xl2 footage capture malfunction!!!
 

so, about six months ago i shot a short film, and because of reasons beyond my control we were not able to do anything with the footage until now. we shot the footage 24p 2:3:3:2 on an xl2, and went to capture the footage for the first time with final cut studio 2, and it wouldnt let the footage capture. we were using a sony handicam to do the capture. there may be something really simple that i am missing, but we cant figure out what is wrong. the computer keeps acting like there are breaks in the timecode, and wont allow a capture. also, if the footage is played back on the handicam it has artifacts that were not previously there, as well as it sort of looks choppy like it is in fast forward. the tapes have not been exposed to any elements that would corrupt them as far as i know. they have been stored in a safe. we have tried multiple capture settings, and nothing has yielded results. any ideas about what might be causing this, or suggestions on any setting combinations to make this work would be immensly appreciated. we are desperate to use the footage, so even if all else fails and anyone knows of an alternative way to get the footage off the tapes that would be avesome.

thanks,
Chris

Hi Christopher..........
 

This may well be too simple an idea but...........er, if the Sony Handycam doesn't have 24p ability, would it let you capture same?


CS

No, that doesn't matter, as it always comes out as 60i so any deck should be able to play it. But...... there is long standing issue of Canon/Sony incompatibility where mini-dv is concerned. When I had 2 XL2 cameras, I could play back the tapes from one of them in my little Panny 953, but tapes from the other camera was a no-go. Some have offered up a theory that Canon's track pitch is slightly narrow which makes it difficult for certain other decks/cameras to pick up on and play properly.

-gb-

thanks greg! that worked and we are importing the footage right now