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Does PluralEyes support Final Cut Pro X?

Yes. Support for FCP X is a free upgrade for current owners of PluralEyes for Final Cut Pro. You will be prompted to get the update the next time you run PluralEyes for Final Cut Pro, or you can just download the latest trial version.

How does PluralEyes differ from the built-in sync function in Final Cut Pro X?

The built-in sync in FCP X works most reliably when you sync a single video clip to a single audio clip. PluralEyes handles the full range of project types including

• multiple audio/video clips
• many video clips synced against one long audio clip
• multi-camera

This video has more information.

Do your products support OS X Lion?

Yes. We've been testing again OS X Lion for a while and everything looks good. If you do run into any problems, please send a message to Support.

What is the difference between DualEyes and PluralEyes?

DualEyes was created for those who can't use PluralEyes because they are using an NLE that it does not support. DualEyes is a standalone application and can be used with any NLE.

PluralEyes and DualEyes are used for similar tasks, with the following differences:

1. DualEyes is mainly for a dual-system audio workflow. PluralEyes is also for multi-camera.
2. DualEyes works on files selected from the file system. With PluralEyes you need to create a sequence in the NLE.
3. DualEyes creates new media files: trimmed audio and (optionally) video clips with replaced audio. PluralEyes creates clips in the NLE that behave in the same way, but no new files are created on disk.
4. DualEyes requires the new files to be imported into the NLE, and possibly matched up. PluralEyes creates a new sequence with all the clips laid out, ready for editing.
5. PluralEyes lets you use markers to give it a hint as to how to sync.
6. (Final Cut Pro) PluralEyes automatically creates a multiclip (when possible).

If you use an NLE that is supported by PluralEyes, we generally recommend that you choose it over DualEyes. It offers similar functionality and has the added convenience of integration with the NLE. But both products are available as free trials that are fully functional for 30 days, so you can experiment with both to see which works best for you.

How many computers can I install on?

The license allows you to install on up to two computers, typically a desktop and a laptop that are not used simultaneously.

How can I move a license from one computer to another?

1. On the old computer, start the License Manager and choose De-activate.
2. On the new computer, start the License Manager and enter your license key.

My computer is not connected to the internet. How do I activate the license?

1. Open the License Manager and go through the steps for email or offline activation
2. That will take you to a page with the Installation ID and a place to put an Unlocking Key (or Unlock Code). Note the Installation ID.
3. You can use any computer that has internet access to get an Unlocking Key by going to https://www.internetactivation.com. You'll need both the Installation ID and your license key to get the Unlocking Key.
4. Back in the License Manager, enter the Unlocking Key and press Activate.

How do I move my license with a USB key?

Here are the steps for using a USB key to move your license from your OLD computer to your NEW computer.

1. Do the following steps on the NEW computer.
   1. Install PluralEyes.
   2. Open the License Manager.
   3. Choose "Manually Move License".
   4. Insert a USB key.
   5. In Step 1. of the License Manager, select the USB key from the drop-down list.
   6. Click "Initialize Media" which copies a file to the USB key.
   7. Eject the USB key.
2. Move to the OLD computer and do the following steps.
   1. Insert the USB key.
   2. Open the License Manager.
   3. Choose "Manually Move License".
   4. In Step 2. of the License Manager, select the USB key from the drop-down list.
   5. Click "Move to Media" button.
   6. Eject the USB key.
3. Move back to the NEW computer and do the following steps.
   1. In Step 3. of the License Manager, select the USB key from the drop-down list.
   2. Click "Move from Media" button.
   3. Eject the USB key.
4. Exit both License Managers because you are done!

Can PluralEyes be used when there are audio-only tracks, for dual-system audio?

Yes!

What should I do first: sync or edit?

The recommended workflow is

We strongly recommend that you sync first. It's not impossible to do it the other way around, but too many things can happen during the editing process that can confuse PluralEyes (sound processing, sound mixing, fades, etc.). Also, PluralEyes will probably move clips around after the sync and that will mess up your edit.

What should I do first: sync or transcode?

The recommended workflow is

You should transcode first because you will want to edit with the synced clips, and edit in the transcoded form.

If any of the cameras stopped during the performance can they still be synced using PluralEyes?

Absolutely! PluralEyes can sync every segment within a sequence, whether they are a single uninterrupted track, or broken up with starts and stops. There is no need to re-slate the camera when it restarts as long as it can still hear the shared audio of the event.

Can PluralEyes sync from a recorded soundtrack, like a CD?

Yes, which is especially useful for music videos and performances that accompany recorded music tracks. Just make sure the recording video cameras hear the audio as it is played during the event so that PluralEyes can synchronize them.

Will Presto support Final Cut Pro X?

Presto for Final Cut Pro X is a future product. To keep informed on developments, sign up to our mailing list.

I can't find PluralEyes in the Final Cut Pro interface. How do I start it?

PluralEyes is a separate application that runs at the same time as Final Cut Pro. You will find it in the Applications folder.

Why do I get so many angles in my multiclip?

Final Cut Pro makes a new angle for each clip, not for each track. You can work around this by creating QuickTime reference movies and making the multiclip from those. This video tutorial shows how.

I have finished my edit and now I want to sync. Can I do this?

The recommended workflow is

But if that is not an option, the following steps can be taken. We assume that the goal is to replace the camera audio with high-quality external audio.

1. Create a new project and make a sequence containing your unedited footage
2. Sync that sequence using the sync options Replace audio and Single sequence output
3. This will create a set of merged clips in the Browser
4. Make a QuickTime reference movie for each merged clip (right-click on the clip and choose Export > QuickTime Movie...)
5. Open the project with your edited sequence (or to be safe, make a copy of the project and open that)
6. For each video clip in the Browser, reconnect the media to the QuickTime movies made in Step 4
7. Your project will now have the good audio and the edits will be preserved

Does PluralEyes work with iMovie, Final Cut Express, Platinum Studio, Pinnacle Studio, ...?

The video editors that PluralEyes is currently integrated with are listed on the product page. If you use an editor that is not currently supported by PluralEyes, you may be interested in our product DualEyes.

How does PluralEyes work?

PluralEyes compares the audio tracks in a sequence and uses a proprietary algorithm to synchronize them.

How long does it take PluralEyes to sync a project?

The time that PluralEyes takes to sync varies a lot. Several factors influence it, but the most important is the number of clips. The second most important factor is the sync option Try really hard, which can take 5-10 times as long. On the other hand, the sync option Chronological order will speed things up when it chosen. Somewhat surprisingly, the length of the clips is less important.

A dozen clips will generally sync in less than a minute. More than 100 clips can take hours.

It can speed things up substantially if you break up your sequence into separate pieces and sync each piece separately. For example, if it's a wedding, sync the ceremony and the reception separately.

How alike do the various camera audio tracks have to be?

PluralEyes can match audio tracks with a wide diversity of audio quality. If you can recognize the audio as taken at the same time, it is likely that PluralEyes can too. Even tracks with lots of noise and variation because of camera microphone differences can be matched with PluralEyes.

Does Pluraleyes correct for the distance between cameras?

The speed of sound is such that it travels about 1 frame for every 30 feet of distance between the cameras. PluralEyes will sync audio tracks without considering their physical distance, and a simple frame shift can bring far cameras into sync.

Does PluralEyes ever fail to match audio?

PluralEyes is usually better than most humans in finding audio clues that help it synchronize the clips. Any clips that fail to sync are placed in a sequence, or a region of a sequence, labelled "unsynced". Sync failures can usually be resolved by using one of the sync options (FCP, Vegas).

Can PluralEyes sync cameras that have no audio track at all?

No, PluralEyes needs audio to sync. It does not look at the video tracks at all.

Is academic pricing available?

Yes. Please see the information at the bottom of the buy page.

Does PluralEyes support Premiere Pro CS4/CS5/CS5.5?

Support for Premiere Pro CS4, CS5 and CS5.5 is now shipping for both Windows and OS X.

I just upgraded to Vegas 10. How do I update to a version of PluralEyes that supports it?

Download the latest trial version of PluralEyes for Vegas Pro. If you activated a previous version, this is a free upgrade. The trial version will find the license automatically and use it.