[Robert Garry]

I would probably just use the tools under your motion tab to resize or distort your picture into quadrants. It all really depends on what kind of effect you are looking for in the final.

Just put your 1st video track on V1 then step the consecutive video tracks up on ascending video tracks (V2, V3, etc…). Keyframe the size, position and or distort parrameters to move the image where you want it.

You could also try usin the Picture in Picture effect but I don’t think that is what you are looking to do.

Best
Bob

[Robert Garry]

Yes your media will go offline as FCP will look to the path that it was originally given when you imported or digitized the media. However, once on the new HD you can Recconnect the media through the file menus or by right clicking on the shot in the timeline and hitting recconnect media. This also works if you are selecting all of your media in the timeline or browser for that matter.

As far a formatting your drive I would reccommend using a seperate drive, even if it is internal, for all your media so it stays seperate from your system OS and your other software. If you really can’t afford or acquire another HD then I would suggest simply making a folder that you will always digitize to or import to so that you do not have multiple places your footage will go to. Some people leave the default FCP folders but I prefer to make a Project Folder called “Project XXX Media” and then tell FCP to use this as the Scratch folder. Helps keep me more organized.

You should however have very little problem with keeping your project files on the system drive as they rarely take up massive amounts of space.

Good Luck
Bob

[Robert Garry]

Try this

View > Audio Scrubbing

Make sure there is a check mark next to audio scrubbing. I would gather that this is what you are talking about.

Good Luck

[Robert Garry]

I use the pro version of FCP but I would imagine that FCE uses an autosave vault for project backup unless you don’t have this option checked in your preferences. I would do a Finder search for Autosave Vault and then see if you can find a folder that has your project in it. Try opening the most recent one and see what happens. It is possible the file you are trying to open is corrupt.

You might also try running disk permissions just in case this isn’t a FCP problem. Run Disk Utility which is found in your utilities folder on the HD.

Good Luck

[Robert Garry]

First thing to do is check you capture settings and make sure your set to input through the Firewire. If you have deck control the system is recognizing the deck but may not be “seeing” the video feed because you have it set to a different input.

[Robert Garry]

This is the direction I am thinking of heading but I am a little aprehensive of dealing with such a large company. Anyone have any idea if there are smaller shops that may be able to give me the same technology?

I only say this on the specualtion that due to SportVisions contract with networks and probably an affiliation with the large sports organizations it might drive the rates through the roof. Just wondering if there might be some smaller shops out there that might be a little more economical?

Thanks for all the great input so far and for any future ideas.

You guys (and the Cowmmunity) are just great.

Thanks again.
Bob

[Robert Garry]

Thanks for the input Bob, this might be a good alternative soluttion. I’ll be discussing this with the clients and post back when I have more information.

I posted this in the Broadcast Design forum as well and have been told that maybe the company Sportvision might be of some help. Anyone have any experience doing the types of things they do? (1st down marker in football broadcast, Nascar live updates, etc..)

Anyone else got any input on alterante techniques or my original solution?

Thanks for all the input so far and advance thanks to any future input!!!

Gotta love the cow!!! 🙂

[Robert Garry]

I’ve tried to convince them of this but they really want the live feel and until they see that it either can’t be done or that it is astronomical in terms of expense I need to try to please the client’s dreams…nothing like pushing the envelope.

Anyone else have any input?

Thanks
Bob

[Robert Garry]

Hey Mike,

Do you know who did the 1st down marker stuff for you? Sportvision or maybe PVI?? I think this is the type of tech I am looking at for this project. And yes I know it’s expensive but until the clients see a budget they dream big!! Any leads would help.

Thanks
Bob

[Robert Garry]

Well there’s several ways to do it but using FCP’s built in text generators really isn’t your first or best choice.

Everything is really dependent on the apps you have available and the amount of text you are planning on scrollilng to you so I’ll give you a few suggestions:

Photoshop/Illustrator
– I’ve made many title crawls in PS/IS and they give you great flexibility. File size can hunker you down if you are creating a large amount of text so it may take some experimetnation on your part but you have the ability to change any fonts and even add cool grfx to an otherwise boring credit roll. They both have presets for NTSC frame sizes to help you get started, just adjust the canvas size to acccomodate your needs.

LiveType
-Why use anything other than Apple?? 🙂 Again good flexibility and the added benefit of being able to keyframe outside of FCP, see if you like it, and then bring it into FCP quickly. Plus any changes you make update automatically from LT to FCP (with a Save in LT that is….)

Boris
– This is plug in for FCP that may be the simplest option but man do I hate to use it. The interface sucks and requires locking you out of FCP to do your text work. It does let you change sizes and fonts but I really prefer other methods. Maybe it’s just me but I seem to get crashes when using this plug in as well.

Lastly I would say that if you have a small amount of scrolling text you could try to dual layer the element suing FCP’s built in text generator. On Track 1 you have the name of the product. On Track 2 you have the TM symbol. Synching up the movement is going to be your issue but with a little trial and error you should be able to make it look right. I’ve done this kind of thing in a pinch.

Hope it helps

Best
Bob