Mitch Ives
Forum Replies Created
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Great, so if you have an IoHD you shouldn’t go to 10.5.3… but if you have a Kona you pretty much must go to 10.5.3, (according to their latest support documents).
Does anyone else get the impression that (of late) Apple is out-driving their headlights a bit? Maybe when the new iPhone is out Apple can get back to working on FCP issues…
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.com -
FCP 6.0.3/QT 7.4.5 has introduced a number of problems with chroma keying software with Kona and other 3rd party video hardware. It even affected LiveType and other alpha channeled programs (fortunately not Photoshop)… especially if you vary the transparency as well. Many things simply don’t show up. In the case of Livetype… one works. Put another one above it results in only one of the two working.
We are having major issues with many keyers on our 8-core Mac pro. Our old G5 and Intel MacBook Pro aren’t affected. We have reported this and red Giant has confirmed the same problem on a quad Mac Pro. Once you have issues, most keyers all have the same problem. We’re still troubleshooting this, as is AJA and Red Giant.
Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful…
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.com -
[gary adcock] “first problem- that preset was specifically designed to be used for cross conversion between 720 and 1080 at 23.98 -this setting intentionally does not generate pulldown to give you correct 23.98 cross conversions. —
Use the one labeled “Varicam” – for all 720 captures “
Thanks for the info… interesting that AJA didn’t mention that in our conversations…
[gary adcock] “”3) Pick a LiveType background and import it into FCP… place it in track 1. I used the one called Blue Black Wash, but anyone will do. ”
are you talking about a direct import of the template or a created LT file? “
I actually choose it in LT, and applied it to the track in LT. I then saved the file with nothing but that background on the timeline. I then import and place the LT file on the timeline in FCP. Naturally, it will want to render…
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.com -
No, but I learn more everyday. I discovered that Primatte is apparently incompatible with the Kona drivers. At first it appeared that if I didn’t use Primatte, then I seemed to be able to use the Kona for presets and output. Today I discovered that this isn’t true. I can experience the problem without using any third party plugins.
My workaround (to finish the project) was to use the standard 720p24 preset (non-AJA), and then render the entire project. Once it’s rendered, I could use the Kona for output to the monitors. Naturally, if anything needs rendering, I have to reverse this process to make the changes… kind of like getting off of Devil’s Island with a Roto-Rooter.
I’m trying to get AJA and Red Giant working together on this, since Primatte is too good to lose. I was assuming that the others that are experiencing the same problem have some kind of third party plugin that now operates strangely under FCP 6.0.3/QT 7.4.5, as not everyone has Primatte. Remember, none of this was an issue under 6.0.2/QT 7.4.1. I now know this isn’t the case. You can create the problem without using any third party plugins.
Outside the Kona world, a friend had the same problem on a 2007 Intel Quad machine. After my experience, he removed his BlackMagic Intensity card and LT started working again… so this is a third-party hardware and FCP issue at heart…
Back to the LT and FCP 6.0.3/QT 7.4.5 problem. Try this:
1) Choose the Kona 3 720p 23.98 DVCPro HD preset.
2) Set your Video Playback (View menu) to 720p 59.94 8-bit so you can see it on the monitors
3) Pick a LiveType background and import it into FCP… place it in track 1. I used the one called Blue Black Wash, but anyone will do.
On my 8-core it does not display… the LiveType background displays completely black… in both the Canvas and on the external monitor, even with nothing else on the timeline! To get it to work, all I have to do is go to the View menu and change the Video Playback from your preset to “none”, and the LT background appears in the Canvas. It’s the Playback Video setting that is doing this, as it works the same even when using the stock FCP 720p 24 preset on the timeline. Anytime I use the Kona output, it appears…
Clearly, this would seem to be a Kona display problem.
Can you confirm this?
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.com -
Thanks Jeremy, I spent time on the phone with them yesterday. We’re making progress on this. As you know, they have the best tech support in the solar system.
Yesterday we determined that it isn’t just AJA. A friend of mine with a 2007 Mac Pro Quad is experiencing the same thing since upgrading to FCP 6.0.3/QT 7.4.5. On the strength of our discovery, he removed his Black Magic Intensity Pro from his Mac Pro and now LiveType works properly on that machine as well.
Apple definitely changed something serious in the latest Pro Apps update. In addition to FCP 6.0.3, it included a new plug-in manager, which may be the culprit. But then again, it could all be caused by QT 7.4.5. At least we’re making some progress. I just wish Apple would jump in and help… they have far more knowledge and resources.
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.com -
Sorry… forgot to tell you that this problem appears with both the 5.1 and the 5.1NDD drivers…
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.com -
[walter biscardi] “You also get issues like all the PAL folks always find a bunch of issues with each new major release of FCP, bugs / crashes caused by issues with FCP and Quicktime, Apple seems to break working features with each new release, and often we’ll find out that a certain combination of machine / QT / FCP versions will cause all sorts of issues. If Apple had a realistic Beta testing program many of these issues could be caught early.
So my frustrations comes with the fact that the software is going on 7 years old and we still have very basic workflow issues that are not addressed and the software continues to be flaky as it matures. No software is perfect, no software is bug free, but for me Final Cut Pro just is not the “Mature, Professional Editing Software” it really should be at this stage of the game.”
I’d have to agree… FCP and QT are no longer playing nice together, as witnessed by the broken LT in 6.0.3/7.4.5. I also agree that while FCP is a nice tool, it’s rough edges are getting a little long in the tooth. It’s in need of a lot of polishing and a “real” database underneath.
[Richard Harrington] “There will not be an update… but it is a great program. Some really good case studies and ideas.
That’s al I can say… but trust me.”
I assume you’re referring to FCP server? And, yes there will be an update, because “trust me” Apple knows they broke LT with the 6.0.3/7.4.5 combo…
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.com -
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Is this a new 2008 8-core or the 2007 model?
If it’s a 2008, they don’t seem to like odd ram config’s. Pull out the 1GB and drop down to 4GB (I assume it’s a pair of 2GB modules). Our 2008 was killing us when we had 10GB of ram. Removing the original ram and dropping back to a pair of matched 4GB modules stopped a lot of the crashing and beach balls. Not all of it is gone, especially on long renders, but it’s at least usable now.
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.com -
The Apple RAID card requires slot 4, as it connects to the MB using a short cable. AJA confirmed that slot 3 was fine, in fact they recommended it…
Strange world…
Mitch Ives
Insight Productions Corp.
mitch@insightproductions.com