Don Greening
Forum Replies Created
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[Noah Kadner] “Nowhere does the need for a FAQ function on Cow forums become clearer than in this moment. 🙂 “
Agreed. But would knowledge seekers use it even if there was a big red flashing pop-up that said: “All users new to XDCAM go here first”?
This forum could use a Shane Ross clone to do a “stock answers” thing.
– Don
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[Don Greening] “If you’re editing just EX footage then just edit with the same FCP sequence settings as the clip settings. Within FCP hit “Cmd-M” for a new sequence.”
Sorry. “Cmd-N” for new sequence.
– Don
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Thanks so much for your comments, Ron. Just trying to do my part, not only because I’m an enthusiast (read: geek) but also because I want the COW to be the first and last place media professionals come to for enlightenment and inspiration. It looks like there are a lot of people at the COW that also feel the same way.
– Don
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Hi Sverker,
Workflow 1
If you’re editing just EX footage then just edit with the same FCP sequence settings as the clip settings. Within FCP hit “Cmd-M” for a new sequence. In the pop up window scroll down to the bottom for a list of all the EX codecs and choose the one that matches your clips. If, for example, you shot with the HQ 35 VBR 1080p 25 setting you would choose that sequence setting.
Once your sequence is created highlight the sequence window then go to: Sequence>Settings>Video Processing. At the top of the window change to: render all YUV material to high precision YUV. Change motion filtering quality to Best. In FCP 6 you can even set the program to render effects and transitions using Pro Res within the the EX timeline to speed up rendering time later. When you’re done, render and export with your delivery codec using the “Export Using Quicktime Conversion” command.
Workflow 2
If you want to edit your EX footage in your delivery codec create a new sequence and choose that setting instead of the EX setting. For example if you’re going to use DV PAL as your delivery codec then just choose the DV PAL Anamorphic sequence setting. Drag your EX footage in and when FCP asks if you want to change the sequence settings to match the clip settings just say no. You will probably be able to edit your EX footage in the DV PAL sequence in real time if you’ve set your playback settings to “Dynamic” although the picture will look a bit soft because FCP is lowering the picture quality instead of dropping frames. If your native EX footage was progressive make sure your timeline is also set to progressive. Check the field order of your clips as well as the sequence by going to the Browser window and looking in the Field Dominance column. You can change the settings in that column by right or control clicking and choosing: “none” for progressive. When you’re done, render and export a DV PAL Anamorphic self-contained QT movie.
Workflow 3?
There are many ways to accomplish what you want in FCP. Your initial editing setup is determined by how you like to edit, and when you’re used to editing a in certain way it means you’re faster. There shouldn’t be any appreciable difference in delivery quality between the two methods described above.
– Don
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Thanks, Steve. Here’s hoping I can keep up with an industry that changes almost weekly.
– Don
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[Joe Murray] “Has anyone tested them out> “
You might want to email Phil Bloom in the U.K. He’s done a lot of work using the lens adapters you’ve mentioned and was also one of the first to do an in-depth review of the EX3. He owns several HD lenses and would be the one to ask for a recommendation.
Phil’s an extremely busy guy these days but if he has the time he’ll certainly try to answer your questions and he also has a message board on his web site.
https://www.philipbloom.co.uk/Philip_Bloom/Home.html
– Don
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Kevin,
No shoe wiggling here. I had one of the first EX cams made and now this more recent one (a month old) and there’s been no problem. I use the cold shoe a lot to hold wireless transmitters or a Frezzi light and so far so good.
I had a look at my EX and there’s no easy fix for your issue. There’s a plate held on by those same small Phillips head screws underneath you can see when you pull out the LCD screen and flip the camera over.
If I had your shoe problem I’d send it in to Sony Repair, but then the Sony Repair facility I use is only 20 minutes away and I know both of the tech guys (from previous EX issues).
– Don
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[Ron Shook] “As a gross example think about comic book art”
I can identify with that for sure, since I’m living a comic book life.
Nicely done, Ron. I’m walking over to your side of the ring on this one because it makes sense. If slanted verticals are good enough for the RED ONE it’s good enough for the EX.
– Don
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The original poster wanted to know the best way to make use of auto-focus on the EX. Pulling the focus ring back enters full manual mode, regardless of the focus switch setting. The original poster already knows how to shoot in manual focus mode, so I didn’t talk about that. With the focus ring pushed forward and the switch set to manual it’s far faster to get dialed in to your subject if you twist the ring yourself rather than waiting for the camera’s full auto mode to figure out what you want. Once you’ve got focus then you can let the camera do its job to hold focus, which it’s actually pretty good at doing once it knows what to focus on. While in this mode the operator still has the option of pushing the “push auto” button if you want the camera to focus on something else and you have the time to wait around.
You can do it the way the Vortex Media DVD recommends if you want. The reason I don’t use that method is because you have to stop recording to push the focus ring back and forth. Or you can keep recording and risk shaking the camera and you’ll surely hear a big “clunk” in your audio track afterwards if you’re using the on-camera mic.
– Don
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Great! Glad I could help out. Good luck at the premiere!
– Don