basic metadata-searching over ethernet possible?

[Jeremy Garchow]

FCServer really wants/needs it’s own computer.

As far as metadata searching, where are you putting this data, in FCP? If so, most of that data is tied to the FCP Project and not the file itself. You could try putting stuff in the comments field of the file itself by getting info from in the finder and entering info in the ‘Spotlight Comments’.

[Mark Palmos]

Hi Jeremy,
Yep, most of the time it would be used in FCP.

Spotlight comments would be kinda ok, but
1/ I would have to mouse a lot to get from FCP to finder to info one file by one
2/ spotlight comments would not be related to time code, so I would not have an easy way to make comments which are assigned to a certain place in the clip

My ideal scenario would be something like clip markers which could be assigned and annotated in FCP then exported INTO the mov file they relate to as metadata, which which could then be searched over a network by spotlight… now THAT would be ideal.

I will write a feature request.

And FCP server?

[Jeremy Garchow]

I haven’t used FCServer, but a buddy of mine gave me a 20 minute demo.

It is really sweet, even for two machines. Also sweet for client interaction as well.

How bout this?

https://www.digital-heaven.co.uk/movielogger/

or this?

https://www.imagineproducts.com/mac_library.htm

Jeremy

[Mark Palmos]

hi there mate
cool
ok
i will download and try them out, see how searching works after the logging is done.

so is it true to say fcp server would require a separate box that is not used for editing?

cheers
mark.

[Jeremy Garchow]

As I mentioned earlier, yes. it really wants it’s own computer/server.

[Mark Palmos]

oh, i missed that, thanks.

I tried the movielogger. What its good for is someone who does not want to hold up an FCP system to do logging… but in the end all you end up with is an FCP clip which has annotated markers – which I can do in fcp. This product allows you to search from within FCP… conversely

Mac digital clip library seems a lot deeper, can create proxies etc, but your searches (from what I can tell) take place using their software, so you cannot search the metadata from fcp.

I guess this is the issue. The metadata is either fcp or osx searchable, not both. I would need both so I could search existing projects or search in the finder for clips that are not in any project.

till later
tx
mark

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Mark Palmos] “I would need both so I could search existing projects or search in the finder for clips that are not in any project.”

Then you might want to get serious about FCServer. You should arrange for some sort of demo.

Jeremy

[Paul Dickin]

Hi
CatDV http://www.squarebox.co.uk

[Mark Palmos]

Hi Paul and Jeremy,
thanks guys.

I have downloaded CatDV pro and am trying it out. It creates markers on FCP clips like movielogger does, but has a more powerful interface and if you do a search using CatDV outside of FCP, you can find any annotation in a clip using the search, but still HAVE to use that app, so you cannot search using Finder UNLESS you create an XML file as well.
If you search “This Mac” and “Contents” Finder will pick up the relevant details in the XML file which you can then import or drag and drop to FCP. Of course one would have to be very careful to not delete the xml files, and also it is a bit messy IMO to have media files separate from the metadata files.

Does FCP server wrap the metadata in the MOV file in such a way that finder would see it on any mac, or does one have to be running their client software to be able to find files in Finder?

Catcha later
Mark.

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Mark Palmos] “or does one have to be running their client software to be able to find files in Finder? “

You still have to run client software, but the cool thing is that once you get FCSvr up and running, it’s basically an ip address that is assignable and any client (windows or mac) can then download and use the interface on site or off. Then, all of that data is now tracked with the project/files. It then becomes a review tool for your clients with metadata all in tact with changes/notes. You have to see it in action. It’s really cool. I will qualify again, that I am no expert at FCSvr, I just knew someone that could show it to me in a very practical way.

So yes, you will still be tied to a FCSvr client or software but the integration is really nice.

Jeremy