[Scott Howard]

I had one that did that this last summer. I can’t say that it is normal, but it did die. I emailed Sony and sent it to a service center. The only thing I got from them was a confirmation it was dead and the replacement cost of a new battery. No one could tell me if it was normal.
I was a bit surprised of how fast it happened, which was why I wanted it checked out. It went from normal to nothing overnight and I was worried that the charger or camera might have caused it. But my other three batteries have been working fine since.

[Scott Howard]

I’ve run into the same problem and tried several workflow variations. I’m now using XDcam Transfer to import instead of Log and Transfer. There’s pros and cons to both. L&T allowed me to drop clips in exact bin – in both the Final Cut bin and the reference qt file folder. XD Transfer allow better metadata workflow.
I’m running the previous version of FCP. I think the latest has some changes and hopefully the next will allow native use without having to transfer, but we’ll see.

[Scott Howard]

Yes, I just did a couple similar projects like this. I demux in MPEG StreamClip to MPEG2 and audio of your choice. Then just drop those files into DVDSP. You can do simple trimming in either StreamClip or DVDSP. You might have to watch the bit rate coming out of StreamClip if you are putting a lot of files on one dvd.

[Scott Howard]

Hey Grant,
It all works with 10.4. I do this all the time in the field and it works great.
Like they say, just create a folder on the external drive (you can drop all the cards into that folder, the key is not to have your top level folder be the BPAV.) Then in Clip Browser, set the preferences so it copies to that folder. It will give each download a unique name in that folder. Hit the copy all button and away it goes.
I have 10.5 on my MacBookPro and 10.4 on my MacPro tower and work between them seamlessly.

[Scott Howard]

Yes, that’s what I was doing. I was preparing to back up to DL-DVD, organizing clips and making folders small enough to fit on the DVD. I only lost a few shots, nothing critical. I dump everything to a external HD via MacBookPro on the road. But in this case, these were the last shots of the morning, so I skipped the laptop and dumped them onto my tower after the two hour drive home. I then got all the clips together and was reorganizing for better filing. That’s when it must have happened.

I understand how it all works, but another level of protection would be nice, at least as a user option. Something like a trash bin for the Clip Browser or a pop up when you are deleting an entire folder.

[Scott Howard]

Just to throw out more workflow thoughts.
I use Clip Browser to copy to hard drive and make a DL-DVD copy for archive and then delete files.
I use Log and Transfer to copy any files off the hard drive I want into FCP.
I never use XDCam Transfer and it seems a lot of people do. I just didn’t seem to find it useful or easier to use for anything I’m doing, maybe I’m missing something.
What I really wish is that all the apps shared some file names and metadata – again maybe I’m missing something and I realize some is specific to each NLE. But it’s a time consuming process to rename all the time.

[Scott Howard]

Two things. Make sure in your capture settings you are set at 29.97fps 10-bit and not 23.98fps 10-bit. The 23fps will give you that look. Second, it will look choppy in the capture window as the machine is digitizing, but that has no effect on the final captured media. After you have captured the clip, play it back. If it still looks choppy on an external monitor than you have your capture settings wrong. The playback should look as smooth as the original playback tape. Overlapping windows on the computer monitor can also cause this, which is why you should check it in an external monitor.

Also, I’m using BetaSP also. I couldn’t find any real difference between 8 and 10 bit, so I’m doing everything at 8-bit to save disk space. I’m guessing the 10 bit would work better with Digi-Beta. I’d be interested in others thoughts on that.

[Scott Howard]

Thanks for the help! I have them installed to Bret’s configuration and they show up in the profile now. The only question now is, are the 2x1GB doing me much good. My initial confusion was from someone saying that FCP works best with RAM matched across risers – partially correct – it should be matched pairs across risers. I’ve also heard 8x512s works better than 4x1s.
So whether my config is going to do me much good, I’m not sure.

[Scott Howard]

Forgot to add. I’m using a new MacPro, dual 3.0. I also have a Kona LHe card that I’m using to digitize BetaSP. I use and Beta and DV footage together, outputting to Beta or DVD.