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Final Cut Pro 6
User Manual
Volume I
Interface, Setup,
and Input
K
Apple Inc.
Copyright © 2007 Apple Inc. All rights reserved.
Your rights to the software are governed by the
accompanying software license agreement. The owner
or authorized user of a valid copy of Final Cut Studio
software may reproduce this publication for the purpose
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3
1
Contents
Preface 9 Final Cut Pro 6 Documentation and Resources
9
User Manual
10
Onscreen Help
11
Apple Websites
Part I An Introduction to Final Cut Pro
Chapter 1 15 About the Post-Production Workflow
15
The Industry Workflow
16
The Post-Production Workflow
Chapter 2 21 Video Formats and Timecode
21
About Nonlinear and Nondestructive Editing
22
Video Formats Compatible with Final Cut Pro
23
Audio Formats Compatible with Final Cut Pro
23
Video Format Basics
25
About Timecode
Chapter 3 27 Understanding Projects, Clips, and Sequences
27
The Building Blocks of Projects
31
Working with Projects
35
About the Connection Between Clips and Media Files
37
Filenaming Considerations
Part II Learning About the Final Cut Pro Interface
Chapter 4 43 Overview of the Final Cut Pro Interface
43
Basics of Working in the Final Cut Pro Interface
45
Using Keyboard Shortcuts, Buttons, and Shortcut Menus
48
Customizing the Interface
51
Undoing and Redoing Changes
52
Entering Timecode for Navigation Purposes
4
Contents
Chapter 5 53 Browser Basics
53
How You Use the Browser
54
Learning About the Browser
55
Working in the Browser
59
Using Columns in the Browser
60
Customizing the Browser Display
Chapter 6 73 Viewer Basics
73
How You Can Use the Viewer
74
Opening a Clip in the Viewer
75
Learning About the Viewer
77
Tabs in the Viewer
79
Transport Controls
80
Playhead Controls
82
Marking Controls
83
Zoom and View Pop-Up Menus
86
Playhead Sync Pop-Up Menu
87
Recent Clips and Generator Pop-Up Menus
Chapter 7 89 Canvas Basics
89
How You Use the Canvas
90
Opening, Selecting, and Closing Sequences in the Canvas
91
Learning About the Canvas
92
Editing Controls in the Canvas
94
Transport Controls
95
Playhead Controls
97
Marking Controls
98
Zoom and View Pop-Up Menus
98
Playhead Sync Pop-Up Menu
Chapter 8 99 Navigating and Using Timecode in the Viewer and Canvas
99
Navigating in the Viewer and Canvas
106
Working with Timecode in the Viewer and Canvas
Chapter 9 111 Timeline Basics
111
How You Use the Timeline
11 3
Opening and Closing Sequences in the Timeline
11 4
Learning About the Timeline
12 4
Changing Timeline Display Options
132
Navigating in the Timeline
13 4
Zooming and Scrolling in the Timeline
Contents
5
Chapter 10 141 Customizing the Interface
141
Changing Browser and Timeline Text Size
141
Moving and Resizing Final Cut Pro Windows
143
Using Window Layouts
146
Ways to Customize Keyboard Shortcuts
155
Working with Shortcut Buttons and Button Bars
Part III Setting Up Your Editing System
Chapter 11 161 Connecting DV Video Equipment
161
Components of a Basic Final Cut Pro Editing System
162
Setting Up a Final Cut Pro Editing System
163
Connecting Your Camcorder
163
Opening Final Cut Pro and Choosing Your Initial Settings
168
Confirming Remote Device Control Between Final Cut Pro and Your DV Device
169
About FireWire
Chapter 12 171 Connecting Professional Video and Audio Equipment
171
Components of a Professional Final Cut Pro Editing System
172
Video and Audio Input and Output Devices
173
External Video and Audio Monitors
173
Video and Audio Interfaces
174
Using a Breakout Box with Video and Audio Interfaces
174
Scratch Disks
175
About Video Interfaces, Signals, and Connectors
175
Video Interfaces
178
Video Signals and Connectors
182
Connecting Professional Video Devices
182
Connecting Professional SD Video Devices
185
Connecting Professional HD Video Devices
185
Connecting Professional Component Analog Video Devices
186
Connecting Consumer Analog Video Devices
186
Connecting Non-DV Devices to a DV Converter
187
About Audio Interfaces, Signals, and Connectors
187
Audio Interfaces
192
Analog Audio Connectors and Signal Formats
194
Digital Audio Connectors and Signal Formats
196
About Analog Audio Levels
198
Connecting Professional Audio Devices
198
Connecting Professional Digital Audio Devices
199
Connecting Consumer Digital Audio Devices
199
Connecting Professional Analog Audio Devices
6
Contents
200
Synchronizing Equipment with a Blackburst Generator
202
Connecting Remote Device Control
202
DV FireWire for Device Control
202
Using RS-422 Serial Remote Device Control
203
Confirming Remote Device Control Between Final Cut Pro and Your Video Device
203
Choosing a Device Control Preset
204
Understanding Device Control Status Messages
205
Switching Device Control Presets When Changing Decks
Chapter 13 207 Determining Your Hard Disk Storage Options
207
Working with Scratch Disks and Hard Disk Drives
208
Data Rates and Storage Devices
209
Determining How Much Space You Need
212
Choosing a Hard Disk
213
Types of Hard Disk Drives
Chapter 14 219 External Video Monitoring
219
Using an External Video Monitor While You Edit
220
Connecting Final Cut Pro to an External Video Monitor
222
Choosing Playback and Edit to Tape Output Settings
225
Controlling When External Video Output Is Updated
226
Using Digital Cinema Desktop Preview
226
About Digital Cinema Desktop Preview Options
228
Using Digital Cinema Desktop Preview to Monitor Your Video
229
Troubleshooting Digital Cinema Desktop Preview
230
Compensating for Video Latency by Specifying a Frame Offset
231
Troubleshooting External Video Monitoring Problems
Part IV Logging, Capturing, and Importing
Chapter 15 235 Overview of Logging and Capturing
235
What Are Logging and Capturing?
236
Ways to Log and Capture Footage in Final Cut Pro
239
Learning About the Log and Capture Window
245 Are You Ready to Log and Capture?
Chapter 16 247 Logging Clips
247 The Importance of Logging
248 Benefits of Logging
249 Preparing to Log
252 Monitoring Video and Audio While Logging
Contents 7
253 Entering Logging Information and Logging Clips
267 Avoiding Duplicate Timecode Numbers on a Single Tape
269 Additional Sources for Logging Information
Chapter 17 271 Capturing Your Footage to Disk
271 Before You Capture
272 Different Ways to Capture Footage
272 Batch Capturing Clips
273 Before You Batch Capture
274 Learning About the Batch Capture Dialog
276 Batch Capturing Selected Clips
278 Stopping and Restarting the Batch Capture Process
278 About the Additional Items Found Dialog
279 Capturing Clips as You Log (Capture Clip)
280 Capturing Entire Tapes (Capture Now)
281 Limiting the Duration of the Capture Now Process
281 Capturing an Entire Tape Using Capture Now
283 Automatically Creating Subclips Using DV Start/Stop Detection
286 Capturing Footage Without Device Control
286 Capturing Footage That Doesn’t Have Timecode
287 Using a Non-Controllable Device for Capture
287 Capturing Video and Audio Separately
288 Recapturing Clips
288 Recapturing Subclips
289 Recapturing Merged Clips
289 Capturing Footage with Timecode Breaks
289 The Importance of Avoiding Timecode Breaks
290 How to Avoid Capturing Clips with Timecode Breaks
293 Renaming Media Files After Capture
294 Using the Media Manager After Capturing
Chapter 18 295 Capturing Audio
295 About Capturing Audio
296 Capturing Audio-Only Media Files
296 Capturing Multiple Audio Channels
302 Adjusting Analog Audio Levels for Capture
304 Capturing Audio from an Audio Deck Using Device Control
306 Capturing from an Audio Device Without Device Control
307 Capturing Synchronized Audio Independently from Video
8 Contents
Chapter 19 309 Working with Batch Lists
309 What Is a Batch List?
310 Creating a Batch List
312 Importing a Batch List
Chapter 20 315 Importing Media Files into Your Project
315 What File Formats Can Be Imported?
316 Importing Media Files
320 About Importing Video Files
322 About Importing Audio Files
328 Importing Still Images and Graphics
328 Importing Numbered Image Sequences
9
Preface
Final Cut Pro 6
Documentation and Resources
You can use Final Cut Pro to create movies of any budget,
style, and format. Final Cut Pro comes with both printed
and onscreen documentation to help you learn how.
This preface provides information on the documentation available for Final Cut Pro, as
well as information about Final Cut Pro resources on the web. Final Cut Pro comes with
several types of documentation to help you learn more about movie editing and how
to use the application:
 Final Cut Pro 6 User Manual
 Final Cut Pro onscreen help
User Manual
The Final Cut Pro 6 User Manual provides comprehensive information about the
application and is organized into several volumes:
 Volume 1—Interface, Setup, and Input: Explains the basics of the Final Cut Pro
interface and the elements of a project, and provides instructions for setting up
your editing system, capturing footage to your computer, and importing files.
 Volume 2—Editing: Discusses each part of the video editing process, including
organizing your footage, creating a rough edit, and fine-tuning your edit using
advanced trimming techniques. Also includes instructions for multicamera editing
using powerful new multicamera editing tools.
 Volume 3—Audio Mixing and Effects: Provides instructions for mixing audio and
enhancing your video using the elaborate effects capabilities of Final Cut Pro. Topics
include adding transitions and filters, creating motion effects, compositing and
layering, creating titles, and color correcting your footage. Also covers real-time
playback and rendering.
 Volume 4—Media Management and Output: Provides information about managing
projects and media files, exchanging projects between editing systems, and
outputting completed projects. Also contains detailed explanations of settings
and preferences and information on video formats, frame rate, and timecode.
10 Preface Final Cut Pro 6 Documentation and Resources
Note: The four-volume user manual is also available onscreen; see the next section,
“Onscreen Help.”
Onscreen Help
Onscreen help (available in the Help menu) provides easy access to information while
you’re working in Final Cut Pro. An onscreen version of the Final Cut Pro 6 User Manual is
available here, along with other documents in PDF format and links to websites.
To access onscreen help:
m In Final Cut Pro, choose an option from the Help menu.
Onscreen User Manual
The onscreen version of the user manual is helpful if you do not have immediate access
to the printed volumes.
To access the onscreen user manual:
m In Final Cut Pro, choose Help > Final Cut Pro User Manual.
Working with High Definition and Broadcast Formats
The Working with High Definition and Broadcast Formats document covers how to use
high definition (HD) formats (such as DVCPRO HD and HDV) and broadcast video
formats (such as Sony Video Disk Units and Panasonic P2 cards) with Final Cut Pro.
To access the Working with High Definition and Broadcast Formats document:
m In Final Cut Pro, choose Help > HD and Broadcast Formats.
Release Notes
For information about recent changes and issues, you can read the Release Notes
section of the onscreen help.
To access Release Notes:
m In Final Cut Pro, choose Help > Release Notes.
Information About New Features
For information about features that have been added or enhanced since the last
version of Final Cut Pro, you can read the New Features section of the onscreen help.
To access the New Features document:
m In Final Cut Pro, choose Help > New Features.
Preface Final Cut Pro 6 Documentation and Resources 11
Apple Websites
There are a variety of discussion boards, forums, and educational resources related to
Final Cut Pro on the web.
Final Cut Pro Websites
The following websites provide general information, updates, and support information
about Final Cut Pro, as well as the latest news, resources, and training materials.
For information about Final Cut Pro, go to:
 http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/finalcutpro
To get more information on third-party resources, such as third-party tools, resources,
and user groups, go to:
 http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/resources
For information on the Apple Pro Training Program, go to:
 http://www.apple.com/software/pro/training
To provide comments and feedback to Apple about Final Cut Pro, go to:
 http://www.apple.com/feedback/finalcutpro.html
Apple Service and Support Website
The Apple Service and Support website provides software updates and answers to the
most frequently asked questions for all Apple products, including Final Cut Pro. You’ll
also have access to product specifications, reference documentation, and Apple and
third-party product technical articles:
 http://www.apple.com/support
I
Part I: An Introduction
to Final Cut Pro
Find out how Final Cut Pro fits into the moviemaking process
and learn about fundamental concepts of digital video
editing and the basic elements of a Final Cut Pro project.
Chapter 1 About the Post-Production Workflow
Chapter 2 Video Formats and Timecode
Chapter 3 Understanding Projects, Clips, and Sequences
1
15
1 About the Post-Production
Workflow
No matter what your project, Final Cut Pro is the cornerstone
of your post-production workflow.
This chapter covers the following:
 The Industry Workflow (p. 15)
 The Post-Production Workflow (p. 16)
The Industry Workflow
Before you start editing, it’s helpful to consider how post-production fits into the
overall moviemaking workflow. Even though no two movie projects follow exactly the
same steps, there is a common workflow that almost every project adheres to. From
conception to completion, the basic steps to complete a film or video project are
described below.
Step 1: Scripting
Scripting is where the movie is conceived and written.
Step 2: Preproduction
This is where budgeting, casting, location scouting, equipment and format selection,
and storyboarding take place.
Step 3: Production
Production is where you create your footage, capturing performances using video or
film cameras, as well as audio recorders. Lighting, cinematography, acting, and
directing all come together to create the elements used to tell your story or deliver
your message. For practical reasons, scenes are usually shot out of order, which means
they have to be properly arranged during editing.
16 Part I An Introduction to Final Cut Pro
Step 4: Post-production
Post-production is where you organize and assemble your production footage, putting
scenes in proper order, selecting the best takes, and eliminating unnecessary elements.
Production sound is synchronized (with the picture), edited, sometimes rerecorded,
and mixed. Music is composed and added. Footage is color-corrected and special
effects are created. The final movie is output to tape, film, or some other high-quality
media format.
Step 5: Distribution
Distribution is when you release a movie for viewing. This may involve theater
screenings, video and DVD releases, festival submissions, or web delivery.
The Post-Production Workflow
The post-production phase begins with the raw source footage and ends with a
completed movie, ready for making distribution copies. As technology evolves,
post-production continues to proliferate into an increasing variety of jobs and tasks.
Where there was once a single editor who was responsible for the majority of the
post-production process, there may now be a whole special effects team, an audio
department, a colorist (responsible for color correction), and a number of assistant
editors keeping track of all the footage. Final Cut Pro is at the heart of the
post-production pipeline, allowing you to organize and assemble media from
multiple sources into a finished product.
Here is an overview of the basic Final Cut Pro post-production workflow. As you begin
your project, remember that there are no hard and fast rules for editing. Different
editors have different working styles and, given the same source material, no two
editors will cut the same finished program. The workflow described here offers just one
example of how you might approach a typical project.
Chapter 1 About the Post-Production Workflow 17
I
Step 1: Planning
Planning is where you choose your basic workflow, such as offline and online editing
(for projects with a lot of media) or editing the uncompressed footage (for shorter
projects with quick turnaround times), choose input and output formats, and plan for
equipment requirements (such as hard disk space), timecode and sync requirements,
special effects shots and color correction, audio mixing requirements, and so on.
Planning for post-production primarily means preparing for each of the upcoming
post-production phases: choosing input and output formats; acquiring your original
footage, music, and graphics; deciding on a logging and capturing method; choosing
an editing strategy; and planning the scope of effects you will be adding so you can
determine how much time and support you will need to dedicate to them.
Outputting
Industry Workflow
Final Cut Pro
Post-Production Workflow
Distribution
Preproduction
Production
Post-Production
Scripting
Adding Effects
Mixing Audio
Editing
Logging
and Capturing
Setting Up
Planning
Production
Post-Production
Scripting
18 Part I An Introduction to Final Cut Pro
Step 2: Setting up
In this phase, you set up your editing system by installing and connecting the
hardware you need, as well as configuring your software. For example, before logging
and capturing, you need to connect the video and audio from your camcorder or
VTR (video tape recorder) to your computer. You also need to make sure that the
correct presets are chosen within Final Cut Pro, so that Final Cut Pro knows what video
and audio formats you are capturing and what kind of device control you’re using.
(Device control allows Final Cut Pro to remotely control video and audio devices.)
Depending on the format and device you are using, setup can be fairly simple
(as it is with DV formats) or more complex. For example, if you are working with an
uncompressed video format, you need to install a third-party video interface in your
computer, as well as a serial port adapter to communicate with the deck.
For more information, see the various chapters on setup, starting with Chapter 11,
“Connecting DV Video Equipment,” on page 161.
Step 3: Logging and capturing
Logging is the process of identifying which shots on tape you want to capture to your
hard disk for editing. While you log, you can add scene and shot descriptions, logging
notes, and markers. Logging also helps you become familiar with your footage before
you begin editing.
Capturing means transferring source media from your video camcorder or deck to your
computer’s hard disk, which creates media files. You can capture media files at any time,
although most footage should be captured before you start editing.
The order in which you log and capture your footage is up to you. There are several
possible workflows, depending upon your work style, the needs of your project, and
the availability of footage. You can log all or most clips before batch capturing them (in
an automated way), or log and then capture each clip individually. You can also log
clips after capturing your footage to a hard disk.
Final Cut Pro allows you to capture video and audio from a wide variety of sources, if
you have the appropriate hardware. See Chapter 15, “Overview of Logging
and Capturing,” on page 235 for more information.
Chapter 1 About the Post-Production Workflow 19
I
Step 4: Editing
The editing process involves taking the video and audio you’ve captured, along with
any music or graphics you’ve imported, and arranging these raw materials into a final
edited sequence of clips. Most editors start with a rough cut, where they quickly
arrange all of the clips for a movie in sequence. Once that’s finished, they work on
fine-tuning, subtly adjusting the edit points between clips and refining the pacing of
each cut. Basic audio editing and synchronizing are also part of this process, as well as
adding transitions, such as fades and dissolves.
Often, the type of project you’re working on determines your method of editing. For
example, documentary editing, in which the script often evolves in parallel with the
editing, is quite different from commercial television and film editing, in which there is
already a finished script to provide an order for clips.
Step 5: Mixing audio
Once your movie is edited and the picture is “locked,” meaning the duration of the
movie is fixed and you no longer intend to change any of the edits, you can begin
working more extensively on your audio. This involves:
 Cleaning up the dialogue with more detailed audio editing, balancing audio levels,
and applying equalization
 Adding sound effects, music, and voiceover on additional audio tracks in the
sequence
 Mixing the levels of all the different clips together to create a balanced sound mix
You can use Final Cut Pro for each of these processes. For more information, see
Volume III, Part I, “Audio Mixing.”
Note: You can also sweeten your audio with another audio application, perhaps even
at another facility. To export your movie audio, see Volume IV, Chapter 11, “Exporting
Audio for Mixing in Other Applications.”
/