My FCP Workflow

Footage is usually NTSC DV interlaced. Live graphics came via DV so they match. Project and sequence default is the same.

Once I have edited in a an interlaced seq, create a new seq, change it to progressive. Nest the song edit in the new progressive sequence, add a deinterlace filter to nested instance of edit. Add titles and graphics.


Master export from FCP:

Export using "DV progressive export"

- 720x40 NTSC dv 3:2 (PAR NTSC)
- uncompressed 8-bit
- render all in hi-def YUV
- superwhite
- best motion
- *don't* deinterlace source

3.5 min work out to 4GB


For youtube upload:

Open previous export in quicktime pro. Export to quicktime movie, all markers, settings: h.264, all frames are keyframes, no data limit, best quality, size: VGA 640x480, square pixels, don't preserve aspect ratio, don't deinterlace source.

3.5 min becomes 700MB


For DVD:

Open uncompressed export in compressor, start with DVD 60 min best preset, delete dolby audio output, select m2v, in inspector change bitrate to force CBR at 8000 Kbps, progressive, GOP to IP/6


Building DVD:

DVD Studio Pro new project, set to progressive, import clip and place in track. Click on empty space in browser to select disc, in inspector set first play to the track with content. Select track in browser, in inspector set end jump to track so that it loops.

TODO: export maximized computer file

Start from FCP interlaced edit. Split field to convert from ~60i to ~60p. Put this 60p version in a 60p FCP track, add title and graphics. Export uncompressed, then convert to desired formats. This preserves the maximum time resolution of original footage, and is appropriate for preparing 60fps files for download. Frankly YouTube uploads should probably be 60fps also even if they don't support such frame rates at the moment.


Create a new sequence preset. FCP -> A/V Settings -> Sequence Presets tab. Select "DV NTSC 48 Khz" and duplicate it to "DV Interlaced Uncompressed Export". In General tab leave everything unchanged except for Compression to "Uncompressed 8-bit". In Video Processing tab select high-precision YUV, Super-White, Best.

NOTE: Compressor offers more deinterlace control, use it outside of FCP for deinterlace step?

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