Problems Uploading to YouTube From Final Cut Pro X

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Larry

Recently, I’ve had a lot of emails from editors with problems uploading (Sharing) files to YouTube directly from Final Cut Pro X.

So, I did some checking and discovered that the problems were caused by Google.

In early April, Google changed the APIs that control uploading to YouTube. These changes broke all automated upload systems – meaning uploads originating anywhere except a Browser – including Final Cut Pro X.

Then, on April 19, Google changed these APIs back to their original settings. This meant that YouTube exporting works again inside FCP X.

Hopefully, Google will leave things alone for a while.

On a related note, I’m getting periodic reports of problems with Vimeo uploading and DVD burning. These settings have not changed in FCP X 10.0.8, so they should still work.

However, my general preference and recommendation is to handle Sharing in three steps:

Export a Master File ( File > Share > Master file). This provides the fastest export with the highest quality.
Review that master file to make sure it looks and plays OK.
Compress, or transfer, that master file as needed using Compressor.

Yes, this process takes a couple of extra steps, but I have found the results to be consistently higher quality and most reliable. It is also the fastest way to export.

BIG NOTE: As FCP X shares (exports) a file, it creates a file name with the word “TEMP” at the end. This means that the export is continuing and, for some projects, that export can take a long time as FCP both renders and exports a project. Do not do anything with a file that has TEMP at the end of the file name. Wait until the export is complete, and the word TEMP disappears before moving, renaming, or compressing the exported file.

As always, I am interested in your comments.

Larry

15 Responses to Problems Uploading to YouTube From Final Cut Pro X

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Larry says:

June 9, 2013 at 5:30 pm

Steve:

Not necessarily. However, a number of users are reporting problems when burning DVDs. Consider this to be an alternative approach.

Larry
Zack says:

November 28, 2016 at 5:32 pm

I have a problem where whenever i try to export my file it gets stuck at 50% and won’t move past it? I’ve tried everything i can think of any tips?
Larry says:

November 28, 2016 at 6:46 pm

Zack:

Can you export the file using File > Share > Master file?

If not, then there’s a problem with the media in your file somewhere around the middle. Delete stuff until it exports, then decide how to fix the media that’s broken.

If it exports OK, then there’s a problem with the YouTube transfer. Try exporting the file, compressing using Compressor, then transfer to YouTube manually.

If it doesn’t compress, you most likely have bad media in the middle of your project.

Take this in small steps. See where it breaks down. Try different ways of exporting, or just exporting portions of the project, until you find the bad media or render files that are causing problems.

Generally, stock footage is the first culprit. After that, delete all generated media (File > Delete Generated Media) for your project and re-render.

One of those should fix it.

Larry
Angela says:

April 23, 2020 at 10:13 am

I have tried everything to fix my issue. Each time I try to share anything on FCP 10.3.4 it crashes and the version before. I’ve tried making new libraries, deleting preferences/generated files – all the fixes I can find. I have reinstalled my os 10.11.6 (can’t update as I have an early 2008 macpro). I love this programme so much, but I have given up…unless you can help please?
Thanks.
Larry says:

April 23, 2020 at 10:30 am

Angela:

You do realize that you are trying to run modern software on a 12-year-old computer? I’m surprised it works at all.

However, here are some trouble-shooting tips that may help:

https://larryjordan.com/articles/trouble-shoot-your-apple-final-cut-pro-x-system/

Larry