to view, you can now go back to the 'motion tab' of the 'viewer' window and play around with the values as previously mentioned to finesse your cropped video.

Happy to help.

Dan Soekov
danielsoekov.com