Phil Balsdon
Forum Replies Created
-
Your audio settings on the Zoom (44.1kHz) don’t match the video (48kHz). They should also be aiff or wav format.
Try using iTunes or Compressor to convert them to the correct settings and bring it back into FCP.
The Zoom H4n can be set to record 48kHz wav.
Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
Import the footage as Apple ProRes, it’s a much better codec to work with in FCP and a virtually lossless.
You can do this via the firewire.It will also mean that footage coming from different cameras will start to match, you’ll only have the 1080 and 720 frame sizes and the 24p, 25p, 30p, 50p, 60p and interlaced or progressive issues to resolve. Hopefully you can get all your camera crews to shoot at one of these specifications that is designated by you, many cameras have the ability to be set to suit.
Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
There’s no information in your post about video frame rate in the camera or in your FCP settings, or your bit rate in the H4n.
Not sure whether this is a similar problem to the original Canon 5D which shot at true 30fps not the 29.97 NTSC rate and required a work around for post syncing.
This should be the same process as syncing any HDSLR.
PluralEyes from Singular Software is an excellent program if you are going to be doing this regularly.
Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
You can price the items at the Store on Apple’s website.
iMac, MacBook Pro and Mac Pro machines will all run Final Cut Studio, what is your budget and what level of professional are you talking about? You’ll also need external extra hardware including at least FW400 external drives (or extra internal hard drives if you select the MacPro). Something to monitor audio. If you mean “professional” some way to monitor your video in a professional external video monitor (as opposed to the computer monitor).
If you asking this question are you really sure you have the skills to start up a business as a professional or would it be wiser to spend some of your budget learning the trade and then when you have the knowledge then go out on your own?
Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
If your budget is really tight consider any purchase of an HDSLR very carefully.
The reality is HDSLRs require a lot extra bits to make them work efficiently for video.
Viewfinder and or LCD monitor.
More lenses, at best you’re only going to get a 3 X zoom. You’ll also need better more expensive lenses, the whole point of these cameras is the low depth of field, the cheaper zooms are often only f4 – 5.6 which defeats the purpose really. With the faster lenses you’ll then probably need some ND filters to get a large f stop in bright light.If you want to record quality audio you’re talking a few more costly bits.
They’re not really cheap kit once made useable, their popularity solely is due too the low depth of field they yield. I love my 7D but I could have bought Sony EX3 or similar for the same funds I’ve invested in it. That said the producers and directors I work with love the results, actually “result” singular a picture with low depth of field.
Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
This camera has a couple of record set up options and can be set to record Quicktime files that can be dragged and dropped directly into FCP.
The camera may have been set to record Sony XDCAM with MPEG-4 wrapper. They should still open in Quicktime though and can be used in FCP.
Have you tried opening the files in MPEG Streamclip, you can download this free app from https://www.squared5.com it reads most formats and you can then convert your files to a useable format for FCP.
Is Quicktime telling you “This is not a movie file” in the error message?
It’s a good idea if you’re using rented equipment to test the gear before shooting. Especially these days when there are so many options in camera set ups. This maybe as simple shooting a couple of shots, downloading to a computer and checking the format, microphone / audio settings. that the camera isn’t in some full auto mode and that it is actually recording pictures at all. This only takes a few minutes and if there is a problem it can be rectified.
Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
Ha!
Coincidently I’m right now putting a project back together where something did go wrong, lost the drive with the ProRes conversions on it.Fortunately I have two duplicated copies of the original cards on seperate drives, created as New Images dmg. files from the original CF cards using Disk Utility.
The original Log and Transfer into FCP was done using the Canon Movie Plugin so time of day data is translated into time code which has helped a lot. Whilst its a bit of pain everything is falling back into place quite easily.
Take Shane’s words seriously, watch his workflow tutorial, watch all his tutorials and absorb the information he’s an expert with a lot of experience.
By the way you’d probably be working much more efficiently if you’d converted the H264 to ProRes before you started.
Shane you are remarkably patient with your time and replies, I can’t believe how often this is coming up.
Wonder if people buy cars and after they crash them read the manual (or then go for a driving lesson).
Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
Specifically which JVC camera did you use?
More detailed information will help others help you.Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
Have you they be trying to capture through the firewire port?
Please provide more detailed information about the processes you’ve tried.
Did you buy this camera new or used?
Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/ -
I’ve tried this with a Canon 7D 1080p and a JVC 111E at 720p. Resolution, colour etc were a usable match after a little work in post. What stuck out though was the depth of field factor.
Shoot close ups with the HDSLR and wide shots with the HVX. Don’t shoot matching frame sizes with different cameras and you should be right.
Try some tests with camera set ups prior to main shoot.
Cinematographer, Steadicam Operator, Final Cut Pro Post Production.
https://www.steadi-onfilms.com.au/