Capturing HDV from Sony V1U to FCP

[David Roth weiss]

I had many issues with a client’s V1u and found that capturing to ProRes on the fly was the answer. Search the tutorials for Chris Poisson’s tutorial. It captures from camera start to camera stop on all takes on the reel, and no logging.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums. Formerly host of the Apple Final Cut Basics, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.

[David Mayer]

David,
I found your posts about the V1U before I posted and tried
the Poisson method. But he did not say anything about Easy Setup –
so I’m not sure where to set “Format”, “Use” and “Rate” in the Easy Setup.

Right now the tape rolls and the capture window is open but it is black
and nothing gets captured.

Thanks,
David

iMac 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB
OS 10.6.2
Final Cut Pro 7.0

[Nicholas Zimmerman]

I had to use a V1U for work quite a bit, and my best recommendation would be to use the default “HDV 1080i60” easy setup. Always make sure that you have the V1U on play mode and that your FireWire cable is securely connected (the 4-pin connectors have a tendency of popping out). When you select the Easy Setup FCP should let you know if the camera is recognized. It’s also important to ensure that your camera is on HDV mode, this is possible just by playing a brief clip off an HDV tape in the camera.

Shoot sh*t, Edit sh*t

[David Mayer]

Nicholas,
Thanks for the help.

Still not working.

Here’s exactly what I’ve got:

EASY SETUP
Format HDV
Use 1080i60
Rate all rates

A/V SETTINGS
Sequence Preset HDV 1080i60
Capture Preset HDV
Device Control Preset Sony HDV Firewire

I tried about 10 different options for Device Control Preset.

Camera output choice for VCR HDV/DV is set to HDV

I know the Firewire is working because FCP and camera are responding to each other.

I realize this is a different solution from David’s, but if it worked for you…

Does it look like anything is set wrong?

Thanks,
David

iMac 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB
OS 10.6.2
Final Cut Pro 7.0

[David Roth weiss]

[david mayer] “I’m not sure where to set “Format”, “Use” and “Rate” in the Easy Setup.”

You needn’t do that for the HDV to ProRes capture on the fly technique. It sets everything and captures to the end of the tape from wherever you start it.

If your camera is incorrectly set with iLink on in the menu settings it will not work, nor will HDV capture work, as that makes the camera down-convert.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums. Formerly host of the Apple Final Cut Basics, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.

[David Mayer]

David,
IT WORKED!

I turned iLink off in the Sony menu.

The camera’s LCD still says “HDVin” and “iLINK” for some reason
but that seems to have done the trick.

Huge help.

Thanks so much.

David

iMac 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB
OS 10.6.2
Final Cut Pro 7.0

[David Roth weiss]

Always glad to hear when something works David. And, always glad to help another David.

BTW, for all who aren’t named David, it means “beloved.”

David

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles
https://www.drwfilms.com

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

A forum host of Creative COW’s Business & Marketing and Apple Final Cut Pro forums. Formerly host of the Apple Final Cut Basics, Indie Film & Documentary, and Film History & Appreciations forums.

[David Mayer]

David,
Not to change the subject or anything, but have you
explained elsewhere on the forum how you created that
unbelievable Chicago Spire sequence?
David

iMac 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7, 8 GB
OS 10.6.2
Final Cut Pro 7.0