Final Cut Pro exported video come out pixelated / compressed-looking

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Level 1

4 points

Final Cut Pro exported video come out pixelated / compressed-looking

Hi,

I recently installed the latest version of FCPX onto my new MacBook Pro "14 (M1 Pro chip) to find that my exports would have snippets that come out looking pixelated in the final export. Certain sections of the export would come out more pixelated than other sections. Refer to the screenshot I've attached below for a visual representation.

Export settings:

Format - Computer
Video codec - H.264 Better Quality
Resolution - 1080x1920

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: I've been exporting FCPX videos using my older 2019 Macbook Pro (Intel i5) using the exact same export settings for the past couple of years, and I have not come across this problem before.

Would really appreciate any help I can get on this. Thanks.

Posted on Sep 7, 2022 3:42 AM

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Answer 1

zafranrarang Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 7, 2022 6:34 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

The media is not from an iPhone, and this problem occurs when I export as 'Computer' in H.264. When exporting in ProRes 422 the exported file comes out perfect. However, the file size when exporting via ProRes is way too big and I am used to exporting in H.264 :/

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Answer 2

Sep 7, 2022 12:41 PM in response to zafranrarang

Does this happen with diferent media and projects, or just with one specific case?

There could be something else impacting the H264 compression - possibly some old software modification imported from the old mac. I have seen people bringing old stuff such as Perian to newer macs, and this could cause trouble.

Please run Etrecheck and post its full report here. Use the "additional text" button and paste the report into the text box. Maybe we can find something that should not be there.

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Answer 3

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,765 points

Sep 7, 2022 1:22 PM in response to zafranrarang

Would it be possible to upload an original clip somewhere to test, like Dropbox or WeTransfer? The one you showed would be great. The problem may be media specific, but I'm afraid the problem is in the Max hardware encoder.

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Answer 4

zafranrarang Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 12, 2022 10:55 AM in response to Tom Wolsky

Hi all,

Thank you so much for the support on this, but I may have found a work-around:

I duplicated the project but changed the project's framerate from 30fps to 60fps and tried exporting with my original export settings (Format: Computer, Video codec: H.264 Better Quality) and it produced an MP4 video file that is decent if not near-perfect. If anyone else has been running into this issue with FCPX, I suggest creating projects and toggling the framerate to 60fps, as it seemed to do the trick for me. Not an exact solution but definitely a fuss-free workaround for me.

Thanks again for the help everyone, my problem has been fixed :)

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Answer 5

Sep 27, 2022 12:32 AM in response to zafranrarang

Hello, I have exactly the same problem since I have my M1 max. In PRORES, no problem, but in H264, some rushes are pixelated at export.

This problem really bothers me, the only "solution" I have found is to export in PRORES, then import the file in FCPX on my old Intel Mac, and export in H264.

I would really like to fix this problem, I can't anymore !!

I never had this problem on my Intel Mac.

I did not import anything from my old mac, I make a new installation.

I have the problem when I work with rushes from Black Magic or Panasonic.

When working with SONY or RED files, no problem.

It's really weird.

I'm going to try your solution, my projects are most often in 24 or 25 fps, I'm going to test in 50 fps, but it's weird to export 30 fps files in 60 fps, no ?

Thanks for your help.

Cordially

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Answer 6

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,765 points

Sep 27, 2022 1:36 AM in response to Slim VideoZ

Would it be possible to upload an original clip somewhere to test, like Dropbox or WeTransfer? The one you showed would be great. The problem may be media specific, but I'm afraid the problem is in the hardware encoder.

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Answer 7

Sep 7, 2022 4:43 AM in response to zafranrarang

Is this media from an iPhone?

Does the problem occur if you export as ProRes, or if you export as Video and Audio in H264?

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Answer 8

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

152,765 points

Sep 7, 2022 6:36 AM in response to zafranrarang

Video and Audio and change ProRes to H.264. See if it’s any better.

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Answer 9

Sep 7, 2022 7:43 AM in response to zafranrarang

The exporting as ProRes was only meant as a test.

Does Video and Video with H264 (as I and Tom had suggested) work correctly, or does it show the same problem?

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Answer 10

zafranrarang Author

Level 1

4 points

Sep 7, 2022 12:37 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

Just tried this out, and it looks like doing this produces the same results :/ I've also tried uninstalling and reinstalling FCPX to see if it does anything but it didn't fix anything.

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Final Cut Pro exported video come out pixelated / compressed-looking

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