[Tom Meegan]

I haven’t done this, but if it were me I would shoot a test. I suspect the key won’t be great in either case because of the chroma sampling.

There are good tools for chroma smoothing DV. I’m not sure if those tools would be appropriate for HDV.

https://www.nattress.com/Solutions/solutions.htm#9

So shoot a test and let us know how it turns out.

Tom

[Tom Meegan]

You need footage to create the dissolve. Programs like iMovie, “pull-up” the footage to create the dissolve, effectively shortening your sequence. This is almost always inappropriate in a “pro” application. FCP makes you do the pull up yourself if you want this to happen. Thus the necessity of rendering a little extra in external programs.

Tom

[Tom Meegan]

Sorry Tom, I was typing while you were posting.

Best,

Tom M

[Tom Meegan]

Try…

Command – N to create a sequence.

Name the sequence.

Double click the sequence.

Tom

[Tom Meegan]

I’m just piggy backing on Walter’s post.

I’ve been very happy with the two G-Raid 500 disks I own. I also own three LaCie Big Disk Extremes that have given me no issues.

For laptop editing on planes I use a SmartDisk FireLite 80GB FW 800 drive. I don’t capture to it, but for taking a part of a project with me on the road it works well. I’ve been able to work with DVCPRO HD using this drive, but I mostly use it for DV.

Tom

[Tom Meegan]

https://interprod5.imgusa.com/son-810/site/pdf/2004_Monitor_Guide.pdf

I found this helpful when I was researching.

Tom

[Tom Meegan]

Just to clarify is this problem only on one clip? Different frames but the same clip?

I had a very similar problem. I didn’t hunt down the cause because I was working under deadline. A reboot did not help, so I re-captured. It was OK after a re-capture.

If it is happening to lots of different clips, this is not the answer. In that case you should provide as much detail about your system as you can.

Tom

[Tom Meegan]

A consumer TV isn’t ideal because there are often electronics built in to “enhance” the picture. This could potentially hide problems you need to see. It is better than using your canvas to monitor, however.

I own a Sony PVM 1354Q. In addition to an S-Video input, it has two composite ins, and a component in. Each of these inputs have an RCA input for audio so you can check your mix on a tiny speaker to make sure it sounds good in the worse case scenario. These extra inputs are a big help for the unexpected. You can find them used on eBay. Buyer beware.

Ikegami makes good quality professional monitors.

If you have the money and the need the Sony 14 and 20 inch multi-format L5 monitors are good investments. You can upgrade them with cards to add inputs. I’ve used these on freelance jobs and have been very happy.

I don’t have personal experience with JVC monitors.

Tom

[Tom Meegan]

I don’t think you can do it internally.

I would output to tape and then pass it off to a dub house. Take the tape you receive back from them and re-capture that.

Or if you own or can rent a deck that will take external code, do the dub yourself. Patch the audio channel with the code to the time code in on the deck. Recapture.

Tom

[Tom Meegan]

Try a Effect > Video Filters > Image Control > Levels if you are on FCP. The controls are a bit odd to get used to at first, but experiment and you will get it. There a bunch of other filters to try as well, but this one attacks your problem directly.

Bottom line is that if the black in your image no detail at all, there will be no information a filter to work with.

When you attempt these corrections, watch your work on the output monitor it is destined for. An NTSC monitor will look very different than a computer monitor. Make your corrections for the format your audience will see.

Tom