[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

1/60 is correct for NTSC.

As you increase the shutter speed above 1/60, motion (action) viewed in standard-speed playback can take on a sort of “crisp” or “staccato” unnatural look.
It can help the image clarity if you intend to use slow-motion effects for the shot, but at standard speed, there is a noticeable “effected” look. This becomes more apparent as you set the shutter for “shorter” (higher numbers) exposures.

Sometimes you’ll see this effect used (primarily with film cameras, in this case) in Action Scenes in films and TV shows.
If you like it for effect, use it. Otherwise stick with the 1/60 “normal” shutter for NTSC video.

If you have 1/30 or slower shutter settings, that can very much increase the “light-gathering” properties allowing for much brighter images in MUCH lower light conditions.
BUT, at the severe EXPENSE of image MOTION.
So, any shutter speed below 1/60 can act as a motion “strobe” where each frame is “frozen” slightly and the motion takes on a “stop-and-go” appearance.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

Questions like this are posted very frequently. And many (most?) of the problems are solved by a simple procedure.

There is a function in FCP that is often overlooked… and it can help with many audio and video “skipping”, “sticking” and “missing” problems.

You should “Mixdown” the Audio for playback before you dub out of FCP, or during the edit, if you have audio/video stuttering, drop-outs or freezes.

NOTE: Mixdown has even been demonstrated to help with slipping, skipping problems (or “missing” audio clips) for files being EXPORTED as QT (or similar) files out of FCP.

First, SELECT ALL of your audio tracks (highlight them) on the timeline, then:

Sequence Menu > Render Only > Mixdown.

You should see a dialog box telling you its rendering.

It might seem to make little sense that “Mixing down” even simple audio tracks will “fix” complex video “freezes” or random audio dropouts to tape or export, but it CAN.

NOTE: It does not matter of you only have one audio track, if there are random freezes during output, you should try the Mixdown.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

[heringji] “I’m not sure what AJA hardware is exactly. Could you fill me in?”

AJA is a brand of capture card.

Its pretty sure that if you don’t know what it is, you don’t have it. 😉

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

[paul nevison] “is it as simple as connecting the camera and deck and crash recording? or will there be menu options to set up?”

It could not be much simpler.

If you’re going from the camcorder to the deck:
put the camcorder in VCR mode,
set the deck for “DV Input”.

You may (or may not) have a deck menu setting for choosing “External” timecode (if you care, look for it).

Hit record on the deck, play the camcorder.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

It will work perfectly going either direction.
There will be no generation-loss.

If you go FROM a camcorder TO the Deck, it MIGHT be possible to retain the tape’s Timecode as well (if the deck has that menu option).

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

There is a function in FCP that is often overlooked… and it can help with many audio and video “skipping”, “sticking” and “missing” problems.

You should “Mixdown” the Audio for playback before you dub out of FCP, or during the edit, if you have audio/video stuttering, drop-outs or freezes.

NOTE: Mixdown has even been demonstrated to help with slipping, skipping problems (or “missing” audio clips) for files being EXPORTED as QT (or similar) files out of FCP.

First, SELECT ALL of your audio tracks (highlight them) on the timeline, then:

Sequence Menu > Render Only > Mixdown.

You should see a dialog box telling you its rendering.

It might seem to make little sense that “Mixing down” even simple audio tracks will “fix” complex video “freezes” or random audio dropouts to tape or export, but it CAN.

NOTE: It does not matter of you only have one audio track, if there are random freezes during output, you should try the Mixdown.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

I would use the “Strobe” video filter, myself. 😉

Effects > Video Filters > Video > Strobe

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

If you’re using FCP 5 Production Suite, you think Apple has included an “intelligent” noise-suppressor in the audio package.
To use it, you play a short section of tape that just has the “noise” by itself (no talent talking) and the software samples it and then allows only audio that is NOT similar this noise to pass through.

I have never used this FCP 5 noise reduction, but a similar product comes from BIAS called “SoundSoap” (now called “SoundSoap 2”) and has been used by many to reduce this kind of complex noise.

You can buy SoundSoap for well-under $100.

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007D8R2I/103-2450844-1741453?v=glance

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

If you’re using FCP 5 Production Suite, you think Apple has included an “intelligent” noise-suppressor in the audio package.
To use it, you play a short section of tape that just has the “noise” by itself (no talent talking) and the software samples it and then allows only audio that is NOT similar this noise to pass through.

I have never used this FCP 5 noise reduction, but a similar product comes from BIAS called “SoundSoap” (now called “SoundSoap 2”) and has been used by many to reduce this kind of complex noise.

You can buy SoundSoap for well-under $100.

https://www.bias-inc.com/products/soundsoap/

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

Glad you’re back in biz,

I and others have posted this information countless times here on the COW with many happy results.