Apple Final Cut Express HD - Manual (Page 871)

Chapter 59 Using RT Extreme 871
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 Transitions, filters, and motion effects: Most of the built-in transitions and filters can be
used in real time. With the Unlimited RT setting selected in the Real-Time Effects (RT)
pop-up menu of the Timeline, almost any effect or clip requiring processing can play
back in real time.
Display Quality and Accuracy of RT Extreme
Video does not appear the same on a computer display as it does on a video monitor
(such as an NTSC, PAL, or high definition monitor). Whenever you watch your video on
a computer display (such as video in the Canvas, the Viewer, or via the Digital Cinema
Desktop), Final Cut Express HD compensates for these visual differences so your video
looks more like it will appear on a video monitor. This compensation requires extra
processing, such as deinterlacing and gamma correction, which adds to the workload
of your computer’s processor.
Using Real-Time Controls in Final Cut Express HD
Real-time playback and status are controlled and displayed in several different areas of
the application:
 Timeline and audio clip item render bars: Render bars tell you which parts of your
sequence play back in real time, and at what quality. Some render bar colors (such as
red) indicate that real-time playback is not possible.
 Filter and transition names in bold: Video transitions and filters in Final Cut Express HD
that are capable of real-time playback appear in bold in the Effects tab and menu.
 Real-Time Effects (RT) pop-up menu in the Timeline: This pop-up menu gives you a
way to control the playback quality of video and effects in your sequences,
allowing you to choose whether you want higher playback quality or increased
real-time playback capabilities.
Note: These options can also be changed in the Playback Control tab of System
Settings. However, several options can only be changed in the Playback Control tab,
not in the RT pop-up menu.
 Real-time effects options in Sequence Settings: Additional options in the Render
Control tab of Sequence Settings allow you to turn on or off specific, render-intensive
options to increase your computer’s ability to process real-time effects. For example,
you can choose to turn off video filter processing altogether.