[John Fishback]

As to the audio clip question, it’s always better to leave “handles” for the audio guy. If you are exporting exact clips, leave a couple of seconds at each end. If you are exporting omfs the app asks you how long the handles should be.

John

Dual 2.5 G5 4 gigs RAM OS 10.4.8 QT7.1.3
Dual Cinema 23 Radeon 9800
FCP Studio 5 (FCP5.1.2, DVDSP4.1.1, Comp2.3, STP1.1, Motion 2.1.2)
Huge U-320R 1TB Raid 3 firmware ENG15.BIN
ATTO UL4D driver 3.50
AJA IO driver 2.1 firmware v23-28
Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neuman U87s, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN

[John Fishback]

1. How do you adjust the black balance? The manual states to just hold the white balance button down, is there anything else to doing this more accurately?

I have an HPX500, but I believe it’s similar. Just hold the button until you display tells you it’s finished.

2. When aiming the HVX at a white balance reference card, should the card be held flat or angled toward a light source?

If lights are mixing at your subject, tilt the card. Basically the camera is making the card white given the color temperature of the light that falls on it. If the color temp of the light on the card is off, so will be the balance.

3. What types of shoots would you consider using the auto tracking white balance feature? OR is it a better idea to avoid this feature if possible?

I’ve never used the feature. Experiment and see how well the color temp change follows the change in light.

4. What do the values in 3200 K and 5600 K for the white balance presets represent?

3200 refers to the color temperature of tungsten light sources. 5600 refers to the color temp of sunlight (and HMI lights).

John

Dual 2.5 G5 4 gigs RAM OS 10.4.8 QT7.1.3
Dual Cinema 23 Radeon 9800
FCP Studio 5 (FCP5.1.2, DVDSP4.1.1, Comp2.3, STP1.1, Motion 2.1.2)
Huge U-320R 1TB Raid 3 firmware ENG15.BIN
ATTO UL4D driver 3.50
AJA IO driver 2.1 firmware v23-28
Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neuman U87s, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN

[John Fishback]

In which dimension is the picture squashed? Is there an anamorphic switch set incorrectly?

Are you using the Easy Setup for DV-NTSC? That should set everything properly in FCP. Be sure to trash the first sequence that opens after the setup (which has the prior setup’s settings) and open a new seq. Then bring in your clip and see what happens.

John

Dual 2.5 G5 4 gigs RAM OS 10.4.8 QT7.1.3
Dual Cinema 23 Radeon 9800
FCP Studio 5 (FCP5.1.2, DVDSP4.1.1, Comp2.3, STP1.1, Motion 2.1.2)
Huge U-320R 1TB Raid 3 firmware ENG15.BIN
ATTO UL4D driver 3.50
AJA IO driver 2.1 firmware v23-28
Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neuman U87s, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN

[John Fishback]

What are you monitoring the picture with and how does it look bad. You should be able to drop your HD clips or sequence into a SD sequence. After it renders all should be well. However, make sure the frame rates all line up. FCP doesn’t do those types of conversion very well.

John

Dual 2.5 G5 4 gigs RAM OS 10.4.8 QT7.1.3
Dual Cinema 23 Radeon 9800
FCP Studio 5 (FCP5.1.2, DVDSP4.1.1, Comp2.3, STP1.1, Motion 2.1.2)
Huge U-320R 1TB Raid 3 firmware ENG15.BIN
ATTO UL4D driver 3.50
AJA IO driver 2.1 firmware v23-28
Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neuman U87s, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN

[John Fishback]

The best way to do this might be to capture the Flash movie as it plays with a scan converter or one of the screen capture apps out there.

John

Dual 2.5 G5 4 gigs RAM OS 10.4.8 QT7.1.3
Dual Cinema 23 Radeon 9800
FCP Studio 5 (FCP5.1.2, DVDSP4.1.1, Comp2.3, STP1.1, Motion 2.1.2)
Huge U-320R 1TB Raid 3 firmware ENG15.BIN
ATTO UL4D driver 3.50
AJA IO driver 2.1 firmware v23-28
Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neuman U87s, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN

[John Fishback]

To add to Ty’s advice, you’re working in an environment with a lot of medical gear that can cause all sorts of interference. Having an audio pro along makes a lot of sense.

John

Dual 2.5 G5 4 gigs RAM OS 10.4.8 QT7.1.3
Dual Cinema 23 Radeon 9800
FCP Studio 5 (FCP5.1.2, DVDSP4.1.1, Comp2.3, STP1.1, Motion 2.1.2)
Huge U-320R 1TB Raid 3 firmware ENG15.BIN
ATTO UL4D driver 3.50
AJA IO driver 2.1 firmware v23-28
Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neuman U87s, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN

[John Fishback]

There’s a timecode reader in Effects>Video Filters>Video. If you place it on a clip you’ll get the clip’s source timecode (probably not what you want). If you nest your sequence and put the reader on your nest, you’ll get the timeline’s code. No rendering is necessary, although, when you export the QT you might have rendering due to other effects, etc. If this is going to Pro Tools you need to send a DV QT.

However, for the purpose of sound design, in addition to the video, you might also want to separately export your audio tracks as either an omf or aiff (with a 2-pop or other way of syncing the audio to the video). Ask you sound designer about that.

John

Dual 2.5 G5 4 gigs RAM OS 10.4.8 QT7.1.3
Dual Cinema 23 Radeon 9800
FCP Studio 5 (FCP5.1.2, DVDSP4.1.1, Comp2.3, STP1.1, Motion 2.1.2)
Huge U-320R 1TB Raid 3 firmware ENG15.BIN
ATTO UL4D driver 3.50
AJA IO driver 2.1 firmware v23-28
Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neuman U87s, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN

[John Fishback]

ProSource BMI in Fairfield, CT is my dealer. Panasonic dealers sell by territory, so if you’re in the New England area, call John O’Keefe and he’ll help you out: 203-335-2000.

We went with the Fuji CAC lens without telextender.

John

Dual 2.5 G5 4 gigs RAM OS 10.4.8 QT7.1.3
Dual Cinema 23 Radeon 9800
FCP Studio 5 (FCP5.1.2, DVDSP4.1.1, Comp2.3, STP1.1, Motion 2.1.2)
Huge U-320R 1TB Raid 3 firmware ENG15.BIN
ATTO UL4D driver 3.50
AJA IO driver 2.1 firmware v23-28
Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neuman U87s, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN

[John Fishback]

This was one of those rare purchases where you are very happy you did it. We couldn’t be happier with the results we’re getting. We own an aging BetaSP package and it was time to move on. We didn’t need HD for most of our clients, but it would be crazy to purchase a SD package. We just delivered our second project shot in HD, but delivered on a SD DVD.

Technically, it’s a dream. We also purchased the remote control unit with the camera so our video engineer can shade as we go. Visually, it’s pristine. I can’t compare the results to other HD options as I haven’t worked with them. The variety of looks possible through frame rate and gamma choices is fantastic. I know there’s been discussion about the “goodness” of the supplied lens. Looking at the pictures on our Panasonic HD broadcast monitor, I find no fault. The picture so surpasses Beta, there’s no comparison.

The single most critical change in your shooting life is to perfect your P2 workflow. It’s a completely different way of shooting. You must be careful every step of the way to protect your data. It is easy to lose data if you’re not extremely careful with it. We don’t “run and gun.” We shoot scene by scene so we have time to backup our P2 cards in the field and again at night. I understand how the P2 workflow might be difficult with limited crews and not enough time.

Good luck with your decision. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

John

Dual 2.5 G5 4 gigs RAM OS 10.4.8 QT7.1.3
Dual Cinema 23 Radeon 9800
FCP Studio 5 (FCP5.1.2, DVDSP4.1.1, Comp2.3, STP1.1, Motion 2.1.2)
Huge U-320R 1TB Raid 3 firmware ENG15.BIN
ATTO UL4D driver 3.50
AJA IO driver 2.1 firmware v23-28
Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neuman U87s, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN

[John Fishback]

Thanks, Barry. I think I’ll stick with that old tried and true favorite – the slate. At least that way the clip icon has meaning.

John

Dual 2.5 G5 4 gigs RAM OS 10.4.8 QT7.1.3
Dual Cinema 23 Radeon 9800
FCP Studio 5 (FCP5.1.2, DVDSP4.1.1, Comp2.3, STP1.1, Motion 2.1.2)
Huge U-320R 1TB Raid 3 firmware ENG15.BIN
ATTO UL4D driver 3.50
AJA IO driver 2.1 firmware v23-28
Pro Tools HD w SYNC IO, Yamaha DM1000, Millennia Media HV-3C, Neuman U87s, Genelec Monitors, PrimaLT ISDN