Hi all,

FIRST time playing with FCP so I'm for sure starting from scratch. Just trying to import my video from a JVC HD external drive. I have my settings in FCP with an external drive being the scratch disc. However since I only have 1 firewire port, do I have to import first to the desktop and then transfer to the external drive? Meaning change the settings in FCP so the video will go to my hard drive first? Seems like a pain. I've searched, but haven't found an answer. This is probably too basic of a question for this forum. I apologize if that's the case. Thanks for any help!
PS. Obviously the external drive is connected via 800 firewire so can't connect both.

I don't think I understand the question. Are you capturing from a camera (either log and capture or log and transfer) or are you just trying to put a video file from an external drive into an FCP sequence?

If you are capturing from a camera, then you can daisy chain the camera through your hard drive if it has multiple firewire ports. The better option, however, is to get a Firewire ExpressCard adapter. This will give you another one or two firewire ports.

Sorry, I can't even ask the question correctly. That's how new all of this is to me. I recorded onto a Pro HD DR-HD 100 DTE recorder. It has firewire out to the computer. I want to put everything onto my external scratch drive, but that takes up the firewire port as well. I hope that all makes sense. Thanks.

By the way, my computer is one of the new i7 17" macbook Pros. The external drive is a portable Lacie 500G 7200rpm unit.

Unless either the DTE or LaCie has dual firewire ports on them, you will need to get a firewire hub.

Here is my external portable hard drive:

Amazon.com: LaCie 500 GB 7200 rpm Rugged All-Terrain FireWire 800/ FireWire 400/USB 2.0 Portable Hard Drive 301900: Electronics

Would this be an acceptable firewire hub?

FRYS.com*|*IOGEAR (http://www.frys.com/product/4508997?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG)

You don't need a hub. You can daisy chain through the LaCie.

with what type of cable? Thanks!

OK, the DTE has firewire 400 output. I can connect it to the Lucie. And then the Lucie is connected to the MPB via Firewire 800 but I get nothing. How does one daisy the two together? Thanks!

Do you have the instructions for the FireStore? The FireStore is odd in that one FireWire port is only for the camera and the other only for the computer. Also the FireStore has to be activated thru it's menu system before it will appear on the computer desktop. Why? Who knows?