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Black magic Raw on FCP 7?
- Thread starter scouser75
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Probably only if you use the workflow by going via DaVinci Resolve.
You import the footage into Resolve, create low res ProRes files, edit them in FCP and maybe export an XML (if that is possible).
Have you not tried FCP X yet? (though that doesn't make it easier anyway, as you still have to go via Resolve)
You import the footage into Resolve, create low res ProRes files, edit them in FCP and maybe export an XML (if that is possible).
Have you not tried FCP X yet? (though that doesn't make it easier anyway, as you still have to go via Resolve)
Hi mate, thanks for your reply.
Would it be possible to convert the footage via Compressor? I don't have resolve.
I would love to try FCPX Abut unfortunately I can only run El Capitan on my 2009 Mac.
I could ask the person who shot the footage and who also has Resolve to convert the footage to ProRes for me if that would be a good option.
Would it be possible to convert the footage via Compressor? I don't have resolve.
I would love to try FCPX Abut unfortunately I can only run El Capitan on my 2009 Mac.
I could ask the person who shot the footage and who also has Resolve to convert the footage to ProRes for me if that would be a good option.
You have much to learn, young Padawan. 🤪 Jump on over to the Mac Pro forum and get yourself familiarized w/ how to update your firmware to MacPro5,1 and run (officially) up to macOS 10.14 Mojave, or 10.15 Catalina w/ OpenCore (you'll need a Westmere CPU upgrade for that). Then you can run the very latest FCPX.
No, you can use Nehalem CPUs for Mojave, but you *will* need a Metal-capable graphics card. If you don't have one, I recently found a pretty good, inexpensive option in the Biostar Radeon RX 550 @ Newegg. Search my recent threads to find details on that.
As others have suggested above, I think you're trying to choose the path with the least pain. Some things to consider:
- DaVinci has a capable free version. It does seem to constrain in places that people might want (imagine that for a fremium model!) but the purchase price for Studio is the same as FCPX. Note that Resolve needs a "real" GPU. When I tried to install on my cMP with the stock GT120, it wouldn't run.
- I suspect you have the Compressor version that corresponds to FCP7, and I don't believe that will help with BMRaw. I don't believe the latest version of Compressor will convert BMRaw to ProRes.
- There are many steps to update an older cMP. For my 4,1, I updated the firmware to 5,1 (many hours of research and study, about 10 minutes to actually do it). I updated the BootRom to 144 (security, enables full speed PCIe bus, NVMe SSDs). I updated the CPU to X5680. I updated the OS to 10.14.6, which has the latest driver support for RX580, a recommended GPU. You'll need a Metal GPU to achieve some of these things. So no small amount of work. But I edit 4K pretty easily in FCPX.
- An alternative to all of the above is to just buy a cMP that someone updated. A year ago there was a good buzz about how these things would last forever. Now that the end is here, people are less enamored with them.
- Both FCPX and Resolve make good use of GPU capabilities. The better the card, the better the workflow performance. My point is, if you're buying a card, the cheapest Metal GPU may not be the best buy.
- As a halfway measure, note that FCP7 runs on 10.12 <--last version. Is there another reason you have to stick with El Cap?
- IMHO the learning curve for FCPX and Resolve are the same (steep). That is, they are very different from FCP7. So you get to choose your path forward. But editing is 2 things: knowing what to do and knowing what buttons to push. Sounds like you already know the former. The latter can be picked up relatively quickly.
- DaVinci has a capable free version. It does seem to constrain in places that people might want (imagine that for a fremium model!) but the purchase price for Studio is the same as FCPX. Note that Resolve needs a "real" GPU. When I tried to install on my cMP with the stock GT120, it wouldn't run.
- I suspect you have the Compressor version that corresponds to FCP7, and I don't believe that will help with BMRaw. I don't believe the latest version of Compressor will convert BMRaw to ProRes.
- There are many steps to update an older cMP. For my 4,1, I updated the firmware to 5,1 (many hours of research and study, about 10 minutes to actually do it). I updated the BootRom to 144 (security, enables full speed PCIe bus, NVMe SSDs). I updated the CPU to X5680. I updated the OS to 10.14.6, which has the latest driver support for RX580, a recommended GPU. You'll need a Metal GPU to achieve some of these things. So no small amount of work. But I edit 4K pretty easily in FCPX.
- An alternative to all of the above is to just buy a cMP that someone updated. A year ago there was a good buzz about how these things would last forever. Now that the end is here, people are less enamored with them.
- Both FCPX and Resolve make good use of GPU capabilities. The better the card, the better the workflow performance. My point is, if you're buying a card, the cheapest Metal GPU may not be the best buy.
- As a halfway measure, note that FCP7 runs on 10.12 <--last version. Is there another reason you have to stick with El Cap?
- IMHO the learning curve for FCPX and Resolve are the same (steep). That is, they are very different from FCP7. So you get to choose your path forward. But editing is 2 things: knowing what to do and knowing what buttons to push. Sounds like you already know the former. The latter can be picked up relatively quickly.
Thanks kohlson.
You're correct, my Compressor is the one that corresponds with FCP 7. I tried the BMRaw file on it and as suspected, it didn't work.
I'm going to do some research this weekend to update my 2009 Mac Pro. Could you please recommend some good places to look at?
If I can update, I'm going to start using FCPX and also learn Resolve. Then come end of the year, I'm going to finally update to a 16" Mac Book Pro as I'm looking to get back in to the editing game. It's been far too long!
You're correct, my Compressor is the one that corresponds with FCP 7. I tried the BMRaw file on it and as suspected, it didn't work.
I'm going to do some research this weekend to update my 2009 Mac Pro. Could you please recommend some good places to look at?
If I can update, I'm going to start using FCPX and also learn Resolve. Then come end of the year, I'm going to finally update to a 16" Mac Book Pro as I'm looking to get back in to the editing game. It's been far too long!
There is an entire forum thread on Mac Pro desktops, the vast majority of which is dedicated to updating cMPs. The content has been described as overwhelming, which you should interpret: "thoroughly researched." I think for a few hundred dollars, you can make some real improvements. Consider the following:
- X5680 CPUs are less than US$50/each. These are 6c 3.33GHz.
- 32 GB 1333 Memory is less than $US100
- RX580 is less than $200, and somewhat less for used.
- NVMe SSDs are really priced abut the same as SATA SSD. About $120 for 1TB. As with SATA SSDs, you can spend more for improved reliability and better IOPs. A simple PCIe adapter is $15-30. This delivers 1400+MBytes/sec.
At the top of the first page are several sticky threads. The only thing not really covered is what I recommend doing first: netkas firmware upgrade to get to 5,1.
From what I understand of your workflow, after doing Netkas I would pop in a CPU. Note that for 2009 models, dual CPU upgrades require more skill. But single is pretty straightforward. Google: Mac Pro Technician Guide.
Then upgrade to OS to a version that works for you. I strongly recommend keeping at least 2 different OS's available. Sometimes when you go forward it's not easy to go back. Have a good backup. Upgrading to the latest Mojave brings firmware updates that unlock NVME SSD and full speed PCIe bus (GPU!).
Then upgrade to SSD. Even if you don't go NVMe, any SSD will make a dramatic improvement.
Finally, ask any relevant questions in these other threads. People are super helpful and friendly.
PS: But you really have to ask yourself this question: Should I spend US$500 to update a machine that has at best a few more years left in it? I should point out that while there is no Apple support, there is a very active thread of people who have Catalina running, and have enabled H264 and H265 en/decode in AMD GPUs. For video, this is significant, and promotes the idea that this system can go another few years. But, you could also put this toward a new MBP, which you can configure with an even better GPU/CPU. It's a significant discount, if you will. And, your cMP is 11 years old. Way past its design spec for things like power supplies, etc. As we say in the States...Just sayin'.
- X5680 CPUs are less than US$50/each. These are 6c 3.33GHz.
- 32 GB 1333 Memory is less than $US100
- RX580 is less than $200, and somewhat less for used.
- NVMe SSDs are really priced abut the same as SATA SSD. About $120 for 1TB. As with SATA SSDs, you can spend more for improved reliability and better IOPs. A simple PCIe adapter is $15-30. This delivers 1400+MBytes/sec.
At the top of the first page are several sticky threads. The only thing not really covered is what I recommend doing first: netkas firmware upgrade to get to 5,1.
From what I understand of your workflow, after doing Netkas I would pop in a CPU. Note that for 2009 models, dual CPU upgrades require more skill. But single is pretty straightforward. Google: Mac Pro Technician Guide.
Then upgrade to OS to a version that works for you. I strongly recommend keeping at least 2 different OS's available. Sometimes when you go forward it's not easy to go back. Have a good backup. Upgrading to the latest Mojave brings firmware updates that unlock NVME SSD and full speed PCIe bus (GPU!).
Then upgrade to SSD. Even if you don't go NVMe, any SSD will make a dramatic improvement.
Finally, ask any relevant questions in these other threads. People are super helpful and friendly.
PS: But you really have to ask yourself this question: Should I spend US$500 to update a machine that has at best a few more years left in it? I should point out that while there is no Apple support, there is a very active thread of people who have Catalina running, and have enabled H264 and H265 en/decode in AMD GPUs. For video, this is significant, and promotes the idea that this system can go another few years. But, you could also put this toward a new MBP, which you can configure with an even better GPU/CPU. It's a significant discount, if you will. And, your cMP is 11 years old. Way past its design spec for things like power supplies, etc. As we say in the States...Just sayin'.
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Thanks mate. So, technically, can my client convert the BMRaw files to ProRes 422LT (or any other ProRes format) for me to edit on my FCP7, and once the edit is completed I can export an EDL for him and he can then reconnect to full quality?
Thanks mate. And it just goes to show me just how much I really do need to upgrade my Mac, OS, software... everything! 😁
Yup. That's my plan exactly. Last thing I want to do is spend several weeks editing to only then realise the edit ain't going nowhere further than my antiquated Mac!!! 😱