[Jeffrey Carter]

I’ve heard that there are continual problems with JVC HDV decks (I have a DV3000 – some problems, but does work with DV footage).

Try using a generic firewire in (with no deck control). I use a Firestore to avoid the tape hassles. Your best option, if you can afford it, is to use that or similar hard disk recorder.

“I’ve never been there but the brochure looks nice.”

[Jeffrey Carter]

If the switcher has a firewire out port you could A) capture to a Firestore or similar device B) go direct into a laptop with firewire and capture to FCP live.

If the switcher does not have a port, you could go composite into a MiniDV deck that has a firewire port out and do the above.

I use a Firestore recorder for my GY-DV500 since the tape deck went out and it works great with drag and drop to FCP or Avid.

If you do the (B) scenario above, you can get a safety of the switched program on tape while digitizing live to FCP. This has the advantage if FCP stops in the middle of the shoot for some reason, you’ve got the tape as a safety back-up.

[Jeffrey Carter]

For use on a PC, you must use the .MP4 files. .MOV files will ONLY work on a MAC with FCP installed (they will not play on a MAC that does not have FCP on it).

.MP4 files can be played on a PC IF you have the JVC clip browser software installed (it’s free and included on the disc that came with the camera or can be downloaded off the JVC site). You can also use Sony’s better (and free) XDCAM EX clip browser software.

As for editing, I’m not sure on a PC… I know Sony Vegas, AVID MC, and Adobe Premiere will work with these .MP4 files. Other editors I’m not sure about, especially Microsoft and other free editing software.

You could use Streamclip (free off the web) to convert the files to .AVI and use it with Microsoft’s editing program.

Hope this helps…

[Jeffrey Carter]

Unfortunately, JVC HD decks are not qualified with Avid and will only work in ‘crash’ mode (hit play on deck – hit record on Avid **with local deck control set**). This means no batch recapturing possible!

I feel this is unacceptable on Avid’s part and they should support it, but they don’t seem to be in a hurry to do it. I went with Focus Enhancement’s HD disk recorder and not a deck because of this problem.

[Jeffrey Carter]

You can batch re-name them in Photoshop or other image editing programs. These programs should allow you to sequentially number them as well.

You can also look at doing a few hundred at a time, to see if that helps.