[Joaquin Elizondo]

I just interviewed for an editing gig on an eight episode, 47 minute docu series. Their schedule is one week to watch all footage, no cuts. Then 5 weeks for rough cut. One editor and story producer per episode. There are two AEs. Didn’t go into the schedule to address notes and deliver.

[Joaquin Elizondo]

Luke:

I captured both audio and video using Deck Control and here is what happens: When I open the app, the playback screen shows a green flash, followed by a Blackmagic ‘No Video Input’ flash. Once I hit play I can see and hear my audio and video. I set my in and out points on the capture controls, hit ‘Get Clip’ and it starts to capture. But I cannot see my clip while it’s being captured. I can only see it AFTER it has been captured…and it plays back with no audio. There aren’t any delays that I am aware of.

I worked on a project using FCP and material I captured through the Blackmagic and throughout my session I felt that the system was somewhat slow. Everything I did, from moving clips around to clicking on menus…the app just seemed slow and my computer felt like it was struggling (things were going nuts inside my machine). I’m not sure if this is normal, but like I said…this doesn’t seem to happen when I work with stuff that I captured without the Blackmagic.

One more thing I wanted you to know…we are connected to a Grass Valley server here were we sometimes get material to work on. The recent project I completed DID NOT use any material from the server, though. Just wanted to let you know.

Thanks again, Luke!

[Joaquin Elizondo]

Luke:

So I tried everything you mentioned and nothing worked. The Log and Capture window only opens instantly if I choose an Easy Setup that does not involve the Blackmagic card. I don’t know what is going on. Do you have any other ideas?

[Joaquin Elizondo]

Thanks for responsing, Luke!

I solved the audio issue, but it didn’t make opening the Log and Capture window any faster. I quit FCP and then captured material using Deck Control without any problems.

I have upgraded all of my software to the latest versions. I did want to check, though, if having Deck Control 5.1 means that I have installed the latest Blackmagic drivers. I did so much upgrading yesterday…got confused.

I tested other Easy Setups in FCP and it did not change the Log and Capture issue.

Equipment specs are: PowerMac G5, Dual 2.5 GHz, 2.5 GB DDR SDRAM

Here is what happens when I open Log and Capture: It takes approxiamtely 11 seconds to open (as opposed to instantly with a FireWire capture). Once the window opens, I get a quick ‘green’ flash, followed by a Blackmagic ‘No Video Input’ flash, and then it goes to black. Once I hit play the video shows up. On another note, the Audio/Video Settings (in the upper FCP menu) window takes a bit to open…approximately 4 seconds. I’ve also been getting some Dropped Frames warnings. Has not happened a lot though…once yesterday, and once today.

I would appreciate your help, Luke. Thanks again!