Don Greening
Forum Replies Created
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HI Ty,
Just capture to FCP using the DV NTSC Anamorphic setting. Before capture your project and sequence settings should also be the same, and be sure to use the same setting for your export to QT.
– Don
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[eyecamiam] ” I think that constantly reaching around to the side of Macs and pushing the USB cords out of the way and plugging in can stress the firewire plug connections.
“I’m in total agreement with that. it only takes one poor or worn out connection within the FW plug to cause havoc.
– Don
“Please take a moment to fill out your profile, including your computer system and relevant software. Help us help you.”
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[eyecamiam] “Could one of the Macs perhaps be sending out surges or something?”
When the first version of Mac OS X came out there was a rumor that Macs so equipped were sending too much power to the FW port and was burning out the FW ports on cameras. Since those first OS X Macs also had OS9 I was told to capture using only the earlier OS. I never talked to anyone directly who had personally experienced this but just about everyone was aware of the issue at the time. I’m assuming it was only a problem if the camera was turned on when trying to connect via FW. Perhaps this issue has some merit with regard to your students and the computer lab.
You may have told your kids to connect to the FW with the cameras turned off, but I’m wondering if there’s been a few times when they forgot to do it. If it happened too many times then I suspect that damage to the cameras’ FW ports have taken a hit. To this day before I connect anything to a FW port I make sure the computer and the connecting device(s) are both off.
[eyecamiam] “Can they be fixed or is this more expensive than a cheap cam is worth?”
Anything can be fixed but I don’t think it’ a cheap fix. Plus the fact the camera is away getting fixed and not in the lab where you need it. Before I sent anything away for service I’d make sure all the FW cables being used are actually working and have solid connections. Worn out or intermittant connections might very well be contributing to capture problems. But I’m sure you’ve already done that.
[eyecamiam] “Is it possible the ports are ok but the firmware in the cams got corrupted somehow?”
Don’t know. But you could always try pulling the memory battery out of the camera and seeing if it makes a difference to the FW port after you put it back in. Just a thought.
[eyecamiam] “And, would a professional head alignment of the Canon
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[Terri Gustafson] “Thoughts?”
A few. I guess the problem has now been narrowed down to the actual media, or the way it was captured. I would try another capture of a couple minutes of problem footage and go through the process again. Capturing using the same codec as the footage would be a logical thing to check, making sure that it’s the anamorphic setting. Then export a test QT movie using the same anamorphic setting and bring into Compressor, again encoding with the widescreen MPEG2 setting.
Without looking over your shoulder to see what else is happening I can’t offer any other suggestions.
– Don
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[Matte] “I see them in pawn shops for under $200.”
…..or you can try what I did and go to a retailer like Sears, etc. and ask if they have any inexpenive new MiniDV camcorders that are missing items from the box. You may get it for less than half price. My Sony DCR-HC30 was purchaced new with the battery and A/V cable missing and got it at a savings of over 60%. As long as it’s equiped with firewire and a power cable to plug into the wall you can still use it as a deck.
FWIW, I capture tapes from a Canon GL2, XL2 and a PD170 using the above camera and have never had sync or video issues. I’ve captured single clips as long as 80 min. without a problem…..so far 🙂
– Don
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Livetype has a few animated handwriting fonts. This may or may not help you, depending on whether or not you own Final Cut Studio, of which Livetype is part of.
– Don
“Please take a moment to fill out your profile, including your computer system and relevant software. Help us help you.”
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If you export from FCP using the “export using Quicktime conversion” command your encode may result in a darker picture than if you make a QT self contained or reference movie and use Compressor as a stand alone app. Here’s a link that demonstates the difference between the 2 workpaths:
https://www.visiontracks.com/compressortests/
If you’re still having encode preblems with Compressor 2 using just the 1 pass CBR method then I suggest you try trashing the Compressor 2 preference file and seeing if that makes a difference in your MPEG2 quality. You can find the preference file on your hard drive here:
Macintosh HD>Users>”yourname”>Library>Preferences>com.apple.compressor.Compressor.plist.
Trash that file then restart Compressor 2. Reset your prefs (if any) and try another encode. All I can say is that Compressor 2 works fine for me using the 1 pass CBR setting only. CBR (constant bit rate) works well for footage with minimum motion, such as talking heads type stuff. If your footage has a lot of fast action it may not work so well. If you’re stuck you might want to buy a top notch Software encoder such as Bitvice. I use that program with exellent results.
Just another thought: When you export your movie from FCP be sure to include either Compression Markers or DVDSP Markers. If you’re not taking this step before export it could be contributing to your encoding woes, as compression markers tell your MPEG2 encoder to pay special attention to all your fades and transitions. This makes for an overall better encode.
Hope this helps.
– Don
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The VBR setting in Compressor 2 doesn’t work properly. Apple apparently knows about it but there’s no fix as yet. A few people can use the VBR setting without issue but for most, this setting results in a sub-standard encode. Better to use the 1 pass CBR setting which still works.
If you search this forum and the DVD Studio Pro forum for Compressor 2 you’ll find a host of threads on this subject. If you have Compressor 1 the 2 pass VBR Best setting works fine.
– Don
“Please take a moment to fill out your profile, including your computer system and relevant software. Help us help you.”
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[Mo] “Let me guess… Soundtrack Pro is part of the Studio Package upgrade which I have not done yet because I’ve been dragging my feet? “
Your guess is no longer a guess. It’s accurate.
Not that I’ve checked it out yet, but there might be a time stretch feature in Pro Tools Free which is probably still a “free” download at the Digidesign web site. Download the Mac version.
Digidesign……a division of Avid.
– Don
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David,
The other day I captured several MiniDV tapes via FW into FCP 5.0.4, QT 7.1, OS 10.4.4 with no sync issues at all. The tapes had an average of 75 minutes of footage and I captured each one as a single clip. Panasonic Master series 83 min. tapes, and the source footage was a mix of Sony and Canon cameras.
– Don