Apple Final Cut Pro 5 - Manual (Page 1717)

366 Part V Appendixes
Video Formats Supported by Final Cut Pro
Final Cut Pro supports any video format that uses an installed QuickTime codec.
QuickTime natively supports codecs used by a number of video devices, such as DV,
DVCPRO 50, DVCPRO HD, HDV, and IMX. With these formats, the distinction between
file format and tape format is blurred, and transferring from tape to hard disk or other
media is essentially a file transfer, allowing you to edit footage natively.
When you work with videotape formats such as Digital Betacam, D-5, Betacam SP, and
so on, you need a third-party video interface to connect to the SDI or analog
component video connectors on the deck. In this case, the video interface must convert
the incoming or outgoing video signal to or from a QuickTime codec. Many video
interfaces come with codecs for high-quality compressed and uncompressed editing.
DV Formats
You can easily capture and output any DV format video via the FireWire port on your
computer. Video, audio, timecode, and device control data are all transferred via a
single FireWire cable. FireWire (also referred to as IEEE 1394 or i.LINK) is a high-speed
technology for connecting and transmitting data to and from various external devices,
such as video and audio interfaces, hard disks, and digital cameras. FireWire is
supported by many professional and consumer-level DV camcorders and decks.
24p Video
Formats that capture complete (progressive) video frames at 24 frames per second
have received a lot of attention lately. This is because 24p video uses the same frame
rate as film, and it scans images progressively. For example, a 24 fps,1920 x 1080,
progressively scanned video format closely matches the resolution of a 35mm film
theater distribution print. For the first time since the invention of television,
moviemakers can choose video instead of film without sacrificing significant resolution
loss or having to cope with frame-rate conversions.
Digital
format
Maker
Color
sampling Compression
ratio Recorded
bit rate
DV (25) Multiple
manufacturers 4:1:1
4:2:0 (PAL)
5:1 25 Mbps
DVCAM Sony 4:1:1
4:2:0 (PAL)
5:1 25 Mbps
DVCPRO (D-7) Panasonic 4:1:1 (NTSC) 5:1 25 Mbps
DVCPRO 50 Panasonic 4:2:2 3.3:1 50 Mbps
DVCPRO HD Panasonic 4:2:2 6.7:1 100 Mbps