David Eaks
Forum Replies Created
-
James, try removing the transitions from the clip before working with the ken burns effect. It seems that transitions on a secondary storyline could be the main culprit of the Ken Burns crash bug.
-
I feel like I remember some talk about one thing or another causing problems with ken burns, I just can’t recall.
On the other hand, I’ve somewhat retrained my command-s save instinct to be command-q. Yes, suddenly quit FCPX after working for a while. My trigger being any slight hang or hiccup, after it becomes responsive again I quit then reopen. Maybe a reboot, if its necessary. Seems pretty effective in avoiding unexpected quits in general.
-
Well I don’t have a solution, or even any real input regarding your specific problem. But, as they say, “An once of prevention…”
Over the last few years of reading posts here on the COW, I’ve developed a nice method to maintain a “clean” editing system. Yup, it involves doing a clean install.
I keep two SSDs for my system drive, one sits on the shelf and one is in use. When ever it’s time for a major OS or NLE update, I’ll format the drive from the shelf and do a clean install WITHOUT transferring any data from a previous user. Then what was my current system drive, which is usually working just fine, goes on the shelf and is available in case there was something I needed on it that I forgot about or something gets screwed up because of the new software update. This drive cycling doesn’t replace the need to keep an up-to-date backup, but it’s nice to have a frozen in time “last known working” system drive ready to go if it’s ever needed.
Obviously this means I do a fair amount of complete clean installs. To simplify the process I keep all my installer disc images (like all of Final Cut Studio 3 which installs in 40 minutes with one click, opposed to 4 hrs of of waiting to insert next disc seven times), downloaded apps, drivers, plugins, custom templates, user presets etc. organized in one master “All Install Files” folder and all the license keys in a text document. This folder lives on my current media drive, always there to install from or add new purchases to, regardless of what system drive is in use. Some things like Firefox or Event Manager X, I’ll still download and install the newest version instead of installing an old version that will just need an update right away. Other things like my custom presets for FCPXs audio Compressor filter, the location is hidden way deep in some place I can’t remember and the location doesn’t even exist unless you’ve created at least one custom preset. So you have to go make a temporary preset, then open the preset location, then place your backed up setting in there.
As Oliver said, this is a great opportunity to re-evaluate what you really need on your system. Also, keeping your old system drive is great in case you didn’t deactivate something like Event Manager X or iTunes “authorize this computer”. When I do a clean install I’ll only install the necessities and absolute favorites, then any little extras can easily be installed on the fly as needed. For me, a clean install is now a freakishly simple mindless task, of essentially: double-click, enter, enter, type password, copy/paste license key, repeat, repeat. Actually the worst part might be the Mac App Store, because I have to download to install. I wish they’d let me save the installer for the pro apps, like OS X allows.
Of course none of this happens until I’ve tested my workflow with the new software version and critical drivers, on a second partition of my secondary Mac and there is a general approval of the update on the forums. I’m currently on 10.8.4 and 10.0.9, been testing Mavericks since Dev preview and probably won’t have it on my main system until I have a new Mac Pro Tube and FCPX 10.1, so very soon.
-
Unfortunately it is not an option, but be sure to send in feedback to apple (there is a send feedback button in the FCPX menu) and request the feature.
-
While I’ve never encountered the issue with the memory cards you describe, I would recommend doing your best to avoid spanned clips (don’t let the recording roll from one card to the next). At a convenient time, stop and switch to the other card and begin to record again. As you know, of course, always wait for the lights to finish blinking and the “SD Card Write” on-screen indicator to finish before ejecting the card.
What SD cards are you recording on? Sandisk Extreme 32GB UHS1 Class 10 (all three of the 30, 45 and 90 Mb/s versions) have treated me very well.
I think your problem was made worse when the battery died unexpectedly while recording a spanned clip. I figure the camera had trouble fixing the span as well as the un-closed recording. I really don’t know about any proper procedure to attempt the recovery of the clips. I would backup the cards to my computer immediately, then put them back in the camera (in the same slots as before) and attempt any prompted in-camera file recovery. If that fails there may still be usable video on the cards backups. Maybe mpegstreamclip can find and extract them, I don’t really use it much. If it comes to that, I’m sure someone will have some advice on how to proceed.
Some other general advice. Always backup each card, in its entirety, to its very own dedicated folder and don’t put anything else in that folder. Import, transcode or otherwise access your video from that backup, not by plugging the camera into the computer. Format the card in-camera before each use. Do not constantly delete individual old clips to make room for new clips. If you notice the total record time of a freshly formatted card is a couple minutes less then it used to be, use the cameras “Media Empty” function (see manual).
I’ve had many problems with the Sony NP-F970 and F770 batteries dieing unexpectedly, usually with well over 50% charge remaining. I now use The Pearstone BPS-F975 batteries and have never given me any problem at all. They have 7200mAh, vs Sonys F970 at 6400mAh These were the recommended replacement on the B&H page for NX5 accessories. Now B&H has Watson NP-F975 7800mAh for $85, in place of the Pearstones. See the accessories tab here-
-
Hi Claude,
Did you place the Private folder at the root level of the drive, among all kinds of other files and folders? If so, put the private folder into its own folder then try to import again. FCPX should now “see” the card correctly. Don’t put any other files in the folder that contains the Private folder.
-
I have four NX5s but know nothing of the AX-2000 first-hand.
Did you use the in-camera format media function? It’s usually best for the card to be formatted by the camera it will be used in, and this should be done before each use. Obviously you’ll lose everything on the card so back it up to your computer first, each card copied into its own folder. Just be sure not to keep old clips on your cards and delete individual clips to make room. The NX5’s even have a hidden “Media Empty” function that I use periodically because even with formatting the cards before every shoot, eventually I’ll lose a couple minutes of maximum record time. At that point it’s time to do a Media Empty.
Also, I prefer 32GB SD cards maximum, be it for NX5s for work or GoPro H3+ for play. Seems like people tend to have problems with 64GBers, maybe it’s all in my head.
-
I agree with Jeremy and Steve. Using the Finder is perfectly fine, that’s basically all Event Manager X is doing right? Moving Event and Project folders at the finder level, but it gives you a simple interface and some extra options. I use Event Manager X for the convenience it provides but it’s no different than moving folders manually.
For FCPX to “see” a Project or Event, it’s folder must be within a folder at the root level of your drive called “Final Cut Projects” or “Final Cut Events” respectively. FCPX will automatically create these folders. Event Manager X just makes new folders called, for example “Final Cut Projects – Hidden” and moves projects/events between them for you. Pretty simple. As Jeremy said, once you understand the structure it is OK. With this knowledge Projects and Events can be moved no problem.
Of course this doesn’t cover the issue of moving an edit to a different computer and whether or not ALL of your media is contained within the Event folder (mine never is). Assuming all of the media is contained in a folder you made and organized in Finder (eg a “client folder” with video/audio/images/graphics etc. subfolders where you store everything for the edit), just take that too. Sometimes I’ll move simple jobs to my second edit system to get them out of the way while they export/compress/upload/burn, leaving the main system available to do other work. It’s simply- plug in an external drive via eSATA, copy 3 folders to their respective locations, eject and mount on secondary system, everything works.
But then this doesn’t cover whether or not the secondary system has those opening title and lower third templates custom built in Motion or if NEAT Video and SliceX with Mocha are installed etc. etc. My point is that what can be very simple can also be complex in other situations. Again, as Jeremy said, once you understand the structure it’s pretty simple. Granted FCPX has some great built in ways of doing things, when I want to move an edit I know right where all my stuff is, drag and drop in Finder is quick and easy and I’m on my way. Event, Project, client folder and any necessary templates or plugins. No problems. (Usually I forget the title templates, if any, and copy it over the local network
Like Steve said, if there is a camera card backup at the root level of your drive, FCPX might mistake the drive as a camera. To avoid this it is a best practice to backup cards into their own individual folders, preferably with the folder name identifying the camera and the shots it took.
I also agree that you should leave the combative attitude, degrading tone and “my word is the law” demeanor behind, Andy. It’s even a bit much over in the “FCPX or not debate” forum, IMO.
-
[Aindreas Gallagher] “Was I ever this bad? Were any of us?”
No
[Aindreas Gallagher] “Jesus Christ this is annoying to read. Just surreally irritating.”
Indeed
-
Wow. More? Generally, when I first check my email on any given day, if my “subscriptions and notifications” account has something on the order of 50 messages it means that there is some exciting news, product release or software update that many websites are covering. Fool me once…
I vaguely remember talk of a feature on the COW, the ability to block posts from certain users. Has this been implemented? I couldn’t find it. *sadface…palm*
RIP Bills old sig- “Before speaking out ask yourself whether your words are true, whether they are respectful and whether they are needed in our civil discussions.”-Justice O’Conner