FCE 4 Import Quality Loss

[droptheone]

I didn't know to import from cam directly to FCE, so I copied them to desktop. They were .MTS files and I used WinX HD to convert them to a high quality .mov that can be imported into FCE. They look great in a player but when I import them, the quality is horrible and they're about 1/4 size. Is there some way to adjust import settings or a different format I can import them as?

I tried looking for a thread on this but couldn't find any

Thanks in advance

 

[simsaladimbamba]

What are the codec settings used for the transcoded file? Maybe use VideoSpec (I prefer that, though it hasn't been updated since 11/2009), MediaInfo Mac (10/2010) or MediaInfo (10/2010, there is a Mac OS X version to download, VideoSpec and MediaInfo Mac are using the same library as MediaInfo) to analyse the resulting .mov file(s).
Have you also verified the playback settings in FCE?

 

[droptheone]

"HD Mov
15000kbps
29.97fps
codec Mpeg-4"
Playback settings, quality's "high" framerate's "full" RT's on "Safe"

 

[simsaladimbamba]

"HD Mov
15000kbps
29.97fps
codec Mpeg-4"

MPEG-4 is not meant for editing, FCE needs .mov files using the Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC). Maybe take a look at ClipWrapper.
Have you also tried MRoogle yet?
Btw, have you checked the manual of FCE yet or the playback settings in FCE (timeline window > upper left where it normally says "RT")?

 

[droptheone]

the codec setting on the converter says "MOV" but the info on the file afterwards says Mpeg-4...

The RT settings are all on high,

but you've given me some good suggestions, so I'm going to go do some more homework on it.

Thanks again

 

[simsaladimbamba]

the codec setting on the converter says "MOV" but the info on the file afterwards says Mpeg-4...

The RT settings are all on high,

but you've given me some good suggestions, so I'm going to go do some more homework on it.

Thanks again

.mov is the container, MPEG-4 is the codec. A container can hold the information using a variety of codecs, like .avi (container) and Divx or Xvid (both codecs based on MPEG-4).

 

[droptheone]

Thanks again man, the MOV codec I landed on was "DV/DVCPRO" and I seem to get good enough quality for what I'm doing.

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Thanks again man, the MOV codec I landed on was "DV/DVCPRO" and I seem to get good enough quality for what I'm doing.

DV/DVCPro is meant for SD footage, can't you use the AIC? Or do you only have SD footage?