[Craig Alan]

Thanks so much.

I’ve downloaded both documents and will read through them. Wow three cards for one app.

Is there a breakout box (MATROX?) that could replace the two cards? The reason I’m asking is I’d like to be able to move set up to different computers — home and at work and on the road.

If possible, I’d like the breakout box to function on both a macbook pro and macpro. The macbook pro does have ExpressCard/34 slot.

I’ve been using a Ki Pro both live and to copy Tapes as ProRes 422 files. It works like a charm and I don’t have to tie up my computer capturing from my cameras. Unlike some card-based cameras, I don’t have to copy over entire folder structures, the individual clips work just fine. I’m mentioning this only because these cards allow for capture as well as output.

That said I know I’ll be moving to higher end formats in the future. But for now this is what I’m using.

One more question: Do you think that thunderbolt will effect any of these choices? Will it allow for cheaper better breakout boxes, interface with a broadcast monitor, etc. I know it does look like the future of array connections. And unlike other things Apple (FCP X), it is backwards compatible.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz MacPro4,1 2.66GHz 8 core 12gigs of ram. GPU: Nvidia Geoforce GT120 with Vram 512. OS X 10.6.x; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP 6 certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Thanks Oliver,

Best practices for file-based media in FCP 7 is to make a copy of a camera’s entire media folder and then import so no biggie there.

Let’s face it; tape had/has become a really inexpensive way of saving masters and original recordings. Backing up media cards onto HDs will have to do for now. But HDs are not great for long-term archiving.

Follow up question:

Why is it that FCP X is not QT based but can work with an Apple ProRes 422 QT file?

And since it can, can’t I highlight a portion of a FCP 7 prores 422 timeline and export it as a self contained QT file (keep all current settings) and then import that into FCP X?

Even though I would like to import entire FCP 7 timelines, given that I can’t, being able to import portions of those timelines could come in handy even if the edits themselves are now fixed.

Your list is solid but FCP 8 would have been a key player and unlike FCP X truly comprehensive. I teach pre-production, production and postproduction. I do not teach advanced classes for postproduction. We’ll see how the free version of Resolve works out. I think you still need a control surface and a high-end graphics card. Not sure. Going to post on the DaVinci forum and ask what the minimum is to handle that program.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Thanks. Mine are curled not right-angled. They are quite flexible and I thought that the intent was to allow for storage where they might be curled to fit. I never saw any warnings/directions to store them straight. Nor have I seen storage cases where that is mentioned as a feature.

During use, would a narrow piece of gaffer’s tape to hold the end straight hurt, help, or not mater? Mine are not like a 7 but more than a slight curl.

I’ll keep it in mind for the future.

I knew about the orientation and when needed use a hot shoe adaptor that allows for vertical positioning.

When using the 302, I’ll use a pocket on the case to keep it vertical. I haven’t tried the down position for the transmitter but will try that. Easy enough to mount that way. Velcro works pretty good through the belt clip for attaching to legs of chairs or talent.

Never got great sound with the included mikes but not bad with countryman.

A lot depends on location. At school, we get pretty good reception. At home, with same settings, camera, mike, I get a buzz – definitely some interference in the air. Tried cutting the power to the house and it didn’t help, so must be coming from the area. Wired mikes are fine here.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

[Ty Ford] “Place the receivers as high as possible”

Hmm I use G2s. Could I place the receivers way up high and use an XLR extension cord to get to my SD 302? Is there any improvement in height over any direct line of sight? That is the fewer things near the line of sight the better? I once read that advice for cordless phone reception. As if a homeowner was going to build a pillar and put it away from all other electrical devices.

Assuming a non-defective unit, I find experimenting with sensitivity and AF out helps noise levels.

My antennas on my G2 kits are very flexible and have never been straight. Should I try to store them straight somehow? None of the cases I have used to protect them have been built for this. I could store them rigid using some gaffer tape until they are straight. I have the original boxes. Maybe the packaging allows for this? Never heard of this concern before.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Thanks Oliver,

So the changes will be in the event browser’s imported copy of the clip, but on your media drive you should now have the original untouched media file and, in FCP X’s event’s folder, the changed media browser clip?

From your article, I gather that if you leave a media file in its original format and do not transcode it, then in the event’s folder the file is represented by an alias.

Just the same, if you make changes to it in FCP X, only the alias’s version of it is effected?

But if you were to import the original clip into another program, the event browser would no longer recognize the link? And if you were to delete the file in the browser and re-imported the clip, would you loose all edits to it?

If I’m not completely misunderstanding, then best practices if you were to be using media files in different programs would be to make copies of a media file so as to use one with X and one with others or at least make the changes to the original file in other programs before importing into X?

Either way, it seems X does not like to share and you need even larger media drives to handle all these copies.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Thanks Oliver,

I liked the presentation of your article. It’s very difficult when you know/have experienced something to put your self in the shoes of someone who has not. The illustrations coupled with your words helped clarify some things I read before but didn’t quite get about FCP X.

My withdrawal of the best ever over-view was because Tom writes incredibly clear and accurate instructional books and posts. So I trust his judgment. If I were Apple, I would have chosen him for the official certification books. The ones they use are very good too but some of the language takes a little getting used to.

I also find the official books so specific to getting the exact frame-by-frame results of the practice exercises that some of it feels like an exercise in following directions rather than learning the concepts. That said, I took the course and enjoyed it very much.

What direction we all need to go is making my head spin. FCP X is designed (according to everyone except Apple) for my level of work (education, instructional videos, events, short form projects, burning simple DVDs and/or posting on-line, not broadcast) and yet its limitations run counter to my needs. For starters, I want to build on what I know, not start from scratch. Second, I need to open up old FCP projects. Third, I finally got a broadcast monitor and was really looking forward (to FCS 4’s COLOR) and seeing an accurate TV image (important for DVD’s as well as broadcast). Forth, as an educator you want to teach beginners with the assumption that some of them will take it to a higher level. It was easy before. FCP (3-7) was a clear winner. Good for all levels. Granted, a bit tricky for beginners. It would be one thing if FCP X could be stepped up to a more professional program (like the original Imovie and certainly FC Express to FCP). But to teach a program that uses a different vocabulary and workflow than everything else on the market (and in history) is confusing to say the least.

The modular nature of it could prove problematic as well. Every time there is an update you need to update all these different plug-ins and extra programs? The educational price for FCS was an incredible deal. And an easy sell. I want to teach professional practices. That means FCP or Avid. Avid is more expensive and mostly used on the high end. FCP is used high, low, and in between. FCP only works on a Mac which I am much more comfortable configuring and troubleshooting. And far less likely to get viruses (a very big deal in schools by the way, flash drives spread them like crazy). FCP has wonderful tutorials all over the Internet.

Now what? I’ve got Media Composer 5.5 installed. They are offering free updates per educational license (for 4 years, I think). They are an established industry standard and now it seems in a head-to-head competition with Premiere (and FCP X???) to replace FCS as the NLE for the rest of us.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

never mind on how to.

still, what drive would you recommend?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9r1UAVq9AU

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

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[Craig Alan]

Thanks. My current drive is 230 gigs.

What would you recommend?
and
how hard to install myself?

i see hitachi 500 for a good price.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

correct. use external esata raid. That’s why I was surprised how full I was. all media off system drive. docs and apps take only a modest share. Why am I full? Oh FCS stores gigs of stuff in libraries.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.

[Craig Alan]

Ok Thanks Tom and Craig. I guess it isn’t the best over/re view of X. Oh well.

OSX 10.5.8; MacBookPro4,1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2.5 GHz
; Camcorders: Sony Z7U, Canon HV30/40, Sony vx2000/PD170; FCP certified; write professionally for a variety of media; teach video production in L.A.