1 hour 10 minutes should fit, the limit is 90 minutes and it changes on the fly. Oddly, I have been given that same error when there is not enough Hard Disk space left. I was going crazy looking for a 90 minute check box when I just happened to notice I was almost out of disk space. That might be what is wrong.

You may be better off looking at a new system. My want list to even run FCP 3 is a minimum of 512mb Ram, and 80gig external FireWire Hard Drive. The OS will need to be updated from 9.0.4 to 9.2.2. The updates are a free download from the Apple site. The G3 processor wil not do Real Time effects and the 15 inch screen is very confining. I really don't think there is much in the way of processor upgrades for iMacs.

Jeff

I think it is something like 14 watts, but that spec may have changed with the newer models.

Jeff

Thanks gentlemen for your suggestions. I think the reason might be the 60 minute time limit as I am using version 1. I am waiting for "Jaguar" to be available to upgrade to the next version of iDVD. There is no upgrade for OS 10 (to Jaguar) if I were to buy the old version now. Jaguar will be the same price.

Believe it or not, I have "DVD Pro" which would solve all of my problems but I can't figure it out. The instruction booklet that comes with it has my head spinning. It is not written for those in a hurry to learn... which is why I use iDVD.

If I only had some templates... smile.

thanks again.

Linwood
LBMAESTRO@yahoo.com

I think you can find what your looking for here http://www.gnomedigital.com/ Bruce is very knowledgable about DVD SP and DVDs in general. He may have the templates your looking for.

Jeff

Mark, Jeff, thanks: I'm checking out the Dr.Bott & Griffin Tech sites as I write this.
More from me once I have some kind of an audio solution worked out: I asked about the Apple Pro speakers because the feedback I got was that they were too low-output to be of practical use in editing. [And, damn, but they're expensive! :-) ]
Does anyone have any comments on the choice of the Sony DVE 900 E Video Walkman as a VTR option for editing (playback/print to tape)? It seems to be the lowest cost Mini DV solution for a dedicated VTR - but it might be nice to have a choice of format sometimes. Do the DSR-11 and the DSR -20 play/record DVCAM?
Best,
Ram

rumour has it, the submarine 'ping' sound = an automatic sound design award.

Oops, to answer my own question, the DSR-11 and DSR-20 do indeed play and record DVCAM, according to their specs. But the DV-D 1000 Sony video walkman seems to be a lot cheaper, with an S-Video and composite throughput to boot.
Can anyone tell me whether the Video Walkman can be used via firewire to connect an external broadcast monitor?
Best,
Ram

Here is some info that many may be interested in :

Until a few days ago if you wanted to burn a dvd with your mac the options were expensive.* Buy a mac with a superdrive, or buy an external drive and DVD Studio Pro.* iDVD would not work with an external drive (even the identical pioneer A04 drive) because the enabler was different than that of the superdrive.

On August 2nd Other World Computing started selling the pioneer A04 with the correct enabler for iDVD 2.1 and OSX for $400.* What this means is that for $400 (and a copy of iDVD 2.1) you can be authoring DVD's on your current firewire enabled mac.

Here is the link to a review of the drive and enabler:
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/firewire/owc_firewire_dvd_recorder/owc_firewire_dvd-r.html

Hope you find this interesting.

jeffyr

Yeah, I read all that latest, greatest stuff coming out of Finland about the hig pass filter :) :)

Seriously, I think he really meant band-pass filter. The description Adrian gave is correct. Telephones, interestingly enough, don't pass anything above about 3Khz or below about 1Khz.

That's really cool! Thanks for the info. How does one go about downloading iDVD 2.1? Is it a free download somewhere? I was always under the impression that you could only get it with new Macs.

Well, sort of. iDVD is an upgrade to 2.0 and 2.0 comes with OS X 10.1 etc. I think you can get 2.1 on a CD for 20$ or the download is free. It will come with OS X 10.2 in a few weeks. I would wait until 10.2 in case Apple changes the enabler. They weren't happy about a company bundling A04 with the eMac and shut down that part of their operation.

Jeff

I have 10.1 (CD) and iDVD didn't come with it, unless I am just looking in the wrong place. Is iDVD OS X only?

iDVD v2.x is MacOS X only. iDVD versions of 1.x are OS 9 compatible, but can only burn 60 DVDs. My Mac came out before version 2, so I had to buy the $20 CD to get the new version. They only have patches that you can download because they added tutorials to version 2 that take up 400MB of disk space, and this way they make a little money. (at least, this used to be the only way to upgrade to version 2) I don't know if the system disk for OS 10.1 has iDVD on it...

Joe,

I could have sworn the CD for 10.1 had iDVD on it. I remember deleting it, because I have DVD SP and had no use for it. I'm sure it's part of the pkg. and gets installed with everything else. I'll look for my disc and let you know or maybe somebody else here knows for sure. If you go to the Apple Store the description for the CD says it's an upgrade.

Jeff

Here's a link on the Apple enabler story http://www.macfixit.com/ The enabler violates Apples software license and mfgs. are leary to provoke Apple.

Jeff

iDVD is not included on the OSX 10.1 CD, but it is pre-installed on your Mac if it's equipped with a Superdrive.

Yes, I am now in 10.1.5 and cannot any semblence of iDVD nor can it be downloaded for free from anywhere. Man, I haven't been in OS X in a loooooong time. I'm bored. I think I'll boot back up to OS 9 now since there is nothing to do here. :(

iDVD isn't offered as a download due to the huge size of the application (the templates and tutorial take up a monstrous amount of space). If you have a new Mac with a superdrive, it should be installed already. Otherwise, you have to pay for the CD from Apple.

Turns out that Apple has used its enfluence to end the new drives 'enabler', the enabler will be discontinued after the current stock is sold out. The drives will still be compatible with DVD Studio Pro, iTunes, Toast and such, but no longer with the consumer software iDVD. This was posted at www.xlr8yourmac.com today. Man, that stops me from buying it...

To build on what John said about iDVD being too large for download -- it ships on a DVD, not a CD...

Hey,
I'm new at all this... I have a G3 Blue and White. I bought a A04 Internal IDE drive and put it in in place of the stock CD ROM. I only just did this and am still messing with it. I haven't had much luck getting it to work. I was going to try Toast, or iDVD... I'm also new to mac, so I'm still learning Mac-hinese

I'm not sure I understand you all, but does this mean I'm doomed.

Why do Macs have to be so hard...

-Kyle (typing this on a PC.)

Greetings to all,

My name is Daniel Berube and by way of Chris Hurd I am happy to become the new moderator of the Non-Linear Editing for the Mac forum here on DVInfo.net. Chris and I know each other from our working together on the road as consultants and spokespeople for Canon USA and CanonDV.

Here's a little bit of info about me. I'm an Apple Certified Instructor for Digital Video and owner of noisybrain. Productions, specializing in digital video production and training for Business, Education and the Arts. I teach classes on Final Cut Pro at The Maine Workshops in Rockport, ME, and I have just co-established Tech Superpowers on Newbury Street in Boston as an Apple Center for Technology to offer Apple authorized classes on digital video and DVD authoring.

I am also a member of the Apple Consultants Network and founder of the Boston Final Cut Pro User Group (BOSFCPUG), the second largest FCP UG in the country. BOSFCPUG meets monthly and with over 800 members, we have quickly become the best source of DV filmmaking in Massachusetts. BOSFCPUG is a grassroots community of filmmakers, and I am very happy to bring that sense of community here to this forum.

As you may guess I'm very passionate about the DV Revolution and Apple and I will do my best to answer your questions about non-linear editing for the Mac. I'm looking forward to communicating with you on this forum and in the process learning new ways of digital storytelling.

Happy filmmaking,

Dan
--
Daniel Berube
Apple Certified Trainer
Member, Apple Consultants Network

noisybrain. Productions
digital_storytelling/
www.noisybrain.com
(781)-740-5012 tel/fax
(617)-331-8991 cell
----------------------------------------
President/Apple Ambassador
Boston Final Cut Pro User Group - BOSFCPUG
http://www.bosfcpug.org
Email: dberube@bosfcpug.org

Tell me a little more about your system. What size, type drives, memory, what OS etc. the more info the better. I doubt your doomed in any way. What software do you have and what will you be doing with your Mac?

Jeff

I would like to create a similar type of users group in Houston. Any suggestions on how to start it?

Thanks!

Hi Paul,

As far as starting an FCP UG in Houston, I very much encourage it and recommend that you first start by visiting http://www.mugcenter.com. This is the site where you can learn how to start and Apple User Group. Also, visit http://www.apple.com/usergroups, and read the info there as well. You can also do a search there for Apple UGs in Houston. I recommend doing this because you can learn a lot from the UG leaders in your area before you consider moving forward.

I must tell you, running an FCP UG can be very time consuming yet very rewarding for you and your members. If you choose to be officially recognized by Apple, there are several benefits to that but there are also guidelines you must follow.

Please tell me more about what your experience is. Also, you may wish to connect with Apple Consultants in your area to further network and in doing so you may find volunteers who can help you get started. There may also be some Apple Consultants who are FCP enthusiasts/gurus, who may be able to present at your meetings or even better provide a regular meeting space for you to gather at. Collges and universities are also an excellent meeting space, and there are usually professors on site who would like to help move things forward.

So I again encourage you to go ahead if you do desire to create an FCP UG in Houston. When you are ready, I can do an email introduction between you and my contacts in the Apple User Group Program. Let me know offline and we'll move things forward.

That is an interesting point about the subscription fee. If you are considering that route, and you are using Macintosh in your business, I would recommend thinking about joining the Apple Consultant Network for $495 per year. You can learn more about this invaluable program by visiting:
http://consultants.apple.com.

This is a program that I recommend for those professionals who are using Macintosh in your profession and believe they can add to the community of Apple Consultants in the field. It's a great way to drive business and leverage the value of your experience and your Apple product.

On another note, MacMall and Club Mac and Mac Warehouse are all offering some sort of discount off the regular $129 purchase price of Jaguar.

As we all know by now, the Amazon deal is now closed.

Some options:

PeachPit Press will be coming out with a DVD Studio Pro Visual QuickPro Guide soon.

Apple offers authorized training in several different parts of the country, one class being on DVD Studio Pro. For more information on these classes, visit:
http://www.apple.com/finalcutpro/training.html and click on authorized training centers.

Another option is to attend a Final Cut Pro User Group in your area. If you would like more information, please review the list of FCP UG contacts available at:
http://www.macworldexpo.com/macworldexpo/v31/index.cvn?ID=10257

Apple also offers free seminars on DVD authoring, you can find out more info at:
http://seminars.apple.com

In Boston, we regularly discuss DVD authoring in our FCP UG, BOSFCPUG (pronounced as BOSSY PUG with a silent "F"). FCP book author and Fitchburg State College Professor Charles Roberts and his Fitchburg associate Jeff Warburg are excellent resources.

If there is enough on an interest, I'll start a DVD Authoring thread in this forum.

If I am correct none of the Video Walkman models do not offer analog OUT.

I would recommend looking at the JVC SR-VS10U, SR-VS20U or SR-VS30U VTRs. They offer both MiniDV and Super VHS compatibilty and they are available through Pro Tape at http://www.pro-tape.com. These decks would allow you to pass through to an external monitor, and they are very well priced at around $1100 or so, depending on which model you choose, with the SR-VS30U being the most recent version.

I do not recommend attempting to install and run OS X on your G3 iMac Special Edition. It is simply too under-powered for this new OS.

Take a little advice and save your money on updating your iMac SE and put that $$ towards a new Mac. FCP 3 requires a good deal of processing power under OS X, and with your system, it will be DOG slow and inefficient. I recommend either the new 17inch iMac or one of the G4 Powermacs. A new lineup of G4 PowerMacs are almost here, meaning that if you are on a budget, that you will be able to purchase one of the soon-to-be discontinued models at a discount.

The investment that you place in a new system will benefit you greatly in your FCP learning curve and in your workflow and productivity.

Hope this helps.

Welcome Daniel!
I am delighted to see you join our community and moderate this forum.

I am a long-time FCP user myself, although not professionally. I, too, am very enthusiastic about the capabilities that FCP (and comparable NLE's) place in the hands of everyday people who want to tell a story. It's a good time to be on the planet, eh?

Interestingly, I was recently considering attending one of the workshops up in Maine (the 2 week documentary class). I think Charles Papert, one of our other moderators here, has also been an instructor up there in the woods.

Dan:
Thanks for your inputs. Unfortunately, JVC doesn't have much backup here in India, where I'm at. Panasonic and Sony provide much better prosumer/pro service and backup.
Best,
Ram

Of course FCP 3 allows for you to create a TC window in your timeline that you can then put to tape.

here's how!

1. Save your present timeline with your completed project.
2. Create a new timeline and open it.
3. Drop your completed project timeline inside of the new timeline you just created.
4. Highlight your completed project timeline, which is now being treated as a layer of video.
5. Go to "EFFECTS and slelect VIDEO FILTERS>VIDEO>TIMECODE PRINT to apply the filter to your highlighted completed project.
6. Throw your highlighted completed project layer into the Viewer and click on filters in the Viewer window to highlight the Timecode Print Filter Options.
7. Make sure you set Mode to "Generator."
8. Leave your Format settings at 29.97fps(DF) unless otherwise necessary.
9. you can then center and position the TC window anywhere in your frame and set the size of the numbers in the window.
10. RENDER. Note that this filter takes a longer than normal time to render but the results are what you want.

Happy Editing!

If I am correct, the RT Mac does not yet have OS X drivers available, so it is moot point in recommending it as a tool for FCP 3 on OS X at this point.

Jaguar (OS 10.2) Prices:
Mac Mall & Club Mac -
$120 (+shipping) minus a mail-in rebate of $21.

MacConnection: $99.95 (pre-orders only)

It's better than no discount at all.

I presently own and edit with FCP 3 in cutting station mode on an iBook dual USB 500mhz.

I would not recommend it as your main editing station or for final edits needing any sort of rendering. Take it to the next level at this point and purchase a G4 TiBook, you will be happy with your investment down the road when you are in need of rendering.

FCP Book Author and BOSFCPUG member Charles Roberts has written two excellent articles on setting up FCP 3 on OS 9 anad OS X:
http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/ambitious_fcp_3.html
http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/ambitious_fcp_3_x.html

Happy Editing!

Hi there.

I'm making my first documentary, self financed, low budget, learning all the way and making lots of mistakes.

I'm from the UK and visited LA to take footage. I was inside a room filled with fluorescents and although there was no noticeable effect through the PD150 viewfinder or screen, when I got the footage back home and watched on my PAL Tv there is a distinctive flicker.

I really really want to use these scenes, they contain that something and I can't do without them. I also can't afford to go back to the States and re-shoot!

Can I get rid of the flicker in the edit? Final cut Pro trickery perhaps? Please help, wise ones!

Cheers

Simon

thank you very much, i tried it and it works fine!!

perhaps you can turn the flicker into something positive, depending on what the scenes are of and if a cinema look might make it more interesting.

Bruce

i have OS X installed on an iMAc dv SE 500(384ram) and it runs fine but i would def not run FCP on this machine.

Thanks Jeff,
I am still putting this system together. I admit, it would have been much easier to just go out and get a new G4 with a super drive (aka Pioneer A04) but I got this older blue and white for FREE, so I'm going to mess with it until I can scare up the $ for the new system.

Like I said, this is a 600mhz blue and white. There's about 22?.00 k of ram in there, but I can get more. It currently has a 6 gig hard drive, but that's soon to change. I'll be inserting a IBM Deskstar 120 internal drive as well as a 40 gig for the software. Both of these drives will spin at 7200 rpm's. I run OSX. I was going to edit on iMovie until I get the hang of the mac and then move upto FCP3 (which I have) I was looking into Toast for mac to make the DVD's with, but I've also heard that iDVD is cool. Will I need both?

Currently the A04 works with the mac as a CD ROM drive only. The machine recognizes it as a drive, but it doesn't know what it is. Pro-Tape sold it to me and they don't think they have drivers for it there. Only PC. My silicon valley friends say I just need to proper software to launch it, but my mac friends say the mac should just "see" it and know what it can do. Of course that doesn't seem to be doing the trick...

Any and all your advice is appreciated.
Thanks again
-Kyle

Kyle,

Please use your Apple System Profiler and tell what it reports about your AO4 drive, fireware version, everything. Try to put as much RAM in as you can, it will max out at 1 GB. Does this Blue and White have an accelarator card in it? The fastest stock G3 Blue & White was 450MHz. If it has an accelarator board that may be why the DVD is not being recognized. What version of OS X are you running?

Jeff

Well after sweating an upgrade charge for the new OS, it all ended with a happy ending. I contacted Apple today and did not even get a hassle. It appears that they are giving a tad bit of grace. The upgrade was handled via the web, as it looked up my serial number.

So instead of the $129.00 charge, it was only $19.95.

Thank you Apple!

That was a class act on Apple's part. Good for you...and kudos to Apple.

I have a question for those of you authoring DVDs:

I am authoring a music video DVD and have encoded the audio in stereo AC3 format using DVD Studio Pro's AC3 encoding program. I have used the highest quality settings, but compared to the original AIFF audio, the AC3 audio sounds terrible: very compressed and much lower in volume. I have never noticed this before because up until now I've only encoded speech in AC3. My question is, is AC3 supposed to sound this bad? What do you DVD creators out there use? I'd like to use AC3 because the bit rate is much less than AIFF, which gives me more bandwidth more the video stream and less chance of skipping during playback. But since this is a music video, the audio quality should get priority.

Rob,
At what point in your process did you observe that the sound was bad? During previewing the disc or after mux'ing and burning it?

There's no way that I know of to completely eliminate that flicker. I might try changing the frame rate in FCP (to, say, 29.97), exporting to a DV Quicktime and then re-importing to see if it somehow lessens the effect when you ultimately go back out to PAL rate. But I don't think you'll be able to eliminate it completely; some frames are going to be darker than others.

Like Bruce recommended, you might have to consider somehow making it an artistic feature.

I would only encode in AC-3 if I wanted to create 5.1 Dolby Digital sound, which would be on anything I would ever do. Not sure, but I think DVDs also require a stereo mix (AC-3) in addition to 5.1. That doesn't answer your question, I know.

But Dolby Digital (which is what you refer to as AC-3) is not supposed to sound that bad, no. Not at all.

Ken, I only listened to the audio in preview mode. I have not yet built the disc image. Does it sound different after the disc is burned?

Joe, yes AC3 is Dolby Digital. That's why I was surprised at how much the audio quality had degraded after encoding. In the AC3 audio encoding application that comes with DVD Studio Pro, you can choose from among 5.1 channel, 3 channel, stereo channel and single channel encoding. I chose stereo because that's what the source audio is. Do you notice a significant change from the original audio when you encode audio in your DVD projects?