User profile for user: ndumais
ndumais Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Studio M2 wrongly sync imported raw video files in FCPX

Thank you for reading about my issue with a Mac Studio M2 used as a Final Cut Pro machine.


When I import raw video files from either one of my three Sony 4K Handycams, the audio attached to all video files is always one second off (maybe a little more). If I import the same files on my Mac Pro (2013 Trashcan), there are no issue. Same thing with my M2 Mac Mini. If I dump those files on YouTube, any computer except my Mac Studio can see them totally synchronized.


I found a work around. I do the editing with the Studio M2, and when I'm done and happy with the result, I share it (using Compressor) as a MP4 and import it on my Mac Pro. Of course, the audio sync is a second or so off. So, I slide the sound line left or right until I find the audio perfectly synchronized with the video. Then, I share it as a final document ready for publication on YouTube.


Can someone tell me why this is happening? Thank You.

Mac Studio, macOS 15.4

Posted on Apr 29, 2025 3:05 PM

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User profile for user: Luis Sequeira1
Luis Sequeira1
User level: Level 9
70,914 points

Apr 30, 2025 2:27 AM in response to ndumais

Does this problem happen with any other video sources in the M2?


What are the exact formats of these files - codec, container?

Do they play correctly in Quicktime or VLC on the same mac?

Do they require some plugin to work? If so, is it up to date?


Please run Etrecheck and post its full report here. Use the "additional text" button and paste the report into the text box.



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User profile for user: ndumais
ndumais Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Apr 30, 2025 5:20 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thank you for your support.


The raw files in the cameras (as available on the memory cards) are 1920 x 1080 Linear PCM H.264. They can be read directly from the Studio M2 Finder with no sync issue. H.264 or Apple ProRes make no difference. Same thing if I import an old video file from my archives or from the Internet. Never any synchronisation issues on the Studio M2. It only happens when those files have been treated in FCP (in the Studio M2), shared as MOV, saved as MP4 in Compressor, and opened in another computer (Mac, Linux or Windows). It’s not some weird YouTube problem, it also happens on any machine hooked up to my LAN, Mac or PC.


FYI: In my workflow, I copy all of the RAW files from SD cards to an external drive, then I plug the later to my Mac Studio, and start importing the files in FCP. I’ve been doing this for the past 13 years. When I started our project, I was using a 2010 fat Mac Pro, I moved on to a 2013 Trashcan, and, later on, to a Mac Studio M1, with no import issues at all. The problem I’m facing seems to be (I can’t swear) coincidental to the replacement of the Studio M1 with a Studio M2. Apple Care technicians were not able to help me. BTW, I tried avoiding the external drive and inserting the SD Card directly in my Studio M2 with no prevail.


The raw files play correctly in either VLC or QT on the Studio M2 Desktop, as they do in all other computers on my LAN. And there are no external plugins involved.


Sorry for the Etrecheck report. I’m on a thigh schedule now, and I’ll come back later today with the full report.


Thank you,


ND

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User profile for user: Luis Sequeira1
Luis Sequeira1
User level: Level 9
70,914 points

Apr 30, 2025 6:42 AM in response to ndumais

When you say "RAW files", it seems to be that you are separating the files from the folder hierarchy in the SD card.

With formats like AVCHD this should be avoided, and the files imported from the card using FCP, not copied off the card separately.


If you can, I suggest you test importing a sample from the card using FCP, and see if they show the same problem.

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User profile for user: Luis Sequeira1
Luis Sequeira1
User level: Level 9
70,914 points

Apr 30, 2025 2:33 PM in response to ndumais

ndumais wrote:

Luis Sequeira, would you by any chance know how to change the language in Etrecheck? My version is in French.

ND

Yes, I know how.

This applies to any application that you may wish to use in a different language (provided only that the application includes that language localization, of course).


In System Settings->General, there is Language & Region. In there there’s an area called Apps. Click + to add an app (in this case, Etrecheck) and select the desired language (in this case, presumably English).

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User profile for user: Luis Sequeira1
Luis Sequeira1
User level: Level 9
70,914 points

May 2, 2025 12:48 PM in response to ndumais

You have a great number of drives, and several of them are extremely full, which may cause problems. It may not be related to the problem at hand but seeing a disk drive with less than 1% free... this is not just likely to hurt performance, it is downright dangerous.


You also have the google updater stuff. It looks like maybe these were only partially removed (given the <Empty> note). These google things are known to wreak havoc on video applications.



    [Loaded] com.google.GoogleUpdater.wake.plist (Google LLC - installed 2025-04-19)
        Command: ~/Library/Application Support/Google/GoogleUpdater/Current/GoogleUpdater.app/Contents/MacOS/GoogleUpdater --wake-all --enable-logging --vmodule=*/components/update_client/*=2,*/chrome/enterprise_companion/*=2,*/chrome/updater/*=2

    [Not Loaded] com.google.keystone.agent.plist (Not signed - installed 2024-01-03)
        <Empty>

    [Not Loaded] com.google.keystone.xpcservice.plist (Not signed - installed 2024-01-03)
        <Empty>


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Studio M2 wrongly sync imported raw video files in FCPX

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