Joe:

Yeah, it sure was easier in 2.0 than 3.0. Not sure why this all happened, but it did. It sounds we are all doing basically the same thing to make it work in 3.0, thanks guys for the confirmation.

(G3, yikes! I got the dual 1ghz when I upgraded to 3.0, only to find out that the realtime effects only function when external video is switched off--that was a disappointment. Looking forward to the next upgrade for all these reasons, importing audio included).

and uh..."steadihiccup"????

Oh yes, almost forgot... I'm editing on a Mac (FCP 2.0), have After Effects, Sound Edit 16 (old school), some version of Peak somewhere, and a PC with Soundforge, so I've got some options for modifying the clips.

Wha..? You mean that's not your name? Don't make me start reading things more carefully! :)

Does any know where I could get hold of some templates for DVD PRO. I found it a little confusing to use. I have so little time, I wind up using iDVD. Lock & Load baby! It's not what I'd like to see for a completed DVD after dedicating quality work to the project but...

I would like to able to "exchange" template footage for my footage, stills, music, etc. Having some nice buttons already in place; Photoshop work already done...

Anyone willing to barter?

Linwood B.
lbmaestro@yahoo.com

Perhaps a bozo question but how is Canon's XL1S 24fps "frame mode" related to the Final Cut Pro capture process. Should footage shot in "frame mode" simply be captured at the NTSC default of 29.97 fps or at 24 fps (by creating a new preset)? Heretofore I've not worried about it but my recent capture of a long (one hour) piece of MiniDV tape resulted in audio shift late in the capture. I suspect it's just problematic with MiniDV that long FCP captures probably aren't a great idea but I began to wonder if frame mode has something to do with it.

Telephones lack a great deal of frequency responce. If you adjust the EQ to just use middle tones that will do part of it. The signal to noise ratio is low so use something for background noise. Some kind of white noise that you can put on a seperate track so you can control levels. The mic may need to be muffled a little to reduce frequency response. Experimentation is your best bet. Post back how it works and what you end up doing.

Jeff

In FCP you need to check the box in preferences>sync adjust movies over 5 minutes. NTSC DV is 29.97 frames per second. Setting the camera to frame mode can not alter the frame rate of a NTSC camera. Frame mode uses inerpolation to simulate motion picture film shot at 24 fps. It in no way changes the NTSC DV spec of 29.97 fps. Capture using DV specs and edit like usual. The loss of audio sync is result of Canon audio not being a perfect 48KHz. Instead it is something like 48.004KHz, I don't remember exactly. Setting the proper preference works for most people.

Jeff

I don't know of any pre-made templates. I build mine in photoshop. However, try Bruce Nazarian http://www.recipe4dvd.com/ He has some graphics and kits on his site. He has a good reputation for his knowledge of DVDSP and DVD's in general.

Jeff

thanks. I think the Pro Pack 1 has just what I need. "Pre Made projects"

Thanks for the response. I'm actually about to get on a train for NYC (Macworld Expo) so I won't have a chance to try this until I get back Monday week. Will let you know how it works then, though.

(Yes, we missed our self-imposed deadline. :) )

Jeff,

I have a Sony (forgot the model number). It is from 1999, so it is a bit older. The other option that I am considering is to use my PC and burn a CD. Then import into Final Cut.

The MUTO option seemed interesting. Not sure if I want to drop a the money on it just quite yet.

I thought it was physically impossible for a Steadicam operator to hiccup. Or sneeze, or cough for that matter.

Chris, that's because we haven't yet made good on our plans to go drinking during one of those trade shows (going to the LA DV expo, incidentally?)

Haven't blown too many takes yet with sudden bodily emissions--although I can only hint at the the unpleasantness of operating with a full bladder (think of those times you had to suffer during a lengthy shot before you could go to the bathroom; now imagine having a firm and relentless pressure on your nether regions throughout...oy vey).

LA DV Show! In beautiful downtown Burbank! I'm there; let's go.

Hey fellas,

I've been working with FCP for awhile now and have noticed something strange about FCP3 when it renders a dv clip....let me explain:

When I take a dv clip and cut it to make a certain portion of the clip play in slow motion (by reducing speed)- the resulting clip gets rendered out and becomes lighter than the rest of the clip- it's pretty noticeable and when the clip plays ~~it's easy to see where i've cut and reduced the speed to create the slow-motion effect....anyone experience this or have a solution to bring the brightness and contrast back to the level of the source clip?

Thanks

Jeff - Thanks very much for the informative reply. I wish someone would write the definitive user manual for the XL1 and XL1S - something that goes well beyond the manufacturer-provided material.

The most common cause for this is the sequence setting. FCP>sequence>settings>video processing>Always render in RGB should be un checked. Having the boxed checked will wash out colors, cause video at edit points to flash and some other nasties that don't come to mind right away.

Jeff

Mark, apply a hig pass filter, boost the 1-2.5k bands of your graphic eq and cut the rest. That should get you the effect you are after.

You mean a high-pass filter, don't you Adrian?

hello
I am working on a project where the client wants to distribute a cd, so i am outputting from fcp.
i want to know what kind of output i need to do if i want to be able to play a cdrw on a household pc , without jitters and other problems, i know its got to be small but what format mpeg1, or 3
please help

Thanks JT-

just went started FCP3 and tried what you've suggested- it seems as if the box has a small X in it- bit it's greyed out and I cannot uncheck it- or that option is not available.......not sure what it is- but I'll look further into this option- thanks again.

I don't think you can change a sequence setting part way through. You'll have to create a new sequence with the box unchecked. If it's small just delete and start again. If large, export the sequence, then uncheck the box, import the old sequence. I think that's how I had to do it. I use the RGB render with After Effects, it uses a different color space.

Jeff

Are you going to make a VCD or SVCD? VCD is MPEG 1 and SVCD is MPEG 2. FCP can make a Quicktime and quicktime can make MPEG files. What software are you using to burn CD's? Do you have Cleaner?

Jeff

I would go with VCD mpeg1 if you can get away with that quality.
This is the only thing that plays by default on any PC. The only
problem here is the VCD format which Media Player does not
recognize by default I think. It does understands the .DAT file
on the VCD if you drag it on Media Player, but people need to
know that. So if your target is only PC I would just burn a data
CD with an mpeg1 file on it (file format will not be VCD compliant).
Be sure to encode the mpeg1 file to VCD specs so that you know
everyone can play it (even if you are not burning it as an VCD).

SVCD has two problems in my eyes. You need either an MPEG2
codec installed (which Windows hasn't by default) or you need
a software/hardware DVD player. You probably cannot assume
everyone will have this, or know how to play it!

Then there finally is DiVX (mpeg 4).... If you encode in this format
to AVI it will ONLY (more or less) play on Windows and you will
need to include the propriate DiVX codec (which might get you
into licensing issues)....

All in all I think a simple mpeg1 file on a data CD will be the best.
You can even include an autorun.inf file that starts the movie
automatically (use the command: start movie.mpg).

Is there any reason you are using CD-RW? These are much more
expensive than blank CD-R's and people can erase (ie, re-use)
these!

Jeff,

thanks for the info.

Still having a difficult time changing the render option- I can change it with the OfflineRT (PhotoJpeg) NTSC sequence setting (and rename a new setting) but I can't change the DV NTSC setting- any ideas why? This is the setting I want to change the most as DV is the type of video I work with.

Thanks.

Sequence settings can be changed if the sequence is selected in the timeline. Are you trying to change audio/video settings or preferences? You can't change a locked setting either. You have to make a copy of it. If your trying to change a video setting (not sequence setting) and it effects the time base, FCP won't let you. You have to open a new project, set the new audio/video settings before you add media. Thats when you get into exporting and importing.

Just as an experiment trying opening a new project and see if you can change the render RGB option. If you can, you can always get the media moved over. If not, some of your settings/preferences may be off.

Jeff

thanks for your info, no i wil be using cd/r and asume it will then play on any pc if they have quicktime, how do i make one that works with mediaplayer ( fcp can output for mediaplayer??)

Jeff,

Did Canon not solve the sync issue with the XL-1s? I can't believe this but then again they did not solve the black bar issue so who knows.

I will soon buy a new camera and if the XL-1s does not record at a true 48khz, I will scratch it off my list. I think a GL-2 is in order.

Greg Matty

The audio sync issues have two factors. The first is Mini DV does not have locked audio. Doesn't matter what brand of camera, it is the specs of the format. DVCam, a Sony format, does have locked audio. The second is that Canon miniDV audio is 48.004KHz or similar, I don't remember the exact amount. I set the adjust sync for clips over 5 minutes and i have no problems capturing with FCP3 in OS X or 9.2.2 I view the audio as a non issue because it works fine for me. The only true way to assure complete sync with locked audio is with DVCam or DV Pro, a Panasonic format.

Jeff

I'm thinking about purchasing brand new iBook 700MHz G3 for some @ home editing along with FCP 3, external 80 GB Firewire drive (for video only) and some sort of used production monitor.

Does anyone of u have any experience on this rig, specifically, of course, how does it perform in handling some relatively light to moderate semi-pro editing?

Any real experience info. is appreciated.

These older threads might be of some interest to you.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2356&highlight=ibook

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2281&highlight=ibook

If i shoot in say 12bit mode, insted of 16bit will it still drift? Or is 12 bit got the same problem?

JT,

Many DV camera's using the MiniDV format do NOT have sync problems. The GL-1 is a good example. In fact, the sync compensator in FCP is only recommended for the XL-1. I have seen this posted numerous times at 2-pop.com.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you need to mix XL-1 footage with non XL-1 footage, this situation will move from a non-issue to an issue. I am facing that right now.

Greg Matty

Remember that QuickTime is not installed by default! I even doubt
most people will have QT 5 or 6 installed... If they have it they'll
probably still have 4 or something. If you can output to AVI that
will automatically play with Media Player. Also if you output to
MPEG1 (bare bones mpeg1 format, not QuickTime with mpeg
codec!!!) Media Player (and thus almost any PC out there) will
play that by default without needing anything else. Just make
a video.mpg and put that on a CD-R in cd-rom format (data disk).
Then add a autorun.inf and your done... Your autorun.inf should
look like (which is just a plain text file) either:

[AutoRun]
open=video.mpg

or

[AutoRun]
open=start video.mpg

Test it out with a CD-RW which one you need,.... If you pop it
in a standardly installed PC It should start autoplaying it.

One of the iBooks has a 14" screen and that helps alot. But I still wouldn't try to do semi pro editing on it. It would be fine for home movies and maybe off line material. But screen size and speed are lacking. Future versions of FCP will require faster and faster processors if they are to keep up with Avid. G3's just won't cut it.

Jeff

I mix XL1 footage with Betacam SP footage all the time. I capture the XL1 and Betacam footage with the compensation turned on. The compensation only forces FCP to count the samples rather than assume that it is a perfect 48KHz. It will not affect non DV footage if the audio is exactly 48KHz. The easist way to check a camera is to capture with it on and then look in the browser and check the sample rate. If it shows exactly 48KHz the audio is within spec. Most DV cameras will show something other than 48KHz (48.025 for example).

Jeff

Thanks for that link, it answered some of my questions.

Very cool.

As a computer tech person who's been working on many platforms since the mid to late 80s, I'd thought i'd post a thought on the 'I don't want one because it doesn't have DDR' thought.

First off, if you're upgrading from a previous G4 that is, say half the speed, I can see your frustration. If you're looking at buying one without ever owning one, you're doing yourself a slight disservice.

First off, DDR memory ain't all that, if the processor and I/O bus don't need it.

What I mean by that is that unfortunately most of the computer magazine industry has gotten people stuck on MHz, GHz, and other numbers that are starting to get to the point where they mean as much as the GL on two different cars. (IE, Nissan Maxima GL vs. Olsmobile Cutlass GL)

If engineered correctly, you can do the exact same thing with PC100 memory as you do with DDR PC200 RAM. PC200 (or PC1600) DDR memory is not any faster clock cycle wise, they just read on the rise and fall of the clock cycle.

With two PC100s you have the same bandwidth as one PC200. If you read and write to the PC100s at the same time, you have the same speed.

Same goes for PC133/PC266 (PC2100) DDR memory.

I currently work for IBM in their Intel server environment, and I do a lot of performance type comparisons. If a system is designed right, you don't always need the absolute latest stuff to get it to work.

Unfortunately, i've not been in the Mac world since '95. So I'm a bit behind on how the G4 works, and what it's motherboard chipset architecture is like, so I can't completely comment on how much a G4 at say 1.1, 1.2, or 1.5 GHz would benefit from PC200 or PC266 DDR RAM. At the worst, they would have less slots needed and be able to make the case smaller, at best it would open up the memory bandwidth doubling performance. I can't comment on which is true though.

Tom

Does anyone know if there is a way to change the speed of a clip dynamically over time in Final Cut Pro 3? I thought this would be possible with key frames under Motion, but I can't find any parameters for adjusting clip speed in there.

What version of FCP 3 are you using? I don't think FCP 2 has the key frame feature for motion effects. In FCP 3 you use the pen tool to set key frames. Key frames can not be set in the timeline. Use the motion tab and add the key frames in the overlay. There are more options with the key frame buttons, but i find the pen quicker.

Jeff

I want to make for a client vhs tape with timecode so they can spot and tell me what parts they like most, with my professional equipment i use at my work its no problem because betacam, dvcpro and so on right timecode but what about dv, i know there is timecode but how do i get it on to a vhs tape? is there someone out there who has any experience with this? i use fcp 3.
thanks ,

I don't believe FCP 3 can produce window dubs. I loaned my manual out, but a quick review of the help content for FCP doesn't mention TC window dubs. I've been burning DVD's for clients and using the DVD times. If you need actual TC Sony and Panasonic make decks with TC out, over video.

Jeff

Thanks for your reply, Jeff.
I can set keyframes for position, cropping, etc. by clicking on the Motion tab and using the pen tool, but there is no parameter for adjusting the speed that way. The only way I can see to adjust the speed of a clip is using command-J and entering a percentage value in the dialog box. This will allow you change the speed of the entire clip to that value, but I would like to be able to gradually speed up and slow down the clip. Do you know if this is possible?

The velocity of the clips motion can be changed by dragging the velocity handle in and out. Ease in and Ease Out creates curved keyframes and are set to speed up over time. The linear command creates curved keyframes with a steady rate of speed. The key frames velocity are adjusted in the canvas. Just drag the velocity handle in or out to change the speed along the clips path. Dragging towards the selected keyframe slows it down. Dragging away from the selected keyframe slows it down.

Jeff

Please pardon me...it's very late as I write and I've just returned from a really fine dinner with friends. But, if I'm correctly interpreting Rob's question, I don't think that FCP 3 provides a -direct- way to alter the speed of a just a section of a clip.

You can, of course, infinitely change the speed of motion of a clip that's -moving across the frame- by using keyframes much as Jeff suggests. But off-hand I think that to slo-mo a section of a clip within FCP you would split the clip (with the razor tool) and then set the speed of each sub-clip. Eh?

Rob, Ken is correct, to change the speed you have to splice up the clip and change the speed of each section. Keyframes affect only filters and motion.

Speaking of late, got back today at 10am, exactly 24 hours since I took off to go to Roppongi, there and back in 24 hours,(just 1 hour sleep on the ride back) and it's way past my bedtime, still too wired to sleep.

Glad you re-registered, did you check out the hocus pocus focus thread?

I just purchased a powerbook 667 and I am trying to partition the drive and it will not let me. It gives a "cannot initialize startup disk error" message. Is it really necessary to partition the drive for FCP? and if it is can somebody PLEASE help me!!!!

It is recommended that you partition the disk. A non partitioned disk is one of the major causes of dropped frames. Partitioning the drive will erase everything on the drive. Everything will need to be reinstalled after partitioning. Backup everything that is on your drive that cannot be reinstalled from a disk. Find ALL your serial numbers so that software can be reinstalled. All documents, projects, links etc. that you want to save will need to be backed up.

If your still with me, boot off of the install CD. Open folder and find Disk Utility, click partion, choose partition settings, click OK. What size is your drive? I would partition it into 3 or 4 partitions depending on the size of drive, if your using external FW drive, and if your installing OS 9.x.x onto the drive.

Jeff

Yes, Ken, that's what I was referring to. It's too bad there isn't a way to control the speed of a clip with keyframes in FCP. It seems like that would be a very sought-after feature. For what I need to do, chopping up clips with the razor tool just doesn't cut it -- no pun intended ;-). I need a way to change speed gradually over time, not just in steps.

I'll check out the Hocus Pocus Focus thread, Rik. Ostukare-sama desu.

Sorry, I miss read what your trying to do. But there are some plug ins that will do what you want. Joe's filters are a set of filters that are really usefull http://www.joemaller.com He has a samples you can download for free. Try the Blender and Warp for smoothing out the clips. http://www.cgm-online.com is a set of plugins, try the speed ramping. Many feel the best is http://www.revisionfx.com/rstwixtor.htm You could also use After Effects and Boris Red, but they cost.

Jeff