Creating A Multi Camera Sequence with Different Format Clips

[carloc_01]

I am new to Premier Pro, I am trying to create a multi camera sequence from two clips.

The clips are of an interview from different cameras. How ever the two clips are different formats MP4 and .mov
When I try to create the clip I get the message "could not synchronize one or more clips in the current selection because a match could not be found"

Do the clips have to be the same format?

If so can I change the format of a clip in Premier Pro?

Thank you for your help.

[Warren Heaton]

Ideally your clips would be the same frame size and frame rate.  For better results, they should be the same CODEC as well (preferably a CODEC that’s good for editing).

What method are you using to sync the clips?  Timecode?  Audio?

[carloc_01]

I will have to double check the clip setting to determine the frame rate, frame size etc. What would you recommend as a good CODEC.

I have been selecting Audio as the sync method.

[R Neil Haugen]

Warren's advice is spot on. I would just note, that message frequently means it can't for certain match the clips.

So his final question is rather key here.

Neil

[carloc_01]

Warren and Neil, thanks for your advice. Frame rate 29.97 Image size 1440 x 1080

I have checked the file setting for both clips and they are different. The differences are as follows;

MP4     Frame rate 29.97 Image size 1440 x 1080
MOV    Frame rate 24.00 Image size 1920 x 1080

Audio formats are actually the same settings.

Is there a method for changing the setting to match?

[R Neil Haugen]

That's the issue  ... you might be able to interpret one as the other then nest and multicam, but might work better to t-code one to the other. Which in and of itself can be a discussion.

Warren  ... your suggestion?

Neil

[Warren Heaton]

Carlos:

Is your MP4 Frame rate 29.97 Image size 1440 x 1080 file i29.97 or p29.97?

-Warren

[Warren Heaton]

I created two files from scratch to match your settings, Carlos, and Premiere Pro made a Multicam Source as expected - even though the settings and formats were different (1080p24 MOV and 1080i29.97 MP4).

How confident are you that the two clips have matching audio?  That's what Premiere Pro needs in order to create the Multicam Sequence using Audio.  Also, that's what your error message is telling you.

I'd try again using a different audio channel.

Or better yet: open each clip in the Source panel, locate a sync point and place a marker named "Sync".  (Do this for each clip.).  You can do this based on picture or sound.  Then, choose Clip Marker in the Create Multi-Camera Source Sequence dialog box.

For what it's worth, mixing frames rates is rarely a good idea.  In fact, I'd go as far as to say that it's to be avoided at all costs.  That said, it happens to the best of us.  (It's pretty common for documentaries that pull from archival footage that could be at any frame rate that's ever existed.)

I'd decide between conforming to p24 or i29.97 based on what you're using your edited master for.  If it's for social media and the web, you'll want to conform to progressive.  If it's for broadcast, cable or DVD-Video, you'd want to conform to interlaced.  If it's for iTunes or a streaming service, you'll probably want to go progressive, but with more attention than if you're posting it to your own YouTube channel or Facebook video or Vimeo or Instagram.  Broadcast, cable, DVD-Video for replication, and on-demand/streaming each require a longer conversation.  If not handled properly, your edited master won't pass quality control.

At the very minimum, I would use Premiere Pro's Interpret Footage option to conform your i29.97 clip to "No Fields (Progressive Scan)".

Of course, this assumes that your 29.97 is indeed interlaced and not already progressive.

-Warren

[carloc_01]

Jim_Simon,

Thanks for your detailed response. Those are the setting that I have on both clips.  I have not yet tried your setting for creating the multicam and see if it works with the files that I have.

I will also check the difference between the progressive and interlaced differences.

[excited_Genie16B8]

My guess is that you're syncing with audio.  In which case, that message means PP can't match the audio well enough to sync.  In which case...

Manual Multi-Camera Method