[Bob Cole]

[Jeremy Garchow] “You don’t need it until you really need it. Know what I mean?”

Oooooh, yes I do.

The thought that keeps running through my mind as I finish off this edit: I don’t really care about Final Cut Studio 4 or XL or whatever they call it; I just want it to be STABLE.

I think I’ll spring for Digital Rebellion’s Final Cut Maintenance Pack. Not that I could really understand what it all meant, but if it helps keep my system healthy, it sounds good to me.

btw – had another crash a few minutes ago. Something about AJA Video Output. But do I worry?

No, I clone.

Bob C

[Bob Cole]

Thanks. Great ideas. I’m going to make myself a list. And a LOT of clones.

btw – a suggestion from David Weiss that bears repeating: if you, like me, have an old RAID inside your MacPro, superseded by a nice big external box, break up that old RAID and turn it into a fleet of Carbon Copy Cloner drives. That’s my next move. It is so great to have clones.

Another question: What is your opinion of Digital Rebellion’s Maintenance Pack? Worth the price? I already have their Preference Manager, which is quite nice.

Thanks again.

Bob C

[Bob Cole]

[Jeremy Garchow] “Did you try removing your scratch disk”

No. And since FCP is now opening, I don’t know whether I can test that.

But tell me more. By “scratch disk” do you mean the RAID to which the software captures media?

[Bob Cole]

Nothing happened when I clicked on the FCP alias on the desktop; the icon seems to expand momentarily, as usual, but that was it.

But I’m back in business. Thanks to your kind advice, along with an emergency phone consult with David Roth Weiss, here is what happened:

I made a copy on another computer, and then deleted (and emptied trash) the project that I thought may have caused the problem, as well as my Important Current Projects.
I tried various emergency remedies from Digital Rebellion. They didn’t have any effect but it’s nice to know they exist. (NOTE: I’m not certain that the Plug-in Manager was irrelevant to the final fix. I’ll test that when I have time, by reactivating the plug-ins that I deactivated with Plug-in Manager. But it didn’t solve the problem by itself, anyway.)
I tried my most recent Carbon Copy Clone. It didn’t work. (LESSON, from D.R.W.: always TEST your clone! LESSON from me: make at least two clones!)
I tried the drive with the older CCC – it worked. I opened my FCP project. It worked. I then Carbon-copy-cloned the clone back onto the system drive. I restarted with the system drive. I looked into restoring files from the Time Capsule but it wasn’t necessary.

All is well. Except that I will have to pull an almost-all-nighter to make my deadline. But next time, I will know exactly what to do, and will lose a lot less time as a result. And at least weekly, I’ll be making those Carbon Copy Clones!!!! and testing them.

Thanks all. I really appreciate the support, especially D.R.W.’s patience and expertise.

Bob C.

[Bob Cole]

[Bob Cole] “[Dennis Size] “its positive locking, hand-operated yoke clutch. I’m surprised you’re having a problem getting it to stay in position.”

Thanks for that; I’ve fought this thing for years, but I figured if Dennis Size said it should work easily, I should take a good look at the clutch.”

Another nice thing about the Source 4: I just picked up a new locking handle and bolt at my local lighting store. Total charge: $1.75. I suspect that from any “movie-related” lighting fixture vendor, the part would have cost multiples of that.

And, Dennis, that solved it. Thanks.

Bob C

[Bob Cole]

I only knew Chris through these forums, but he was kind, and smart. His advice was stellar and generously given.

I wish I had known Chris better, and in a more personal context than just these forums. He will be missed.

Bob C

[Bob Cole]

[Peter DeCrescenzo] “Did they say what their concern was?”

Their concerns about AVCHD were “quality” (data rate) & “confusion” (multiple flavors). Thanks for your clarification about the evolution of AVCHD. Those concerns about AVCHD might be based on some earlier versions.

There is so much anecdotal and subjective discussion about codecs. There must (or should) be a website with side-by-side comparisons of the current codecs from different brands, as well as recordings from external devices like the KiPro and Nano Flash, would be informative.

Trade shows commonly feature line-ups of cameras and still lifes or models, along with nice big monitors which show the detail and color the company’s cameras create. Nice, but I’d rather see playback of recordings made by those same cameras, interwoven with the live views on the trade show floor.

[Bob Cole]

[Dennis Size] “its positive locking, hand-operated yoke clutch. I’m surprised you’re having a problem getting it to stay in position.”

Thanks for that; I’ve fought this thing for years, but I figured if Dennis Size said it should work easily, I should take a good look at the clutch. Turned out that it was very difficult getting the handle off the bolt due to a mis-thread. The threads inside the handle are toast, so I’ll be ordering a new one. I bought it used; this may be why it was so inexpensive.

As for the wide angle: I am often in small rooms for interviews, & like to use multiple camera angles, which require a lot of coverage in a short throw.

Thanks again. The Source 4 Jr. Zoom has long been one of my favorite fixtures, and now it will be even better.

I agree that for traveling light (no pun intended), a good fresnel and some blackwrap with punched holes can do wonders. I use a Tweenie (650 watt), which seems to do the trick.

Bob C

[Bob Cole]

[Peter DeCrescenzo] “Note: The makers of “consumer” video cameras (including the GH2) warn that a power failure during a recording may result in an unusable clip. T”

That is a great note of caution! I had never thought of this potential problem with running a non-tape camera off AC. Thanks Peter.

Is this true of most DSLRs? – or, for that matter, is this true of most video cameras which record to cards rather than tape?

Just what we need to add to the kit: heavy UPS units.

Bob C

[Bob Cole]

[Noah Kadner] “I’d take it to an electronics store and try some out”

You were correct. At first the clerk told me she couldn’t help me so I told her Noah said she could, and she did.