Hi there

I have a number of long clips (10-20 minutes) that are offline, and I want to recapture some segments of them. But somehow batch capture tells me every time it wants to recapture the entire clip. I've tried making the clips independent, resetting in and out points. I know I am missing a check box to (un)checksomewhere - can anyone tell me which one? I know there's a checkbox like that in the Media Manager, but if footage is offline, Media Manager is of no use - or is it?
Btw the same happens when I try to recapture offline sequences. For a 5 minute sequence batch capture tells me it wants to recapture all master material (appr. 3 hours)
thx
Michiel

it's the 1st time i use one of these. i need to erase pictures from a cd-rw. how do i do that? (i got a g4 with osX).
peace

No, no one responded. Except I got sort of an answer to the FCP Users Group thing. :(

Can you help?

Go into your Applications menu. There you will find a folder called Utilities. open up Utilities and look for a program called Disk Utility. Insert your disk and then open up Disk Utility. There you will see your disk on the left - click one time in the window to highlight it - it will show you some options now on the right side. Choose Erase! The program will ask how you want to format the disk - in all cases you should choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled). Then click on Erase.

You should also do periodic disk maintenance to your hard drive from this same program. In the same window choose your Hardrive - the actual Hard Drive at the top of the window and then, click on First Aid and choose Repair Permissions on the right. This will be sure that all the correct language is used when accessing information from your hard drive. It's always a good habit to get into whenever you install new software.

You can also mount disk images here and create your own back up (burn) your own program CD's. So this will be helpful to you.

Hope this answered your question.

You can use the Disk Utility. It's in the Utilities folder in your Applications folder. Select the disc from the list, go to the Erase menu and click erase.

If you use Toast, it will also erase CD-RW's.

Hello! I am certain I just don't have things configured correctly, and am seeking help!!! I want to be able to digitize from a VHS deck. I have a Sony Media Converter, a VHS deck, an NTSC monitor, and a G4 with FCP 4.0.

Which cables go into what inputs/outputs to be able to digitize and see my VHS video through my NTSC monitor (has an A/B switch)?

Do I choose non-controllable device when I'm digitizing, and no time code?

Please help if you have a similar setup or know the answers to my questions.

You can try the following setup:
VHS deck --> Sony Media Converter --> G4
to connect the deck to the converter, ideally you want S-video to carry the video and 2XRCA connectors to carry the audio. Otherwise use 3 RCA cables (which is kind of 1 cable) to carry both video and audio.

The media converter needs to be set to convert in the right direction... analog-->DV instead of vice versa.

FCP needs to be set to non-controllable device.

I'm not too sure what the NTSC monitor adds when capturing from VHS. Without knowing your gear I don't know if you can also hook it up. Some monitors can pass a signal through them without degradation, so that would be one way to hook it up. Your deck may also have 2 outputs. You will want to hook up your NTSC monitor for other tasks of course. You could just rearrange cabling in that case.

2- Do you happen to have a DV deck? If you have one, you may get the best quality by going
VHS deck --> DV deck --> firewire --> G4
again, use non-controllable device under device control.

Glenn pretty much nailed it. If it's still not working, explain in more detail how you have the various in's and out's wired.

Hello All,

Some of you may know me from my Final Cut Pro Quick Tips series over at DMN. Some of you I have met at various conventions, etc.

I've been approached by several companies wanting me to do training DVDs for them. Right now we are trying to narrow down topics/areas to be covered.

What areas/topics would you want covered most in a FCP training DVD?

You can respond to me off list if you like at my e-mail addy

Cheers

Stephen Schleicher
www.mindspring.com/~schleicher
schleicher@mindspring.com

Media Manager should do the trick for you if the media is off line. You can use the help files in FCP for step by step directions or if they don't make sense post back with details of what's working and what's not.

sorry guess I wasn't clear, when I wrote the clips are offline I meant they have been deleted. History. Disappeared from my hard drive. Passed away to quicktime heaven. So all I have left is their timecode & tape reference. Which should be enough for a recapture to bring them back to life.

Looked a long time at the media manager, as I understand it doesn't let you re-capture deleted media files.

Did figure out though a way how to do this. Pls let me know if it's the correct way of doing it.

* clip: create sublip with desired in and out point settings, batch export the subclip, re-import it (as batch) and presto: the length of the clips has changed from the original 19 minutes to the desired 30 seconds (based on the in out points set for making the subclip).

* sequence: export EDL and re-import the EDL in a new project (?).

Somehow I can't believe this is the correct way of doing it. And if it is, it's very silly.

Thx again for your help
Michiel

Thanks so much!!!!! That did the trick. I can't see the video signal on my monitor, only because I don't have two outputs. But it's showing up in FCP, and that's the most important part! And I've now labeled my cables, so hopefully this will help in the future.

Sorry to ask such a mundane question, but I'm in the middle of a project without much flex in the timeline. Is this last QT update worthwhile and trouble free?

Thanks,
Linc Kesler

The last upgrade to QT was a little while ago and I have to admit I didn't even think whether I should or not but I installed it and have had absolutely no problems with FCP HD and it.

If you are ever looking for this sort of thing or have questions, Ken Stone's site and forum usually has the first word on things and Ken runs a great shop.

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

Hey Stephen... I've been over to your site, thanks for reminding me of it.


Well, my issue is that it's tough to find a FCP training DVD or book that isn't pretty much meant for all users.

I know how to use FCP, I know how to do the basic stuff and think I know some of the more advanced things too.

How about several DVDs:

* a totally, 100% beginners only DVD. "Welcome. This is a computer... com-pu-tor. Yes."
-- something project based with video to work with.

* a DVD for intermediate users with the refinements and more advanced basic skillsets.

* Advanced User tips and techniques but make them good. Make it stuff that we really want to learn about not just the same stuff we always get.

*Perhaps some specialty project kind of DVD or one on Sound finishing.

I know Steve Martin did his Color Correction DVD but it wouldn't hurt to have an alternative.

Stuff that lets us keep our work in FCP instead of running for AE or some other program every other minute.


Those are my ideas... you'll get my bill in the mail. :)


.

I need to make a copy to VHS, with a timecode window, of my project, done in FCP 3. Is there a feature in FCP 3 that allows for that? My configuration is FCP 3, with G4, running on OSX, firewired to a Panasonic AG-DV1000, to a standard VHS deck, with monitor output from that deck. Any ideas?

Does FCP have a timecode burn-in filter? (I vaguely remember it does)

Yes, the filter is here, Effects>Video Filters>Video>Time Code Print.

Thanks for the info...

How do you get maximum resolution when digitizing footage onto Final Cut Pro or any Mac for that matter?! I always seem to get low quality video when I do it. I am using a JVC DVL120u as a deck with the MiniDV tapes I recorded from an XL1 When Capturing in FCP I am using the DV-ntsc option and it's coming out pixelated. I hate it!! How do I get the maximum quality?

Check that you're using the right settings and not offlineRT... dv ntsc sounds right.

2- check that your sequence settings match your capture settings.

3- FCP's monitor/viewer doesn't have that much to do with what your footage actually looks like. Hook up a TV (or better yet, a NTSC monitor if you can afford one) and check to see if things look good.

You can also try viewing your captured clips in quicktime player.

Your footage is probably captured at the highest quality possible. It's hard to mess up the digital transfer. OfflineRT is the only way I can see you capturing at low quality.

So in order to get a continous timecode window, via effects>video filters>video>timecode print, it appears I would need to select all clips in the timeline and then render them in unison. Am I correct on this? And once done, will it indeed be a continous running reference window? I thought I would post this thought before I get into what will be a fairly long rendering...

Tim

Yes, you're correct. Render shouldn't be too long.

I used to import Cd's into FCP with Quicktime. I have updated my Quicktime and I can't import CD's into movies anymore. What is the easiest way to import Cd songs and items into FCP. I tried to do it from FCP but it doesn't allow me to convert it into a movie item. Please help. Thank you.

You could drag the audio off of the CD onto your hardrive and then import it into FCP.

I have two LaCie D2 drives. One is a firewire 400 model that I use for audio work and the other is a triple interface model that I use for video. I was wondering if I would gain anything by adding a firewire 800 card to my G4 Dual 1gig to run my video drive on.

I'm currently running two hard drives and my audio interface on the same bus. I was thinking that spreading things out might help my computer's performance a little bit.

iTunes will import your CD music.

With the CD in the drive and iTunes open, double click the CD icon. This brings up the list of tracks on the CD (and will include the CD name, genre, and track names if you are connected to the internet and have selected the preference for iTunes to look up CDs in the online database). Drag the track(s) you want to the Library (or to any iTunes album you have created). iTunes will then copy the tracks and convert them to the format you have chosen (mp3, aiff, etc.) in Preferences (iTunes -> Preferences -> Importing).

Then from FCP, Import the files from the iTunes library.

Are you having problems with dropping frames, audio stutter etc.? In most cases FW400 is plenty fast for DV. What type of performance are you hoping to improve?

There are no major problems. I just keep accumulating firewire peripherals and was wondering if it would help to spread them out or if 400 and 800 are just summed to the same internal bus and none of it would matter anyway.

I have noticed that Photoshop seems a little sluggish when my video drive is mounted. Since I upgraded to FCE 2 I've had occasional dropped frames, but not too often.

Having a firewire 800 card would also free up the 400 port on my video drive for plugging in my camera.

Every time I try to make a QuickTime movie in FCP HD, I get a Final Cut Pro QuickTime movie, which isn't what I need.

What I'm trying to do is make a QT movie for the web. Can anyone explain it for me, please? :-)

Thanks,

heath

For Quicktime movies (.mov) go to File>Export>Using Quicktime Conversion>click the Options button>click the video settings button and select the Codec from the list. You can also check the Prepare for Internet Streaming box and select Fast Start or one of the other settings for web use.

Long story cut short: I inadvertently trashed what I thought was one of two copies of a FCP project, when in fact it was the only one.

Any solutions on how I can recover it? My copy of DiskWarrior won't work on my G5 with Panther...

I'm dumb, I know,

heath

Would this work?

http://www.binarybiz.com/vlab/mac.php

murph

trying it right now.

h

Heh...They wan't money to pay for the recovered file.

hwm

That's weird, I read down to where it said "for Free" and didn't read any further.

I guess the catch is you see the files...and then they make you pay????? How cruel!

Is it a "select all clips" function that I should be performing, as if the project is one large clip, before I render the timecode print effect? And once I've laid it off to VHS, is the undo edit function the means to remove the effect to restore the timeline project?

I need to know a few things regarding bringing Illustrater files into FCP 3.0
First, what sizing should the designer be working in so once the project is done, it drops into FCP correctly to scale?
Secondly, how do I actually import these files, put together using Illustrater 10, into FCP? Quicktime?
Finally, the designer asked me to find out what the maximum saturation level is for red, again, for Illustrate 10?

Thanks

I seem to remember drag and drop but that may be after effects... eps files maybe? make sure they're rgb and not cmyk...

red saturation limit? dunno... scale would be the size of the project 640x480 is std. ntsc 720x480/6 is norm for FCP. Make sure you factor in title safe and viewable area. I'd suggest dropping a mock up in before the designer fine tunes just to check things out. Turn on title/view safe rulers when you do and mirror to a nice monitor.
Josh

I am interesting in purchasing UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) device for my NLE system and was just wondering what you use and if you have any tips for me.

Thank you.

There are only two good ones, iirc from my research a couple of years ago. Those by Belkin and, especially, those by APC. If you're not sure, get one by APC.

Don't go by the power hold times listed on the box. Your current draw may differ.

Keep in mind, too, that most power outages don't last more than five minutes. That's plenty of time to quit out of your work and shutdown properly. Of course, that doesn't help with long renders but if you are going to be down more than an hour your UPS won't help you anyway unless you can spend the really big bucks.

I like the APC ones - they appear automatically in the prefs on my new G5, with settings for what to do when the power goes out etc. and battery life. I had a problem with an APC and they shipped a new one straight to me, and were very helpful on the phone.

Graeme

I have a nested sequence. I double click on this nested sequence to bring up a new tab that shows all the individual clips on their various tracks. However when I make changes to these clips and then go back to the nested version it remains unchanged. Why is this happening?

To clarify my problem: The nested sequence is my final version with final filters and audio settings applied. I just want to go in and tweak a couple of the clips, I make my changes to the relevant clips but when I go to the nested version - it shows that the area where I made the changes needs re-rendering but in fact the changes are not there.

Am I being stupid here - what's going on?

What version of FCP are you using?

It's not Pro :( - it's Express. I have done it before on different sequences and it has worked. Don't know why it's not working now.

Hey guys!

I will be moving in the next month and wondered if you any of you knew or know of any precautions that I should take in packing and moving my G5. During my last move, I lost everything on my PC. I know with PC's there is some DOS command that you can type to lock the hard drive down for a move. Is there such a thing for Mac's?

I kept the box that it came in, so I will be using that, but am still real worried due to past occurances. Any suggestions or help would be appreciated...

Thanks in advance...
Clay

edit: forgot to put that i will be moving in a big penske truck and be travelling for 1000 miles. The computer will have to go in the back of the truck...or i can put my dog in the back and the computer up front...

That's an archaic DOS thing, modern hard drives lock automatically and have done so for many years now. I've never had any problems moving many Macs, and if you have the original box you're even better off.

However common sense should apply. I know this gets difficult with large drives, but you should really do a backup. Consider getting a big firewire drive if you don't already have one. Then you could pack this drive elsewhere (your dog could hold it for you in the front seat ;-)

BTW, I just returned from a 1,000 mile trip in a U-Haul truck, moving my daughter's college apt. Phew... loading and unloading was no problem, but I'm getting too old for 800 miles driving in one day!

Have a good move!

Thanks for the update! I sometimes live in archaicness. The hard drive that I lost last move was an old 1GB drive, and I have no idea if it locked or not when it shut off...all i know is that I got to where I was going and all was gone.

That's a good idea about backing up, but impractical moneywise right now. Would anyone recommend removing the hard drive and keeping it in the cool front of the truck with me and my dog? Or, is this impractical? Thanks again...

Clay

I'd just think about how the mac was shipped to you or the store you bought it from - if it's packed the way it came, it should stand up to your journey. I think backing up important files to CD rom, and the whole drive to a firewire drive is a good idea, and having an extra firewire drive around is never a bad thing... I wouldn't bother to take the drive out of the mac - I don't see any advantage to it.

Good luck with the move.

Graeme