A question I get asked frequently is how to improve export speeds from Final Cut Pro X. This varies, depending upon a variety of conditions, but here are five tips you can use to speed things up.
1. Optimize media. Renders and exports are significantly faster when using optimized media (which means it is converted into ProRes 422), rather than editing camera native formats (like H.264 or AVCHD).
2. Finish rendering. When the time comes to export, if rendering is not complete, Final Cut will render all remaining clips during export which slows things down.
3. Export using ProRes 422. This format matches the format you used for optimizing – FCP X doesn’t allow you a choice. By exporting in the same format, you avoid wasting speed in transcoding from one format to another. And, from an image quality point of view, you won’t be able to tell the difference when looking at ProRes 422 vs. ProRes 422 HQ.
4. Export a Master File. I always want to view my exported file to make sure it looks and sounds OK before compressing it. This allows me to verify that everything is good. So, I always select Share > Export Media to export my files.
NOTE: Here’s an article with details on how to export a Master File.
5. Export to a different hard drive. When you export to a different hard drive than the one containing your Event folder, the computer can copy the media from one hard drive and record it on a different drive which is much faster than reading and writing to the same drive.
Yes, it is easier to share everything with one click, but it isn’t faster, and you lose the ability to spot problems with your file before wasting time compressing then.
This is the system I use and it works well for me.
53 Responses to FCP X: 5 Tips to Faster Exports
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Newer Comments →Very helpful, thanks!
This is very helpful information, but here’s my question. Final edited files exported in ProRes tend to be gigantic. So assuming I am distributing a 30 minute (or longer) digital video file to friends and family, what would you recommend for output from the Master file?
Hi,
ProRes “is a line of intermediate codecs, which means they are intended for use during video editing, and not for practical end-user viewing….xxx” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ProRes, you would rather use (the widely compatible H264 codec for sharing with your audience. Use the “Share” function in FCPX (file/share/apple device 720p or 1080p and copy to an usb stick – or the “Add Destination” command and choose any format like the “Youtube” or “Vimeo” or DVD format etc.
Update to 10.0.6 and experience background exporting via the new share menu. It seems faster than exporting was in previous versions and you can continue to work on other projects while the master file is being made. That in itself speeds up my work.
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I was trying to export a master file actually matching the source — mp4 from EyeTV. I had unchecked Optimize Media, and the Inspector seemed to indicate that my timeline was indeed mp4. But on trying to export, Master File said “Source: ProRes 422” and NOT “Source – H.264. I was just trying to chop out a few chunks from my EyeTV footage — and avoid a transcode on the export.
Does Master File export ProRes — or some other codec — and not allow the original source to be exported without transcoding? (Of course, fades and other effects not involving straight cuts would have to be rendered and encoded).
Thanks!
If you add any transitions or effects, FCP X will transcode the entire movie to ProRes 422. This is because you can’t switch between codecs within the same movie – the codec needs to be the same throughout.
However, if all you are doing is cuts, it should export in the camera native format.
Larry
So if I’m importing from a DVD to add text and effects, is there any speed benefit to ripping the DVD at Prores 422 knowing that it’s going to “re-encode” because of my text/effect additions?
Pete:
I would say yes. Because you will be recompressing the video file, again, after adding text and effects, to get it back into MPEG-2 for burning to the DVD, ripping the original DVD into something that provides plenty of extra bits means that you’ll do less damage to the video during re-compression.
Larry
Larry:
Thanks! For the input.
I guess mainly what I’m trying to achieve is the fastest “post” work when sending to the Master File, before sending it to Compressor. My final output is for Local Access Television (SD 720 X 480 MPEG-2 for a Leightronix Nexus playback device.)
Previously, I used MPEG Streamclip to rip the DVDs to Apple Intermediate Codec, but thought maybe it would be better (seeing your previous discussions) to rip directly to ProRes 422.
Now, knowing it transcodes again because of my text overlays & effects, I’m not sure if I’m actually increasing my overall processing time (from start to finish).
Ideas?
Thanks!
Pete
I cannot find a convo thread on this subject:
I am trying to export a 4min video for web from FCPX and need the final video to be approx 45mb. I am doing the following but getting horrible results:
1. I’m exporting to Apple devices 1080p H.264 Faster Encode and end up with a .m4v video at 295mb (video looks good)
2. Then bringing that video into QT pro or MPEG Streamclip to compress it small enough for web
3. I get the file to 45mb but it is pixelated
Thoughts?
KB:
You can’t get there from here. H.264 is a VERY compressed format. What you are doing is compressing the file, then RE-compressing it. This will ALWAYS yield terrible results.
A MUCH better option is to export a Master File, which uses ProRes 422. Then, compress the file using Compressor, or MPEG Streamclip to compress. Your MPEG Streamclip settings are probably OK, the bigger problem is compressing something that is already compressed.
Keep in mind that you are trying to squeeze a very large image – 1080 – into a very small size – 10 MB / minute. You will have MUCH better image quality if you reduce your image size to 720 during compression.
Larry
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Hi, the AIFF/Caf bug guy.. – it worked out btw. after a reboot the next day the rendering issue was gone.
Regarding Pro Ress 422 (HQ) or not, the difference I can see is that the HQ file is a bit darker (transcoded with mpeg stream clip), and the Original 5dm3 H265 All-I file as well as the transcoded 422 (non HQ) file by FCPX are a bit lighter almost milkier.
As there might not be more/less visible noise this does worry me and is just another reason for me not to work with fcpX.
The bit sizes and file siszes are huge in difference as well obviously.
Do you see an issue here larry? I do lots of grading / effects / titles / animated credits etc. so the larger the container or the”Waterbucket” the better the output…(?)
thanks
Joe
sorry H264 of course (typo)
Joe:
I’m a bit confused. First, I would not use MPEGStreamclip to judge transcode quality. Second, the H.265 codec has been approved (as of January), but does not yet exist as a product.
The only difference between ProRes 422 and ProRes 422 HQ is bit rate, which would yield better compression and reduced artifacts when dealing with clips that contain lots of motion. H.264 is a highly compressed and artifacted video format.
I would expect more noise artifacts in H.264. Also, unless you are recording to a hard disk directly from your camera, the Canon can not record all I-frame data to a memory card – the bandwidth of the memory card is way too narrow.
Which is why I’m confused.
Larry
Hi Larry,
Sorry for the confusion, H265 was a typo. I meant H264. Good to hear H265 is near!
I use the Canon 5d mark 3 with films Intra Frame ALL-I at 91 Mbits/s aprox. That can be recorded to memory cards…
A better solution will be to record for ex. to Blackmagics HyperDeck Shuttle when the FIrmware upgrade allows clean HDMI output…
So your saying Pro Res HQ would be a better starting point for compressing it again if the footage contains lots of motion etc. As I do lots of grading, fx etc. the higher data rate of HQ might justify the larger data size…
The comparison was comparing the original H264 recording from the canon 5d 3 to the result of the FCPX import transcode to Pro Res 422 – to the result of MPEG streamclip transcode to Pro Res HQ. The HQ was a bit darker (contrast wise). (3 open QT windwos nest to each other.)
The h264 was to source material so I didn’t expect of course the others to have more artifacts but was surprised to find the HQ result darker (a bit darker only and not worse in Quality!!)
Do you recommend not to use Streamclip or better recommend Compressor for the task? I used Mpeg Streamclip to Batchprocess (since QT 7 can’t do this), and assumed since it used the Quicktime Engine there was no difference in result… also the Canon Log & Transfer transcode codec (plugin) didn’t work on my system and then I heard it produced unsatisfactory results (slow and some users reported missing data / videomaterial)
My Best Reagrds
Joe
Hi, Larry,
Im trying to export a couple of projects. Im getting huge outrageous export times. Im also following your tips for faster exports, which I found browsing the web trying to solve this isues, but havnt notice real difference, I guess because of the huge export times.
Im running on FCP 10.0.8 and a brand new Mac Pro OSX 10.8.3 12 Cores 2.4 ghz and 24 RAM.
I transcoded all my footage upon import to ProRes422.
A 4 minutes video clip, with text, footage and a few effects, transitions was giving me over 8 hours of export time. I had to cancel out of that. I tried to use compressor and after waiting for a few hours its finally showed that the export failed.
I try epxorting to H264 and Proress422HQ and Proress422 (so it doesnt need to transcode) but having the same issue. Huge amount of time to export, and failed attempts.
Something is way off! any ideas what may be causing this or how to solve it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
One last thing, when I open the background render, its shows “transcoding”. But if Im exporting to ProRes422 it shouldnt transcode right?
I then went to the event browser, and selected a footage clip, in the properties panel on info, it shows H264 Codec linear PCM. Should it say Proress422? Im pretty sure all footage was transcoded to proress 422, it took over a dozen hours to transcode.
I have no clue whats going one and need those exported files asap 🙁
Alex:
The only thing that would create these lengthy export times – assuming the app is working correctly – is if the project needs to render before output.
If all rendering is done prior to export, then it may be a bad preference problem. Read this – http://www.larryjordan.biz/improving-fcp-x-performance/ – to learn how to trash preferences.
Exporting a Master File SHOULD be the fastest way to export any file from FCP X ( File > Share > Master File).
Larry
Hi, Larry,
Many thanks for your fast response. I really appreciate it.
The project was rendered before export. I waited a long while to have it rendered, several hours, then play it without the stuttering that occurs when playing it before render.
I went ahead and trashed the preferences, with this free app that someone at the apple forum suggested: http://www.digitalrebellion.com/prefman/
Restarted my Mac, launched FCPX, nothing else, and tried to export it again. It takes about 25 minutes to get to aprox 40% of the export done, but from there on it has taked almost half an hour for an extra 2 or 3 %. Its only a 4 minutes clip with some generators and transitions, footage.
I also tried this other suggestion by a person at the apple forums:
“NOTE: did find out some help to cut down the exporting times using Compressor…. When you send the timeline (project) to compressor click on the menu APPLE QMASTER.Select Share This Computer Next click the box Share this computer and select asQuickCluster with services. Next under the Services section click on the Compressorbox and then click Options a drop down menu will appear and allow you to select how many processors you want to use. I selected 16! I have noticed a big change in speed improvment’s to export 3 minute timelines in roughly 10-12 minutes 🙂 When it was 30 minutes in FCP X.”
I ramped up the instances to 20 instead of 16. But theres hasnt been any real difference.
When I imported the footage I selected prox and optimized media. Someone mentioned that it would play using Proxy and export using Optimized, and that would make it easier and faster to edit. Wonder if this has anything to do with it.
Alex
Alex:
It sounds like you are exporting directly to Compressor, which I don’t recommend. Instead, export to a Master File, THEN bring that master file into Compressor.
See if that improves export speeds.
Larry
I went ahead and created a new project. Dropped in some generators and footage, totaling about 4 minutes, and it took about 12 minutes to export as MAster File with FCPX.
Then I duplicated the troubled project, removed three parts with effects, stacked generators, etc. It had to re-render and that took a few hours, but finally the export took about 16 minutes.
That being said, how can I build a more complex project if it wont export? I need to simply it in order to make it usable, it seems. I dont understand. It wasnt that crazy on effects and stuff. But something that had to do with those three parts was the problem.
I guess Ill have to redo them in a light version in the meanwhile, I need to have it ready by Monday
Many thanks for all your help, Larry. Have a great weekend.
Alex
Hello, I keep getting the same error when trying to upload my video to youtube.
The safe operation youtube has failed.
Quick time error-50.
I get the same error when trying to same video to computer.
Can you help.
By the logic in tip #5, with the below system, would “setup 2” would be better (assuming a solid external backup plan is in place)?
Mac Pro 3,1 2.8 eight core, 16GB RAM, Radeon 5770, FCPX, Mtn Lion
HDD Slot 1- SSD
HDD Slots 2, 3 & 4- 2TB HDDs
Setup 1 (my current setup):
Slot 1) SSD System drive for OS and Apps
Slots 2, 3 & 4) 6TB RAID-0 for Projects, Events, original media, exports etc.
Setup 2:
Slot 1) SSD System drive for OS and Apps
Slots 2 & 3) 4TB RAID-0 for Projects, Events and original media
Slot 4) 2TB Single drive dedicated for exporting to
Or any other recommendations? I sure do a lot of “share master file” from 2hr timelines
Thanks!
David:
My system is, essentially, configured as your Setup #2. However, you won’t see any significant change in performance between Setup 1 and Setup 2. For me, the benefit is organizational, not performance.
Larry
Thanks Larry, that’s just want I wanted to know. With no appreciable performance benefit I’ll stick with my current setup, as my organization methods are already in place.