NLE Mac / Final Cut questions from 2003

Wessel Wallert · October 31st, 2003, 08:30 AM

Hello,
i need to capture some analog footage from vhs, and i'm trying to achieve this with a miro motion dc30 video card and final cut 3.0

The problem: i can preview my footage with log capture, [so i think i have the right audio/video settings], but! when i choose capture now, all i get is a black capture window, with the message allocating disk space.
and the only way to get rid of this message (final cut isn't responding to anything) is a forced quit of the program!

final cut does writes data to my harddisc, but it is a file that quicktime doesn't understands,
I have used final cut and log capture with the canon xm1 and had absolutely no problems at all!

i hope someone can help me or has some advice because i can't find the
solution......
wessel
amsterdam.

_

Phil_A
Re: video capture problem (miro motion dc30) [Re: Validsub_forms]

Hi
If you can't see the footage when you're at 'capture now' then it's not going to disc (least, not in a form that's playable I guess). There was a problem some versions back with capture now seizing if the limit wasn't set, but that I think was for audio only transfers. Can only suggest you check settings, as ever (ie that you've got the correct codec & TV standards, and are set to capture sound and vision), maybe trash your FCP preferences which can cure stubborn bugs that don't make sense.
Phil

Post Extras: _ _ _
Validsub_forms

Hi phil,
I have been changing some settings -[AUDIO/VIDEO]
but it is not going to work!

[those f[*]r's of pinnacle could at least update their drivers, final cut 1 !!, ]

anyway I did some testings:
- first the original dv settings [without the canon xm1] and than capture now. no footage is captured of course but after pressing esc. [final cut still reacts] a message: unable to read the movie file just captured. logical but just to make sure....

- than if i choose digitizer: miro motion. the problem is there!
even if i change the different capture settings or don't play the vhs tape and just press capture now , i get allocating disc space, a freezed fcp. and lots of captured data that quicktime can't read.

It just doesn't make sense, final cut can show me the vhs footage [log capture] but can't capture it.
how wonderful live can be!

If somebody reeds this and has some advice please react. i'm getting a little bit desperate here..............

thanks.

wessel/ [fcp.3, G4 450mhz, OS 9.2.2, miro motion dc30]
amsterdam.

Glenn Chan · October 31st, 2003, 08:59 AM

The DVX100 has about the same low light capabilities as the PD150 (pro version of the VX2000- same optics) from the dv.com review. That might be a bit pricey for you (check the bhphotovideo.com prices). It has some film look options, progressive shooting modes, and great audio. The venerable VX2000 is still one of the best for low light shooting.

Final Cut Express is pretty easy to learn. Get yourself a book or read tutorials online at kenstone.net and read the FCE manual (might need to print that out). You're spoiled because iMovie is so easy to use.

There's lots of great advice over at the lafcpug.org forum.

Joe Lloyd · October 31st, 2003, 09:15 AM

Heres a question

I want to record some sounds playing on my powerbook with my minidisc player, once Ive done this I load up virtual PC to use sony's stupid software to get the track on the computer and I get an error saying it wont check in, after reading the help it mentions items recorded on another computer cannot be checked in. So I'm thinking the software thinks the dvd player on OS X is a different computer than virtual pc and isnt letting me. Is there a way around this? Are there mac resources for minidisc on the web somewhere? Any minidisc/mac related sites would be appreciated

Thanks

Jeff Price · October 31st, 2003, 11:23 AM

According to Think Secret -

(http://www.thinksecret.com/news/fcpupgrade.html)

Apple is working on a major upgrade to Final Cut Pro promising double-digit speed increase to G5 users (I've seen this confirmed elsewhere as Apple has been demoing this version to user's groups).

Other fixes/improvements are mentioned in the article.

Rick Foxx · October 31st, 2003, 03:11 PM

I just hope this upgrade will:

1) fix all the bugs in 4.02
2) run on Jaguar
3) not be a paid upgrade

Come on Apple, help us remember why we love you!

Steve Nunez · October 31st, 2003, 03:58 PM

Hello FCP'ers.....

I'm a little confused and would like some clarification on audio when using DV cameras and FCP3.

I often use SP mode and 48khz Rec modes which allows for 2 audio channels....but when working on footage in FCP I can add as many tracks as I'd like- so I'm alittle lost as to the 2 channel/stereo limit when using 48 mhz rec mode...I'm aware when using 32 khz we can dub an additional 2 channels--- is this feature strictly for mic use.....does that mean I must use 32khz mode if I plan to use an onboard mic and plug in another mic? Will the audio show up in FCP as 4 tracks which would be 2 stereo pair per mic input?

...what about when i output back to dv tape and i have 10 audio tracks- what goes in what channel as i can hear all the audio back onto the tape??

I hope I am getting my question across the right way......can someone shed some light on audio? Thanks.

Nicholi Brossia · October 31st, 2003, 04:11 PM

Hi Rich,
I started editing with Final Cut Express not too long ago. It was easy to figure out the basic functions and get by without any problems. About a month ago, I bought a very good book called Final Cut Express Editing Workshop by Tom Wolsky. This book is designed specifically for the folks making the move from iMovie to FCE. It starts out very simple, defining every little setting, and even contains a dvd video and sample projects that coordinate directly with the lessons of the book.
I found my copy at a local Barnes and Noble, so you should be able to find one too.

nicholi

G. Lee Gordon · October 31st, 2003, 05:23 PM

Jeff if your out there I need your help. I'm having latency problems with long captures. I'm using FCPX with a MAC G5. Any Suggestions would be appreciated.

Jeff Donald · October 31st, 2003, 05:26 PM

Can you describe your problem in a little more detail, please.

G. Lee Gordon · October 31st, 2003, 06:24 PM

Picture and audio capture out of sync.

Jeff Donald · October 31st, 2003, 06:39 PM

The quick fix (in most cases) is to export to QT then import into FCP. But there can be many causes. Hard drive getting full, not enough memory, audio at wrong rate for FCP capture settings (set for 32 kHz and capture at 48 kHz or vice versa), audio in timeline set for too high quality, trying to playback too many audio tracks for resources available.

What version of FCP, QT and Mac OS are you using?

Ignacio Rodriguez · November 1st, 2003, 01:21 AM

Hi, just a quick request: can anybody please comment on the Matrox RTMac card? A friend and I are considerning investing in an RTMac to beef up his first-generation dual G4, NLE would be FC4. Is this a good idea? If it performs as advertized, it seems a good deal for US$600. Any happy/unhappy experiences with the product?

Gints Klimanis · November 1st, 2003, 05:49 AM

Steve,

Dubbing features are dependent on your camera.

As for the ten tracks, you'll have to specify what is each source and how you want it mixed. Creating a stereo field from multiple sound sources is an art.
But generally, monophonic microphone source tracks are panned to the center (equal amounts in each output channel),
stereo microphone source tracks are panned with left channel going to left output channel right to right. A nice method to generate stereo on voice tracks is to record them with stereo ambience, or even better, record them without any ambience and use one of the small room reverberation presets to generate stereo ambience.

Sometimes, mono microphone sources are definitely directional (such as in an interview that are on two sides of the screen), so you'll want to put the left interviewer mostly in the left output channel and the right interviewee mostly in the right output channel.

Kray Mitchell · November 1st, 2003, 10:55 AM

And hopefully it will fix the problem with Timecode Output via FireWire (Not sure how many people are having this issue, but I know somebody that this is happening to and drives him up the wall!)

Rick Banfield · November 2nd, 2003, 02:02 AM

In the timeline my scrubber bar is jerky and seems to jump in 2 or 3 sec intervals. My footage on the canvas is also jerky, but all plays fine on the viewer. There is a green circle with a black tick on the canvas window..what have I pushed?

Regards
Rick Banfield

October 31st, 2003, 08:30 AM	#1276
Wessel Wallert Tourist Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: amsterdam Posts: 2	capture problem! Hello, i need to capture some analog footage from vhs, and i'm trying to achieve this with a miro motion dc30 video card and final cut 3.0 The problem: i can preview my footage with log capture, [so i think i have the right audio/video settings], but! when i choose capture now, all i get is a black capture window, with the message allocating disk space. and the only way to get rid of this message (final cut isn't responding to anything) is a forced quit of the program! final cut does writes data to my harddisc, but it is a file that quicktime doesn't understands, I have used final cut and log capture with the canon xm1 and had absolutely no problems at all! i hope someone can help me or has some advice because i can't find the solution...... wessel amsterdam. _ Phil_A Re: video capture problem (miro motion dc30) [Re: Validsub_forms] Hi If you can't see the footage when you're at 'capture now' then it's not going to disc (least, not in a form that's playable I guess). There was a problem some versions back with capture now seizing if the limit wasn't set, but that I think was for audio only transfers. Can only suggest you check settings, as ever (ie that you've got the correct codec & TV standards, and are set to capture sound and vision), maybe trash your FCP preferences which can cure stubborn bugs that don't make sense. Phil Post Extras: _ _ _ Validsub_forms Hi phil, I have been changing some settings -[AUDIO/VIDEO] but it is not going to work! [those f[*]r's of pinnacle could at least update their drivers, final cut 1 !!, ] anyway I did some testings: - first the original dv settings [without the canon xm1] and than capture now. no footage is captured of course but after pressing esc. [final cut still reacts] a message: unable to read the movie file just captured. logical but just to make sure.... - than if i choose digitizer: miro motion. the problem is there! even if i change the different capture settings or don't play the vhs tape and just press capture now , i get allocating disc space, a freezed fcp. and lots of captured data that quicktime can't read. It just doesn't make sense, final cut can show me the vhs footage [log capture] but can't capture it. how wonderful live can be! If somebody reeds this and has some advice please react. i'm getting a little bit desperate here.............. thanks. wessel/ [fcp.3, G4 450mhz, OS 9.2.2, miro motion dc30] amsterdam.

October 31st, 2003, 09:15 AM	#1278
Joe Lloyd Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 202	minidisc and mac Heres a question I want to record some sounds playing on my powerbook with my minidisc player, once Ive done this I load up virtual PC to use sony's stupid software to get the track on the computer and I get an error saying it wont check in, after reading the help it mentions items recorded on another computer cannot be checked in. So I'm thinking the software thinks the dvd player on OS X is a different computer than virtual pc and isnt letting me. Is there a way around this? Are there mac resources for minidisc on the web somewhere? Any minidisc/mac related sites would be appreciated Thanks

October 31st, 2003, 11:23 AM	#1279
Jeff Price Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chico, California Posts: 357	FCP Upgrade Coming Soon? According to Think Secret - (http://www.thinksecret.com/news/fcpupgrade.html) Apple is working on a major upgrade to Final Cut Pro promising double-digit speed increase to G5 users (I've seen this confirmed elsewhere as Apple has been demoing this version to user's groups). Other fixes/improvements are mentioned in the article. __________________ Jeff Price Flickerflix Nature Videos flickerflix@yahoo.com

October 31st, 2003, 03:11 PM	#1280
Rick Foxx Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Tooele, UT Posts: 78	I just hope this upgrade will: 1) fix all the bugs in 4.02 2) run on Jaguar 3) not be a paid upgrade Come on Apple, help us remember why we love you! __________________ There is no problem so large that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives.

October 31st, 2003, 03:58 PM	#1281
Steve Nunez Trustee Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Pembroke Pines, Florida Posts: 1,418	FCP Audio ????'s (Clarification) Hello FCP'ers..... I'm a little confused and would like some clarification on audio when using DV cameras and FCP3. I often use SP mode and 48khz Rec modes which allows for 2 audio channels....but when working on footage in FCP I can add as many tracks as I'd like- so I'm alittle lost as to the 2 channel/stereo limit when using 48 mhz rec mode...I'm aware when using 32 khz we can dub an additional 2 channels--- is this feature strictly for mic use.....does that mean I must use 32khz mode if I plan to use an onboard mic and plug in another mic? Will the audio show up in FCP as 4 tracks which would be 2 stereo pair per mic input? ...what about when i output back to dv tape and i have 10 audio tracks- what goes in what channel as i can hear all the audio back onto the tape?? I hope I am getting my question across the right way......can someone shed some light on audio? Thanks. __________________ Steve Nunez-New York City www.stevenunez.com

October 31st, 2003, 08:59 AM	#1277
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	The DVX100 has about the same low light capabilities as the PD150 (pro version of the VX2000- same optics) from the dv.com review. That might be a bit pricey for you (check the bhphotovideo.com prices). It has some film look options, progressive shooting modes, and great audio. The venerable VX2000 is still one of the best for low light shooting. Final Cut Express is pretty easy to learn. Get yourself a book or read tutorials online at kenstone.net and read the FCE manual (might need to print that out). You're spoiled because iMovie is so easy to use. There's lots of great advice over at the lafcpug.org forum.

October 31st, 2003, 04:11 PM	#1282
Nicholi Brossia Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 389	Hi Rich, I started editing with Final Cut Express not too long ago. It was easy to figure out the basic functions and get by without any problems. About a month ago, I bought a very good book called Final Cut Express Editing Workshop by Tom Wolsky. This book is designed specifically for the folks making the move from iMovie to FCE. It starts out very simple, defining every little setting, and even contains a dvd video and sample projects that coordinate directly with the lessons of the book. I found my copy at a local Barnes and Noble, so you should be able to find one too. nicholi

October 31st, 2003, 05:23 PM	#1283
G. Lee Gordon Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 431	Long Captures On Fcpx Jeff if your out there I need your help. I'm having latency problems with long captures. I'm using FCPX with a MAC G5. Any Suggestions would be appreciated.

October 31st, 2003, 05:26 PM	#1284
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	Can you describe your problem in a little more detail, please. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 31st, 2003, 06:24 PM	#1285
G. Lee Gordon Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 431	Picture and audio capture out of sync.

October 31st, 2003, 06:39 PM	#1286
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	The quick fix (in most cases) is to export to QT then import into FCP. But there can be many causes. Hard drive getting full, not enough memory, audio at wrong rate for FCP capture settings (set for 32 kHz and capture at 48 kHz or vice versa), audio in timeline set for too high quality, trying to playback too many audio tracks for resources available. What version of FCP, QT and Mac OS are you using? __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 1st, 2003, 01:21 AM	#1287
Ignacio Rodriguez Contributor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Santiago, Chile Posts: 932	Req: advice on Matrox RTMac, dual G4, FCP4? Hi, just a quick request: can anybody please comment on the Matrox RTMac card? A friend and I are considerning investing in an RTMac to beef up his first-generation dual G4, NLE would be FC4. Is this a good idea? If it performs as advertized, it seems a good deal for US$600. Any happy/unhappy experiences with the product? __________________ Ignacio Rodríguez in the third world. @micronauta on Twitter. Main hardware: brain, eyes, hands.

November 1st, 2003, 05:49 AM	#1288
Gints Klimanis Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 2,222	Steve, Dubbing features are dependent on your camera. As for the ten tracks, you'll have to specify what is each source and how you want it mixed. Creating a stereo field from multiple sound sources is an art. But generally, monophonic microphone source tracks are panned to the center (equal amounts in each output channel), stereo microphone source tracks are panned with left channel going to left output channel right to right. A nice method to generate stereo on voice tracks is to record them with stereo ambience, or even better, record them without any ambience and use one of the small room reverberation presets to generate stereo ambience. Sometimes, mono microphone sources are definitely directional (such as in an interview that are on two sides of the screen), so you'll want to put the left interviewer mostly in the left output channel and the right interviewee mostly in the right output channel.

November 1st, 2003, 10:55 AM	#1289
Kray Mitchell New Boot Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 18	And hopefully it will fix the problem with Timecode Output via FireWire (Not sure how many people are having this issue, but I know somebody that this is happening to and drives him up the wall!) __________________ iThink, therefore iMac ---------------------------------------------------- www.emotiondv.com DV Discussion for the rest of us

November 2nd, 2003, 02:02 AM	#1290
Rick Banfield Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Australian Posts: 34	timeline problems In the timeline my scrubber bar is jerky and seems to jump in 2 or 3 sec intervals. My footage on the canvas is also jerky, but all plays fine on the viewer. There is a green circle with a black tick on the canvas window..what have I pushed? Regards Rick Banfield