Make 2 versions. Use sorenson3 codec for video and mpeg4 for audio. You can get the optimal results through trial and error. Export small chunks to reduce encoding times while you fiddle. The small files aren't that good predictors of the final file size but for web this doesn't matter- you just have to be in the right ballpark.

This is a known issue with FCP3 projects opened in FCP4. Check out the Apple Knowledge Base on this. I believe the solution is re-capturing in FCP4.

I'll do a search tonight when I get home; I hate doing a clean, full install. I have to re-do so much stuff (email, etc.).

heath

Thanks, but if speed is the only thing Iwill leave it this way because reimporting would mean that I would have to do it all over....but I am glad it is not something else.

bcast monitor, no picture
 

im trying to hook up a monitor to my G5 using premeire and my xl1s. im just going firewire to the xl and then composite to a cheap little monitor for now. but, im not getting any signal to the monitor.

as soon as i open premeire6 my monitor goes black as if its waiting for footage but nevers shows up.

i got it to wrk a little yesterday but as soon as i switched a clip the picture went away again.

so, what do i need to have the camera, G5 or premeire set at to work correctly.

thank you for any input you can give.

J.

re voice over in osx
 

Can't see my original thread posted so doing again.
Can you use voice over on g4, fcp 3, using xl1s camera as ext mic.
Works fine in os9
Regards
Rick Banfield

OS 10.3.1 Update avaiable
 

The update contains the following fixes:

The 10.3.1 Update delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for the following applications, services and technologies: FileVault, Printing, WebDav, and FireWire 800 drives. This update also includes the latest Security Updates.


Important Note: Apple has identified an issue with external FireWire hard drives using the Oxford 922 bridge chip-set with firmware version 1.02 that can result in the loss of data stored on the disk drive. Even with the improvements available in this update, Apple recommends you update the firmware on your FireWire drive. Please contact your drive manufacturer for more information.


I suggest running fsck -y at startup, then repairing permissions, restart and download the package. Install the downloaded package, forces restart, at restart run fsck -y and then repair permissions again. I do not recommend installing from the Software Update System Preferences Pane. Highlight and check mark the update and choose Update from the menu bar>click on download only.

Just curious, but why do so many recommend against using Software Update to do the updates, and say it is better to download the installers?

Loss of internet connection can leave your system files only partially updated. Usually not a problem, but in rare cases can be a real problem restarting the update. The computer may not start up into a normal boot screen and require technical assistance to complete the install.

I think there are cards (genlocks?) that can do this. But they
tend to be quite expensive. Also you wouldn't want a crappy
card when doing TV work me thinks.

Anyone?

Did you try a google search (or google newsgroup search) with
the exact "error" message you are getting?

I think this can be really helpfull for people who have a miro motion dc30 or dc30+ , and do want to continue to work with it in the future.

[ Squared 5, what can i say........ thanks a lot!, you definitely cheered me up! ]

wessel
amsterdam.


"You described one of the 100 known bugs of the official Pinnacle
drivers for Mac OS 9...

I bought Final Cut Pro 3 at the beginning of 2002. I was not able to use it
with my DC30+ until the beginning of 2003, when I started writing my driver.

Apart from the amount of work required to build a new driver, I had to
switch to Mac OS X. And I think you have to do the same because
Pinnacle's drivers do not work with Final Cut Pro 3 and I really don't have
a solution for Mac OS 9. If you want to stay with 9.2.2, you can capture your movies with Premiere 5.1 and then import them in FCP 3. This should be fine.
But if you want to stay with Apple in the future, you'd better
switch to Mac OS X now.

Regards, Squared 5
http://www.alfanet.it/squared5/dc30xact.html

FW400 & FW800 compatibility
 

I need to buy a new FW drive to work in conjunction with my G4 (dual 1ghz quicksilver) and the FW400 drive I already have.

If I buy a FW 800 drive (one with both FW 800 and FW400 ports), and plug it in to either the FW400 port on my G4 or the FW400 port on my existing drive, will it work? I understand that if it does, it'll transfer only at FW400, but I'm not sure if the FW800 drives are backward compatible with the FW400. Can I daisy chain the FW800 drive to the FW 400?

Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

Thanks for any info!

You will have no compatibility issues in the situations you describe. FW800 drives are designed to be compatible with FW400 components.

I know if you are using firewire to the XL1 then composite out to the monitor, you should have your AV/DV passthrough on in the cam, and make sure in FCP4 the output is set to firewire as well in the pref's. Anything else guys?

Michael

If I remember, it does work. But the stock mic would not be my first choice for the best audio quality.

Hi Justin,
I know this is way late, but maybe you (or someone else) can use this idea.
FCE doesn't have a function that deletes unused footage so you have to get a little creative.

1) Capture the entire tape or session (watch the audio sync, sometimes it gets off 3 frames or so) as a clip with designated ins and outs. Capture Now tends to be unreliable for me, but you may prefer it.

2) Divide the main clip into subclips after marking in an out points (Modify > Make Subclip). Each of these subclips are dependant on the original clip.

3) After renaming and organizing the subclips accordingly, Control-click each one, and select Export > Movie. Choose the appropriate folder and remember to check Make Movie Self Contained. This then becomes its own, stand-alone FCE clip that can even be recaptured later with capture project.

4) Delete the original clip and subclips from the FCE browser.

5) Delete the appropriate, original capture scratch. You will still have the self-contained subclips that were created earlier.

6) Import the newly created clips into your FCE project and you're all set. Only the used footage will remain on your drive.

On an added note... You can also use DV Start/Stop Detection (under the Mark menu) to automatically find all the points where you paused camcorder recording, and mark those. Then, in the browser, click the triangle to the left of your original clip and you will see a list of the markers (red markers labeled segment 1, 2, 3, ...). Click and drag to highlight these markers and choose Modify > Make Subclips from the menu (Command-U). Then continue to step 3. This makes for a pseudo batch capture process.

actually i got it to work the other night. dont know what i did differently than the night before though.

though on ething i have noticed is that in premiere6 the only footage that shows up on screen is premiere captured footage. mov's do not show up. but everything works fine in after effects.

i unfortunately dont have FCP4, yet.

so if anyone knows why movs dont work in premeire id appreciate the input.

thanks for your help michael.

DVD Studio Pro 2 manual
 

Does anyone know where to download the manual for studio pro 2? I am having a wierd rollover problem with the buttons (probably because I don't know what the heck I am doing) and need to do some reading.

Transfering vhs-c to my mac
 

Ok, well I bought the G4 after talking it over with you guys and thanks again for the help. Next is the DV camcorder...probably the panny but until then I have a JVC camcorder that uses vhs-c tapes. I want to be able to transfer it to my g4 quicksilver for editing. Whats the best way to do this to get the best picture quality. Now I heard Id need a special video card possibly. But right now Im using a video card that allows me to use two monitors and Id like to keep it that way. Will getting this new card affect that? Is there a better way to transfer in the first place?
LMK
Thanks

Congrats on your new NLE.
As far as the special video card goes, they were most likely talking about a capture card. These are total opposites being that video cards export and capture cards import. Also, capture cards are generally qualified on the professional level and get very expensive.
It looks like all you need is a analog-to-digital convertor. Basically you plug your s-video or rca and audio into this little box, then output via firewire to your computer. You'll also, most likely, want to get one that allows you to output from the computer, through the box, and back into your camera for recording. Also, you won't be able to control the vhs-c camera with the computer (one big benefit of firewire), so you'll have to capture the footage while controlling the camera as a vcr.
There are many different convertors to choose from. I'd recommend doing a quick search and read reviews on here to get a better idea of what's available. Then its as simple as deciding which one meets your needs and budget. One particular convertor claims to be built specifically for the mac - StudioDV by Formac http://www.formac.com/p_bin/?cid=sol...rters_studiodv. Figured it'd be worth a look.

Converting NTSC to PAL?
 

I have an NTSC VHS tape and a PAL VHS tape and I want to put them on a DVD, preferably the same DVD.

I have FCP 4 and DVDSP2 on my G4, a PAL XL1s and a PAL VHS player. Is this possible or do I need a video production company to convert the NTSC tape to PAL first or can the combo I have do it?

I can borrow an NTSC and/or PAL recording VHS player. My VHS player has NTSC playback on a PAL/NTSC TV. (which apparently only partially converts the signal to PAL) getting confusing now?

Anyone tried this?

FCE and 24p
 

I am new to all of this, please forgive me. I bought FCE several months ago and am just starting to learn it. I have some iMovie experience. I am a comercial still photographer specializing in architectural/ interior/ construction. I have been introducing clients to dig vid with some success, offering a kind of multi media package of dig stills/ film stills/ Powerpoint shows, slide shows, and now video. After considerable research I ended up buying the Panasonic DVX100 camera. Thats probably overkill, but its been a good year, and I thought it would be a great camera to grow with. The problem: Is there any way to edit 24p footage in FCE, or do I need to upgrade to FCP? I know that I can edit 60i from the camera in FCE, but not using 24p, or at least having it as a tool, is obviously a big waste of the camera. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

FCE really does not do 24p without a lot of trouble. It would require additional software and total expenditure would only be a little less than FCP 4. FCP 4 would offer a better work flow and require much less time than any FCE work around.

There is not a manual available for download. It came with your software.

Do the DVDSP2 tutorials, its not that hard after that.

Just got FCP4, some simple questions...
 

I just got a mac Powerbook, and FCP. So far i've been using after effects. I am trying to adapt 25p PAL material to 24fps NTSC for DVD production.

Usually, in after effects i would just interpret the footage as 24fps(slowing it down 4%), and then just drop it in my composition and perform a scale transformation, allowing it to modify pixel ratio as well. This worked perfectly.

How do i do this equivalently in FCP4? It 'seems' to do it automatically..that is, it seems to fit the PAL image into the NTSC sequence, but i am not sure how it is adapting the 25fps footage to the 24fps timeline. I just want it to slow it down, NOT calculate new frames, etc.

Thanks,
Juan

Panther update improves FireWire
 

I updated to 10.3.1 several days ago and all FireWire operations seem to be much faster. Full CF cards download via FireWire 20% faster. Many operations involving FireWire drives seem faster also. I don't have any systems still on 10.3 so I can't accurately test my impressions.

Well, you could also use the Cinema Tools Conform Feature to change your 25P clip's timebase to 24fps, thus "correcting" the speed. That conformed footage can then be edited with Final Cut Pro as long as your sequences using it have a 24 fps timebase.

I guess you copuld say that there are probably 2-3 different ways that you could handle this. You already mentioned one technique that works for you. I would try using Cinema Tools and not having to change the speed of your sound and images.

- don

The best way to keep the Manual for DVD Studio Pro is when you launch DVD SP go to the right of the title bar and draw down and launch DVD Studio Pro help it's a .PDF file from there go the "Edit" and draw down there and save it as a PDF file from there you can use it without being in the application and it's great to take on the road for learning on those long drives to the shoot.

DVD to FCP 4
 

I want to be able to transfer (RIP) 10 minutes from a DVD movie I recently bought to FCP4 so I can manipulate it and edit it as I like. It is not for commercial use but for my own enjoyment. How can I do that? Any help is appreciated. I have FCP4.0.2 & OSX 10.2.6 & DVD Studio Pro 2.0.0

Thanks Jeff. I was afraid of that. Now, could you explain that to my wife? I hope I can at least get an upgrade from Apple. Thanks again.

VHS-C to FCP solution
 

I have a JVC S-VHS VCR connected to my JVC GRD70 camcorder with an S-video cable and the camcorder's a/v cable (with just the audio connections hooked up to the VCR). The camcorder is connected to my Mac with firewire. Another firewire cable connects my external hard drive.

To capture video in Final Cut Pro, set your external video to uncontrolled, hit play on the VHS deck, and hit Capture Now in FCP.

Well, it seems the speed is not an issue, I can just reduce to 96% and turn frame blending off, but the the problem now is resizing. I thought it was doing it correctly, but FCP4 is just squishing the PAL image into the NTSC frame. I want to correctly resize the PAL 4:3 image into the NTSC 4:3 image, taking into consideration pixel aspect ratio. Anyone know how to do this?

Hum Removal in FCP 3??
 

There is a noticable hum in the audio of my project & I was wondering if anyone could explain to me how to remove it; maybe by using one of FCP's filters? I'm stuck.
Thanks
Erik

Erik,

Is it there after you render? I was having the same problem, but it was my amp and a loose connection - one of the plugs not plugged all the way in causing the hum. Check those if you are using an amp. If not, you might be able to adjust levels in the mixer (turn down the bass) to get rid of a little of it....I don't know about the filters????

Use 2-3 FCP hum removers or parametric equalizers.
Set one to 60, the 2nd to 120 and if needed, the third to 180 Hz.
Set the Q as high as possible. Set the gain to as negative as possible.

Honestly, I don't use FCP, nor do I have a Mac. However, I coded
all of the audio signal processing filters for the early release of FCP in 1998/99. Hum removal tools are there in some form, although the parameter names may have changed.

There are several common "hums". One is due to electrical grounding problems (aka ground loop hum) when connecting audio to the camera. Another is camera whir. Others are from ventilation noise. I described how to remove the 60 Hz hum from your audio. Since other hums have unspecified frequencies,
you have to use a spectral analysis tool to identify the prominent frequencies of the hum. Although I don't know of the latest Mac tools for this analysis, CoolEdit Pro and Sound Forge on Windows PCs do the job well. If you can at least export a few seconds of your audio (preferably isolated to make the peak analysis obvious) to a PC, you can use that computer to identify the frequencies in the hum.

New 20 Inch iMac announced
 

Apple has introduced a 20 inch iMac with a 1.25 GHz G4 processor and the velocity engine. The details are on Apple's site here.