Hi Jeff

Is this a Magix app that will allow me to change the capture settings to ACC H.264 (rather than AVI)? Is that even possible with MEP 2016 Plus? BTW I also have MEP 2018 (but not installed). Apple commentators are suggesting changing the output capture to ACC H.264 ....

Thank You

@CarpentersMate Mike, what exactly is the problem? I can't work it out! 😵

@AAProds

Hi Al.

Jeff is me! But I agree, this whole thread is now very confusing.

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike.

Please read the tutorial I linked to! MediaInfo is a free utility that allows the user to be shown a list of the codecs used in any video or audio file. It is NOT a Magix product and certainly NOT one that has anything at all to do with converting anything to anything else!!!

Jeff

@CarpentersMate Mike, what exactly is the problem? I can't work it out! 😵

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike

. . . . Magix app that will allow me to change the capture settings to ACC H.264 (rather than AVI)?  . . . .

There is no such audio encoding format ACC.

AAC and AC3 are the standard audio formats commonly associated with MP4 h.264 encoded video, however due to Dolby licencing AC3 encoding of audio is no longer available in MEP for encoding.

Do you mean you want to capture as MP4 with h.264 encoded video and AAC encoded audio instead of the AVI file format? Is this correct?

John EB

Greetings,

Hmm, this is confusing however looking at the images supplied, @CarpentersMate's previous posts, a lot of supposition and a strong cup of tea this is my take on the problem.

@CarpentersMate has captured some DV tapes to AVI with Final Cut Pro which is an Apple program I believe - these obviously work OK in FCP

@CarpentersMate also captured some DV tapes to AVI with Movie Edit Pro 2016 (it's been a long time since I've used MEP 2016, does it save to AVI? I know it saved to MPG) and they don't work in FCP.

Now if memory serves me about my old work Mac it couldn't play PCM files without a tweak or an app or something and maybe MEP 2016 saved the AVI with a PCM audio track.

If this is the case there are many free audio converters that will do the job of conversion(?). Even MEP has it's own Music Editor,

I could of course be utterly confused as stated in my opening sentence.

AndyW

ps @CarpentersMate this can probably be answered by the MediaInfo requested by Jeff @emmrecs.

pps I'm a man. I can take ridicule if the wrong tree is being barked at.

Hello all my friends ... and Happy Holidays!

As I've explained I'm very happy simply being able to capture with MEP 2016 Plus (or) MEP 2013 Plus (for that matter) as it takes stress off my old Mac Desktops. However I take responsibility for not thoroughly researching the 'file type' of the bulk already captured with FCP. And yes of course I totally understand we're talking about 2 different platforms. But let's try to focus on the easier parts...

While capturing with FCP (as the screen shot indicates), the Capture Settings are different from MEP. FCP Captured File Data indicates ACC (as audio) (yes please I understand that John), and Video Data shows H.264. File Data for AVI Captured with MEP, only shows 'AVI' nothing more... But the AVI's are crisp and clean and respond perfectly on the FCP timeline (no time line setting conflicts). However FCP also creates the prompt: Media Performance 'warning' which I'm only guessing 'could' be more related to the larger file size than FCP is used to handling with regard to streaming? Don't know for sure but the Apple guys are recommending a conversion of some type ... we'll see?

So sure I'm totally aware of file conversion (after the fact), but converting (for example) to MPEG2 (as suggested), creates time line conflict with FCP. So I'm exploring 'other' file conversions that will satisfy FCP without creating 'further' conflicts/issues. We ok so far? 😅 And it should be noted that FC has a 'Media Manager' which 'should' deal with ONLY the fraction of the 'edited' AVI avoiding that Media Warning on the FCP timeline... Again we'll see?

Yes this is 'my problem' ... But meanwhile (I asked previously), I'm trying to find out if one can change the Capture 'OUTPUT' in MEP to H.264 in an effort to minimize conversions and further conflicts? Looks like the answer could be 'no' (possibly from the MEP Media Information)? I can live with that ... BTW I also have MEP 2018 which isn't installed at the moment ... Let me put it another way, (as Alwyn stated), its preferred starting out with a file that has 'higher data rate' (like the AVI) working downward to hopefully satisfy FCP. Perhaps a 'QT Movie File' ??? (working on some tests now).

Its wonderful to see such issues comprehended 'step by step' avoiding complexity as I'm sure our minds will find mutual conclusions ....(the written word could also cause innocent confusion) ...

Christmas is almost here so I don't expect replies immediately (family first) 😇

Thank You

Mike

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike

. . . . FCP Captured File Data indicates ACC (as audio) (yes please I understand that John) . . . .

I only see AAC in the image, ie standard h.264/AAC combination in a Quicktime (MOV) container file - nothing to worry about there.

. . . . However FCP also creates the prompt: Media Performance 'warning' which I'm only guessing 'could' be more related to the larger file size than FCP is used to handling with regard to streaming? . . .

From my FCP days the warning is an advisory, and is only relevant if you were multi cam editing, ie have 2 or more cameras video on separate tracks which were recorded simultaneously from different angles, and cutting between sections from each to go on to the master track.

. . . . So I'm exploring 'other' file conversions that will satisfy FCP without creating 'further' conflicts/issues. We ok so far?  . . . .

I believe you are not multi cam editing so the message is irrelevant and therefore there is no necessity to consider conversion to other formats, FCP should be able to handle the AVI files, even more so if the AVI from MEP video resolution is SD (720 x 480).

The obvious question is - do you see FCP struggling with the AVI's or is playback as 'smooth as butter'?

John EB

@CarpentersMate Mike, I agree with John. Ignore the FCP warning and carry on.

Thanks John

Thanks Alwyn

I concur ...

"do you see FCP struggling with the AVI's" - No not so far

I would like to think all those captures were NOT for naught ... I don't know what those fellows are referring to when they say: "try to convert to something more durable"

However, (just to be sure) I'm conducting some conversions to .Mov files and DV-AVI Files (with both MEP and Wondershare (shortening the content). Yes I know it might be 're-encoding' but MEP has that valuable tool to 'Sharpen' - whereas my older version of FCP does not ... (that archival material could definitely benefit)

Thank You

Mike

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike

. . . . but MEP has that valuable tool to 'Sharpen' - whereas my older version of FCP does not  . . . .

????

Which version do you have - from memory FCP has always had a Sharpen effect - it is the most common effect to be applied to video - and should be the last effect applied preferably to the whole movie - in MEP it is under Movie Effects

IIRC in FCP it is to be found in the most unexpected place - in the Blur category of the Effects Browser - 🙃

John EB

Hi John

Thanx for taking time out to comment (since its Holiday)

I'm afraid to say it ... here goes:

I started using FCP 6.0.6 in 2009 (upgraded from a previous version). No 'sharpen tool'. Working mainly with SD and mechanically maintaining #2 G5's (its all fine for me). Keeping existing expensive software was important. At one point I picked up an early Mac Pro Desktop and loaded a later version of FC however the previous project files would never function properly (many issues) so I stayed with my G5's & FCP 6. I never looked back....

John please one last question:

Although the AVI's should work out, I can't find a way to change the capture settings in MEP 2016 Plus to H.264 Video Codec? And BTW I also have MEP 2018 Plus, (not sure if that matters)? Back in 2019 'Scenestealer' pointed out that MEP 2016 Plus "does have limited H.264 export"

Where/How? Only for export I suppose?

The Apple guys are saying: "try to convert to something more durable rather than AVI's"

As long as there are no problems - Why?

Merry Christmas!

Mike

@CarpentersMate

Hi Mike.

Seasons Greetings.

I think maybe because avi did not support different aspect ratios and was a Microsoft developed codec. I think you would expect that response from an Apple tech department. I would not personally worry about that just yet.

It's been around since 1998 and as with all things I suspect will eventually be dropped as nothing digital seems to be there forever. Of more concern to me personally is I wonder how many households will have a physical DVD /Blue-ray player in another 10 years. Physical sales of DVDs Blue-ray discs dropped 86% over the 13 years running up to 2019 but then after the beginning of lock-downs that figure has risen slightly again for a while but subscriptions to streaming services continue to rise. I suspect for multiple reasons that eventually everything will be online except for those few people who would be similar to those who still prefer to own physical copies of things they are interested in due to lack of personal living space.

Ray.

Thanks Ray

Thanks John

"I would prefer to export as SD resolution AVI"

In other words no you cannot change MEP capture settings? And that's fine by me as long as the AVI's behave well along with other 'Apple QT files' on the same timeline. And (so far) I do not see a different 'warning prompt' that occurs if you try to import a clip whose characteristics conflict with the timeline's 'Sequence Settings'. Then the last issue is how FCP will eventually process/export an entire piece for whatever its use: DVD, Broadcast etc. Hoping that goes well ...