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For the most part, European power is 220-240vAC at 50 Hz. (USA 110-120vAC at 60 Hz.)

You could simply devise a way to run TWO 110v incandescent lamps (say, two light stands)
in SERIES and they should work just fine for you. I’d bring FOUR 600w light stands, so you could have two pair.

Its easy to wire a USA standard duplex outlet (to match your lights’ plugs) so that each single outlet is in series with the other. Then hook it to a cable (10-12 Amp capacity) with in a European AC plug on the other end.

Get a local electrician to help you with this if you’re unfamiliar with these properties.

And remember, voltage directly affects incandescent color temperature so if the voltage might be a bit low (200-210v) the lamps would emit an “oranger” (redder) color temp.

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Another method is to use “FCP Rescue” a free Apple Script that will Trash the Preferences for you (and restore nearly all of your user settings afterward).
There are versions for FCPro & FCExpress.

Download these free Apple Scripts at

https://fcprescue.andersholck.com/

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You might want to try plugging your mono mic into one of the THESE and then plugging this adapter into your iRiver:

https://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=274-374

(Ignore that the description says “stereo output into mono input”. It will work fine going the other way.)

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I find the FCP timeline zooms centered on any clip that’s highlighted.
If there is no clip highlighted, it centers on the cursor.

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[Steve] “Anyway…Problem solved!”

Great!
Hope you post back with any other problems yhou might have.

And be sure to put the problem in the Subject line. ;o)

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Hi Steve,

There would likely be much more HELP available for you if you would NOT just make your Subject line: “HELP” (or similar).

Please state briefly your PROBLEM in the Subject line so those with ideas would know what KIND of HELP you actually need.

(If you think about it, virtually EVERY Subject line could be called “HELP”… and that would be of no “help” at all.)

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I always keep open the “Stickies” program (“Post -It notes”) on the Mac desktop and am constantly using “Copy & Paste” to transfer to it multi-use words and phrases from other text-important software.
It saves having to re-type many items that get “lost” or otherwise unavailable.
Just copy from one window to the other (and back).

I also use Stickies for spell-checking documents that don’t HAVE built-in spell-check (like THIS very forum!)

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[Chris] “rotoscope the guy out”

Although this will work, on a simply “text behind” effect, its not necessary to do a “full” rotoscope.

Here’s a quick fix.

V1: Scene A unaltered (Talent with tractor)

V2: Title (keyed)

V3: Scene A again (synced with V1)

On V3, just put a slightly soft-edged circle wipe closely around the talent’s head.
If necessary, keyframe the circle to “move” as the talent moves. The titles will be “blanked out” behind the circle that matches the talent’s head motion.

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Just so you know, I found this listing on eBay.
This is nearly $1.00 per tape cheaper than your quote.
The listing says seller has 83 tapes avaliable (so you don’t even need to pay for 100 to get the low price.)
I see combined shipping is reduced for quantity orders.

NOTE: I know NOTHING about this seller but he has a very high feedback number and rating.
And, I have purchased HUNDREDS of Panasonic mini DV tapes (10 to 50 quanity at a time) on eBay and have never had a problem.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=15073&item=7526944977&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

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[Kat] “As far as wear on the camera goes, is using tapes going to greatly reduce the life of the cameras?”

Well, yes.
But if you “wear out” the tape transport section of the camcorder, you can still use the “camera” section with the FireWire connected to what you call a “better solution for the long run” which could be an external device of some kind like a “FireStore” (See the FireStore Forum here on the COW).

But consider a “better solution” might ONLY be “better” for a few reasons and NOT for others.

Large-capacity portable HD’s ($$) mean that you can record for much longer than 63 minutes in one setting, and you can edit directly from them without needing to capture the footage.
BUT, you’ll need MANY of these HD’s ($$$$$$) if you record several weddings in a short period (you’d need to fully edit and get approval on the projects before you could RECORD OVER and reuse the HDs.
And, ARCHIVAL back-up is a real concern if you use a portable HD for acquisition. With tape, you can simply KEEP the tapes (or SELL the masters to the client for THEM to keep as a backup against future need.)

So for the cost of a few tapes (and dub-time) you are saving a lot in “other” worries.

FWIW, I’ll bet that by the time you “wear out” your current camcorders, you’ll want to upgrade to newer technology anyway.