[Jason Porthouse]

I’ve tried that Andy – it lets me see the .MP4 file, I can click on it to import, ands it gets to about 90% before bumming out. Just says ‘Unable to import file’. AAAAARRRRGGGHGHHH!!!

Seriously though, if I do the recreating BPAV folder thing, Clip Browser sees the self-same files and allows them to play, so the material is there and not corrupt – but then I can do nothing with them. Copying creates a whole new file structure but Transfer isn’t playing – like I said, errors all round!!

I’m stumped.

Thanks for your help so far Andy, it’s very appreciated.

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Jason Porthouse]

Hi Andy,

OK More info here.

The director didn’t copy the BPAV files across, just the files that are in BPAV/CLPR/…. so there are multiple folders of clips. I can;t get Clip Browser to recognise these clips, it just doesn’t see them. However, if I create a file structure which is Test/BPAV/CLPR, then place the files in that, Clip Browser sees them. I can then use CB to copy all the clips and that creates a new, correct file structure.

Transfer sees this as it should, but on import it does as I said and comes up with multiple error messages.

One thing I’ve just thought of – should I have Quicktime Pro installed? I’m working on the client’s iMac and it’s a new machine – must check if it’s on here.

All the best

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Jason Porthouse]

Hi Andy,

Clip Browser will see them – but not XDCam Transfer. I’m stumped.

If I open a clip in Transfer, I just get multiple error messages as it tries to import the media. If I then select the subsequent ‘blank’ clip (which has TC, duration and other metadata – just no images!) and click on ‘import’ then I get an error saying ‘Condition Failure – Recognised meta Box’.

FCP is no-go using Log & Transfer too.

*sigh*. Think I’m going to get a nice easy job. Like a traffic warden, or bomb disposal expert.

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Jason Porthouse]

Yeah, I gathered that it’s a mess Rafael 😉

I’ve tried to restructure the BPAV file manually, and this at least lets Clip Browser see it. I can play it in CB, all the footage is there, but when I convert it (which it happily does) the resultant clips won’t play nicely with Transfer tool. Transfer imports them, then I get an unspecified error on import. I can see the clips, the metadata is there, but no thumbnails or ability to play them. Double-clicking on a clip just gives an error.

D’ya think I’d get less for murdering a producer due to diminished responsibility??

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Jason Porthouse]

It’s an advantage if it’s for ‘work on the side’… I run mine in my own studio, and if I’ve a chewy render to get through, or a long encode, I’ll simply leave it running overnight. Costs me little more that the electricity, and as long as the client is OK it’s all good. You have to pre-empt anything like this so there’s no ‘Whaddaya mean you can’t encode a 3 hour epic for the web from HD in five minutes?’ moments from them, and the addition of a MAX enhanced MXO2 will largely negate any advantage from a higher spec processor.

The 1900 is still a great graphics card – again mine chomps through most Motion stuff without batting an eyelid…

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Jason Porthouse]

I see nothing in you’re original screenshot that would give me cause for concern. Set at 100% the canvas will show interlacing like this – it’s FCPs way of representing interlaced material. it only does it at 100%.

I’m assuming you’re not monitoring with any external monitor, even if it’s a TV. If so I’d wager you’d see a normal, interlaced picture.

I think you’re getting yourself in a pickle because you’re trying to correct a problem that isn’t there, and making it worse in doing so.

If you’re editing PAL DV, make sure your sequence is PAL DV, make sure FCP isn’t putting on any shift fields, take of the flicker filters, and when you’re sure of all that, (use easy setups if in doubt) then export a self-contained reference.

Then use compressor’s presets to encode for DVD, and if using DVD studio pro, author a PAL dvd using the output. Don’t screw around with compressors presets… use Best Quality 90 min (or whatever you need)

Played on a correctly set up DVD player the output should be fine. I’ve done dozens of DVDs using this workflow and it has *never* given me interlacing issues.

If you can, invest in an output card and a monitor – even if it’s an old CRT domestic telly. Seeing exactly what you’re dealing with, and knowing it’s right from the get-go, will save you a lot of time and heartache in the long run. It’s worth the few hundred quid you’d need to invest.

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Jason Porthouse]

That’s exactly the spec of my machine John. I’ve added ram to take it up to 8 gig, and have a Multibridge Pro for I/O. Does everything I need, and the payback for upgrading the Mac just doesn’t work for me at the moment. FCP runs fine. Compressor is quick with a cluster set up, and if you were encoding lots for the web, a Matrox MAX accelerated MXO series is what I’d choose.

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Jason Porthouse]

Shaun,

If it is DVCPro (not the HD version) you could pick up a used deck – something like a Panasonic AJ-D640 – to enable you to ingest tapes and record back out again, assuming you have a capture card. I think they do a firewire version if you don’t.

The point is, these old SD decks can be had for a relative pittance now – I’d be surprised if mine was worth more than £400/$600 – so if you can get a good one, it may pay you over time if you know you’ll have X days hire at X cost. Only you can do the math on that one! But bear in mind it may be a ‘one-job’ affair. I keep mine because it plays DV & DVCam (doesn’t record) and has SDI in/out – very useful when people bring in DV tapes.

If you do buy a used deck, remember to power up regularly, put a tape in, play and eject regularly. Non-use is a killer in these decks (same for BetaSP, DAMHIK!!)

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Jason Porthouse]

Ahh thought as much. Thanks for your input – guess it’s time to take the plunge and upgrade.

I’ve successfully transcoded via Media Manager so other than the time hit I’ve a workaround for now.

Now, off to order a drive and some upgrades… clean install here we come!

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*

[Jason Porthouse]

We had a sneak preview dem of this at the WEFCPUG meet in July… it really is very impressive. Very accurate, very flexible and I can see it being a real boon for anyone dealing with documentaries.

Now, if they can engineer it to provide transcripts…

Jason

_________________________________

Before you criticise a man, walk a mile in his shoes.
Then when you do criticise him, you’ll be a mile away. And have his shoes.

*the artist formally known as Jaymags*