[Richard Davis]

Anybody?

Richard

[Richard Davis]

Thanks Enzo,
I think you’ve got me straighted out a bit, at least given me a starting point. Also, sounds like you nailed my worst file-size transgressions. I’ll try what your suggestions and I think I’ll be headed down the right road.

Richard

[Richard Davis]

Perhaps one more question…
Where can I find Internet tutorials on this subject of saving movie files for the web?

Thanks,
Richard

[Richard Davis]

Thanks for the comments folks. I’ve was out of town for awhile so excuse my tardiness in getting back to this.

It seems like I’m getting the idea that if I post a Quicktime movie, both Quicktime for Mac and Quicktime for Windows will read it. Is that right? Before getting some feedback I was assuming I’d have to do a version for people with Macs and post a separate post for people with Windows machines.

I’ve got a Quicksilver dual 1 gig processor and use Final Cut Pro 3 to do videos and export them as Quicktime movies. This is the first time I’ve thought about posting these to the webs but I’ve got some problems. I haven’t upgraded to QT 7 myself because I use OS X 2.8 and I’d lose functionality with some of my programs, so I havent’ thought about trying to get it into QT7. I’m just looking for good quality with small size that the most-est players will play.

As for my current problems, the files for a two minute interview are coming in around 80 megs or so, at least if I want them of high enough quality to look decent on a computer screen. This doesn’t seem right.

So, to sum up”
1) Do Mac and Windows Quicktime players read the same files?
2) Why doesn’t FCP 3 save better quality movies for the size files I’m getting?
3) Yes, I know … I don’t know what I’m doing.

Thanks,
Richard

[Richard Davis]

Okay,
Under Final Cut Pro Menu > Audio/Video settings , setting external video to none seems to have done the trick.

Thanks a million, Tom, you got me on the right track.

Richard

[Richard Davis]

Hi Tom,
Strange thing happened. I cut off my computer, spent night away from it. Came back and when I turned it on the sound was back. Actually, with a little more investigation I found that the real reason it came back is that my VX-2000, connected by Firewire, was turned off. When I closed FCP, cut on the camera, and reopened FCP, the sound again wouldn’t play back. Well, Hooha!

So, I do think as you suggested that my sound is routed via firewire through Sony and this is why it isn’t working as expected.

I tried to follow your instructions. Problem is, and one of the real difficulties of FCP, is that my menu items are never where they’re expected to be. Your tutorial said ” From the view menu set canvas playback to none” but I have no such choice under my view menu.

No problem, you added “The wording in this menu has changed a little over different versions of the application, but the intent is the same. In earlier versions the choices were Real-Time or FireWire, Real-Time being the option for computer playback. … From the View menu set play video playback to none.” Oops I don’t have a video playback selection at all under my View menu.

I did find audio/video settings under a Final Cut Pro menu. Should I set these to desktop rather than (missing Firewire NTSC). (I didn’t do it yet, as right now I am able to get sound when I open FCP with deck cut off.)

Another problem with all this is obvious when you go to FCP Help. It also seems to be talking about another version of FCP as even the instructions don’t always fit my menus. Not only that but there are multiple places where audio/video settings occur. If you change one trying to fix something and get the wrong one, well from then on you have complicated your problem or now have two problems.

Can I now call in my lifeline?

Thanks,
Richard

[Richard Davis]

Thanks for the comments. I’ll definitely be looking for a local tech. Don’t know if I’ll find one though. I live near Raleigh, N.C. and only recall one facility that ‘might’ do this kind of work. But I haven’t seen their sign in a long time and either they’ve moved to a new location or gone out of business.

Richard

[Richard Davis]

Thanks, Drizzt,
Looks like Apple’s plotting and strategies to get several thousand more dollars out of me may be successful… again.

Thanks,
Richard

[Richard Davis]

Thanks Don,
Any suggestions about how I find this kind of repair tech? I live near Raleigh, N.C. I wonder if there are any video repair techs in town. I don’t think you’ll find this kind of service at Best Buy or Circuit City. Should I check the Yellow Pages for a professional broadcast tech company of some sort?

Sorry for the handholding request but I’m out of my field here.

Is there any chance this is something I can learn to do this myself, the way I used to clean audio heads etc.?

Thanks,
Richard

[Richard Davis]

On the other hand, Pete, the new Intel-based Macs are an unknown quantity. Suppose you held off until today put your order in and found out after you received it, they are buggy and won’t properly run all that software you invested in. Suppose they came out and you again waited three or four months to find out the reviews. They say the new machines are OK. You then buy – and just a few months later even newer models come out. It is always a gamble. It is always difficult riding the crest of that tech wave.

I too, share your frustration with arrogant Apple. I’m pretty stubborn, too, and I have come very close to throwing the Apple company over… well, no, didn’t come close to it but thought about it. (Remember the poor support for Mac clones after Apple did them in? And Apple never would fix or even admit a problem with 17-inch studio display monitors even after hundreds or thousands of complaints at their website – although they did fix my slightly out-of-warranty display after I had a terrible row with them).

The problem is I kept realizing, I’d have to use Windows machines if I don’t give Apple my business. If I did that, I’d be punishing myself far more than punishing Apple.

Just be glad that Apple, your company, is devoted to putting out the coolest products on the planet! Then learn to live with the company.

Richard