Capture problems with Mac

[Kevin C.]

shot: I have ntsc set, don’t see a converter option there. don’t see word converter or anything –what am I missing?

[Dunwoody Lampton]

Under: Final Cut Express HD > Easy Setup > DV-NTSC DV Converter

There is also a choice for “DV-PAL DV Converter.”

These choices have always been there during my brief experience with FCE.

Don’t know why they aren’t there for you.

“Converter” is the option you want for non-controllable/analog devices.
Mine is a Betacam SP UVW-1800 record deck.
I run it through a DataVideo DAC-15 converter or a Canon XL2 before Firewiring it into the PowerBook or PowerMac. This option allows me to convert the analog Betacam video into
digital before capture, while also recognizing that I have no FCE control over the deck.

[Kevin C.]

thanks Shot, why doesn’t just say non controllable device? what does converter mean? what is that implication? and what happens then?
Do I need any converter? I think the current issue on that is if my Sony HDR-HC3 is comptable with FCP express. anyone know? (I never even knew there were camera compatibility issues)

[Tom Wolsky]

That camera works with FCE. I’ve read through the thread and I can’t see any information about your setup. Could you answer the generic questions:

Be as exact as you can. What settings are on the media? What settings are you using in Final Cut? What computer are you using? What drives? How’s everything connected? What version of the application are you using, and what version of the OS and of QT are you using?

The DV Converter option should not be used for tape material nor for HDV material.

You did mention I think that you’re using 10.4.9. There are known issues capturing with FCE versions prior to 3.5. It’s an OS problem with Spotlight that can be circumvented by setting privacy for your capture scratch.

All the best,

Tom

Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 2 Editing Workshop” Class on Demand “Complete Training for FCP5” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy” DVDs

[Rattana]

I have the same problem.It never works.
I use the imovie to capture and then import it into FCP.

[Kevin C.]

thanks Tom!
You are the first one to mention the issue of FCP 10.4.9 and even the workaround. UNfortunately I do not plan on upgrading to 10.5 until G6 comes out so I may be stuck for awhile ( if I get 3.5 that would solve that?) in meantime I’m save $80 and set privacy.
Only thing is I set privacy to my backup hardrives, and then I guess I would then have to drag everything over to my important primary drives. huge hassle. (what did they do to 10.4.9??) (or I guess I could set privacy to my main drive, do the capture and then unset privacy right?– or just get 3.5)

So FCP Express is ok with Sony HDR-HC3 even though it’s not listed on their compatible list? thats nice.

Setting for the media? not sure I understand that, the media is a mini DV tape.
Setting for FCPE. Tom, I’m just going with the defaults of whatever the progam ships with. (scrath disk set to a hard drive with over 100 free Gigs.)
I have FCE HD 3.0, OS 10.4.9; On G5 dual 1.8; With Lacie and Seagate 500 and 750 external FW drives. I was using a hub, but tried direct, and that did not help) (BTW are hubs as lethal as many claim?)

[Tom Wolsky]

You don’t have to set the whole drive to privacy, just the capture scratch folder.

Are you shooting DV or HDV? This is an HDV camera is it not? What is the camera set to output, DV or HDV? Those are the settings you should use. Did you shoot in 48K audio or 32K audio? The default settings may not be correct for that camera or your material.

All the best,

Tom

Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 2 Editing Workshop” Class on Demand “Complete Training for FCP5” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy” DVDs

[Kevin C.]

Oh that’s a relief Tom, about just the folder. But you know, every time I set privacty, a month later, i look, and it’s reset to nothing. Like on reboots Mac wipes out my privacy settings.

The Sony HRD – HC3 is fairly new HDV. (sure it’s ok with FCE?) Again, it’s not on their (compatibility list) “closest” is something called a HDR-HC1E. Or maybe none that is for real, I never knew– alaways assumed all cameras were ok.

Audio — not sure, whatever the camera’s default is. (just looked at manual, just says 16 bit)

thanks

[Rattana]

Additional info.
I use Sony HRD – HC3,early G5 and firewire connection and FCP5.0.4.
I have no problem capturing HD footage but I have the same problem with DV footage.
So I use imovie for DV footage.

[Kevin C.]

Rattana, you mean standard DV? why are you capturing DV when you own a HD, older footage? of course I have FCP express HD 3.0 which has it’s own seperate compatibility rules than you.

Tom, forgot to ask:
It was on another board, where someone had brought up using “uncontrollable device” as great way to overcome endless capture problems.

You say in FCP Express this would be equivilant of going to easy set up and choosing
DV NTSC CONVERTER instead of regular DV NTSC. This would allow uncontrollable device? But you say not to do this with HD video, which is all I am shooting. Why not? lost on that.