How to import 16 fps videos without frame duplication in Final Cut Pro?

I have a bunch of clips that are 16 frames per second. When I drag them into a final cut timeline, the system duplicates frames to create 60 fps.

Once this is done, rate conform does not work. It sees a bunch of identical frames, and only smooths between the ones that have changed. 24-to-60 works fine, but 16-to 60 is stutters.

I've managed a convoluted workaround using quicktime player and mass renaming stills in the finder. I can then slow the file back down and get the correct speed, and smooth motion. But doing this is very time consuming, and probably reduces video quality. So I need either:

A fix to final cut so that 16 fps files are imported without frame repeats.

Some easy way to relabel a 16 fps video as 24 fps, without actually recompressing the file - just speeding it up. (The files don't have sound.)

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Mac Studio, macOS 15.5

Posted on May 27, 2025 7:28 PM

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Matti Haveri

Level 6

19,528 points

Posted on May 28, 2025 12:09 PM

For example: create a 30 fps project and import that 16 fps clip to it. It preserves its speed and length but every other frame is duplicated by a certain repeating pattern.

Then apply automatic speed. The clip length is shortened by 16/30 ≈0.533x but now all frames are unique.

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4 replies

Top-ranking reply

Matti Haveri

Level 6

19,528 points

May 28, 2025 12:09 PM in response to Algr

For example: create a 30 fps project and import that 16 fps clip to it. It preserves its speed and length but every other frame is duplicated by a certain repeating pattern.

Then apply automatic speed. The clip length is shortened by 16/30 ≈0.533x but now all frames are unique.

May 29, 2025 10:15 PM in response to Algr

Algr wrote:

it works for some clips, but not others. The ones where it fails come out with every other frame still duplicated. It both cases the speed reports as 375%, so I don't see what the difference is between clips.

Try to apply automatic speed individually to each clip in the timeline.

BenB

Level 6

13,142 points

May 28, 2025 12:09 PM in response to Algr

Technically it should just work, but I've had over-cranked and under-cranked footage not work correctly in the last couple of FCP updates. Not sure what's wrong with the function, but I hope Apple fixes it soon.

Algr Author

Level 1

20 points

May 29, 2025 6:15 PM in response to Matti Haveri

Thanks.

I tried this, and it works for some clips, but not others. The ones where it fails come out with every other frame still duplicated. It both cases the speed reports as 375%, so I don't see what the difference is between clips.

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How to import 16 fps videos without frame duplication in Final Cut Pro?