So I recently upgraded to FCP from FCE and have been testing out ProRes, new features, etc. One issue I've run into is some loss of quality from my raw footage (using a GoPro HD Hero @ 720p 60fps).
Here is my workflow: I'm converting the mpeg4 file into a .mov file using MPEG streamclip. Settings in MPEG Streamclip are ProRes 422(HQ), 100% quality, then leaving the rest of em at default (aka 1280x720 unscaled, interlacing checked, etc.). Then I use Cinema Tools to conform the clips from 60fps down to 30 fps for slomo reasons. Then I bring the clips into FCP for editing, grading, etc.
My default FCP settings are:
Sequence Preset: Apple ProRes 422(HQ) 1280x720 30p 48khz
Square Pixels
Capture Preset: HDV-Apple ProRes 422(HQ)
When I exported I used the "Share" function to publish directly to Youtube as well as create a hard copy .mov file. The issue I'm seeing is both within FCP itself and then when exported. I notice a loss of quality in the FCP clip viewer at larger resolutions as well as in the final exported version of my edit. Anyone have any ideas as to why? I can't find anything wrong with my settings (or maybe I'm just not looking in the right places).
On a side note, I also just got Magic Bullet Looks to use with my color grading. I'm having trouble eliminating the washed out look that many of my clips have due to their brightness (bluebird days w/ snow reflection). Anyone have any tips on the color correction for ski footage? Trying to find a happy medium between bright coloring and non-washed out looking footage. Thanks in advance for any insight you guys have.
Here is a test edit to show you what sort of quality I got when exporting with the above settings (watch in fullscreen to really notice the drop in quality):
