[Tom Matthies]

Just drop your 16×9 clips into a 4×3 timeline and they should letterbox themselves. Make sure that they are all flagged as”anamorphic”
tom

[Tom Matthies]

HD-SDI should be able to cover that distance without any issues using the proper co-ax cables and DA’s. I don’t believe that HDMI can cover the same distance without repeaters but I could be wrong. There are also fairly high-end fiber optic converters available if quality is a big issue. The networks also use a combined optical/electrical hybrid “tri-ax” cable when running long camera runs at sporting events. Expensive but possible.
If absolute quality isn’t the issue, you could install HD modulators/demodulators and run the signal thru an RF cable from a central location. For monitoring content, it should be fine.
Many ways to do it. Just depends on the necessary quality issues.
tom

[Tom Matthies]

And the 389th.
The application works very well for converting DVD’s to Quicktimes and it’s free. Google it.
What more could you want?
Life is good.
tom

[Tom Matthies]

Problems?
Other than the fact that what you are proposing to do is illegal and you could be fined or imprisioned for doing it…nah, no problem at all. 🙁
tom

[Tom Matthies]

What camcorder are you using? Many cameras need to be switched in a menu or an actual switch to change from the “camera” mode to a Firewire input mode. Check if yours will automatically detect a Firewire input or if it needs to be switched manually.
tom

PS: Also make sure that you have Final Cut set to actually output your video.
View>External Video>All Frames

[Tom Matthies]

…and a flashing “Stop” button is usually indicative of a missing reference signal. Do you have a reference signal going into the deck? Also, how are you trying to get your video into the deck and what model deck is it?
tom

[Tom Matthies]

I’m not sure of the HDV world, but I’ve been using a Focus Enhancements FS-3 for years in FCP without any issues at all. It has worked everytime with no failures. The files import directly in with no issues and will play on the timeline without any further rendering.
As for importing HDV, I have no eaperience at all. HD Cam yes, HDV no. Have you tried posting this over on the Firestore forum?
Tom

[Tom Matthies]

We’ve had good luck with Westcott. They make a two-sided blue/green version. We have a couple of the 6’x7’versions. They are pretty handy, folding up like a portable reflector and storing in an included bag. Easy to unfold but kind of tricky to fold up. I usually give them to the intern or the “new guy” to fold up. It’s hours of entertainment watching them try to figure out how to fit the thing back into that little carrying case. A “must have” skill for any noobie.
$232 in the Markertek catalog. Page 274
Tom

[Tom Matthies]

Make sure that you render your timeline. It should be capable of looking pretty good.
Tom

[Tom Matthies]

From what I remember the original DVX-100 does not shoot true animorphic formats. It letterboxes in the camera resulting in a 4×3 image with black bars on the top and bottom. I believe that the DVX-100A and “B” models will shoot true 19×9 “squeezed” video.
Edit ti a 4×3 timeline and scale the 16×9 footage down vertically to match the DVX-100 footage.
tom