Capture problems with Mac

[Dunwoody Lampton]

Hi again, Kevin!

Do you have Pro or Express? You said you have FCP, then said Express. Which one is it? Also, which version?

You may remember me explaining my own capture problems with Final Cut Express 3.0 HD, due to what I thought was speed conflicts and compatibility of devices like my external firewire drives and my MiniDV camera. After many months of hassle-free capture, the last two months were spent frustrated over video “freezing” every 40 seconds or so.

In addition to device speed and type, I also had to factor different configurations, like my PowerMac with 2 firewire ports versus my PowerBook with only one firewire port, into my troubleshooting.

Along the messy way others also suggested that an upgrade to version 3.5 might address my freezing issues.

It’s with tentative pride that I report SUCCESS after upgrading this weekend to 3.5. After capturing for as long as 20 minutes I sustained smooth video with NO freezes. Also, I am running 10.4.9 on BOTH of my machines.

If you don’t have 3.5, maybe an upgrade might lead to your solution?

Hope this helps or leads to help.

[Kevin C.]

thanks Shot! Thats an idea no one has offered yet. is that a free or paid upgrade. Do you have a link? (FCP express) of course. hope works, very pessimistic.

also, have any idea why no render files are coming in for the footage that is being captured?

[Buddygroupvideo]

Hi Kevin,

Don’t worry about the render files. Those are only generated when you build a timeline with effects that need to be rendered in order to play in real time. In fact, the only folder of the FCP folders that will fill up with a significant number of files will be Capture Scratch and, eventually, Autosave Vault. You can actually delete the Render Files folder to save disc space, but remember that any rendered effects will need to be re-rendered if you do.

As for the audio out of sync issue, I have the same problem in FCP 5.1.4. So far, the best I’ve been able to figure out is that the Sony HDV deck and camera are no longer supported by Apple. I am still working on this issue, since it brings my production department to a standstill. We are not currently able to capture HDV footage. It’s unacceptable. When I learn more, I will share it here.

Video Production Department
The Buddy Group
http://www.thebuddygroup.com

[Kevin C.]

buddy:
I did not mean render files, I meant all folders, especially one with your video clips. Now before I would see these.

You are presenting a new thing no one has broached. That I may be having these issue because of the Song Camcorder. Have not heard that before. Which seems odd, in that it does work, just abort after 15 seconds.

[Dunwoody Lampton]

I forgot the link, but somewhere on Apple’s site there is a chart of compatible devices for Final Cut Express. You might consult that. Of course, NONE of my cameras OR converters are listed on it, yet I have had much more overall success than failure since I started using all of them in November. Maybe I was just lucky?

From the Windy City, I wish you good luck!

[Dunwoody Lampton]

Not sure if you can upgrade on-line or must purchase an actual CD. The actual CD was at the Apple Store here in Chicago for $100. I bought mine on eBay, new and unopened, for $68. Might want to check eBay first if you want to save a couple bucks.

[Kevin C.]

So this then is full new version? / upgrade

[Kevin C.]

closest it has in HDR-HC1E.
I have HDR-HC3 is that close enough?
Also, in FCP express, can I choose uncontrollable device? some suggested this, but I can’t find where to choose this

[Dunwoody Lampton]

Not sure about that model. No experience with it.

Under “Easy Setup” choose whatever appropriate format (PAL or NTSC) that has the “converter” option in it. This will be the setting for non-controllable devices.

[Dunwoody Lampton]

Final Cut Express 3.5 HD that I purchased is an UPGRADE. Says so on the package. There might be a full version of 3.5 out there, but I only focused on the upgrade version. It also came with various media disks for LiveType and others. Not sure if those were full or upgrade disks. I didn’t bother to install them. I just installed the Final Cut Express upgrade disk.