How To Use The Zi8 With Final Cut Express

Posted on: Sunday, January 31st, 2010
Comments: Comments

In this clip, @Talmadge shows you how to convert the h.264 codec from the Zi8 into an Apple Intermediate Codec that plays well if Final Cut Express using a free tool called MPEG Streamclip. This should cut your render times way down and give you more time doing the creative video work that you really love.

Why You Have To Render Files From The Zi8 Into Final Cut Express

The Zi8 records video to the h.264 codec which is a finishing format, not really a production format. It’s great for sending files up to YouTube, but not good for editing. Plus Final Cut Express only supports DV, HDV, and AVCHD footage, so in order to work with a file from the Zi8, you have convert the file to something that it supports natively.

The Zi8/Final Cut/MPEG Streamclip Solution

1) Download MPEG Streamclip from Squared5. It’s free.

2) Import your file from the Zi8.

3) Open your file in MPEG Streamclip. File > Open Files.

4) Convert your file to Quicktime. File > Export To Quicktime

5) Choose these settings:
Compression: Apple Intermediate Codec
Quality 100%
Frame Size: 1920×1080 (HDTV 1080i) or whatever you shot in
Click Make Movie

6) After you have your movie, bring it into FCE and you’re done!

Check out VideoCamp Austin for more tips on becoming a faster, more creative web video storyteller.

Mark Trayner

I found your video very interesting. I wondered if you could suggest the best options for settings if I wanted to output my final zi8 video to DVD? I have been using imovieHD as I was told this version was the best to use to edit HD video. The DVD's that I have managed to burn have been of terrible quality with stuttering and just poor visual quality. I will switch to FCE if its thought to be better. Its a minefield with all those output settings!!! All I can find out online is the setting to export to Youtube. I did contact Kodak...but they don't offer support for use with a Mac. Thanks in advance!

Talmadge Boyd

Hi Mark. Let me look into that for you.

Robin

Hi - Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. But I found a flaw with these instructions. I shot some clips 720/60fps and when I converted slow moving ones as per your instructions it 'seemed' fine - however I then tried to convert a fast moving clip (taken out a car window) and the result was VERY choppy. After two DAYS searching for an answer I think I worked it out.

Open the H.264 clip in MPEG Streamclip. Edit>fix timecode breaks (don't know if this makes any difference but why not) - then go to File>Export to Other Formats. choose Quicktime Movie - then Options - Apple Intermediate Codec - then Settings - frame rate 59.94 - then if you want to edit the clip in any way click Adjustments in the final window. and that's it - SMOOTH video! and keep in mind that the resulting converted file will be HUGE!! but will work much better in FCE.

This may need to be done ONLY if you shoot in 720/60fps mode but if I were you i would check both instructions on fast moving video. If it is choppy on fast clips then probably it isn't perfect with slow clips (but we just don't notice)

I hope this helps.

Talmadge Boyd

Thanks, Robin. That's really good information to have!

blog comments powered by Disqus

Video Production: 1st Video in TAKE Supply Chain’s Web Series

Check out the pilot we produced for TAKE Supply Chain’s web video series. More to come soon!

Phurnace Software Burning Down The House

Our friends at Phurnace Software asked us to help them create a show that highlights their ability to automate java application deployments. Phurnace builds software to help companies automate the deployment of J2EE applications and configuration of WebSphere, WebLogic, JBoss or WebSphere Portal.
Shot on a Canon HV30 and performed by Larry Warnock and Jessica Gass [...]

Phurnace Software: Going To The WebSphere Portal Excellence Conference

Our friends at Phurnace Software, who make Java application deployment software, are gearing up to announce a new “rollback” feature in their Portal Deliver product at the next Websphere Portal Excellence Conference.
They asked us to put together a quick promo piece to invite people to their booth.

We are gearing up for a great [...]

A Book Trailer Promo Piece

We put together a book trailer for the book “Smoke Screen” by Sandra Brown.
Ms. Brown isn’t a customer of ours, but we felt like playing around a little with graphic animation, and intrigue. You can find out more about the book and the author over at Barnes and Noble.

Pink Slip Festival

The Pink Slip Festival in Austin, Texas provided free live music, family fun, cheap beer and hotdogs for Austin’s unemployed families. Dan Dillard of Amplify Financial created the Pink Slip Festival as an Austin styled response at to the down economy. The Pink Slip Festival was held at the Spider House coffee shop and featured [...]

Cupcake Smackdown! So Many Cupcake Stories…

It’s no big secret that @bigmanweston and I like to eat.
My wife is a killer cook and Weston’s culinary paramour, @girlblake, can make a mean Sunny Side Up-Cake.
So when she decided to take her cupcakes on the road to the Cupcake Smackdown 1.0, we thought we’d tag along with a camera.
There were many entries. [...]