Preview disabled during firewire DV capture

[Bouncing Account needs new email address]

Try looking here:

https://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301852

This seems to be the answer to many of these kind of problems.

[Rob Forsythe]

This list contains virtually everything to try to enable:
a. External Monitor VIDEO and AUDIO via FireWire & DV deck or camcorder.
b. Viewing in the Canvas window on the computer screen.
c. Being able to record on the external FW DV deck or camcorder.
d. Being able to capture from a FW device.

If working this list doesn’t cure the problem… you may have a serious PROBLEM!

Try things in this order until you find the “cure”:

1. Make sure you have only ONE (1) FireWire deck, camcorder, DV capture “card”, or D-to-A converter or video device attached to the computer at a time. Any more than one DV device can cause loss of signal and control.
2. Make sure you have View (Menu) > External Video> All Frames set.
(If the ALL FRAMES option is grayed-out… jump to step 6 below and continue.)
3. Make SURE your Canvas window (right window) in FCP is set to “Fit to Window”… AND that it has not been “pushed off” the edge of the computer screen.
4. Make sure your CANVAS View Menu (Box Icon with broken sides) is checked on Image or Image+Wireframe… NOT just Wireframe.
5. Make sure your CANVAS View Menu is checked on RGB… NOT just Alpha.
6. Make sure your Final Cut Pro (menu) > Easy Setup… is set for DV-NTSC (or DV-PAL, if that’s where you are).
7. Some camcorders/decks work better under “FW (NTSC/PAL)” -or- “FW (NTSC/PAL) Basic” control (in the capture settings). Try either setting to see which works best for your device.
8. Make sure your Final Cut Pro (menu) > Audio/Video Settings > A/V Devices (tab) > Mirror on Desktop > must be CHECKED. (If not, playing video will not appear in the Canvas.)
9. Make sure the “Log and Capture” Window is CLOSED and not just “hidden” behind other windows.
10. Make sure you have chosen FW output for A/V:
Final Cut Pro (menu) > Audio/Video Settings… >
Video Playback: Apple FireWire NTSC (720 x480)
Audio Playback: FireWire DV
11. Turn off the power to the Camera/Deck/Converter Box, then turn it back ON.
12. Make sure the camera is in VTR mode… or the deck is in DV (DV, iLink, or FW) input.
13. On a Sony camcorder or deck, make sure the menu setting “A/V > DV Out” is set to OFF.
14. Re-check that your FW cable is well-connected at both ends (or try a new cable).
15. Important: Quit FCP, then Restart FCP.
16. Now again, make sure you have View > External Video > ALL FRAMES set…

If it still does not work. “Trash” the FCP Preferences on the Mac
“FCP Rescue” is a free Apple Script that will Trash the Preferences.
It will also restore your user settings afterwards.
Download:
https://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/14729

If you have “lost” your entire FW connection between the Mac and the device, go HERE:
https://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301852

>Then, start again at my “step 1” above.

[Matthew Rogers]

Thanks guys for the help.

I did see that article on trashing the Quicktime receipts. I’ll try it again to see if I missed a step. Once I get home I’ll go through those steps. Thanks for all the input!

I did bring the camera into work and tried here on FCP 5.1.2 MacPro, and again, works fine.

Thanks again and I’ll let you know how this works out.

-Matt

Matthew Rogers
engine room
Boston, Ma
http://www.engineroomedit.com

[Matthew Rogers]

I got it to work, but let me tell you how.

I trashed the QT receipts and reinstalled QT 7 as the article instructed.

I followed Rob’s list with no positive results. Thank you by-the-way that list was very helpful and good to know for future problems. Instead of quiting I was going to go through the list again. I re-read this:

[Rob Forsythe] “1. Make sure you have only ONE (1) FireWire deck, camcorder, DV capture “card”, or D-to-A converter or video device attached to the computer at a time. Any more than one DV device can cause loss of signal and control.”

I then had second thoughts about my external Lacie Firewire drive not applying to any of these. I disconnected the drive and sure enough I had picture, audio, and control of my camera.

Thanks for your help, I’m going to see if there is a way I can get both the Lacie and Elura to play well together. In the mean time I’ll just capture to my system drive and move the media over.

Thanks again,

-Matt

Matthew Rogers
engine room
Boston, Ma
http://www.engineroomedit.com