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Cinema Tools, XML List, FCP capture problem…
Ok, here’s my problem. We’re shooting 35mm 3 perf. Editing on FCP. Capturing from DVCAM. I get the ALE from telecine. At the telecine house, we make a new database in Cinema Tools (35mm, 3 perf, 30 NDF audio and video, TK Speed is 24). Import Telecine log (ALE). We export an XML Batch List. We import the XML into Final Cut Pro 5.0 (on a G4, Blackmagic card, SDI). We batch the clips. Comes in good, A frames fine (Media Start TC always ends with a 5 or 0, starts on A frame). Batch Reverse Telecine in Cinema Tools (F1-F2, 23.98, both boxes checked). Setup a new project in FCP, import the reversed folder. Things work fine, can edit 24 (23.98). Cool.
Go back to work. I’m working on a 1.66 GHz Intel DupCore iMac w/ 2 GB RAM, OS 10.4.6 (yeah, I know, they’re cutting corners and trying to save money). So, I go through the same steps, but am importing into FCP 5.1. I go to batch capture and it adds 24 frames to the beginning of each clip. When I open the clip in the Viewer, the playhead is parked on the first (A) frame, but there are 24 frames before the playhead. Reverse Telecine is a mess, too. Try another deck (both are DVCAM via firewire). Same problem. Try logging a new clip with the same TC as one of the clips imported via XML. Doesn’t work.
Move over to the editor’s bay (G5, 4 x 2.5GHz, OS 10.4.6, 4.5 GB RAM, also running FCP 5.1). Try the same thing, have the same problem with the XML clips (adds 25 frames to the start). However, this time I am able to re-log all the clips based on the TC of the old XML clips and batch it and it works. Reverse Telecine works fine as well.
What gives? Is it the XML file? The ALE always loads into Cinema Tools 3.1 fine. Does FCP have some glitch when it comes to importing the XML file? Is it something with Log and Capture? If I have identical clips (one imported via XML, one re-logged with the same start and end TC), why does one work and the other not? It would really be nice to not have to re-log every clip or trim each clip every time dailies come in.
Any help or ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance for your time and consideration.
-S