[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

It is not an opinion.
It is the way FCP is designed:

You can ONLY judge QUALITY on an EXTERNAL VIDEO MONITOR…
you can NOT judge QUALITY on the FCP computer screen.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

[thewanggao] “So will the qulaity up and look like, 4x better just by viewing on a video monitor?”

Well, why not just LOOK at a video monitor?
Plug the output of the camera into ANY video monitor or TV with a video input.

If you think the image looks bad, it might actually BE bad.
There’s no accounting for indivual shooting techniques or a mis-adjusted or damaged camera.

But, its just that my experience with these cameras (as well as with thousands of other users) is that with proper lighting, they look GREAT!
They ARE a bit “softer” compared to, say, even a PD150/170 or VX2000/2100… but they are very acceptable for a small camcorder… very nice images.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

You should never judge the quality of NTSC or PAL video on a computer monitor (FCP Canvas or otherwise).

I think these cameras’ images look VERY good (especially in good light, which they REQUIRE).

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

In addition to making sure your vertical positioning is always on an even integer…

It is essential when attempting to monitor the QUALITY of images in FCP that you use an external NTSC VIDEO Monitor (or PAL, if that’s where you are).
Especially after you render…
the Canvas is never high-quality (by design) and should not be used to make determinations of image quality of clips or graphics.

[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, sync-slippage, 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]

You cannot make QUALITY EVALUATIONS based on the Canvas window on the computer screen.
If you do, you can end up making the wrong creative/corrective decisions.

You need to view the FCP output on an external video monitor (NTSC or PAL, depending on where you are) to check motion and/or quality of a FCP image or graphic DURING the edit.

The better the quality of the monitor, the better you can judge the levels, color and resolution of the edit… but in a pinch ANY outboard monitor will show you how the actual motion will appear and relative sharpness of the image you’re working with.

Again this is a must for making these evaluations on any project that will be output to tape or DVD.

Monitoring FCP on an external video monitor is as easy as:
Mac > Camcorder > Monitor.

Here’s how to connect it, step-by-step:

1. “Quit” the Final Cut Pro program.

2. Connect your camcorder to the Mac via FireWire.

3. Hook any standard monitor or TV (with a video input) to the outputs on your DV camcorder.
You can use the standard (usually colored yellow) video cable or the “S-video” output from the camcorder if the monitor has one of those kind of inputs.

You should ALSO hook up the AUDIO outputs from the camcorder to the same monitor, or any “amplified speakers” so you can monitor the FCP audio along with the video.

4. Turn ON the camcorder. Switch it to the VCR (player) mode, but don’t put a tape in it (unless you intend to record from FCP to a DV tape.)

5. Turn ON the Video Monitor and set to view the “Video Input”.

6. Open Final Cut Pro on the Mac.

7. In FCP, make sure under the pulldown menu: View > External > ALL FRAMES is set.

You should now see the output of FCP on the camcorder’s viewfinder screen AND the external monitor.

You will also hear FCP’s audio from the speakers that you connected to the camcorder.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

Go here

https://pistolerapost2.com/fcprescue/

should be working.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

Fill the “Holes” with either a Matte color that is black or use the Slug.

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

As a starting point, adjust the Settings to my “all 2’s” formula:

Threshold (db) -20
Ratio 2
Attack Time 20
Release Time 200
Preserve Volume CHECKED (very important!)

Now click the viewer to display the actual audio track and set the Level to “2” or “3.”

Now, when you play the track it should be at a “more consistent” level.

You can play with my “all 2’s” formula if you want, but its a good starting point for compressing the levels without a lot of compressor “pumping.”
The “Threshold” setting will affect the clip the most… as you slide left, it brings more of the low levels UP.
The actual volume adjustment now comes from the “Level” slider on the actual audio track (and you can key-frame that if you want.)

[Thaxter Clavemarlton]

[David Rowan] “Get a used Mini DV camera from a pawn shop and just use it for your firewire deck. When it wears out just get another one.”

DITTO.

I have several used home video-type camcorders that I have bought for under $125 each (that’s a pretty good price!)

They work with the same quality as a deck.
And, I have yet to “wear one out” 😉

If you buy a Panasonic or Sony brand home video camcorder, they will ALSO play DVCAM-recorded tapes perfectly.