Terminology for discussing mixed-format sequences, Formats that support real-time playback, P. 680) – Apple Final Cut Pro 6 User Manual
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680
Part IV
Determining Whether Clips in a Sequence
Will Play Back in Real Time
When a sequence contains a clip whose media file format doesn’t match the sequence
format, the clip plays back in real time only if:
 The clip’s media file format and the sequence format are both supported by the
Final Cut Pro real-time playback engine
 Both the clip and sequence have a frame rate supported by Final Cut Pro. The
following frame rates are supported: 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 59.94, and 60 fps.
 Your computer has enough processing power to handle the real-time playback of
both the clip and sequence formats. For example, if you are using a portable
computer, you won’t be able to play back uncompressed video.
Formats That Support Real-Time Playback
For a list of formats supported by the Final Cut Pro real-time processing engine, see the
Effect Handling tab in the System Settings window or check the list of Easy Setups
included with Final Cut Pro. For more information, see “
” on page 638 and Volume IV, Chapter 24, “Audio/Video Settings and Easy Setups.”
Terminology for Discussing Mixed-Format Sequences
The following definitions provide some shorthand for discussing the behavior of
sequences containing mixed formats:
 Format: The defining characteristics of a video media file—image size, frame rate,
and codec
 Native sequence: A sequence containing clips whose media files match the
sequence settings
 Mixed-format sequence: A sequence containing clips whose media files don’t match
the sequence format
 Nonmatching clip: A clip whose media file format doesn’t match the sequence format
 Real-time nonmatching clip: A nonmatching clip that plays back in real time in a
mixed-format sequence (real-time clip for short)
 Non-real-time nonmatching clip: A nonmatching clip that cannot play back in real
time and therefore must be rendered (non-real-time clip for short). In previous
versions of Final Cut Pro, all nonmatching clips were non-real-time clips.