Re: Final Cut Pro and Quick Time Movie

Hi,

I am trying to export a final cut pro file to Quick Time Movie. (not via Quick Time Movie conversion)

My FCP version is 7.0.3
Mac OS X 10.9.4 running with Mavericks
Quick Time version is 10.3 (727.4)
Codec video - DV Pal
The file name ends in .fcp ie. sunnyday.fcp

When I export the file using Quick Time Movie, with Studio Pro Compression Marks selected, I get the following message:-
"The document sunneyday.fcp could not be opened. To see if additional software is available that will enable Quicktime to open the movie, click Tell Me More."

I changed the file name to end in sunnyday.mov - but this doesn't work either.

I am not computer or technical savvy so please bear this in mind in your response.
I don't even know how to use this messaging system, it's the first time I've ever asked anyone a question, so please bear with me.

I logged onto your site hoping that someone can help.

Thank you.

What format is your time-line in FCP7? You can see this in the menu item "settings"

Cheers
Alexander

Hi,

I have x 3 different sequences under the same project name, as I have edited three versions from the material.

From the menu - Sequence - Settings:-
(I have never altered anything in the sequence settings menu).

Frame Size is 720 x 576 CCIR 601/DV PAL (5:4)
Quick Time Video Settings : Compressor: Apple ProRes 422
Audio Settings - 48kHz
Depth 16 bit
Config: Channel Grouped

The Quick Time Video Settings - should that be DV Pal instead of Apple ProRes?

Other settings:-
Under - Final Cut Pro - System Settings menu - Effects Handling = All highlighted as Final Cut Pro

Audio/Video Settings:-
Sequence preset = DV PAL 48 kHz
Capture preset = DV PAL 48 kHz

Best,
Bee

Whoa , PAL or NTSC are television formats with different frame-rates. ProRes is a Codec, google these terms and learn. The time-line should be set to the codec that your media is in. Why have you edited 3 versions?
It would be smart to convert the media to ProRes in Compressor before creating and importing into the the ProRes time-line.
What is your final delivery format going to be? e.g. DVD or …..

Cheers
Alexander

Try not having any markers when you export.

Hi Alexander,

My work is for the web and DVD. Film duration of approximately 7 minutes and I am based in the UK.

It’s taken a while to find a simple explanation that I could understand. I’ve got Codec dyslexia and information overload.

Ok, I understand, that whenever you bring in any footage, whether from a camera deck, dvd, or from the web, you work with ProRes in Final Cut Pro during your editing process. You do this by using ‘Compressor’ to change your format to ProRes and then use that file to bring into FCP.
This is in order to reduce the size of the file you work on (off line edit), so that you can edit with ease. And once you have edited, you then convert it to a Final Delivery file by taking it through Compressor by using Quick Time Movie when you export the file. And Bob’s your uncle! Is this a correct summation?

I know DV Pal is the UK format for TX purposes. Whilst Codecs are the language used to convert files.

When I created the project file, in Easy Setup I ticked DV Pal, as this was the same as my source file. I did not have to capture any footage as it was already on the system. I found information on the source footage in the ‘Item Properties’ menu under ‘Format’ in FCP. The source films were created using QuickTime Player and ‘DV Pal’ is highlighted under title ‘Compression’ in the 'Item Properties' menu under 'Format'.

Since I have not used ProRes as a codec setting, what now? Is there a solution?

Also since talking to you, I tried an experiment. I exported the sequence using QuickTime Movie. Under ‘Settings’, I changed ‘current settings’ to DV Pal and then left the ‘Marker’s’ to ‘DVD Studio Pro Markers’. It worked.

Is this a solution or will it cause unseen problems down the line?

Are there render files missing? Did you save it before closing?
Also look in the auto-vault for saved versions.
You could try to save it under another name and see if that opens.

Cheers
Alexander

Hi,

Not sure if your last correspondence was meant for me??

Would appreciate your response on the following I wrote above though.

Since I have not used ProRes as a codec setting, what now? Is there a solution?

Also since talking to you, I tried an experiment. I exported the sequence using QuickTime Movie. Under ‘Settings’, I changed ‘current settings’ to DV Pal and then left the ‘Marker’s’ to ‘DVD Studio Pro Markers’.
It worked. All the video seems to be there.

Is this a solution or will it cause unseen problems down the line?

Best,
Bee

You must have actually saved this version, but how did you get the original project to open to run this test? I read this as your original question, you said the project wouldn't open.
As for your codec choice, the quality of your movie, you will only see after final output and play on DVD via a TV. It all looks better on the Mac, but that is not the real world.

Cheers
Alexander

Ah, ok, I understand your question.
I am going to repeat an awful lot, I have to, simply so I can follow my own thoughts. For the sake of my sanity.

The fcp file I exported would not open in QTM.

This is the procedure I was following during Export:- (I have attached a Grab of part of my window)
FCP project Time line highlighted
Menu - File - Export
Window opens up with the Following Tabs-:
'Settings' - Current Settings (kept this same as Current Settings)
'Include' - Audio and Video (kept this same)
'Markers' - DVD Studio Pro Markers (selected this option from pull down menu)
Unticked box - Recompress All Frames
Unticked box - Make Movie Self-Contained.
Then I hit the Save button. It was processing. (Writing Audio and Video message)

When it finished. I opened QuickTime Movie and clicked to open the video file I just exported.
MESSAGE popped up - "The document sunnyday.fcp could not be opened. To see if additional software is available that will enable Quicktime to open the movie, click Tell Me More."

I tried changing the file from dot fcp to dot mov file but that didn't work either.

As a TEST, In FCP I selected my timeline and then File, Export, QTM. This opens up a window.
The only thing I changed this time was the 'Settings' Tab from 'Current Settings' (in Export Window) to 'DV Pal 48 kHz' from the Pull Down Menu (instead of keeping it as 'Current Settings')
This automatically UnTicked the Recompress All Frames box.
Then I hit the 'Save' button and it worked.
The file opened up as QuickTime Movie.

INITIALLY I was following Larry Jordan's instructions on 'Exporting fcp files' using QuickTime Movie and he said to keep the 'Settings' tab as 'Current Settings' only, he doesn't give an explanation as to why you cannot use other settings in the Pull Down Menu..
It wasn't working and I couldn't find an answer, so I came to you.

So when I Export fcp project file, (using QTM) and when I change the Settings Tab from 'Current Settings' to 'DV Pal 48 kHz' - it then seems to export it and I can open it as QTM file.

This doesn't seem to follow convention, however, does it make sense to your expertise?
Am I committing an Editor's cardinal sin by using DV Pal 48 kHz as a setting during export from fcp using QTM?
Can you see any issues further down the line?

The film is for YouTube (that's what I meant as Web).

Many Thanks.
Bee

Have you tried making the QT export 'Make Movie Self Contained'?

--ken

Yes

Hi,

Initially all project files were on Main Computer Hard Drive.
A while back, I duplicated the fcp project files (work in progress) onto an external hard drive so I could work from MacBook Pro.
I assume when you duplicate it also duplicates all the Render files?

Main Computer hard drive - never up dated the original fcp project files.
External Hard drive - up to date saved files.

The render files folder for the project I am working on is on the external hard drive.
It contains two files - the opening title page sequence and end credits.

External hard drive has 410 GB available.

I just deleted a lot of render files from the Render Manager.
Some of the render files did not have a date, it said 'unknown'. I deleted the lot and kept the recent one.

I guess I have to start from scratch. It has taken a long time but it was edited really good, pity.

Bee
xx

Hi,

Tried it and doesn't work. Also that would take up a lot of file space.

Is it incorrect to use 'DV 48 kHz' in Settings - as opposed to 'Custom Settings' - even though the film does
open up in QTM, using the former settings?
Why is it so important to have only 'Custom Settings'.

Bee

Where did you set your render files? Your failed attempt was a reference movie which could not link to some files.
Your successful attempt could locate new renders. How full are the drives?

Cheers
Alexander

NB: For some reason my answer to your last question seems to appear out of sequence on your website.

(So here is my answer to your last question again and hopefully it will be in the right date order.)

Initially all project files were on Main Computer Hard Drive.
A while back, I duplicated the fcp project files (work in progress) onto an external hard drive so I could work from MacBook Pro.
I assume when you duplicate it also duplicates all the Render files?

Main Computer hard drive - never up dated the original fcp project files.
External Hard drive - up to date saved files.

The render files folder for the project I am working on is on the external hard drive.
It contains two files - the opening title page sequence and end credits.

External hard drive has 410 GB available.

I just deleted a lot of render files from the Render Manager.
Some of the render files did not have a date, it said 'unknown'. I deleted the lot and kept the recent one.

I guess I have to start from scratch. It has taken a long time but it was edited really good, pity.

Bee

Beetv Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> (So here is my answer to your last question again
> and hopefully it will be in the right date
> order.)
>
> Initially all project files were on Main Computer
> Hard Drive.
> A while back, I duplicated the fcp project files
> (work in progress) onto an external hard drive so
> I could work from MacBook Pro.
> I assume when you duplicate it also duplicates all
> the Render files?
>
> Main Computer hard drive - never up dated the
> original fcp project files.
> External Hard drive - up to date saved files.
>
> The render files folder for the project I am
> working on is on the external hard drive.
> It contains two files - the opening title page
> sequence and end credits.
>
> External hard drive has 410 GB available.
>
> I just deleted a lot of render files from the
> Render Manager.
> Some of the render files did not have a date, it
> said 'unknown'. I deleted the lot and kept the
> recent one.
>
> I guess I have to start from scratch. It has
> taken a long time but it was edited really good,
> pity.
>
> Bee

So you have lost render files?

Cheers
Alexander

Thank you for taking me as far as you could on this.
I've learnt loads through it.
I am very grateful.
Bee
xx