[Marklopresti]

BTW, I have tried adjusting the frame offset setting in one of the menus, but it only changes the audio/video sync relationship of the playback in the canvas window rather than the SDI output.

[MarkLoPresti] “We just upgraded to FCP 6.0/Studio 2 using a Black Magic Design Decklink Extreme SDI card. We load about 99% of our footage, mostly film transfers, from one of our Sony BVW-A500s. Anytime we capture footage with sync sound, the sound is ALWAYS four frames off. Can anyone give us any advice? I called Apple “Support” and was told that the BVW-A500 wasn’t on Apple’s approved device list! In fact, the kid at Apple basically treated me like a moron for wasting his time in asking why something not on the “approved list” wasn’t working as expected. Please be honest. Am I THAT much of a moron? Is a Sony BVW-A500 digital BetaCam really so old and wretched that FCP 6.0 will control EVERY aspect of it perfectly right down to capturing each and every frame of timecode perfectly, but the sound is always four frames off because it’s not on Apple’s list of qualified devices? “

[Marklopresti]

Ever since installing FCP 6.0, my audio is always four frames off on playback. The frame offset menu setting I’ve messed with only changes the sync as it relates to the canvas monitor and never the SDI montoring/program output that matters if you’re mastering to tape. Apple tells me that my Sony BVW-A500 is probably the culprit because it’s not on their list of approved devices. Basically they’re giving me the Garbage In-Garbage Out routine. Right. My A500 can play back a tape with video and audio in perfect sync if recording to a VHS, but is responsible for a four frame delay when workng with FCP. i.e.: FCP is never to blame. The only way I know of to fix the problem is to move my audio track +4 frames before editing to tape. Yes, it does the trick, but 5.1 worked fine without having to adjust my timeline to satisfy a basic technical function that I used to take for granted. Make that a basic technical function that SHOULD be taken for granted.

BTW, IMO, Apple tech support is a joke! Unless you’re calling about your iPod, all they do is ask basic questions before telling you it’s your fault . . . but they can’t ever pinpoint what YOU are doing wrong. Then they tell you to seek out other FCP users and ask if anyone else is having the same trouble. Thank goodness for Creative Cow.

[Marklopresti]

[Jerry Hofmann] “Post which versions of FCP, QT, and OS you are running. If you upgraded to Tiger, post how you did it… if you just ran “upgrade” you are in for a lot of problems… I’ve worked with 30MB files… no problem, just sort of long to save… lol…”

I’m presently running OSX version 10.3.9 along with FCP HD 4.5 and QT version 7.0.1. This is actually the second crash I’ve had after reaching the 10MB level. It’s been suggested that the project size isn’t the problem. With the other problem I’ve been having (digitized footage randomly disappearing from the drives without a trace) I have to agree.

Mark LoPresti, Buffalo New York

[Marklopresti]

[walter biscardi] “Either you’re watching / listening to the wrong sources like Kevin mentioned, or your Playback Offset is not set correctly for your system. On most DV systems, playback offset is set to 4. If it sounds like it’s four frame off, check the offset, if it’s set to 0, change it to 4.”

That seems to be it! Thank y’all so much. And to think that the Apple CS guy told me that I’d have to purchase some overpriced contract to discuss anything further because I’m past my 90 day warranty deal. Thank the good lord for Creative Cow!

Mark LoPresti, Buffalo New York

[Marklopresti]

[Kevin Monahan] “Connect the speakers out of the deck and not the Mac. Monitor video on the pro video montor and not the Canvas. The video monitor and speakers will be in perfect synch with DV.”

I originally believed this to be the problem, but the fact is I sometimes still end up with out of sync audio on the final output to tape.

Mark LoPresti, Buffalo New York

[Marklopresti]

[Christopher Pavsek] “I’ve been told that if a project file exceeds 10mb in fcp (4.5 is what i’m using) that it can lead to quirky behaviour including crashes, which i’m having.

Is this the case?”

I was editing a project for a retail client that included 36 total spots. I’m not sure what file size I was up to, but all of a sudden it crashed and I simply couldn’t get the project to boot up. I even went to the autosave archive, but still no luck. Considering the fact that I running FCP on a topped out G5 made it all the more frustrating. Anyway, my solution came out of complete desparation. I copied the project onto my G4 Powerbook, which also has FCP on it, and the project booted up without incident! I then sliced it up into three smaller projects and brought them back to the G5. So the G5 with the dual 2.5G processor and 4G of RAM couldn’t handle it, but the G4 laptop could. So my advice is to cut up your present project into two or even three projects before you get to the point of no return. Best of Luck!

Mark LoPresti, Buffalo New York

[Marklopresti]

Thanks all for the quick replies. Lots of great info to consider and apply to my problems. My biggest problem is that I don’t read manuals like I should and, just like my car, I only want to get in and drive, not worry about what’s under the hood. And just like buying a car, I committed the biggest sin. I believed the salesman! Well, thanks again in helping me with my much belated due diligence! I only wish I’d a heard of Creative Cow a few months ago instead of hassling with tech support.

Mark LoPresti, Buffalo New York