FCP and RED...Please help!!

[Ken Mostek]

I have some video that was shot on a RED ONE, and the video lives on my external hard drive. I have a Mac 6.0 with FCP. I have downloaded Red Rocket installer and Red Alert, but I still can't see or hear the video. All I get is a black screen. The curser moves like normal, but there is nothing there. What am I doing wrong? I've tried to log and transfer with no success, and I've tried to import with no success. thanks, Ken

 

[Chris Parker]

have you downloaded the red qt and final cut plugin?

 

[Ken Mostek]

I did download the red qt. Not sure what the final cut plugin is, or where to find it. I was just trying to install the red final cut studio 30, but my computer won't let me. It gives me an error saying "SSE-optional flag is not set". I totally have no idea what that means. thanks

 

[jimhare]

Okay, this can be really simple if you do the following:

1. Download RedCine X from www.red.com/support (not Red Rocket, which is a hardware card)

2. Open RedCine X and bring the clip in.

3. Use the controls to make the image look pleasing.

4. Go to Export and create an Export setting for QuickTime Pro Res 422 and whatever size you want to edit in.

5. Export the clip as QT and use that in FCP.


Unless you understand the workflow, this is the best way forward for several reasons.

For one, as soon as you have your QuickTime files you don't need to worry about what's happening.

If you get the image looking good before exporting, you won't have to push and pull the QT too far.

Best of luck, hope this helps.

 

[Ken Mostek]

I downloaded RedCine X, but my computer won't allow me to open it, so I can't get past step 2, Jim. This is so frustrating. It's not my computer, just one I am borrowing to edit with. So I don't know what's on it or not. I even tried to download Quicktime 7, and it won't let me, saying it needs an Intel Processor. I would think that would be a basic item that should already be in the computer. Oh, the agony!

 

[Uli Plank]

You'll need a newer Mac, the one you are trying is probably G4 or G5. Sorry, but working with RED is quite demanding, It's not your grandpa's video camera…

 

[Ken Mostek]

This computer is a G5. Is there anything I can do outside of buying a new computer to get this done?

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

This computer is a G5. Is there anything I can do outside of buying a new computer to get this done?

nope.

All RED software/tools require an Intel processor. You will need to find a different computer somewhere. Or find a way to get the RED media transcoded to ProRes, then you can work on the G5.

 

[jimhare]

Hi Ken,

The tools require quite a bit of processing power as 4K files are massive.

I agree with Jeff, your best bet is to hit up a friend for some computer time and run all of your Red footage through to something you can edit.

Then you can go back with the footage and edit on your machine in a CODEC you are familiar with.

Think of it like film. Most editors don't have a telecine in their bedroom. Transfer the footage the same as you would 35mm. Do a basic 1-light grade to get your footage looking pretty close (while protecting shadows/highlights) and then you are in good old QuickTime from then on.

 

[Ken Mostek]

Okay, I think I've figured this out. It's true...the G5 does not have the Intel Processor. I have found a newer, better Mac to access the RED files. We will then use the compressor in FCP to make it into a file that we can use on the G5.

I really do appreciate all of the help from you guys. You really helped me figure this out!

All my best!

 

[Gunleik Groven]

Compresssor is really not the best way to go. Decide your format and make offline/online files in redcine-x.

For offline, you may find 1/4 debayer doing you a lot of good.

For online, full debayer is the only way to go.

Cheers

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Yeah, don't use Compressor, you're just setting yourself up for further headache. Use REDCINE-X to convert to ProRes and edit that on the G5.

You can do primary color corrections in REDCINE-X before you convert.

 

[jimhare]

Definitely do not do that as you would be accessing Red Proxies, not fully debayered and color corrected files.

Listen to the geniuses above, they are the best in the business. RedCine X is the only way forward, embrace it!