Dropped frames when capturing at DVinfo.net

Steve Cohen · August 2nd, 2004, 10:32 AM

First I'm still a neophyte regarding NLE and Apple. I've got a G5 2.0 with 1.5 GB Ram with an external hard drive. Here's my problem. I'm experiencing dropped frames when capturing. I've tried FCE and then iMovie with no success.

Following the direction in previous posts, I changed the preference regarding "dropped frames"..... I also might add that a friend shot the footage using his camera. When I have tried to view his tape, I notice what looks like large pixels appearing on the monitor.

Now I'm wondering if there was a tape or video head problem. Can anyone provide any assistance? Can I save the tape?

Thanks.

Steve

Glenn Chan · August 2nd, 2004, 10:41 AM

You could try playing the tape on the camera it was shot on. That might help.

If you feed final cut bad signals, it will drop frames even if the computer is fine. You can check this by capturing from a good tape. If that capture works fine, then your friend's tape is bad.

Boyd Ostroff · August 2nd, 2004, 11:07 AM

Yes, those "large pixels" sound like classic tape dropout problems. Like Glenn said, you may have better luck capturing using the same camera it was recorded on. The tape heads on that camera may be out of alignment such that it won't play correctly on other decks/cameras.

How long a segment are you trying to capture? I experience less problems when I limit my captures to shorter segments.

Steve Cohen · August 2nd, 2004, 11:29 AM

Thank you both. The segments are fairly short....less than a minute each. The total length is about 10 minutes. After the tape was shot, my friend tried to capture using iMovie and his video camera. That 's when we realized we had a problem.

Then I thought I'd give it a try to no avail. Now that my friend had is video camera heads cleaned and aligned, I have an awful feeling the 10 minutes he shot is lost?

Glenn Chan · August 2nd, 2004, 11:49 AM

Higher end decks may be able to cope with dropouts better.

Steve Cohen · August 2nd, 2004, 01:13 PM

Glen,

Thanks, I'll try that. Appreciate your help.

Andre Bentlage · August 8th, 2004, 11:32 AM

try to make a copy on a new tape

August 2nd, 2004, 10:32 AM	#1
Steve Cohen New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Summit, NJ Posts: 19	Dropped frames when capturing First I'm still a neophyte regarding NLE and Apple. I've got a G5 2.0 with 1.5 GB Ram with an external hard drive. Here's my problem. I'm experiencing dropped frames when capturing. I've tried FCE and then iMovie with no success. Following the direction in previous posts, I changed the preference regarding "dropped frames"..... I also might add that a friend shot the footage using his camera. When I have tried to view his tape, I notice what looks like large pixels appearing on the monitor. Now I'm wondering if there was a tape or video head problem. Can anyone provide any assistance? Can I save the tape? Thanks. Steve

August 8th, 2004, 11:32 AM	#7
Andre Bentlage New Boot Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Jakarta, Indonesia, Rest of the World Posts: 20 Images: 3	try to make a copy on a new tape __________________ Coordinator Eurovision Asia-Pacific

August 2nd, 2004, 10:41 AM	#2
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	You could try playing the tape on the camera it was shot on. That might help. If you feed final cut bad signals, it will drop frames even if the computer is fine. You can check this by capturing from a good tape. If that capture works fine, then your friend's tape is bad.

August 2nd, 2004, 11:07 AM	#3
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,802	Yes, those "large pixels" sound like classic tape dropout problems. Like Glenn said, you may have better luck capturing using the same camera it was recorded on. The tape heads on that camera may be out of alignment such that it won't play correctly on other decks/cameras. How long a segment are you trying to capture? I experience less problems when I limit my captures to shorter segments.

August 2nd, 2004, 11:29 AM	#4
Steve Cohen New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Summit, NJ Posts: 19	Thank you both. The segments are fairly short....less than a minute each. The total length is about 10 minutes. After the tape was shot, my friend tried to capture using iMovie and his video camera. That 's when we realized we had a problem. Then I thought I'd give it a try to no avail. Now that my friend had is video camera heads cleaned and aligned, I have an awful feeling the 10 minutes he shot is lost?

August 2nd, 2004, 11:49 AM	#5
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Higher end decks may be able to cope with dropouts better.

August 2nd, 2004, 01:13 PM	#6
Steve Cohen New Boot Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Summit, NJ Posts: 19	Glen, Thanks, I'll try that. Appreciate your help.