[Markus Etter]

Ok I got this under control now by switching external video playbck from
Blackmagic HD 1080i 50 8Bit
to
Blackmagic HD 720p 50 8Bit

So it appears to me that the previous crashes where XDCAM EX3 related (transcoding to prores solved that issue), and the green flickering was Blackmagic external video playback related.

Anyone having thoughts on this?

[Markus Etter]

Same Problem here.
FCP7
Blackmagic Multibridge Pro
EX3 XDCAM footage @1080p

Have also transcoded everything in prores 422 HQ. I have less crashes now, but I still get the green flickers.

I previously thought it had to do with multiclips, but also my normal footage causes problems.
I now believe that FCP7 has issues with 1080 footage!?
I never had crashes on this machine previously and we normally edit 720p DVCPROHD.

Did anyone get any further than that?

[Markus Etter]

Hey
thanks for your reply

Yes there WAS budget involved in the project. But since the whole post production incl. grading was offered as a favour and circumstances have now changed, I ended up only getting the mastering to tape for free. So – there is no more cash in this whole project. Which sucks.

What about using a very detailed color chart that also includes something like a 10 to 11 stop range of greyscale. If I would calibrate my monitor to this and then do the grade on my film, the color chart would remain unchanged.
If we set the levels and color values of the output at the post facility to this chart, we should in theory see on tape what I saw on my monitor, right?
I know how to use “internal” software based histograms and vectorscopes to make sure I dont destroy andy bright and dark areas and leave me some room for minor adjustments when outputting to tape.
I just need to do the grade in AE to do the bulk of work. Things like equalizing every shot to the next. Defining color tones etc.

[Markus Etter]

Hey Dylan

Thanks for your reply. That sounds like a very reasonable approach. I will definitely export not only an EDL but also an AAF and just to be sure an OMF from AVID then.
Also the test capturing of the DV tapes if a very good idea. Thanks man.

So lets hope this all goes as planed 🙂

Markus

[Markus Etter]

Hi everyone

I absolutely agree with everyone saying: I might get the AVID captured HD footage to run somehow on a FCP Mac, but it is a patchwork after all and will come back to bite me.

I have found a solution now. It is somewhat of a logistical nightmare, but I will end up with 100% working HD footage for the online.

– I will do the offline from cloned miniDV tapes on an AVID here in the UK.
– export the locked timeline as EDL
– import the EDL in my own FCP6.
– check that the edits and the project files are all properly recognized and available as offline clips (red), then save as Final Cut Pro project file.
– send the original HDCAM tapes plus the new Final Cut project to a facility in Switzerland. They have an HDCAM player on a FCP suite and they still owe me a huge favour.
– They recapture the FCP project in full prores Quicktime and copy the data on a firewire drive.
– send it back to me
– voila

Well, this can hardly be called a workflow, but having run out of budget for the project and not being very well connected here in London, it seems to be the only way to solve this properly.

Markus

[Markus Etter]

Hey Walter
Yea just what I thought. I actually mentioned this in my response above.
The keyword is availability. I will need a HDCAM deck on a FCP and I don’t have access to this. Further I am bound to do the online and post on my own FCP Mac, because it will take around 2-3 weeks to tweak all the things I have to do with the online footage.

But if you guys tell me that I simply wont be able to open any AVID digitized HD footage in online quality on my FCP Mac (in realtime or not doesn’t matter), then I believe you. I guess I will have to find myself a place where I can digitize HDCAM in FCP.

[Markus Etter]

Hey Jerry

thanks for your reply

My main problem is the availability (or rather unavailability) of an AVID online suite for a longer period of time.
My film involves quite a bit of CGI. Meaning: After i am done with the offline I will have to have the final cut in online quality available for at least 2-3 weeks so I can do all the post production on it (Loads of green screen with camera motion tracking, fitting in 3D sequences and other composition jobs). Unfortunately I cannot Do this on any AVID system because I simply don not have access.
On the other hand I don’t have access to a suite that can difitize my HDCAM tapes with the EDL from the oflline dit directly in FCP (prores). I am still searching as I know that this is the only way to do it properly. Too bad that the only place I have at hand to digitize HDCAM, is hooked up to AVID – causing me headakes!
On the other hand, I don’t have to play back the online assembly on my system in realtime. It is only there for post purposes and I can do preview renders to see what i am doing.
But after wat I hear today the digitize-on-avid-and-load-to FCP-solution might not work after all….

[Markus Etter]

Hey Jerry

thanks for your reply

My main problem is the availability (or rather unavailability) of an AVID online suite for a longer period of time.
My film involves quite a bit of CGI. Meaning: After i am done with the offline I will have to have the final cut in online quality available for at least 2-3 weeks so I can do all the post production on it (Loads of green screen with camera motion tracking, fitting in 3D sequences and other composition jobs). Unfortunately I cannot Do this on any AVID system because I simply don not have access.
On the other hand I don’t have access to a suite that can difitize my HDCAM tapes with the EDL from the oflline dit directly in FCP (prores). I am still searching as I know that this is the only way to do it properly. Too bad that the only place I have at hand to digitize HDCAM, is hooked up to AVID – causing me headakes!
On the other hand, I don’t have to play back the online assembly on my system in realtime. It is only there for post purposes and I can do preview renders to see what i am doing.
But after wat I hear today the digitize-on-avid-and-load-to FCP-solution might not work after all….