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Settings for Capturing Tape From Africa?
Here’s my issue:
Received MiniDV tapes from Mali this morning. I can play them fine on my Sony HDV1080i. Timecode works. Audio is there, picture is there. No troubles.
However, when I try to capture (using FCP 6.0.6), something is not right.
1. I can control the camera fine from the log/capture window.
2. But I keep getting “Preview Disabled” in the log/capture window (and, yes, video is checked in clip settings).
3. I’m not certain if this is a PAL or NTSC. (I know that they usually shoot PAL – but am not sure if my Sony HDV1080i can play PAL (and it is playing the tape). It says “DVCAM 60i” on the camera monitor when I am playing this tape.
4. So what FCP settings do I need to use to capture this footage?
5. And how do I know if it is PAL or NTSC?Thanks much, JD
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6 Replies
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I’ve been trying various settings (both PAL and NTSC) but so far, none have worked.
I have also tried some test captures (even though preview is disabled). That does not work either. FCP cannot find any video to capture when I try those tests.
Would value your ideas/help soon.
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[Jerry Jones] “It says “DVCAM 60i” on the camera monitor when I am playing this tape. “
That means that your camera is set to down-convert from HDV, which is wrong. There’s a menu setting somewhere to rectify that. Sorry, but I don’t have a camera here to look at in order to help you. Search the forum and you’ll almost certainly find a reference to others who have had to fix this setting on a Sony Z1.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
EPK Colorist – UP IN THE AIR – nominated for six academy awards
A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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3. I’m not certain if this is a PAL or NTSC. (I know that they usually shoot PAL – but am not sure if my Sony HDV1080i can play PAL (and it is playing the tape). It says “DVCAM 60i” on the camera monitor when I am playing this tape.
If it’s any help DVCAM 60i is NTSC. PAL is DVCAM 50i.
Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
Thanks much, Phil and David. Appreciate your info. David, are you referring to a setting on the camera itself – or a setting within FCP? Still trying to get this resolved. Jerry
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The camera Jerry. It seems to me the material is recorded as HDV, but the camera is set to down-convert to DVCAM.
David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los AngelesPOST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™
EPK Colorist – UP IN THE AIR – nominated for six academy awards
A forum host of Creative COW’s Apple Final Cut Pro, Business & Marketing, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.
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My experience of the Z1 is that it displays the tape format in the LCD viewfinder. If it is saying DVCAM 60i then that is what the tape format is.
In the camera menu you need to check the settings to see if the camera is firstly set to 29.97 and secondly if the firewrie output is set to downconvert to DV if it isn’t and the viewfinder says DVCAM 60i then that is what the tape is.
Change the Easy Setup to NTSC DV and you should have control and picture. Check the camera settings first.
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