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Home: Video University Forums: Mac Video:
JPEG or TIFF for FCP?

Hicks
Novice

Feb 22, 2006, 12:23 PM

Post #1 of 7 (1046 views)
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JPEG or TIFF for FCP?	Can't Post

I am using alot of scanned still images for a documentary that I will be editeingon final cut pro. Am I better of acquiring those images as JPEG or TIFF files when I scan if they will ultimately be used and viewed as video?

Richard Miller
Novice

Feb 22, 2006, 6:15 PM

Post #2 of 7 (1042 views)
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Re: [Hicks] JPEG or TIFF for FCP? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Back when I was at a PBS Station (for a brief time) I recall us using JPG. SD TV is so poor that there was no reason to use a TIFF.

if things have changed or if I was misled, please let me know.

sky writer
Enthusiast

Feb 22, 2006, 8:29 PM

Post #3 of 7 (1037 views)
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Re: [Hicks] JPEG or TIFF for FCP? [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you save a jpg (lossy) version when you scan, then the image degrades each consecutive time you save it (after cropping, re-sizing, colour correcting, sharpening, enhancing, etc.). This is somewhat like the generations of dubbing a VHS numerous times in succession.

Keep the image in a non-lossy format (such as tiff) to keep the quality high while you scan and work on the pic. Then save the final version in a lossy format (such as jpg) to keep the file size down.

RatVega
Enthusiast

Feb 23, 2006, 6:36 PM

Post #4 of 7 (1019 views)
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Re: [Hicks] JPEG or TIFF for FCP? [In reply to]	Can't Post

We capture everything as TIFF to keep quality as high as possible as long as possible. TIFF images are fairly large, but adjusting the Still Cache in the FCP System Settings can help cope with this.

In the end, the quality of both the video and the stills will be determined by what you output from the timeline. Our mentality is to keep everything as clean up to this point as possible to get consistant quality on output.

If you need to pan and scan, start with a rez greater than 72 dpi (the screen default.)

______________________________________________________________
Currently on a loaded 2.5GHz G5 dualie/5GB/1TB internal RAID/dual 19" monitors. Final Cut Studio, Adobe Suite, Boris RED. Shooting with Canon.

VU California Crew, Inland Empire Sub-Chapter (paragraph?)

Scott S
Veteran

Mar 8, 2006, 4:25 PM

Post #5 of 7 (947 views)
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Re: [RatVega] JPEG or TIFF for FCP? [In reply to]	Can't Post

What do you recommend for still cache settings? I never really figured out the ram settings on that pref pane. I have a dual 2Ghz with 4GB of ram..

Thanks,
Scott

RatVega
Enthusiast

Mar 8, 2006, 4:52 PM

Post #6 of 7 (943 views)
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Re: [Scott S] JPEG or TIFF for FCP? [In reply to]	Can't Post

This is an area where it's hard to find definitive info and frankly, I'm just using (what I think is) an educated guess...

What I've done in the past is estimate what the still-to-video ratio is in terms of frame size, so if I'm working on a timeline that's half stills and the stills are 1440X960, then the ratio is roughly 4:1, so I'd probably set the still cache up in the 1-1.5 GB range. Remember that (as far as I know) you can only task 2.5 GB for FCP specifically and any transitions are still "video", so although the stills are a big issue, so is giving the timeline some "elbow room." Like I said, it's kind of a SWAG thing...

Another issue is that this whole issue has changed somewhat in FCP5 with the advent of Constant Frames (bet you wondered what those were... Wink

) that are designed to allow graphics and stills to process more easily. Funny how they left the still cache in...

Totally OT, where abouts are you in Portland? That's my old stomping grounds and I'm heading up to see family this weekend.

______________________________________________________________
Currently on a loaded 2.5GHz G5 dualie/5GB/1TB internal RAID/dual 19" monitors. Final Cut Studio, Adobe Suite, Boris RED. Shooting with Canon.

VU California Crew, Inland Empire Sub-Chapter (paragraph?)

Scott S
Veteran

Mar 8, 2006, 5:42 PM

Post #7 of 7 (940 views)
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Re: [RatVega] JPEG or TIFF for FCP? [In reply to]	Can't Post

Thanks for the explanation. Ya, no clue what about the constant frames... :o

I'm out in Beav'town. I'm a nor cal transplant.

I'll be sending a PM this evening.

Cheers,
Scott