Print to Video / Edit to Tape from FCP 7 to HVR-M15U Woes

Apple Final Cut Pro Legacy

Print to Video / Edit to Tape from FCP 7 to HVR-M15U Woes

Posted by Jonathan Clauson on April 22, 2010 at 10:29 pm

Good evening all.

I’m back yet again to display my ignorance and beg the help of the professionals of whom I grow in respect of every moment.

Using a SONY HVR-M15U which is a HDV/DVCAM deck via FW400 I am attempting to get my project out onto DVCAM for broadcast. I used the Edit to Tape tutorial found on this site and everything worked great until I played the tape back…..there was nothing on it but the black frames and TC that I had made when getting the TC ready.

Here are the basic settings:

Device Control – FW NTSC
Capture/Input – DV NTSC 48 kHz

My sequence settings are:

Frame Size: NTSC DV 3:2
Pixel Aspect Ratio: NTSC – CCIR 601 / DV 720 x 480
QuickTime Video Settings: DV/DVCPRO – NTSC
Audio: 48kHz / 16-bit / Stereo Downmix

Now the frame rate is obviously 29.97 drop frame for SD broadcast (which the network wanted) and I have the settings on the deck configured right meaning I have it set to DV Mode, Rec mode DVCAM etc.

I am at a total loss and about to jump out of my 1st story window in great protest, which would be more symbolic than anything.

When the VTR plays back on the TV I have it hooked up to, it is black with the TC display from the deck. But FCP shows it as the screen shot you see below.

Is there any idea on what I am doing wrong? I throw myself at the mercy of the forums. Thanks in advance!

Humbly

– J

Here is what it looks like after attempting to print to tape or edit to tape from within FCP.

Matthew Harnick replied 15 years, 10 months ago 2 Members · 6 Replies
6 Replies

Jonathan Clauson
April 23, 2010 at 11:46 am

I figured out my own problem finally. 🙂

I had neglected to change the output difference in the A/V settings. Such a simple button click and cause so many problems. Live and learn.

Thanks anyway all and I hope this helps some one else along the way.

– Jonathan
Matthew Harnick
July 6, 2010 at 3:22 am

Jonathan –

Would appreciate your help if you could describe the settings you use to output from FCP to your deck. I have an M15AU and am also using FCP 7. Since starting with FCP 5, then 6, now 7, I cannot print to tape. Have never been able to. The system recognizes the deck, that’s not the problem – I capture footage all the time, but have never really needed to output to tape, until now. Cannot do it. If you would I could certainly use some assistance. Thanks in advance. Feel free to email me directly if you’d like

matt@videojournalism.com

Thanks!
Matt
Jonathan Clauson
July 6, 2010 at 2:18 pm

Hi Matt!

I will be at my rig later today and will post then. Just wanted to let you know that I will have an answer for you soon. 🙂

– J
Matthew Harnick
July 6, 2010 at 2:20 pm

Much obliged! In addition – can you either confirm or not that I can output to the deck in HDV? I mean – if I’m sourcing in HDV what’s the point of only being able to print in DV, right?

Thank you again!
Jonathan Clauson
July 8, 2010 at 4:54 pm

Hi Matt,

I am so sorry for the delay. I was stuck out of town longer than I thought I would be.

There are two options: Print to Video and Edit to Tape. I am not sure which one you are referring to, but I never use Edit to Tape as I have never been able to get that to work. All I use it for is to black the first min or two of tape with TimeCode since the M15U doesn’t have a TimeCode control port and unless you are using an AJA card, you can’t get TC to the deck over FW.

I strictly use Print to Video. I am editing and outputting in SD 4:3 so I can’t speak for HDV output. But my Capture Preset is DV NTSC 48kHz and my Device Control Preset is Firewire NTSC. One other thing worth noting is on the deck itself you have to have it set set to DV and not Auto or HDV. And under Rec Mode you should have that set to DVCAM or DV SP depending on the tape you are using. Finally, under i.Link Set make sure that HDV->DV CONV is off as well as that has caused issues for me as well.

Hopefully this helps and if there is anything I can do for you, please let me know. Good luck!
Matthew Harnick
July 8, 2010 at 5:15 pm

Hi Jonathan –

I really appreciate you taking the time to respond. I actually have finally been able to get to print to the deck in a letterboxed 16:9…in DV, but that’s not what I need. I need to be able to go to the deck in full 16:9 HDV. For some projects I’d even deal with DV SD as long as it’s full 16:9 but it’s really 16:9 HDV that I’m after. Any ideas?

Matt

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