[Matt Campbell]

Oops, I see. In the scene file menu, the frame rate was set to 24p. I switched that to default and meters show up again. thx

OS 10.6.3, Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 16 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

I thought so. But as soon as I change the scene file wheel on the back from F1 to F5 for Cine-V, my audio meters go blank. Is there an internal setting in the scene file I’m missing?

OS 10.6.3, Mac Pro 2 x 2.66 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 16 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

Thanks Michael, but you mean 30p correct? And not 29.97, which is interlaced. But is it possible to have a 29.97 progressive sequence. By simply setting the Field Dominance to none?

Sorry, I always confused about this. Sometimes I have 29.97 material that I deinterlace with either MPEG Streamclip or Compressor to use in my edits for web material.

29.97 isn’t automatically interlaced, right? You actually have to set the field dominance. So I guess you could have a 29.97 progressive sequence?

Or, could you, or how would you convert a 30p sequence to interlaced, 60i. Does it simply duplicate each frame, one with odd and one with even interlacing.

Sorry if I’m confusing you. But I’m actually confusing myself.

OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

Also, FCP will degrade the .motn files and anything else that doesn’t match the sequence settings in order to playback on your computer. Can’t really judge quality on your computer monitor. Things should look just fine on a TV or broadcast monitor, if you’re using one.

OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

and as for Cinema Tools, you should always duplicate the master clip before using CT. CT will overwrite the original.

OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

Personally, since your deliverable is DVD, 720×480, I would edit at that size and at 29.97. Your 720p30p footage will convert nicely. For the 1080p material, convert with Compressor to 720×480 @ 29.97. The best way would be to add in pulldown using AE or something like it but since you don’t have it, Compressor can do I decent job of this.

Also, since your graphics are 16:9 SD at 720×480 you’ll have to convert to 29.97 using Compressor as well. FCP will not add in the correct pull down.

Another way to handle this is to take your HD materials and drop then into a 720p59.94 sequence. Your 30p material will have a duplicate frame every other frame and the 1080 material should have the correct 2:3 pulldown added as well. Then export & downconvert that 59.94 sequence to SD 29.97 and edit into an SD sequence. You’ll still have to convert graphics to 29.97 but this might be the best option.

I’d convert everything to ProRes too.

OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

thought so. i’ll have to check with the post facility. thx.

OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

Chris, another helpful tip is if you do have a clip already in your timeline and only want the audio or video, hold down option and drag to select. For instance, if you only want the video clip, option drag to select the audio and delete. Your video clip will stay put. You can also unlink your audio and video if need be.

But Kim’s method of unpatching he audio is best. Then you don’t even get your audio in the timeline.

OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

Can’t you just export your finish HD project as a self contained movie and import that back into FCP. Then use easy set up to give you a NTSC 720×480 or 486 16:9 anamorphic sequence, and drop the HD material in the SD sequence. Boom! You have HD in an anamorphic SD sequence.

Also, make sure your frame rates match.

OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card

[Matt Campbell]

ahhhh, didn’t think of that. thx for the tip.

appreciate your and everyone else’s help.

OS 10.5.5, Mac Pro 2 x 3 ghz quad-core intel xenon, 9 gb ram, with BM Intensity Pro card