Capture and firewire problem

[Rob Forsythe]

Try connecting the DV camcorder “daisy-chained” from the External HD’s second FW jack.

This sometimes works for certain systems better than using a separate FW port (I don’t know why).

If this DOES at least recognise the camcorder, try some captures.

AND/OR…

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.
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
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.

[Debe]

If you must use firewire drives to store your media, you may want to look into getting an additional firewire bus for your Mac from a place like wiebetech.com. Cramming all that data through the one on-board firewire bus that ships with all Macs is asking for throughput problems.

Some have no issues with it, but many do. It’s one of the reasons Apple doesn’t approve firewire for use as media drives with FCP. If you must use firewire for media storage, do you self a huge favor and make sure you unmount the drive before shutting down or even putting the computer to sleep. Reformat it periodically when you are between projects, and never store your project file on the drive, unless it’s a triple-redundant backup.

Otherwise, follow Rob’s advice. It’s all good stuff!

debe

[Shane Ross]

The problem is that ALL the firewire ports on the G5 are on the same firewire bus. What you need to do is buy a $30 firewire PCI card and add that. Then connect the camera to the computer, and the drive to the new firewire ports.

Shane

Alokut Productions
http://www.lfhd.net