capturing mini dv

[David Roth weiss]

David,

DV is a digital format, recorded onto Mini DV tape as just 1s and 0s. When capturing, the digital information is captured 1:1 from tape to hard drive via firewire, and whether as AVI files or Quicktime files (MOV files) there is no recompression during capture, so there is no degradation of the video possible.

The problem you are experiencing is most likely that your “canvas” (the record side or timeline display monitor in FCP) is set to a number other 100%, and/or you have improper timeline settings that don’t match your video so you’re watching unrendered video.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

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[David Priest]

Hi David,

I opened the .MOV file I captured with quicktime and VLC player, and that is where I saw the quality of the video. I opened a similar AVI file that I captured on the pc with vlc, and the quality of the video is much sharper. That is how I judged it. I have a Panasonic Mini DV camera that is not HD. When capturing, should I just select NTSC as the format, or is there another format/setting you would suggest for better quality?

[David Roth weiss]

Evidently this is some sort of issue with the VLC player. I don’t use it myself, so I don’t know for sure, but the facts I mentioned above in my last post are 100% accurate, so I would have to look to the VLC player as the weak link.

Do keep in mind, editing DV in FCP has been done successfully by literally millions and millions of professional and consumer users before you.

[David Priest] “I have a Panasonic Mini DV camera that is not HD. When capturing, should I just select NTSC as the format, or is there another format/setting you would suggest for better quality?”

NTSC is is not a format, NTSC is a standard. DV is the video format and codec, and when using it you should use the Easy Setup “DV-NTSC.”

I would suggest that you watch and memorize the following brief tutorial, and always begin each FCP project using precisely the methods explained therein.

https://library.creativecow.net/articles/biscardi_walter/realtime_sequences.php

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

EPK Colorist – UP IN THE AIR – nominated for six academy awards

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

[David Priest]

Thanks,

On a little different note, if I have captured video that was shot in 4:3 format, is it possible to import it with the DV NTSC Anamorphic setting, or will the video not come out right? On my camcorder, I have the option to shoot in either format.

[David Roth weiss]

If you import 4×3 video with the anamorphic setting checked it will be streched and distorted. If you do it by accident, you can uncheck the anamorphic column in the FCP browser for each clip and it will revert to 4×3 non-anamorphic.

David Roth Weiss
Director/Editor/Colorist
David Weiss Productions, Inc.
Los Angeles

POST-PRODUCTION WITHOUT THE USUAL INSANITY ™

EPK Colorist – UP IN THE AIR – nominated for six academy awards

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