Flip Video and Final Cut Pro Workflow
I use my Flip Ultra HD camera often and especially for my show Chip’s Flip (go figure). I had a lot of people ask me about my Flip HD camera workflow (esp. with Final Cut Pro) so I created a short video tutorial on what I use and how I do it.
Feel free to leave comments and/or ask questions and I will get back to you as soon as possible.
(Update: I export MPEG Streamclip at 50% and it works fine for most web videos, but to get the highest resolution and the largest file size I would use 100%.)
June 12th by chip 33 Comments
Posted in How To
12:09 pm on June 26th, 2009
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3:33 pm on July 28th, 2009
Great video, trying your workflow out now. I've got a ton of flip video I've wanted to use in FCP. Looking forward to making this part of my workflow if successful.
Thanks for the video
1:14 pm on August 2nd, 2009
Thanks for your comment, I hope it is successful, I use it often and it works well for me.
7:17 pm on August 2nd, 2009
Thanks. Just what I was looking for.
3:17 pm on August 5th, 2009
Nice demo…what version of FCP are you using? I use version 5, will your workflow work with v.5? Thanks!
7:52 pm on August 5th, 2009
Using FCP version 6.06 in this tutorial. I also have FCP 7 on another machine and I had version 5 and it worked great.
3:34 am on August 6th, 2009
It works with all versions of FCP. I use FCP 6.06 but it works with FCP5 or the latest FCP 7.
1:21 pm on August 6th, 2009
Thanks I'll give it a try.
9:02 pm on August 6th, 2009
I take it that this will also work with FCE 4.0?
2:14 am on August 7th, 2009
I haven't tried 4.0 yet, but if you have that it you should consider an upgrade.
5:08 pm on August 18th, 2009
Hey – thanks for this.
I have a question; will mpeg streamclip also work to convert high quality AVCHD files, or do you think I need Cineform Neoscene for that?
10:33 pm on August 18th, 2009
I actually have one more question. FCP 7 has a 'share' function, that puts things into a mov file for youtube.
I wonder how it compares to Cram Compressor… I imagine the transcoding time would be similar?
11:26 pm on August 18th, 2009
Mark, I don't have any experience with AVCHD files, sorry. I have FCP 7 and even though it encodes in the background for YouTube, I still like my workflow I have by exporting out my files first. I will do a test soon and post transcoding times.
2:39 am on August 27th, 2009
Thanks for this. It was very helpful and well laid out.
What was the Lower 3rd Text preset you used? Was that one you created before and added?
11:01 am on August 27th, 2009
Chris, for my lower-third text I used a free plug-in called Alex 4-D it provides more typeface, position and design options for adding text to productions. Download it from his blog: http://alex4d.wordpress.com/2009/03/30/free-final...
Cheers!
6:11 pm on August 27th, 2009
Thanks so much for that!
5:27 pm on September 18th, 2009
Hi All,
1) Good tips on the workflow for Flip footage. Any suggestions on using it in conjunction with other HD footage, namely DvcProHD from P2? One or the other will have to be converted and wonder if you have had success with converting the Flip footage to DvcProHD.
2) I just had to work with AvcHD footage (m2ts files) and had to use the following program though it only works with Windows currently. Otherwise OSX does not like these files at all.
10:26 am on September 24th, 2009
Great tip. Concise information. I am thinking about purchasing a few Flips for use as anybody cams, but wanted to make sure FCP would work. Thank you. You sound like you are from B'more. (My old home town–still love dem O's, hon!).
3:10 pm on September 29th, 2009
Chip, this is a great help! I've just started doing a video blog and am purchasing a flip hd to do my vids. I am using imovie hd but havent ventured into the wonderful world of Final Cut. I have thought about FCE but am stuck on Imovie right now. Thanks for the info. I believe the filp will be great for my ministry. Talk to you soon. (Loved the Chip's Flip, by the way) Kirk Thompson
6:10 pm on October 20th, 2009
can you batch export files from mpeg streamclip?
6:23 am on November 5th, 2009
Chip, I have a suggestion for you.
When you use MPEG Streamclip, to make the Quicktime file, you are ending up with a much larger file size. I suggest you modify your workflow like this: In MPEG Streamclip's export dialog box, when you are exporting as a quicktime file, at the very top of that box, where it says "Compression:" you have it set to Apple Motion JPEG A. If you change this to H.264, I think you'll find the file size is about the same as, or smaller than the original Mp4 file from the Flip camera, but the quality is still good.
Just a thought. Best wishes and thanks for this video.
6:38 am on November 5th, 2009
Yep, really easy to batch export in MPEG Streamclip. Open the batchlist (List –> Batch List), and drag all your clips onto the batch list, then choose the settings to apply to your batch.
3:48 pm on November 5th, 2009
Thanks Martin for your comments. I have changed my workflow and H264 is part of it. I made this video in June of 2009. Thanks for your kind works.
3:56 am on December 2nd, 2009
thank you so much! this really helped me out!
7:47 pm on December 3rd, 2009
Chip, after I import my converted mov file into Final Cut I can see and hear it within the "viewer" window, but when I drop it into my timeline it says unrendered. I followed your tutorial and I don't think I missed anything. I do have an old version of Final Cut 5. I changed my work flow by using the H264 and it dropped the file size quite a bit. I just want to begin editing. Augh! I'm new to Final Cut. Is there something else I can do?
5:13 am on December 4th, 2009
I would suggest you upgrade to Final Cut 6 at least, it handles HD much better. If you can get Final Cut Express HD that would be cheaper and good. Follow the same work-flow and it should work out.
10:15 pm on December 19th, 2009
This really helped! Thank you so much. When editing with the mp4's which Flip creates I was getting a red screen and a general error.
8:15 pm on January 27th, 2010
Thanks! excellent post.
But, I need to do a project for cinema screening. would i still convert to mov files at 50% quality or go to 100%?
and when exporting – which compressor format will i choose to mantain quality?
12:45 am on January 29th, 2010
Use 100% remember MPEG streamclip and ProRes is just an intermediate codec.
Use mp4 to upload to youtube and etc.
For exporting for a cinema screening use a self contained quicktime movie.
4:21 pm on February 8th, 2010
what compression settings would you use for exporting to self conatine mov. file? I have to work with final cut express for a project and have realised that i can only work with dv codecs (?) ie. 720×576 (letterboxed) pal – so need to at least export to keep highest possible quality for screening. Any tips appreciated
5:44 pm on February 16th, 2010
Using FCP 7, not able to get "clip settings" on these files. When I try, I get a message: "No items have files that are applicable to this operation." Also, the files exported by Streamclip still need rendering, even if I use DV format. What am I doing wrong?
7:31 am on February 17th, 2010
Don, I will send you an email and I will help you through your issue.
11:11 pm on February 22nd, 2010
Chip, thanks for the video, have a question. I used mpeg streamclip, but when I dropped the clips in my timeline they all played but had dropped frames at the end of every clip. How can I fix this? Thanks for your help