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Help with FCP and video switcher?
Hi–
I need some help with FCP and running through a switcher. Currently, our setup feeds out from an old Media 100 toolbar, via BNC cables, into a time synchronizer and then into our video switcher (circa 1983). I’m getting rid of Media 100 (long story) and putting in FCP and iMovie on each of my stations. When I get rid of M100, I will lose my BNC connection. How can I come out of FCP (on a Mac G5 something-or-other) and into an analog switcher which takes S-video or BNC? And this is also a dumb question, but how do I make FCP show up on my preview monitor in final format? I have 2 monitors for the program, and then a 3rd monitor attached which right now shows what’s coming out of M100 in its final format. How do I make FCP talk to that monitor and show me the final product? Thanks for any help you can give!
Terri in Wyo. -
4 Replies
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What kind of card, if any, are you putting in the Final Cut system for your input/output?
We use the AJA IO and this lets me bring in or put out pretty much any signal format I want, I have my FCP system feeding RGB to a traditional CRT tube monitor, component to a betacamSP deck, a composite video NTSC signal going into an antique Grass Valley 100 switcher, SDI feeding into and out of my DVCPro25 deck. All simultaneously, pretty much. You can use an external box like the AJA or a card that mounts in your Apple tower and do the same thing. AJA is popular, but not the only option, Blackmagic is also popular. Couple other options as well. Look around.
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Thanks for your prompt response! Right now, the card coming out of the Mac is a Media-100 proprietary card, with an ENORMOUS tool bar thing that all of the components plug into. When I get rid of M100, that card won’t work, so I need an option. Since I teach in a school, and this is for our (poor) studio, I need a relatively cheap fix, too– is there something less pricey than the AJA? I just checked a bit and found cards for $2000 and more– ouch… Thanks for any suggestions!
Terri in Wyo. 🙂 -
You will need a digital to analog converter box that connects to your computer via firewire.
Here are two options. They are very similar, except the ADVC-300 adds component output (not sure if your running composite or component through your BNC cables)
Either one will plug into your computer via FireWire and will allow you to output your Canvas and Viewer in FCP to whatever you have plugged into the unit. Not sure if iMovie has an external display feature or not.
Mike Johnson
Final Cut Pro Editor
Drury Outdoors
http://www.druryoutdoors.com
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terri, what you’re referring to as a toolbar is what we call a a BOB or “Break-Out-Box”. It’s just a handy way to bring the connectors out from the back of the machine to a more convenient spot, so you don’t have to get on hands and knees every time you want to swap a cable.
Considering your budget, a used ADVC-100 off Ebay would work great. Ina pinch, temporarily, you could also use a Dv camcorder with firewire and composite video outputs, but really this is a very short-term stopgap method. The pictures go out from FCP to the camcorder, then out via an composite connector into your switcher. If it’s an old switcher, ot may have to first go thru a proc amp and time base corrector to be usable.
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