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Activity Forums Apple Final Cut Pro Legacy Capture MiniDV Issue

  • Capture MiniDV Issue

    Posted by Rob Grauert on April 16, 2008 at 7:16 pm

    Hello,

    I am trying to log and capture some MiniDV tapes via firewire. I did the first tape no problem. Final Cut is acting wierd now. I put the second tape in and it is showing up on my external monitor. The log and capture window in Final Cut says “Preview Disabled” and it has the color bars behind it. No audio is showing on the meters either.

    I’ve restarted Final Cut. That didn’t work. I played with the capture settings. That didn’t work either.

    They are miniDV tapes shot in 16:9

    Any ideas.

    Marcio Lovato replied 18 years ago 3 Members · 2 Replies
  • 2 Replies
  • Rob Forsythe

    April 16, 2008 at 7:52 pm

    This list contains virtually everything to try to enable:
    a. External Monitor VIDEO and AUDIO via FireWire & DV deck or camcorder.
    b. Viewing in the Canvas window on the computer screen.
    c. Being able to record on the external FW DV deck or camcorder.
    d. Being able to capture from a FW device.

    If working this list doesn’t cure the problem… you may have a serious PROBLEM!

    Try things in this order until you find the “cure”:

    1. Make sure you have only ONE (1) FireWire deck, camcorder, DV capture “card”, or D-to-A converter or video device attached to the computer at a time. Any more than one DV device can cause loss of signal and control.
    2. Make sure you have View (Menu) > External Video> All Frames set.
    (If the ALL FRAMES option is grayed-out… jump to step 6 below and continue.)
    3. Make SURE your Canvas window (right window) in FCP is set to “Fit to Window”… AND that it has not been “pushed off” the edge of the computer screen or “pushed into” other windows.
    4. Make sure your CANVAS View Menu (Box Icon with broken sides) is checked on Image or Image+Wireframe… NOT just Wireframe.
    5. Make sure your CANVAS View Menu is checked on RGB… NOT just Alpha.
    6. Make sure your Final Cut Pro (menu) > Easy Setup… is set for DV-NTSC (or DV-PAL, if that’s where you are).
    7. Some camcorders/decks work better under “FW (NTSC/PAL)” -or- “FW (NTSC/PAL) Basic” control (in the capture settings). Try either setting to see which works best for your device.
    8. Make sure your Final Cut Pro (menu) > Audio/Video Settings > A/V Devices (tab) > Mirror on Desktop > must be CHECKED. (If not, playing video will not appear in the Canvas.)
    9. Make sure the “Log and Capture” Window is CLOSED and not just “hidden” behind other windows.
    10. Make sure you have chosen FW output for A/V:
    Final Cut Pro (menu) > Audio/Video Settings… >
    Video Playback: Apple FireWire NTSC (720 x480)
    Audio Playback: FireWire DV
    11. Turn off the power to the Camera/Deck/Converter Box, then turn it back ON.
    12. Make sure the camera is in VTR mode… or the deck is in DV (DV, iLink, or FW) input.
    13. On a Sony camcorder or deck, make sure the menu setting “A/V > DV Out” is set to OFF.
    14. Re-check that your FW cable is well-connected at both ends (or try a new cable).
    15. Important: Quit FCP, then Restart FCP.
    16. Now again, make sure you have View > External Video > ALL FRAMES set…

    If it still does not work. “Trash” the FCP Preferences on the Mac
    “FCP Rescue” is a free Apple Script that will Trash the Preferences.
    It will also restore your user settings afterwards.
    Download:
    https://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/14729

    If you have “lost” your entire FW connection between the Mac and the device, go HERE:
    https://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301852

    >Then, start again at my “step 1” above.

  • Marcio Lovato

    April 25, 2008 at 7:02 am

    Man, I was 2 days trying to figure it out what the heck was the problem with my log and capture settings…I had also installed the whole Final Cut Studio 2 package again…browsed lots of Foruns, REALLY LOTS OF FORUNS… but finally I found the aswer…trashing the preferencesd and restoring gave my system back to me…hehehe
    thanks man…

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