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Sony HVR-M25U Deck and FCP
First… I’m new to HDV. (I normally use a Sony EX-1 and output with DVCPro HD)
We shot a shot doc on a Sony HDV camera… rented a deck (HVR-M25U) and tried to capture in FCP. I had problems with the deck and FCP interfacing. I couldn’t get FCP and this deck to match up and ingest with time code. So I used the capture now option.
Now I have to get this back to HDV for final output. I have the same deck. I went to the “print to tape option” but it just sat there forever with the message “conforming”. Is this normal? What are the next steps?
What are the best options to get back to HDV using this deck connected via firewire?
Thanks for your help.
Jeff Bloch
Commercial Production Manager
CBS Television, SacramentoJeff Bloch
Commercial Production Manager
CBS Television, Sacramento -
3 Replies
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Jeff- On your first issue with the time code you need to use the correct machine control… there are a bunch of them. HDV Sony firewire is the one to start with. Sometimes you need to change the timecode from drop to non-drop in Audio Video Settings before you are able to acquire stable machine control. Once you have stable machine control for that deck make an Easy Setup.
On the ‘conforming’ issue…. welcome to HDV. HDV is mpeg2 and not interframe so you are dealing with GOP frame structure. Sony and Apple worked together on the editing software so you can edit HDV native in FCP but then it has to conform back to the GOP structure before going back out to HDV tape. Nice time to go have a cup of coffee. The conform rarely takes as long as the the meter is suggesting but still is a pain.
Jerry
‘Change is inevitable. Struggle is optional.’
G5 Dual 3GB Ram
FCP Studio 6.02
External 1 TB SATA Raid 0
Kona LH, Second system w AJA ioLA
Sony Z-1
GV-HD700 -
I haven’t used the M25U, but I used it’s little brother, the M15U.
I had an issue when we tried to force DV recording of a DV timeline with the HDV/DV select menu set on AUTO and it didn’t work via firewire. We had to set the menu item not on AUTO but on DV.
Maybe check that and make sure it’s set to HDV if that’s your timeline format.
Here’s a manual if you don’t have one:
https://www.gearbox.com/support/manuals/Sony/Sony%20HVR-M25E.pdf
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Hey Jeff,
the conforming could take many hours (10+) if you have lots of dissolves and graphic moves/animation etc…
If its just basic cuts and occasional dissolve it might take about 10 minutes, but that conform meter does exagerate greatly as pointed out.
The sony camera (V1U) was really picky about the capture/easy setup to use kinda like that deck issue you are having. I could only get it to be reliable with “1080i Firewire Basic”
oddly enough the sony preset didn’t work at all.
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