NLE Mac / Final Cut questions from 2003

Heath McKnight · November 21st, 2003, 08:37 AM

Thanks.

heath

Ted Springer · November 21st, 2003, 01:40 PM

I've had no issues with Compressor's image quality, I use it to encode 24p material. I used the demo version of Bitvice (which adds a "bug" on the screen making it look like network TV) and there was all sorts of digital artifacting on the edges of the black letterbox bars (my aspect ratio was slightly wider than 16:9, thus requiring more bars). Other than that it seemed to look OK, but I'll stick with Compressor for sure.

Matt Stahley · November 22nd, 2003, 12:37 PM

Does anyone use a PCI or USB tv tuner with thier macs? What do you think about it? I've been checking them out and see that some will allow for selectable quicktime codecs for TV capture. Does anyone know if you can use the QT mpeg2 codec with any of these devices?

Nicholi Brossia · November 22nd, 2003, 01:35 PM

Right now, I'm using Final Cut Express in 10.2.8. I will be upgrading to 10.3 and Final Cut Pro 4 later next year (after all the bugs get worked out and everyone is running smoothly). However, I would like to buy After Effects 6.0. Basically I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with FCE and AE6. I know FCE doesn't have AE plug-in support, but how easy is it to go back and forth between the programs (most likely by saving as a final cut project file)? Also, have there been any bugs with AE6 running on 10.3?
I just downloaded the trial version of AE6, so I'll definately get some idea of how well these programs work together, but any extra help would be very appreciated.

Glenn Chan · November 22nd, 2003, 05:33 PM

Automatic Duck might work for importing your whole project into AE. Not just individual clips.

The other way is to manually bounce files around by exporting reference movies from FCE and importing rendered movies back into FCE.

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage...en_fcp_ae.html

Aaron Rosen · November 22nd, 2003, 06:10 PM

Go to: http://www.formac.com/p_bin/?cid=solutions_converters_studiodvtv

Hope this helps.

Joshua Cohen · November 23rd, 2003, 10:52 PM

Hi there. I think there are probably a few of these posts out there already, so I apologize if I am repeating one.

I'd like to get into monitoring and recording multiple camera's for shows that I will be recording. Instead of recording the show individually on the seperate cameras, then syncing it all up in FCP, I'd like to be able to import and record live from multiple cameras, or at least be able to switch between cameras live, then do my editing in FCP.

Any suggestions? I'm up for practically anything. Any hardware and/or software I might need to accomplish something like that.

Thank you,
Josh

Jeff Donald · November 24th, 2003, 06:47 AM

You'll need an additional piece of equipment that acts as a Special Effects Generator (wipes, fades etc.), Frame Synchronizer, and Switcher. You'll need to monitor the individual feeds to the board and switch it live, the output going to your NLE to be recorded. It may be more trouble and expense than doing it all in post with FCP. It could save a lot of time though.

Joshua Cohen · November 24th, 2003, 06:49 AM

HAHA, you sure make it seem like that, however, if it can be done and made easy to do, in the long run, it might be easier to do it live, rather in the post.

Thank you very much

Rob Lohman · November 24th, 2003, 07:10 AM

You should be able to convert the footage once it is in the
computer (although the quality might not be too great). The
problem here is getting it into your computer. Another company
might be the way to go indeed.

Glenn Chan · November 24th, 2003, 06:18 PM

Any video mixer would do that. In the past I've used a Videonics MX-1 but it isn't that good (lag when you hit buttons being the main concern). There's lots of old analog mixers on eBay if you're ok with taking that risk. There's also DV mixers like the Videonics MX-Pro DV (something like that).

There are some software programs that try to do the same thing as a video mixer. Live Channel Pro for Mac, a few ones for PC like Isadora. I have no idea if these work. Live Channel Pro does work but I'm not sure if it can record at full quality at the same time.

Live editing is a bit faster but more nerveracking and it takes experience to get it right. Editing live events in post is a huge pain.

Glenn Chan · November 24th, 2003, 06:19 PM

There's also some expenses on top of the mixer (software) like walkie talkies and cables. Remember to include those costs.

Robb Bradstock · November 25th, 2003, 12:18 PM

Does anybody have any recommendations for a handbook for FCP 4. I'm a relative novice and have only edited using Imovie so far. Thanks

Don Berube · November 25th, 2003, 12:26 PM

So nice to meet you Robb! How is the weather in Cork? :o)

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage...lisa_fcp4.html

http://kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/fcp....html#tutorial

http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage...x.html#fcp_4.0

http://www.lafcpug.org

- don

Robb Bradstock · November 25th, 2003, 12:43 PM

Thanks. I'll check those sites out. It's wet and windy as usual!!! Robb

November 21st, 2003, 08:37 AM	#1381
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	Thanks. heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

November 22nd, 2003, 12:37 PM	#1383
Matt Stahley Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Waynesboro, PA Posts: 648	TV tuners for the Mac Does anyone use a PCI or USB tv tuner with thier macs? What do you think about it? I've been checking them out and see that some will allow for selectable quicktime codecs for TV capture. Does anyone know if you can use the QT mpeg2 codec with any of these devices?

November 22nd, 2003, 01:35 PM	#1384
Nicholi Brossia Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 389	Final Cut Express & After Effects 6.0 Right now, I'm using Final Cut Express in 10.2.8. I will be upgrading to 10.3 and Final Cut Pro 4 later next year (after all the bugs get worked out and everyone is running smoothly). However, I would like to buy After Effects 6.0. Basically I'm just wondering if anyone has any experience with FCE and AE6. I know FCE doesn't have AE plug-in support, but how easy is it to go back and forth between the programs (most likely by saving as a final cut project file)? Also, have there been any bugs with AE6 running on 10.3? I just downloaded the trial version of AE6, so I'll definately get some idea of how well these programs work together, but any extra help would be very appreciated. __________________ Nicholi Brossia

November 22nd, 2003, 06:10 PM	#1386
Aaron Rosen Major Player Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: HB, CA - USA Posts: 298	$299 Go to: http://www.formac.com/p_bin/?cid=solutions_converters_studiodvtv Hope this helps.

November 23rd, 2003, 10:52 PM	#1387
Joshua Cohen Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Roslyn Heights, NY Posts: 50	multiple camera imports Hi there. I think there are probably a few of these posts out there already, so I apologize if I am repeating one. I'd like to get into monitoring and recording multiple camera's for shows that I will be recording. Instead of recording the show individually on the seperate cameras, then syncing it all up in FCP, I'd like to be able to import and record live from multiple cameras, or at least be able to switch between cameras live, then do my editing in FCP. Any suggestions? I'm up for practically anything. Any hardware and/or software I might need to accomplish something like that. Thank you, Josh __________________ Ye who asks a question remains a fool for five minutes, ye who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.

November 21st, 2003, 01:40 PM	#1382
Ted Springer Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Glendale CA Posts: 328	I've had no issues with Compressor's image quality, I use it to encode 24p material. I used the demo version of Bitvice (which adds a "bug" on the screen making it look like network TV) and there was all sorts of digital artifacting on the edges of the black letterbox bars (my aspect ratio was slightly wider than 16:9, thus requiring more bars). Other than that it seemed to look OK, but I'll stick with Compressor for sure.

November 22nd, 2003, 05:33 PM	#1385
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Automatic Duck might work for importing your whole project into AE. Not just individual clips. The other way is to manually bounce files around by exporting reference movies from FCE and importing rendered movies back into FCE. http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage...en_fcp_ae.html

November 24th, 2003, 06:47 AM	#1388
Jeff Donald Warden Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 8,287	You'll need an additional piece of equipment that acts as a Special Effects Generator (wipes, fades etc.), Frame Synchronizer, and Switcher. You'll need to monitor the individual feeds to the board and switch it live, the output going to your NLE to be recorded. It may be more trouble and expense than doing it all in post with FCP. It could save a lot of time though. __________________ Jeff Donald Carpe Diem Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Where to Buy? From the best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 24th, 2003, 06:49 AM	#1389
Joshua Cohen Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Roslyn Heights, NY Posts: 50	HAHA, you sure make it seem like that, however, if it can be done and made easy to do, in the long run, it might be easier to do it live, rather in the post. Thank you very much __________________ Ye who asks a question remains a fool for five minutes, ye who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.

November 24th, 2003, 07:10 AM	#1390
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	You should be able to convert the footage once it is in the computer (although the quality might not be too great). The problem here is getting it into your computer. Another company might be the way to go indeed. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

November 24th, 2003, 06:18 PM	#1391
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Any video mixer would do that. In the past I've used a Videonics MX-1 but it isn't that good (lag when you hit buttons being the main concern). There's lots of old analog mixers on eBay if you're ok with taking that risk. There's also DV mixers like the Videonics MX-Pro DV (something like that). There are some software programs that try to do the same thing as a video mixer. Live Channel Pro for Mac, a few ones for PC like Isadora. I have no idea if these work. Live Channel Pro does work but I'm not sure if it can record at full quality at the same time. Live editing is a bit faster but more nerveracking and it takes experience to get it right. Editing live events in post is a huge pain.

November 24th, 2003, 06:19 PM	#1392
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	There's also some expenses on top of the mixer (software) like walkie talkies and cables. Remember to include those costs.

November 25th, 2003, 12:18 PM	#1393
Robb Bradstock Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland Posts: 55	Which handbook for FCP? Does anybody have any recommendations for a handbook for FCP 4. I'm a relative novice and have only edited using Imovie so far. Thanks

November 25th, 2003, 12:26 PM	#1394
Don Berube Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Boston, MA (travel frequently) Posts: 837	So nice to meet you Robb! How is the weather in Cork? :o) http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage...lisa_fcp4.html http://kenstone.net/fcp_homepage/fcp....html#tutorial http://www.kenstone.net/fcp_homepage...x.html#fcp_4.0 http://www.lafcpug.org - don __________________ DONALD BERUBE - noisybrain. Productions, LLC Director Of Photography/ Producer/ Consultant http://noisybrain.com/donbio.html CREATE and NETWORK with http://www.bosfcpug.org and also http://fcpugnetwork.org

November 25th, 2003, 12:43 PM	#1395
Robb Bradstock Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland Posts: 55	Thanks. I'll check those sites out. It's wet and windy as usual!!! Robb