I found this article and it has some good info for someone starting out in NLE

http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/02/15/index4a.html

Having recently migrated from EditDV/Cinestream to FCP 3, I'm still in the steep learning curve part of the transition. Forgive me if I've missed something obvious.

When doing a long credit roll in EditDV, it was easy to get repeatable scrolling rates and to avoid 'interlace crawl' by going to the Text Atributes box in EDV and measuring the total length of the list (measured in scan lines) and doing a little math.

I haven't found something similar in FCP. I'm using the Boris Calligraphy plug-in, which is quite nice, but so far, it's been trial and error as far as scrolling speed, etc. On my DP-1Gig, I can preview them without rendering (after turning off my NTSC monitor), but it's still arbitrary and not as clean as EDV. Hopefully, it's just something I've overlooked.

Also, I've been considering taking advantage of the deal on Boris Graffitti. Is that a pretty good program, and is it a useful enhancement over the Calligraphy?

Thanks

I don't think Final Cut Pro has even what I would consider "decent" titling capabilities. Edit DV, to put it bluntly, kicks its ass in the titling department. That is if you want scrolling titles. Of course I usualy don't even bother with FCP titles since it scrolls the titles at 60i and my video is at 30p (frame mode). Sticks out like a sore thumb and looks awful. So I usually render titles at 30p in a 3D program like Ray Dream Studio.

I would suggest doing the titles in EditDV if you still can and just importing that footage into FCP.

Hi,

I use Graffiti and Photoshop to do all my titles. Graffiti works like a charm.

Jeff

What is Graffiti? Also, do you use Photoshop to do scrolling titles? What I mean by scrolling titles is loooong lists of credits (or whatever) like at the end of movies. If so, how?

I'd already considered Joe's suggestion as one alternative. Seems a shame, with all of FCP's other capabilities.

Jeff, when using Graffiti or Photoshop, do you have any problems setting the lengths properly? Also, can either do the center gutter like the '*' mode in FCP? Guess I'm gonna have to get better acquainted with Photoshop.

I can imagine trying to use FCP without any prior editing experience -- it took me some time just to figure out how to get rid of the annoying audio beeps on the Viewer! It'll be fun learning how to tame this puppy.....

Joe,

Boris Grafitti is a text and titling tool. A small version ships free with FCP3. More info: http://www.borisfx.com/

Note that they have a "special" price on the full version for FCP3 owners.

Vic,
Do you have Adobe After Effects? To my eye, AE does the best job of nicely rendering text onto video. Grafitti is a powerful, single-class tool for manipulating text but most of its features are of low/no value for most work.

Does anyone know if the Final Cut Pro Academic Version is the same full featured version that Apple sells? I have a relative that works for a school system and was thinking of having them purchase it for me. The price difference is pretty big. Thanks.

I have no idea about FCP, but the difference is usually just that: the price. Also when the program boots up it says "Academic Version" or "For Academic Use Only" or something along those lines. These are to sale only to schools and other similar institutions which attempt to teach you one thing or another. At least that's been my experience.

I have the academic version -- Joe's right; the only difference is the "Academic Version" logo. It's the real deal -- nothing stripped.

My wife got it through the college where she teaches.

There are no restrictions on its use.

No, I don't, Ken. It would be pretty pricey to get just for titling. I might have a look at Graffiti, since it's a relatively inexpensive upgrade, , or go the Photoshop or EditDV route. I'd love to have AE, but don't have a strong need for its features at this time.

I am new to dv editing and was wondering if you guys can help me figure out what would be the best NLE configuration/specifications to purchase.

Fortunately, I have the funds to spend on the best MAC system out there. I just dont want to spend money on hardware that isnt worth its price.

I would really appreciate it if you can let me know what specs and maybe a dealer/store that I can purchase the hardware.

Thanks again guys!

Well, I don't really know that anyone could claim to know what the "best" setup might be. There are many good ones and I'm sure you'll see many opinions. I personally believe that

- Final Cut Pro 3
- on a Mac G4 dual 1Ghz
- with a 22" or the new 23" Cinema display
- and a Contour ShuttlePro
- and an IBM 120Gb Deskstar internal drive as your media drive
- and a small Wacom Intuous tablet
- and a good deck such as any of the Sonys
- and a high-res Sony NTSC reference monitor

represents the start of a "beautiful friendship" (as Bogart said).

(Is that a run-on sentance?)

Thanks Ken! I think that this would get me started on the right path. I was wondering if you know any reputable dealers/stores in Chicago that I can purchase these equipment or should I just try to get everything online?

Thanks again for the response. I really appreciate it.

Isn't there a Chicago Final Cut Pro User Group? In that town there should be some kind of DV / FCP walk-in resources.

dv_newbie,
Glen Ellyn Computer is perhaps the most video-savvy Mac specialist in the area. They sponsor most of the local Apple FCP events and have relationships with local pros as well as broadcast equipment folks (esp. Sony). I've never purchased from them but have a very positive, solid impression that they are most interested in a sales and service perspective, rather than just sales.

Their web site is at: http://macspecialist.com/

As an example, they recently sponsored a Sony day featuring a hands-on exhibit of Sony's broadcast cameras and decks.

Chris, yes there is a Final Cut Pro users group that has just started-up here in Chicago. They meet roughly monthly at Apple's Market Center located in the Chicago Mercantile Exchange building in downtown Chicago. The meetings are normally announced on Apple's seminar site: http://www.seminars.apple.com/ . In fact the next meeting is scheduled for May 22nd. Here are the details and the place to sign-up:

http://www.seminars.apple.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/ASPRegistration.woa/1/wa/eventDetails?eventId=18065&wosid=7F6rcRGBI05gwu4xCyobrw

Ok, here's what I'm looking at finally purchasing to get my FCP system up and running:

PowerMac G4 dual 1ghz
512 RAM (for now)
Second Hard Drive for media (80gb or 120gb if finances allow)
Radeon 7500 video card (to save a hundred bucks)
FCP 3.0

I'd love to get an Apple display, but if I get that then I won't be able to purchase FCP for quite some time, so I'll stick with my Sony CRT which I still like.

Where's a good place to look for hard drives? I've been checking out pricewatch.com.

Also, anyone have any experience with the Sony GV-D1000 Mini-DV Video Walkman. It has Firewire in/out, analog in w/pass-through and a built in 4" lcd screen. I was thinking this might be a good unit to have for use with a NLE and to be able to bring on the road for logging and even for showing potential clients demo tapes. Pros/cons? Good idea/bad idea?

I've learned so much from many of you here already...thanks so much for all the info. You can bet I'll have a lot more questions once I start working with FCP.

You'll love that dual 1GHz Quicksilver!

I bought my Deskstar 120Gb from NewEgg.com in January. At the time they were the only folks I could find that had it on hand. They're a rather PC-centric place but it really didn't matter in the case of the drive and they delivered the product on time and at a good price. Normally I get most of my peripherals from MacConnection.com (a.k.a. PCConnection.com). I've done biz with them for many years and have never been disappointed.

I've never used the Sony GV-D1000 but have heard good remarks about it. I think Ozzie Alfonso recently posted something about it. Use the Search funtion to look for the thread.

Have fun with your shopping!

ken,

this is great info! thanks again. i will give them a call.

chris,

i just did a query of the nle systems (pc or mac). you just made me question if fcp is the way to go or canopus! it looks like canopus is a better system bec of the "real-time" editing, but is it as easy to use as fcp? i know that you guys discuss this a lot (pc or mac), but i just want to make sure before making a huge investment on a nle system. i will be using the system for events (i.e. theater, etc.) and what i really want is to use it for full length features!

thanks again guys!

allan

Quick question.
Anyone who can explain me how to burn a NTSC DVD from PAL XL1S footage using FCP3? I have learned that I can use a Samsung World Wide VCR to record NTSC VHS dubs from PAL footage and the other way around, so VCR-wise it shouldn't be a problem.
Thanks for your time.
Thomas

well I dont want to play FCP police but the biggest restriction is that you are not suppose to use academic licensed software for any type of business use. Outside of that, have a blast, I am! (gotta love that $299 price tag)

Chris

I was told that the Mac has trouble with MP3's.
It was explained that, if in the process of downloading a large one and you get knocked off line, the Mac still creates a space for the whole MP3 and can start to take a lot of space on your HD,

ANY COMMENTS?

Did a Windows person tell you that? I have never had any problems with MP3 with my Mac. It works really well, in fact. The only thing that I can think of that even remotely relates to what you have been told is with VBR (variable bit rate) MP3's. When downloading MP3's you can listen to them. Say for instance you are downloading an MP3 that is 4 minutes long and 5MB in size. After you get 2.5megs downloaded you decide to listen to it with an awesome utility called SoundApp (that's what I use). SoundApp says that the file you are listening to is 4 minutes long, even though you don't have all 4 minutes downloaded yet. The file itself still takes up only 2.5 megs even if you get cut off. However if this was just a 160kbps MP3 and you decided to start listening after you had 2.5 megs downloaded then SoundApp would say the song was 2 minutes long, but then keep playing AFTER the 2 minutes have expired until it runs out of data or the song ends. Big deal, eh?

But I've never had any file take up more space that it should. Maybe OS 1 or some other ancient OS does that, but none of the modern OS's (9 and X). Oh yeah and I've been using Macs with MP3's ever since MP3's existed.

Thomas,

you'll have to convert the output file to NTSC or create an NTSC copy. I'm not 100% on this one, but I think FCP can convert PAL to NTSC but the quality might be questionable.

Thanks Joe,

Do you know of any freeware to convert them to AIFF.

Yep. SoundApp will do that. SoundApp will convert almost anything to AIFF or WAV (and even a few other odd sound formats like PSION series 3, 5 and PARIS). SoundApp can also play just about any type of audio file you can think of. It's competely drag and drop: you don't need appendages on your file name like .MP3 or .WAV for SoundApp to figure out what to do, just drop the file on there. You could have an AIFF file called "Microsoft.wav" and SoundApp would still know to play it as an AIFF. This app is also very small and uses little RAM and OS resources. It hasn't been updated for awhile and there isn't an OS X version yet, but you can get it at the URL below:

http://www.spies.com/~franke/SoundApp/#download

Just to add to

Final Cut Pro will not play MP3's. If you convert them to AIFF you will be good to go.

Who ever told you MP3's don't play on the Mac was dead wrong. In fact the new iPod works only with MP3's and sounds great. They take up a lot less space. Unless you are doing some really important it will not make a difference in quality.

Great rule of thumb, anything a PC can do a Mac can do, only better.

I am editing on media 100/mac and have no problems with MP3 Files. I receive all my voice overs via the internet and am able to import them into my bin and play them without any type of file conversion. Quite nice!

Users,

Okay, all you folks with way more expertise and experience than me
( that would probably be most people on this board ). Here is my question.
I have footage which was shot using an XL1 and then captured
in Final Cut Pro 2.
When I resize the footage ( i.e., make it smaller to do do split screen
things or something similar ) I seem to get a fairly noticeable shimmer
( this probably isn't the technical term, but it's the word which best
describes the look ). It is particularly eveident if I zoom in or out
of the clips or have them in motion on the screen. Anyone else experinced
this? I assume it's the resizing that creates it.
Any ideas on how to keep the image a bit more stable.
As always, thanks for the ideas and help. Glen

Hello Glen,

Does this "shimmer" appear on yur Mac's screen, on a video monitor or on both?

It sounds like an interlacing effect that has perhaps been magnified by your resizing. Try applying a de-interlace filter to the resized clips and see if this helps. It's non-destructive and can always be removed.

Hi Mike,

Ken and I have almost identical setups. So, for my .02 cents, I'd get 1 Gb RAM...you can choose the 80 Gb second drive over the 120 Gb to save some cash to allow the RAM upgrade now.

Most of the stuff I shoot for corporate use goes directly to the web. So with more RAM, I'm able to have FCP open to edit/export the test footage, Cleaner open for the compression, GoLive open for adding the test file and uploading to the site, and IE open to check it all out. Something to consider. Makes testing and final uploading a much faster process. No syrupy slow processing. No crashes. Everything works fine.

So whether you'll be making video for the web or not, extra memory elbow room always comes in handy.

Welcome to the club!

Awhile back, we had a thread going on the Firestore. Since then, I've gotten the free upgrade, but I'm still fighting a FW drive issue.

Has anyone found a firewire drive that the MAC G4 will recognize when running OS-10? The Videonics website FAQ identifies a unix file fix, which I've done on two different computers -- neither will recognize a FAT32 formatted volume (which is what the Firestore needs). I'm using a Cooldrive "Ice" model. Maybe there's another fw drive that someone has gotten to work?

The Firestore works great, but does me little good, unless I'm willing to use FCP 3 under OS-9.2, which I'm not.

There might be a good deal in the offing on a Firestore in the near future!

Thanks.

Wintel community myths about the Mac are always amusing. It's like they haven't checked in on the Mac community since the early ninetees.

In my opinion no multimedia architecture outbeats QuickTime. Import and Export of media is lika a dream on the Mac. And if QuickTime do not support it - Media Cleaner Pro sure will. And if you are going to MP3, Itunes does a super clean job.

Thanks Ken,

I de-interlaced the clips and this seemed to improve the picture
a great deal. Why would the interlacing give the clip the shimmer?
It seems particulary noticeable on white scenes. I've been shooting
lots of skiers in motion on the snow. The resizing ( making smaller in
this case ) seems to magnify the effect. I'm a bit technical and like
to understand the theory behind things, so if you have the time
and inclination I'd appreciate a bit of an explanation. Thanks
for the help. Glen

I'm certainly no video engineer, Glen.

Remember that interlaced video consists of two "fields", or sets of interlaced scan lines. Resizing the image on the computer, however, is a free-form maneuver that has no relation to the image's interlacing. But ultimately the end product has to be re-interlaced to be displayed on an NTSC (or PAL) monitor. Resizing an interlaced clip forces the process to deal with resizing each field which can often lead to that shimmering effect. De-interlacing before resizing removes one of the fields and "smooths" the apparent results. Interestingly, the "shimmer" can be dependent on the amount that by which you reduced the original clip. Try making several sizes of clips and you may find one or two that just don't seem to flicker at all.

Anyway, I'm sure someone with much more video knowledge than I have could provide a better explanation. I'm glad to hear of your success, Glen. Have fun!

small changes in image size usually result in increased moire. moire results from the harmonics (beat frequencies) of interlacing line spacing with pixel spacing on the view screen...or worse, raster line spacing on a TV monitor.

So, in this case, moire is not better! (Sorry, just couldn't resist.)

Thank you, Bill, for a far better technical explanation than I could provide.

Bill and Ken,

Sorry Bill, but Ken's joke made more sense than your explanation.
I'm afraid you jumped into a level of understanding that is past me
at the moment. Still, like a little puppy dog with a bone, I'm going to
try to get me head around the new terms. Great stuff. Thanks
Now Ken, a question? I de-interlaced the resized image. It it more
effective to de-interlace the original image and then resize. And then
do I have to re-interlace the image before display on my NTSC monitor?
Questions seem to lead to more questions in this line of study.
My head hurts so I'm going to go for a quick ski and retackle the answer
when I get back. All the best. Glen

Have you ever tried to tune a musical instrument..say a guitar? As you turn the key and pluck the string you hear a tone not the same as the pitchpipe. When you get close to the right tone of the pitchpipe, there is an audible raising and lowering of the volume of the mixed tone that you hear. If you're a pilot, you can hear the same "beating" when the two props on your twin Cessna are slightly out of sync with each other. (as if we all have twin cessna's eh?) anyway, this is the audio equivalent of video moire.

sufficiently confused? slow day, here....;-)

...and think of each of the fields in the interlaced video as a guitar string tuned very close together. As they're each "vibrating" on and off they somtimes cycle in coincidence with each other (the "harmonic" aspect of Bill's explanation). To our eyes it looks like the whole picture is flickering.

Normally I'll de-interlace before I resize, although I rarely resize at all. Try it both ways to see which works best for your situation. No, you won't have to re-interlace the image, as that will automatically be done when it's displayed on a video monitor.

Sufficiently sorry you asked for a deeper explanation? <g>

After reading this thread, I followed Ken's link to firewiredirect.com. 120 GB 7200 rpm drive for 299.00. Seemed like a good deal compared to others I have seen, so it is on its way!

Following up on the question I asked in the Firestore post, has anyone found a firewire drive that MAC OS-10.1.4 will read as a FAT32 volume?

Thanks

NTSC/PAL conversion in FCP is unsatisfactory. There is a long-running discussion about this issue on the "PAL issues" board at 2-pop.

An alternative is at www.dvfilm.com/atlantis/

Never used it myself so can't judge (although nothing beats "real" hardware conversion)

The best way to convert a PAL stream to a NTSC DVD is todo
the following... (as far as I know):

make a 23.976 fps progressive NTSC DVD. If your footage is
interlaced make sure to de-interlace it before you do the
following:

- import/alter the movie to play at 23.976 fps instead of 25..
I DO NOT MEAN that you must CONVERT the framerate
(ie drop frames). On a windows PC there are utilites that
one can use to CHANGE the rate a file is PLAYED without
actually dropping any frames. Ofcourse your total time will
change, but this will be unnoticable.
- PAL full res. is 720x576. NTSC is 720x480. Crop the picture
vertically for it to fit. If you do letterboxing this is even easier.
If you find that people look to TALL now you must do a
resample instead of a crop. MAKE SURE you use the BEST
quality resample routine you can find (Usually this will be
a bi-cubic or bi-linear resample)
- you also need to convert the color space from 0 IRE to
7.5 IRE (black should be 16,16,16 instead of 0,0,0)

This should work out quite nice.

Cruising around Apple's website, trying to learn everything I can about iMovie2, I found something that I don't think many people may be aware of.

If you are running OS X, you have free storage space on Apple's site called an iDisk. Most of us know that, but did you know that stuck in a folder on your iDisk are 2,100 royalty free music files?

Go to your iDisk, then click on the "software" folder, then the "extras" folder, the the "freeplay music" folder. voila'.

No more worrying about when the copyright police are going to come knocking.

Too bad this is only for Mac OS X users.... :( We PC users
are left out huh. Nice thing though!

Are you allowed to use these in your (commercial) projects
as well? There is a difference in free music and free "usable"
music!!

According to the information from Apple, they are "royalty free". That would imply commercially as well as private, at least to me.

Here's one for you FCP 3 gurus.

Is there a way to fill text created with the FCP 3 text generator
with video? Basically I'm looking to do what would be a split key
on a production switcher.

I've just upgraded to a dual 1ghz G4 with FCP. Love it, love it,
love it.

Thanks for any help you may be able to offer.


Bill

I know of no way to do this in FCP3. I'm not saying it can't be done there, just that I don't know how.

This is really a job for which AfterEffects (and its peers) were really designed to tackle.

If you're devoted to doing this in FCP3 and don't have AE you might shop around for an AE plug-in that might be able to get the job done and might be used with FCP.