Cant capture HDV from canon xh-a1s into final cut express

[Jeff Mueller]

I’ve had similar problems with my Canon XL-H1 and FCP and there seem to be many variables, but a couple things to check are: 1) in the camera menu, Playback Mode needs to be set to HDV NOT Auto, if it’s on Auto, turn it off. 2) while you’re in the menu make sure that HDV downconverting is also OFF. 3) use the HDV Firewire BASIC video setting. 4) unplug any unnecessary Firewire devices.

Let us know what works.

[Will Crowe]

I didnt realize i had the hd down conversion on. That made it work. Thank you very much

Will

[Anne Welles]

I’m having the same problem – but in Signal Setup the Playback mode and HD Down-Conversion options are grayed out so I can’t manipulate them – anyone know why this is?

[Ricardo Orozco]

i have the same problem than Anne please help!

[Brian Muntz]

I am having the same issue. I just bought the XH A1s x 2 units 24 hours ago, and I am flying over seas to do a documentary. Please anyone, can you help. I am sure its a simple issue. Perhaps out-of-the-box bad config.

Regards, Brian
brianmuntz @ gmail.com

Brian Muntz
Pro Photographer, Videographer and editor.
Documentary Producer / Director
Fin art Photography

[Brian Muntz]

I knew it was a simple problem to fix the greyed out options, just Canon can’t foresee these issues to a degree of being green and letting us know.

Just unplug the unit from the firewire and then change the settings and then pug it back in again and vole, it works. Sheeeez, Hope this thread finds all the new-gen (greenhorns) owners out there and helps!

Brian

Brian Muntz
Pro Photographer, Videographer and editor.
Documentary Producer / Director
Fin art Photography

[Matthew Marchesi]

This:

“Just unplug the unit from the firewire and then change the settings and then pug it back in again”

and the OPPOSITE of this:

“while you’re in the menu make sure that HDV downconverting is also OFF”

made it work for me. I needed to turn HDV downconverting ON.

I’m using FCP7 on Lion, no updates to Lion or FCP.

[Robert Starkey]

I am having similar problems with the same camera and final cut express 4… I was capturing without any issues then one day I started getting cannot initilize hdv deck. i’ve tripled check all settings nothing has changed on the camera or program settings… switched out firewire cable still no luck any insight????