Capturing HD footage query

[Chris Tompkins]

Have you looked at the “Easy Setup” ?

Chris Tompkins
Video Atlanta

[Mark Hammett]

Yeah, but I’m still not sure which option I should use for “HDV-HD25p”?

[Phil Balsdon]

In Easy Set Up choose FORMAT – HD, then USE – HDV-720p25.

However this camera is notorious for timecode breaks and loosing a few seconds of video at start / stops of the camera when importing to FCP. If you are using FCP6 you will get a much better workflow importing as ProRes SQ via Firewire.

Here’s how with the same camera you are using https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/vlog/?p=61

Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/

[Mark Hammett]

OK, thanks… but I’m using FCP5 which doesn’t seem to have the option for Apple Pro Res…. or indeed any 25fps settings. Any ideas?

[Phil Balsdon]

Open your Audio/Video Settings – Sequence Presets. Choose another HDV-720p (24?) setting and duplicate it. Open this new “copy” and edit it, change the frame rate to 25fps and save as HDV-72025p.

My memory of FCP5 is you will need to change quite a few things in your User Preferences. Particularly deselect “Abort capture on dropped frames” Select “Warn After Capture” in “On Timecode Break” window.

I also remember something about reducing Pre Roll to it’s minimum 1:00 sec which seems to help with the amount of video lost at the start and stop of each take (which seemed to be as much as 5 to 8 seconds if I remember correctly).

I mainly used footage from the on board drive (DR HD100) but an upgrade to FCP6 was a relief from all the frustrations and well worth the money. (FCS and FCP7 now, but then you’ll also need an Intel Mac Pro too).

Good luck

Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/

[Mark Hammett]

Ok, once I’ve opened my ‘copy’ of my new sequence, where do I change the frame rate? In the window that says ‘Editing Timebase’?

And then how do I save it as “HDV-72025p”?

I’ve tried duplicating a sequence and changing the ‘Editing Timebase’ to 25, but the camera is still not being recognised for capture.

[Phil Balsdon]

This is a problem with either the way the camera is set up or a firewire problem.

Is the camera set to VTR mode? Is the IEEE 1394 switch set to HDV. Follow the connection / set up process I showed in the video in the earlier link. Did you connect the camera to the computer BEFORE you powered everything up?

The second thing to try is a different firewire cable that you know works or test the one you are using by connecting an external hard drive with it.

If having tested all these things you still don’t have any success try shooting some SD DV video with the camera and follow the correct set up procedure but with camera and FCP set to DV PAL. If this works then I’m afraid you may have a failed HD Firewire board on your camera. The HDV and SD boards are separate on this camera so normally only one side fails. This type of failure is normally caused by incorrect plugin procedure – connecting camera to computer with devices powered up being the main culprit.

Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/

[Mark Hammett]

Hmmm, I can get it to capture, just not correctly. It looks like it’s capturing OK, then when I play it back, the footage is playing at high speed and the sound is playing at normal speed so there is surely some kind of compatibility issue? Would using a more up to date FCP (6 or 7) solve this?

[Phil Balsdon]

Can you post a screen capture of your Item Properties for your Sequence and Imported video files?

FCP6 and 7 make this a little easier by offering a conform sequence option but it should not be necessary we appear to have almost resolved the issue.

Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/

[Mark Hammett]

Screen Grab A

screengraba.jpg

Screen Grab B

screengrabb.jpg

Screen Grab C

screengrabc.jpg

Thanks.