countdown
 

Greetings Ken---
FCP 3 indeed has all the leader/coundown options, (bars, tone, etc.)...My question is, does it render to the head of your project somehow intuitively or do you have to somehow assign it? I plan to put bars/tone, info on who produced it, and the countdown to the first fade up from black...

It's an export option. That is, you would tell FCP to use your own file (containing your countdown, etc) when preparing to export the sequence. It won't show up on your working sequence.

DVD SP 2 pulldown questions
 

DVX100A
DVD SP 2
FCP 3.0.4

---

A question came to me recently.

What is the advantage of removing the pulldown on 24p advanced when outputting to DVD?

If one encodes the 24p and authors that material on DVD then how is it viewed correctly on a monitor - another pulldown from the DVD player itself?

Is there an advantage with encoding 24p instead of 29.97?

---

My understanding is when shooting 24p standard not advanced and going to DVD one is preserving the pulldown and hence the image quality from the camera to outputting is the same?

I've also noticed when encoding to MPEG2 after shooting 24p standard the encode takes quite a but longer than my old XL-1 footage.

Thanks

Apple's Production Suite
 

Anyone seen this? Aparantly they just released it.
It's FCPHD, Motion, and DVDSP3 for $1299.00, but if you can get the student discount, it's only $499.00!

http://www.apple.com/productionsuite/

What a steal!

Motion is released and a new Production Bundle from Apple.
 

I originally wasn't too excited about Motion, being a pretty hard core After Effects user.

However, the particle stuff looks pretty sweet and there's at least one template that I can already use in a current project, so I think I may be picking this up after all.

Anyone else interested in it?

Mac overheating?
 

Whenever I play whats on the timeline in FCP HD, the fans on my dual 2.5 kick in and and it sounds like the computer is working pretty hard just to play back a small portion of video. Is this normal, or is my computer over heating? I have it underneath my desk where nothing can block the fans. This is my first Mac, so I have nothing to compare it too.

The dual 2.5GHz processors generate a lot of heat, hence the water cooling. It is probably normal. Consult Apple Care, they have more experience than anyone on forums at this time. Your unit is too new for much field experience yet.

*bump* anyone here encountered something like this?

I am going to pick up the Production Suite come September. Even in Canada, the price for the whole thing with my student discount is $679. Considering Final Cut Express is 200 with the student discount, I would be insane not to spend the extra and get the Suite.

A phenomenal deal... and even more so when it will save me buying After Effects. Since I have not trained in AE, using Motion will make a little more sense, since from what I have seen (NAB Demo video) it us super simple to use and create great output.

I cant wait!

I think i might get it too.
I am tempted too to go get the Production Suite, since it would upgrade me from FCP4 and DVDSP2 to FCPHD and DVDSP3, plus Motion!

idvd add intro IFO edit?
 

hey guys, sorry to trouble ya....i usually run sony dvd arch at home, it give me the option to insert an intro clip (such as the fbi warning type on standard movies)

idvd doesnt seem to have that option, my classmates and I have already assembled a great menu and to redo it in another proggie seeminly would tack on another day.

Could i not encode the intro clip i want separately, and then edit the IFO and tack it in there?

thanks!

$1,299 1.6 Ghz G5 Powermacs
 

I just ordered one of these, refurbed from Apple after checking Bare Feat's FCP render tests. http://www.barefeats.com/fcp4.html

After struggling on my tibook 550 G4, I couldn't pass up the upgrade opportunity at this price.

Anyone else on here using FCP with this machine? Have you edited feature length material and if so, how would you describe the experience?


http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...3.1.1.0?114,75

You can only do it with iDVD 4.x I believe. Check apple's website for more info.

unfortunately its whatever they have on these macs here...i dont own a mac myself. cant see paying for software i would never use.

i know i could handcode it in use IFO edit, just curious if anyone else has run into this.

Woops. sold out already.

"Operation not allowed" message during export
 

I'm trying to export some sequences into Quicktime movies (with chapters, though that shouldn't make a difference) into iDVD 3.0. I did this exact same thing just two days ago, with another project. Now, when I try to export, it goes through the motions, and after it "exports", it says "operation not allowed". It does this on any sequence in this project that I try to export. Have shut down and re-started with no success. Any thoughts?

Information on mini DV to beta
 

Hello Folks,
I will be outputting some video from FCP to mini DV tape for use on a local cable TV show. The cable company will only accept VHS, SVHS, or Beta tape. What is my best option for best quality. I will also need to make sure my video is broadcast safe. I used the broadcast safe filter in FCP and it left me with small square bright green pixels in the hot spots. Should I try to do this or hire a post shop to do it for me. Money is allways an issue and would like to color correct myself. I did try to run the level highlights filter after the broadcast safe filter and this seemed to help. Thanks for your help,
Brian

Will my QT Player accept FCP3's QT Pro?
 

I am about to install FCP 3 on my eMac (OS 10.2) and I'm a little confused as to whether or not the version (6.0.1) of the QT Player that came pre-installed with my eMac will come into conflict with FCP3's QT Pro. In other words, when it comes to installing QT Pro, does it matter what version of QT Player one has? If yes, what do you suggest I do?

Thank you.

For the best quality, have your miniDV master transferred to betasp at a professional dub facility. Be sure to add color bars when you print it to tape.

As for color correction and broadcast safe:

You can't just slap a Broadcast Safe filter on there and be done with it. That can crush your highlights, lighten your blacks, and do odd things with color. Color correction is a skill...one that takes a bit of training and a good eye. There are editors here in L.A. whose whole job is to color correct a show and make it ready for broadcast. If you want to tackle this and make your projects look good, I suggest getting a little training.

In the meantime...open your Tool bench scopes and use them as a reference to make sure that your whites don't peak over 100 IRE, and your blacks don't go below 0 IRE. When the dub house makes the transfer, they will bump the blacks up to the analoge standard of 7 IRE. Make sure your colors aren't too hot as well.

The scopes are your best friend. Learn how to read them and use them.

I don't mean to come off sounding 'Holier than thou.' I just want to state that when you enter the broadcast world, you need to know what you are doing or your stuff will get kicked back to you. That can be embarassing and costly to your reputation and pocketbook.

Be prepared.

Install the version of QT that comes with FCP and license it as instructed in the FCP directions.

I've seen that error (usually with an error code) with QT Streaming as an option and if subtitles are in your project.

Jeff, thank you for replying.

So, to get a better understanding, does QT Pro work with every QT Player version? Aren't there different versions for Pro as there are for Player?

It knows what version to use based on the serial number you enter. No serial number means QT Player. Serial number means QT Pro. FCP 3 want the serial done in a specific manner, as I recall.

<<<-- Originally posted by Chris L. Gray : Woops. sold out already. -->>>


Damn. Good deal. A 1.6Ghz G5 with a Gig of mem or more would run FCP fine. Keep your eyes peeled Apple seems to be clearing out computers.

<<<-- Originally posted by Harrison Murchison : Keep your eyes peeled Apple seems to be clearing out computers. -->>>

It seems to be more a case of making refurbs available for resale as and when they can. For awhile only the earlier G5s were available in the refurb section. Now the newer ones are also appearing there. The available quantities are not that large. The day I bought a refurb dual 1.8GHz/160GB G5, when my transaction was done, that item disappeared off the web site for that day. The sales person with whom I was speaking had also been about to discuss the 1.6GHz with me, then said, "Whoops, that one's gone already." Fortunately, that was not what I had had my eye on anyway.

Audio doesn't play when scrubbing?!
 

Hello, all! I need some help... I'm editing a MiniDV feature on FCP HD, and everything was fine, until now. For some reason, when I play my footage on the timeline at regular speed, the audio plays back fine. However, when I scrub through the timeline, either in fast-forward or slo-mo, the audio doesn't play. Five minutes ago this was all working fine, and now I can't listen to my clips unless it's at regular speed. Even trying to move frame-by-frame in either direction doesn't play the audio; only regular speed. The sound levels display only moves when it's playing at normal speed.

I haven't changed any settings, and I've already edited tons of footage with no problems. I tried restarting FCP, but the problem is still there.

I'm using FCP HD 4.5 on a Dual 2GHz G5 with 1.5GB RAM, and several external HDDs. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Nevermind... I got it fixed. I had accidentally unchecked the "Audio Scrubbing" feature in the View menu. I must have pressed SHIFT+S by accident. Anyway, it works now.

I just received my 1.6 today. By the scuff on the mouse, it looks USED. But oh well, I don't care. I'm waiting for my 1GB ram kit to really let this baby handle fcp. :p

Thank you for your help Guy, ill give it a try.

The tv station I work has Avid Xpress in three of the bays, with linear in the remaining ones. I have FCPHD at home on my mac. Of the two, I prefer FCP if nothing else than for the layout. FCP's layout is (to me) more user friendly than the one for Avid Xpress.

<<<-- Originally posted by Chris L. Gray : I just received my 1.6 today. By the scuff on the mouse, it looks USED. But oh well, I don't care. I'm waiting for my 1GB ram kit to really let this baby handle fcp. :p -->>>

Hey as long as it works good right?

I bought a single 1.8 demo from a store that was in perfect shape, and a dual 2.0 refurb from the website that also looked as good as new. Go figure.

ordering from Mac Mall?
 

Hi,

I am looking to purchase a powerbook g4 and mac mall seems to have a decent price on the model I want. However, I am always a bit skeptical when ordering from new places that offer great deals. When I checked up on mac mall I only found bad reviews and stories of them cheating people.

Has anyone on the board ordered from them? Specifically a powerbook?

Thanks,
-Dan

MacMall is a long time authorized Apple dealer and is very reputable. You can order from them without fear. Also checkout B & H Photo, they're an Apple dealer and one of our sponsors. I don't know how you feel about Apple refurbished products, but they're are several PB models in the Apple Store at their site.

Medea G-Raid - Possible Stupid Question...
 

I was looking for an external hard drive around 250 gb for additional space for video editing. At first I looked at the Mercury Elite Pro FW400/800 drive, but now I've stumbled onto the G-Raid and wanted to ask a few questions about it.

I will be using it with my current Quicksilver G4 (867mhz) on final cut pro, and will most likely move to a powerbook next year when I go to college. At first the drive caught my eye just because it matches the powerbook and g5 and because it has more storage space (I'm considering the 320 gb model).

First stupid question: what does 2x320 gb mean? does that mean that there are two 320 gb drives raided together for redundancy... so, you really have 640 gb of space, but only have 320 gb available to use? could someone please explain the RAID system more thoroughly?

Also, imagine in a year, using this with a powerbook: what benefits will this RAID system provide over any other firewire 800 drive? Im not sure what all the specs mean as far as the number of video streams it can handle. I always just import from the camera, edit, and output to dvd. For a laptop user, would it be much faster? Does it really support more real time effects? Do you think this drive is overkill?

sorry for so many questions...
thanks,
Chris

With two drives inside a box (what 2x320 normally means) you
can use two raid levels:

RAID 0: striping or RAID 1: mirroring

Either you can choose which one it is or the box comes in either
of the two modes.

In raid 0 the two drives are strung together so to speak so the
computer will see one big 600+ GB harddisk. The idea is to speed
up read speed and sometimes write speed as well. How much of
a speedup you can expect, I don't know. I presume firewire 800
will be faster in this if your Mac has such a port as well.

In raid 1 the drives are mirrored so you half the available space
to 300+ GB. All your data is now mirrored and in case of one
drive dying on you, you will still have the other one available.

What mode it is or what you can choose from I don't know.

My G4 PB is from Macmall - bought it last year. Also bought an Apple Care plan with it, which came it handy when the hard disk gave up the ghost this year - no fault of Macmall, I believe. When I bought a G5 PowerMac this year, however, I went to the Apple store for a refurb - not only because of the model I wanted, but also because of the additional RAM I wanted. Macmall gives you a good deal on the RAM upgrades to Macs, but you're never quite sure (until after you get it) which kind it is. RAM incompatibilities seem to be at the heart of a number of user problems, at least from what I've read. As far as I've heard, that would be the only issue on which there would seem to be a need for caution re authorized Apple resellers.

Comments and advice needed on DV decks
 

I am in the market for a DV deck and am interested in finding out what your negative experiences are with and what you like about the following decks: Sony DSR-11, Panasonic AG-DV2500 and JVC BR-DV3000U.

FYI, I'll be using the new deck with FCP 3.

Your comments and advice will be very much appreciated.

Thank you.

tc breaks when using PD-170
 

Hello

I am capturing footage shot on a Sony PD-170 in DV-Cam mode (PAL). Whenever the power on the camera has been off during the shoot, FCP capture considers this a tc break and cues up the player to start capturing a new clip.
Funny thing is this only happens with footage shot in DV-Cam mode, with tapes shot in mini-dv mode capture now works just fine, I can capture long clips no matter if the power has been off or not.
BTW, I have tried capturing directly from the camera (instead from my DSR 11 player), and the same thing happens. And to top it off, we've been shooting with two camera's and this problem occurs with footage from both of them.

Any suggestions? Thx!

Change FCP preferences to not stop on TC breaks.

Thanks
 

Thanks Shane,
Thanks so much for the information.
Brian