cant capture my HD footage
 

Is there a camera setting in the menu to tell the camera it is hdv footage? I am trying to capture hdv footage into fcp 5. my fcp settings are correct and the footage was shot in hd but the computer wont recognize the camera. if i change the fcp settings to sd it will capture and automatically down convert. the camera wont let me turn off down convert.

thanks
andy k.

Camera should be in VCR mode for capture and whatever is on the tape is played back. Just as long as you dont have the SD downcovert turned on in the canon menu.
As far as i remember, the blue HDV light by the firewire should be on.

This gets tricky, real tricky.

If you are having problems, then in the Menu System, under Signal Setup, you will probably have:

Playback Std grayed out, and

On the second page of the Signal Setup menu:

HD Down-Conv also grayed out.

If you attempt to change the above, you will not be able to if they are "grayed out".

Here is the secret:

Power off the camera, then remove the firewire cable, then power on again in VCR/Play mode. Now you should be able to set:

Playback Std to HDV or Auto and
HD Down-Conv to Off.

Now, without powering off the camera, very carefully plug in the firewire cable. The computer should then be able to see your camera via firewire.

Note: Canon's technical service specifically recommended that I plug in the firewire while the camera was powered on. Previously I was being extra cautious and never plugged in the firewire with the camera powered on.

Also, the Canon Console Software's instruction manual for installation requires you to have the camera powered on when you connect the firewire cable.


The trick to this, is that as long are the Firewire cable is plugged in, you are prevented from making the menu changes (in the Signal Setup menu) which are necessary to make the Firewire connection work!

Great post Dan, I'm sure it will help a lot of people.

Firewire has come a long way and they have mostly solved the hot swap problems, especially in the 4 pin models.

thanks dan
 

dan
you were absolutely right about the capturing problem...thanks, you pulled the thorn from my paw.

andy

Dear Andrew,

You're welcome. I am happy that I could help.