How to Transcode your Media for Final Cut Pro
Monday, January 3, 2011 at 01:54PM HOW TO TRANSCODE YOUR MEDIA
Create a folder “Your Movie Title” which contains a file called Original Media – create another folder inside the folder called “Your Movie Title” – Transcoded Media.
1. Open FCP
a. Select File – New Project
b. Close tabs of any previous projects that were open
2. Go to System Settings
a. Set your scratch disc
b. File Save – “Name of your Movie” in the folder you’ve created called “Your Movie Title”
3. File Import
a. Select “Original Media” folder (File-Import-Folder)
b. File Save
4. Select the imported files from the browser in FCP – (Video clips should be highlighted)
5. File – Batch Export - an export queue window will open. All of the clips will show up as status queued
6. The bottom of the window has 3 buttons - select settings button
SET DESTINATION: The destination is the folder you just created called “Your Movie Title” – Transcoded Media :-). Click that file and select choose.
FORMAT: QuickTime Movie is perfect
SETTINGS: I typically choose Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) 1920 X 1080 30p or 24p depending on frames per second shot. This codec offers the best for quality and works well in FCP. The downside – this codec creates large files. If delivery is for web, a lower quality codec like LT or Proxy can be selected. Play with it and see what is right for you.
NAMING: Best not to EVER re-name anything. Leave this box alone.
INCLUDE: Audio and Video – unless there is some reason you only want one or the other.
Make sure box for make self-contained is checked and click OK. The small window will vanish.
7. Go to the bottom of the export queue and click export.
8. An export queue window will open and show you the percentage complete as the media files transcode. This can take awhile, so plan to do something else while this does its thing.
9. When the transcoding session is over, you’ll need to delete the original media imported into FCP and import the newly transcoded media. Begin creating your film.