48fps issues?

[hrstyler]

Hi Everyone-
Just shot some material at 48 fps. In the FCP sequence it stutters and plays very slow (slower than it should). I render it and can't see the image anymore at all. I tried to alter the speed to 110%, and it just locks up. Has anyone shot and worked with variable frame rate material?
Thanks!

 

[hrstyler]

BTW I'm on a 2.5 Ghz MacBook Pro, 2 Gig ram, FCP Studio 2, G Raid external 1TB, QT 7.3.1.
Cheers-

 

[timecodemultimedia]

- Have you made sure that your sequence settings match exactly both frame size and frame rate of the clips you are adding to the timeline?
- Are you working with the proxies or with QT converted files?

 

[hrstyler]

For the first question: In my sequence I will need to play BOTH 24 fps and 48 fps... so which frame rate setting shall I set the seq to?

Qustion 2: In my media files, each 'clip' is a folder with .RDC at the end ... inside that folder are 5 files: an .R3D and 4 .mov files.

I hope this helps, and look forward to your input.
Thanks.

 

[timecodemultimedia]

In my sequence I will need to play BOTH 24 fps and 48 fps... so which frame rate setting shall I set the seq to?

You'll only have one option of playback. Sequences can't play back two different frame rates at the same time. Now, if you enable RT playback in FCP the system (depending on the configuration) may be able to deal with both frame rates. Otherwise you'll have to stick with one and render the other as you go; OR conform all frame rates to one common rate.

Qustion 2: In my media files, each 'clip' is a folder with .RDC at the end ... inside that folder are 5 files: an .R3D and 4 .mov files.

You can use the proxies for editing. They are the 4 QT movies you see in each folder each with a different resolution. Use the one that your system can handle the best. The weird file with .RDC is your R3D codec file. Keep all files in their folders. If you move files around the proxies won't work 'cause they all correspond to their R3D file.

One last thing, you most likely won't be able to do "creative editing" with the proxies. They are good for cuts only or (maybe) dissolves. If you are planning to do creative editing, you will have to convert all the RED files to edit friendly format which can take a lot of time. We just strated a new service about these conversions. Follow this link...
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=10415

if you have any questions, just let me know... Good Luck!

 

[hrstyler]

Wow, thanks Stuart, this sheds a lot of light on my (questionable) situation. I have a lot of creative editing I want to do with this footage... So, what would you recommend for making the 48 fps material workable at this stage... ie: just dropping into the 23.98 timeline/syncing it. I mean, at this stage I just want to look at the 48fps (in any timeline) without it stuttering and going to error.
Thanks!

 

[timecodemultimedia]

Well....
To do the creative editing you would have to convert your footage to 23.98 or whatever final frame rate you need before anything else. Depending on what your system can handle you can go as high as UC 10 bit HD, but in various situations, Apple ProRes HQ will be good enough (obviously, depending on your client quality expectations). If you are planning to do lots of compositing, I will definately DO NOT recommend ProRes. After a few renders the codec breaks.

You may want to convert ALL your footage first, but depending on how much it is, it could take a lonnnnnnnnng freaking time. That's why we are offering the inexpensive conversion service - all done with 2008 Mac Pros and a quick turn around.

You could also use the proxies to select your shots to then batch convert exactly what you need as in a "digital online". You could use RedTrip, but it is a beta app, and I don't 100% trust it at this point. It seems to have worked ok for some.

 

[hrstyler]

Thanks Stuart... The 48 fps adds up to probably 30 mins of footage. Can I create a timeline that runs at that speed and at least view it properly?
T

 

[hrstyler]

I looked again, and noticed that for the 48 fps material, there are actually
4 .R3D files, as well as 4 .mov files. (The 1:4 config was for standard 23.98). ?

 

[timecodemultimedia]

The first file should link to the other three. So you can load one file and convert what you need. The proxies should be one each and be complete.

I am finally going home. Need a break and some sleep. I'll check back any other questions from you on Monday.
Good Luck!!!!