[Dunwoody Lampton]

Convert AVI to QT files before importing.

AVI files range from barely compatible to totally non-compatible with Final Cut.

Final Cut is made by Apple. Quicktime is made by Apple. Try using native Apple files with a native Apple program.

[Dunwoody Lampton]

Never looked for/needed a tutorial. I kind of just did it. All I have ever used it for was converting DVD files to QT files and WMV files to QT files, and it seemed simple from what I remembered. Pretty self-explanatory.

[Dunwoody Lampton]

Go to:

https://www.squared5.com/

Download the free MPEG Streamclip converter.

Then go to:

https://www.apple.com/quicktime/mpeg2/

Download the $19.99 QuickTime MPEG-2 Playback Component.

This offers a variety of conversion options, including converting those DVD files into QT Movie files so that they can be easily imported into FCP.

Good luck.

[Dunwoody Lampton]

First, Tom W. or one of the other veterans are more experienced and qualified than I am to answer your concerns.

I’ve never worked with your camera or with 24P before, so anything I tell you is just a guess.

But in my experience with other formats, it’s been irrelevant to watch my NTSC monitor during capture, since the FCP interface/capture window on the computer monitor always took precedence in the capture chain over any external monitor.

I would think that, once you’ve ingested successfully, returning to DV-NTSC shouldn’t have any negative effect on your editing process, since that setting should be purely monitorial.

[Dunwoody Lampton]

Did you try:

VIEW > VIDEO OUT > REFRESH VIDEO DEVICES or TOGGLE LAST

Sometimes choosing one or both of these options a few times engages the monitor, essentially refreshing the connection, especially on first-time power-up.

[Dunwoody Lampton]

Some color keyboards can be pricey.

At the end of the day, your fingers go to the SAME keys for the SAME functions – regardless of what color they are. When you get used to going to the same keys for the same functions you might wish you had your money back.

[Dunwoody Lampton]

Is this camera on the list of approved devices for FCE?

https://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/resources/devicelist.php

I sometimes get the same warning with a different camera, but it is usually related to my configuration – the inconsistent performances of my Firewire hub or external drive. For a period of three months I was enduring “frozen video” during capture every 30-40 seconds. Finally upgrading from 3.0 to 3.5.1 eliminated these concerns. I think version 4.0 is currently available.

Good luck.

[Dunwoody Lampton]

I can’t top Wally’s posts or experiences. He’s obviously a veteran pro.

For me, a 20-year tape editor with only one year of NLE under my belt, multiple video tracks come in handy when submitting approval files.

Since the TOPMOST VIDEO TRACK supersedes all other video tracks below it, when using video only on those tracks and not graphics or effects, you can easily delete tracks from the top-down when submitting follow-up approval files calling for such changes or variations.

[Dunwoody Lampton]

WMV Studio – $49.

https://www.flip4mac.com/store_wmv.htm

[Dunwoody Lampton]

Use the DV-NTSC DV Converter setting, since you can’t control your VCR through Final Cut.
You will have to push “play” on the VCR, then hit “capture” on Final Cut for every separate capture.

Final Cut displays source timecode for logging but does NOT retain source timecode for captured clips, so it’s irrelevant that your raw VCR source tapes lack timecode. Every captured clip’s timecode will start with 00:00:00:00, regardless of the presence or lack of TC.

There should be no problem using that camera as a two-way converter, as long as it appears on the list of approved devices on Apple’s website.