Final Cut
Pro
Sequence Settings for Optimum
Editing Performance with CineForm files
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In this Tech Note we describe Final Cut Pro Sequence
settings to optimize editing performance using CineForm files on an FCP
timeline. As background, FCP imposes performance-restrictive assumptions
on third-party codecs that make it difficult to deliver the perfect real-time
performance that CineForm customers are used to. This manifests itself
mostly during real-time effects and transitions on the FCP timeline. There
are a couple sequence setting selectors to optimize performance. Plus
CineForm continues to work on additional techniques to improve editing
performance of CineForm files in FCP. |
Sequence
Settings Within Final Cut Pro
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Performance Preface: CineForm has not yet released the threaded version
of our codec for MacOS. This work is in progress. Expect playback
and render performance to increase when this release is made.
Notice in the Final Cut Pro Sequence settings below, CineForm HD is selected as
the QuickTime Compressor. This selection defines the render-to codec, not
the files on the editing timeline. It would normally be assumed that if
you are using CineForm clips on your timeline that you should use CineForm as
the render-to QT Compressor. However, if you leave the setting like this,
individual CineForm files will play in real time within FCP, but FCP will refuse to play
through transitions or effects without rendering.
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The resulting FCP timeline with the Red render bar is shown below.
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However, if you instead choose a render-to codec known by FCP to provide
real-time performance, then FCP will allow your source codec (CineForm) to play
through transitions and effects without rendering. In the figure below we
have selected Apple ProRes 422 (Final Cut Studio 2) codec for rendering.
Note: We will never actually render to ProRes, but by selecting ProRes as the render-to codec
FCP eliminates
the force-render for clips with transitions and effects applied.
When the project is ready
for either exporting or rendering, you will simply change your Compressor
Setting back from Apple ProRes 4:2:2 to Cineform HD.
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 Sequence
Settings:
1. Make sure your frame size
and pixel aspect ratio match correctly between project settings and clip
settings.
2. During editing of your
project select Sequence --> Settings then select Apple ProRes 422
under QT Video Settings.
Note for
FCP v5.1 users:
3.
The final setting is to set the timeline playback mode at the upper left on
the FCP timeline as shown at right. You want to select Unlimited RT
as the timeline mode.
The result of these settings is that your timeline will turn Orange (as shown
below) instead of Red, and it will allow you to play through transitions and
effects with CineForm source material.
Performance Note: In the monitor window there is a selector for decode
size. Selecting 50% instead of 100% sometimes accelerates playback
depending on functions being performed on the timeline. |
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Note:
Playback within Final Cut Pro
may seem slower or choppy when using the settings described above. We are
investigating additional settings or codec modes that will allow us to reduce or
eliminate the choppiness. This choppiness is only a playback issue and is
no way a problem for your exported project.
Also: You may find
that a combination of Sequence settings (sometimes using CineForm as the
render-to codec) provides a better workflow as individual CineForm files play
more smoothly on the FCP timeline although they will not play through
transitions or effects.
Upon Project Render or
Export: Make sure to select CineForm as the render-to codec when rendering
portions of your timeline or exporting your project.
Finally: We are
continually working to improve our workflow and performance on MacOS in general
and inside both Apple and Adobe products in particular. Check regularly
for new releases of our software for additional features and performance on
MacOS. |
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