[Glenn Grant]

Hi Tom,

Don’t you tend to get better results coming straight out of FCP. I thought that if you go out of FCP then compressor looks at the original files. But if you export a quicktime self contained, then you are make a new file for compressor to look at?? This may only be relevent in certain situations but it would be nice to know. I shot and edit HDV then send it to compressor for SD encoding.

Hey Benjamin, did you find a widget to help you with the target disk size?

[Glenn Grant]

I don’t want you to do anything you can’t fix and I don’t want to give you advice that is above your head or mine. So be careful and I don’t want you pissed at me if something does not go right for you. Sometimes this stuff is hard to explain in a forum.

You should have a file called “Final Cut Studio System ID” you can do a search for it, or it should be Macintosh HD>Library>Application Support>ProApps>Final Cut Studio System ID

Change the name of this file, just add “OLD” to the end of the name. Don’t delete it in case you need it again.

Start Final Cut Pro. It will ask you for your name and SN. I just did this on my system and it worked. At this point I quite and changed the file back to normal as I did not want to type i both SN. If you have an upgrade SN it will then ask for the original SN.

Because this is the FCS System ID once you do this, it should be good for all the Studio apps.

[Glenn Grant]

After reading your post again, if everything is up and running then don’t worry about reinstalling everything. l thought you just got FCS 2 and where upgrading from FCS 1. But if FCS 2 is up and running, then don’t worry about it. If everything works, then don’t fix it. Keep the new SN until you upgrade again. If a future FCS 3 upgrade gives you hassles because of the education version, then you can try the clean install.

Bottom line for now, if it aint broke, don’t fix it.

[Glenn Grant]

There is no uninstall for FCS the apple notes just say to make sure you don’t keep any old versions hanging around. If you moved any of the files or changed there name, then they wont update properly.

I think the best bet is to back up your hard drive and reinstall the OS from scratch. “Erase and Install” That sends your computer back to the day it was new. This cleans everything up and makes it nice and clean. BUT make sure you back up EVERYTHING you will need. Then you can reinstall FCS 2 and any other apps you need. This takes awhile, but I have found it worth it every now and then.

[Glenn Grant]

I think you can just dump the preference files for final cut and then when you start up FCP again it will think it is a new install, thus asking for your serial number. Put the retail upgrade serial number in and you should be good to go. Of course all your preferences will be gone. I am sure someone can confirm the specific files you need to dump.

The better option is to do a clean install. I had lots of problems when I first did the upgrade and ended up wiping my HD and reinstalling OS X and then FCS 2. It will ask for your SN and then it will want the SN from FCS 1. But you don’t want to reinstall FCS 1. The apple site suggest removing all old copies of FCS before install FCS 2. With all the installs and upgrades your talking about, it may be worth it for you to do the clean install.

[Glenn Grant]

I ran into a handful of problems when I upgraded to FCS 2. I ended up doing a clean instal of the OS and then installed FCS 2. I have not had any problems since. A lot of posts at the time were suggesting the same thing.

[Glenn Grant]

What about Kona2 and Intensity?

[Glenn Grant]

I do have at least limited support from the sales exec. at the station. The dealership had signed a long term contract at a very good price, so I think the station would be happy to get out of it.

I told the station that if I don’t get a check with in 10 days that I will insist the the dealership pulls the spots. The station said they would back me on that.

They could start airing an older commercial.

You are right that I don’t want to be known around town as a trouble maker, but I don’t want grinders lining up at my door.

[Glenn Grant]

Thanks Nick,

I do believe you are correct with the respect issue, and yes this may be a game to them. All the more reason I don’t want them to win. If I felt they had a legitimate reason for only paying a portion of the bill then I would take it. But I think they are doing this simply because they expect me to accept a partial payment.

As far as copyright goes, I agree that would be a hole of negativity. I was wondering if I were to include the possibility in a collection letter is there any merit behind it. Mind you I don’t intend on taking it that far, I think the mere threat of small claims court will suffice.

[Glenn Grant]

I know. BAD, BAD BAD. A point I hope many others can learn from. Window burns are your friend. But I really trusted this guy and had built a solid relationship with him. Unfortunately, he left the company.

All of the minor fixes they asked for I did send window burns for approval. It is the original spots that were approved that they are still airing. But they have not paid me one penny. So that is one of my questions, can I get them on copyright infringement?