[Matthew Brunn]

FCP won’t grab a freeze frames. What resolution do you need? You can grab a freeze through iChat. Try using a still camera and then importing the stills from the digital camera. Or try…

http://www.framethief.com

https://www.istopmotion.com/

Hope this helps-
Matthew
Quad 2.5 G5
OSX 10.4.X
Ram 4GB
FCP 4.5/AE 6.5/DVDSP3

[Matthew Brunn]

Yes, the PB can use the external monitor as a true second monitor. You are limited as to size and resolution depending on the model but still, high res for video is not essential. You could run a 23 with plenty of res. I’d get the Dell 24 inch with the componate video inputs. They go on sale almost every month. As for the drives, sounds good. I use Lacie but like G-raid too. I build a lot of my own cause of cost.

The most important thing is, What do your clients need? then What do you need? That determines what you buy. I just got a quad Mac after using a dual 500 G4 for 6 years. I had to upgrade.

Hope this helps-
Matthew
Quad 2.5 G5
OSX 10.4.X
Ram 4GB
FCP 4.5/AE 6.5/DVDSP3

[Matthew Brunn]

Well first off, DV is compressed 5 to 1. When you digitize through firewire there is no loss in the signal. Once you add any effects or titles the video is recompressed. If you output to another system you can output the DV files and they can work with them. Your outsource person can convert it to uncompressed in the program they are working in.

Hope this helps-
Matthew
Quad 2.5 G5
OSX 10.4.X
Ram 4GB
FCP 4.5/AE 6.5/DVDSP3

[Matthew Brunn]

Did you try it in a PC? Sometimes they will mount what a Mac refuses to.

Hope this helps-
Matthew
Quad 2.5 G5
OSX 10.4.X
Ram 4GB
FCP 4.5/AE 6.5/DVDSP3

[Matthew Brunn]

Never heard of anything like that. How about a video deck? If they are DV cameras just get 4 Firestore drives if digitizing is the concern. I always record on tape even if I’m digitizing at the same time. If the computer drops a frame (for what ever reason) your hosed if that is your only recording.

Hope this helps-
Matthew
Quad 2.5 G5
OSX 10.4.X
Ram 4GB
FCP 4.5/AE 6.5/DVDSP3

[Matthew Brunn]

Do you have deck control? What is your hardware configuration?

Hope this helps-
Matthew
Quad 2.5 G5
OSX 10.4.X
Ram 4GB
FCP 4.5/AE 6.5/DVDSP3

[Matthew Brunn]

What format are you playing? DV, SD 10bit, HD? It makes a difference. How full are the drives? Is this hooked up via 800 mb firewire? Did it just start doing this? Have you installed anything lately? Updates? Are the dropped frames always in the same place?

Hope this helps-
Matthew
Quad 2.5 G5
OSX 10.4.X
Ram 4GB
FCP 4.5/AE 6.5/DVDSP3

[Matthew Brunn]

Try copying the project file to the internal HD and disconnecting the external. You’ll have no media, but we need to find where the error is. In the media or the program. If the project opens up, the external drive or the files on the drive have issues. This is where it can get dicey. Now connect the the external and “reconnect media”. It may work it may take FCP down. If it goes down reconnect a few at a time. More than that it becomes a trail and error and error, etc. Good luck

Hope this helps-
Matthew
Quad 2.5 G5
OSX 10.4.X
Ram 4GB
FCP 4.5/AE 6.5/DVDSP3

[Matthew Brunn]

I can’t understand the situation. Could you read your question and explain it in another way? Do the timecodes correspond to the file on the DVD? If they do, import the EDL and connect the offline clips to the file. If the timecodes are accurate it should be peachy.

Hope this helps-
Matthew
Quad 2.5 G5
OSX 10.4.X
Ram 4GB
FCP 4.5/AE 6.5/DVDSP3

[Matthew Brunn]

Either get a Digital 8 camera which will transcode the video into digital for you. Just plug in the firewire. Or buy one of the these.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=259093&is=REG&addedTroughType=search

Hope this helps-
Matthew
Quad 2.5 G5
OSX 10.4.X
Ram 4GB
FCP 4.5/AE 6.5/DVDSP3