canvas shows grey frame when playback is stopped. please help!!!

[Rob Forsythe]

This list contains about everything to try to enable External Monitor VIDEO and AUDIO via FireWire, viewing in the Canvas window on the computer screen, and being able to record on the external FW device… carefully observe ALL steps.

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

1. Make sure you have View (Menu) > External > All Frames set.
(If the ALL FRAMES option is grayed-out… jump to step 6 below and continue.)
2. 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.
3. Make sure your CANVAS View Menu (Box Icon with broken sides) is checked on Image or Image+Wireframe… NOT just Wireframe.
4. Make sure your CANVAS View Menu is checked on RGB… NOT just Alpha.
5. Make sure your Final Cut Pro (menu) > Easy Setup… is set for DV-NTSC (or DV-PAL, if that’s where you are).
6. 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.
7. 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.)
8. Make sure the “Log and Capture” Window is CLOSED and not just “hidden” behind other windows.
9. Turn off the power to the Camera/Deck/Converter Box, then turn it back ON.
10. Make sure the camera is in VTR mode… or the deck is in DV (DV, iLink, or FW) input.
11. On a Sony camcorder or deck, make sure the menu setting “A/V > DV Out” is set to OFF.
12. Re-check that your FW cable is well-connected at both ends (or try a new cable).
13. Important: Quit FCP, then Restart FCP.
14. Now again, make sure you have View > External > ALL FRAMES set…

If it still does not work. “Trash” the FCP Preferences on the Mac
https://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/trashing_fcp_prefs.html

“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

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