Don Greening
Forum Replies Created
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I just tried choosing “Import Sony XDCAM” from the file menu without having my EX1 connected and the Sony Transfer Tool started up within FCP and I got this prompt in the main Transfer Tool window:
“Use the Add button or insert media into a connected XDCAM device”
I got no warning about not having the correct codecs installed, so I don’t know why you’re getting that warning on your machine. The XDCAM codecs reside within FCP and not with the Sony Transfer Software. Just double-check that you have the following bits to make it all work:
FCP v. 6.0.2 or better
Mac OS 10.4.11 or better
Quicktime v.7.3.1 or better
Sony Transfer Tool v.2.1 or better
Sony FAM driver– Don
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[adam mcallister] “any ideas why it wont play in my video..”
Go to user preferences and set your audio playback quality to “Lower” and then make sure the number of tracks playing back is at least as many as there are in your timeline. See if that solves it.
– Don
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[Rick Wise] “what wireless system do you recommend?”
We have a couple of Sennheiser EW100 G2 ENG sets which are not true diversity and therefore not all that pricey but they suit our needs for the type of shooting we do. One kit is the newer model and the other is the first model that came out.
Here’s the link:
https://www.sennheiser.com/sennheiser/icm_eng.nsf/root/21418
I also recommend getting the better “tie clip” style ME2 lav over the ME4 that’s shown in the picture of the kit. The ME2 is smaller and more sensitive than the ME4 and is much easier for the talent to wear.
The link to the ME2 is here about halfway down this page:
– Don
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[Sarah Weinstein] “I honestly don’t know whether it’s 8 or 10bit. Where would I find that info.? “
8 or 10 bit refers to the 8 bit uncompressed codec and the 10 bit uncompressed codec. There are lots of different video codecs used by FCP, including the DV NTSC and the XDCAM EX codecs which are the ones you’re using in your current timeline.
– Don
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Apparently it’s an issue with Tiger and more recent versions of QT but not with Leopard and QT. Power PC machines for sure but I don’t know about Intel. This is not from personal experience but from what others have said. I’m running 10.4.11 with QT 7.3.1 on a Mac Pro and don’t plan to upgrade unless I hear differently. This combo is super stable and I don’t need FCP 6.0.3 that badly right now.
– Don
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Jerry, what version of Quicktime are you running? If you’re using OS 10.4.11 there’s an issue with running a version of QT that’s newer than 7.3.1. Anything more recent and you need to go back to QT 7.3.1. If you’re running Leopard then the QT issue……….well, isn’t an issue.
– Don
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[Jeff Carpenter] “You’ll sometimes have to explain the whole thing (it’s safer this way) but I’m betting that won’t happen too often if you’re just positive and focus on the “it’s for the ceremony” line.”
Exactly. We also get this out of the way during the consult. We tell the groom that his lav audio is recorded to a completely separate audio channel in the camera, so if there’s anything he’s said that may be deemed “off-topic” it doesn’t have to be in the final mix. Problem solved as far as the couple is concerned. Anyway, most of the time, as Jeff has stated, after about 30 sec. the groom has forgotten that he’s wired. The ones that don’t forget are the ones that like to say “stuff” and are happy to have it on their lapel because they consider it to be a novelty: “Hey look everybody. I’m wired for sound!”
A lot of couples also have to be reminded that no audio ever gets recorded (in the case of wireless transmitters) unless I press the camera’s record button. People not in our industry seem to forget that part and we never assume that they know as much as their video person does.
– Don
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This is a situation that should be brought up during the consultation process. We always ask what the lighting will be like and then offer suggestions to the couple to ensure that there will be enough light for the cameras. We always advise them that we’ll shoot regardless of the lighting but that they should know that all cameras need SOME light to operate and without proper lighting the quality will suffer. This is something we put into the contract agreement that is signed by them.
That said, the only time we use an on-camera light is during specific times during the reception, such as the 1st dance, cake cutting, bouquet toss etc. and they know beforehand that this will be happening. Most couples like this idea, as it draws attention to certain aspects of the reception and makes it more of a mini-event. You can buy camera lights that have a dimmer on them so you can dial in only as much light as you need.
– Don
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[Chris Bryan] “Or do you give it to him and just have it recording from the time you give it to him until the time you get it back? “
That’s pretty much what you have to do. He’s got a lot on his mind and the last thing he’ll be thinking about is turning on a recorder just before the ceremony, nor should he have to. Murphy’s law and all that. Before our video assistant leaves the groom’s residence she wires the groom up with a wireless lapel mic and receiver and turns it on before she leaves. I always know when the groom has arrived at the ceremony site because I start to get audio from his wireless in my headphones.
I know you’re not using a wireless lav like us but you should consider it so you don’t have to worry about running out of recorder space or having the groom not turning something on.
– Don
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The menu choice is to reduce chromatic aberration when using a W/A adapter. The picture is processed by the camera’s software and uses an on board LUT (look up table) to compensate. I’m pretty sure the EX LUT is only for Sony’s own W/A lens but future firmware upgrades could conceivably include 3rd party lens adapter LUT’s. This is my understanding of how it works.
– Don