Capturing Footage From Composite / S-Video into FCE

I want to capture some footage from analogue sources into my Mac. It can either be via composite or S-Video but my question is : Which gizmo should I use to convert the analogue signal into DV?
The Canopus range seems like it would do the trick (ADVC55, 110 or 300, with the 55 closest to my price-point.) But the specs say it's compatible with FCP, and don't mention FCE explicitly. If I buy it, will it work, or is there some particular difference between FCP and FCE, that means it won't?
Mac Mini 1.42 Mac OS X (10.4.5)

Canopus works just fine with FCE. I've been using my ADVC 110 with two versions of FCE for two years and it works fine ... the 300 should be even better cuz of the built in TBC. I know from others that you will have no compatibility probs.

Similar Messages

Want to import avchd footage from a media card into FCE.

Trying to import avchd video from a media card into Final Cut Express. Panasonic DMC-ZS3 / FCE 4.0.1 / MBP 10.6.8. Have taken a look at the footage using a trial version of Pavtube MTS Converter.

A further comment : this is AVCHD Lite, and there are several online recommendations for software to convert files for Mac. Any suggestions??

FCE: Capturing footage from my Canon XL1

Got FCE and when capturing footage from my Canon XL1 I get the video however there is no audio!
Tried capturing footage via iMovies and works no problem!
Not sure if this has anything to do with it but I'm using a external mic. on my XL1 into one ch. on the audio inputs. Also scratch disks is on a external 1TB WD drive. Finally tried virtually all the set-ups on the 'easy set-up' but still no joy.
Can anyone throw me a life line on this one?!

sorry I should have made myself abit clearer.....when the tape is played back in my XL1 I can hear audio when my headphones are pluged into the camera also the camera has audio monitors which I can see movement verifying there is audio. However in FCE I don't see any audio level movement.
In terms of equip. I just have a external WD 1TB drive (USB), firewire cable for video camera and the USB cable for the keyboard & mouse.
Additional application: Flip video s/w (however had fce issue prior to installing this).

Footage has to be imported into FCE first?

I have a lot of DV footage that I captured into iMovie and it has been saved at QT files DV format. When I bring the raw footage in from my hard drive and play it back from within FCE...the video plays for 2seconds then pauses constantly.
Do I have to recapture all of my footage directly into FCE for it to work properly?

About 1 year ago, I imported all of footage from my DV camcorder into iMovie '06. Then I exported the footage as a quicktime file set in the DV format. So, when I either import or open the QT file from within FCE4, it comes into the main window and then I drag it over into the preview window and hit play. It plays but constantly plays, then pauses or I guess as you say that is considered dropping frames?
So, perhaps that is my problem is that I imported the footage already into iMovie '06 and now it is dropping frames because I have not exported it properly from the beginning when I was archiving all of my DV footage from a year ago?
Just wondering if you recommend me re-importing all of my film into FCE.
Message was edited by: Freis1968

Capturing footage from Canon XH A1

Hi All -
I'm a bit new to Final Cut Express but ran across the following problem:
When I try to capture footage from my Canon XH A1 HD video camera, FCE does not recognize that there's any connection or that the camera is plugged into my MacBook Pro via the firewire cable. When I plug in my Sony VX2100 it does recognize this camera and I'm able to capture footage when I use that camera, but no luck with the Canon.
Funny thing is, when I try to capture footage from my Canon using iMovie it recognizes the camera and captures the footage with no problem.
Any idea why FCE is not recognizing this camera when iMovie does? Is there a setting on FCE that needs to be changed?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks!!

Are you using the correct Easy Setup?
Normally it should be HDV-Apple Intermediate Codec 1080i50 (or i60 if you are using NTSC).
I believe your Canon is an HDV camera whilst your Sony shoots DV.
They both need different Easy Setups. iMovie deals with this automatically.

If I want to keep the quality of the original captured footage(from the tapes),what format should I?

I captured canon hv20 by firewire to my computer with adobe premiere elements 11. After capture, I have cutted clip three times. Then I want to export my computer because of I watch on my 46 inches full hd lcd television. If I want to keep the quality of the original captured footage (from the tapes), what format should I? I choosen mpeg 1440x1080i 24, it alerts error. Or i chosee avchd 1920x1080p, then it is too larger than captured scenes. I think it is 20000MB but captured scened (without cut) only 11.2 gb. Please help me. Thanks very much.

YCLCS
File size and Bitrate and Quality are interrelated. From what I have read, the bitrate for your HDV footage from the PAL Canon HV20 camcorder should be about 25 Mbps (megabits per second). If you did a HDV data capture firewire into Premiere Elements, you should MPEG2.mpg file on the Timeline.
When you did your export
Publish+Share
Computer
MPEG
using Presets = MPEG2 1440 x 1080i25, did you make any changes in the settings under the Advanced Button/Video Tab of the preset?
When you look at the settings in the Export Settings dialog for the MPEG 1440 x 1080i25 preset, you will see the default bitrate settings
Minimum = 18 Mbps
Target = 25 Mbps
Maximum = 30 Mbps
The program's export bitrate may be higher than that of your source media, resulting in the increased file size. You can check out the bitrate, using the properties readout from a free program such a MediaInfo
http://mediainfo.sourceforge.net/en
You could experiment with different bitrate, trying to maintain the quality as you decrease the maximum bitrate from 30 Mbps downward to reduce the file size.
The file extension of your export should be .m2t, .mpg. So, your export is MPEG2.m2t. I find that that type of file will playback in Windows Media Player, but not QuickTime (latest version). This particular export would be the closest to the source media properties.
But, right now I would try to perfect the MPEG2 1440 x 1080i25, experimenting with the bitrate to bring the file size into line with the source file and still maintain video quality. The AVCHD.mp4 suggested by Ann Bens is a prime candidate quality wise. If size becomes a factor, you might want to explore a 1920 x 1080i25 or 1440 x 1080i25 Windows Media Video 9.wmv file which we can discuss in more detail depending on how things are going.
Please review the above and then let us know how we can help.
Thanks.
ATR

What setup do I use to import files from my hard drive into FCE 4.0.1?

I can import files (HD from Canon camera, saved as QuicktimeMov - ratio 1920 x1080, 25fps) to FCE but they show up as needing rendering.
(red line above timeline) What should my settings be to make them compatible to FCE? I have it set on Apple Codec Intermediate 1920x1080i50 with HD format.
Have tried all the settings but come up with the same result. Also, do I need to compress my files before I import them to FCE?
Thanks.

Video from the 550D (acually, all Canon DSLRs) cannot be used directly in FCE. There is a Canon EOS plugin that allows you to directly Log & Transfer from the DSLR into Final Cut Pro, but the plugin does not work with Final Cut Express.
In order to use the 550D video in Final Cut Express you will need to convert it to QuickTime/Apple Intermediate Codec by using a utility such as MPEG Streamclip or Clipwrap. You need to do this before you import the video into FCE.
Even though the 550D saves video as .mov files (QuickTime files) it uses a Canon H.264 codec which is why it needs to be transcoded into Apple Intermediate Codec before you can use it in FCE.

How do I get analog hi 8 video into FCE?

I am trying to get hi 8 video into FCE (or iMovie HD). I have the hi 8 tape in a Hitachi D.S.P. III (digital signal processor) camcorder. This is connected to my Sony mini-DV digital camcorder. My camcorder has A/V>DV option. I have my camera connected to the computer via Firewire. Should I use the A/V>DV option to do this? I am not getting the sound from the hi 8 tape and the video looks bad. What am I doing wrong?
Barbara

Well, I read everything in the manual and think I've done exactly what it says. When I connected to my computer, as I mentioned, the video was poor (perhaps tracking needed to be adjusted on the Hi 8 camcorder), but I don't understand why I didn't get any audio.
I also tried to connect the hi 8 camcorder directly to my DVR thinking I could burn it to a DVD and then extract from that to do more editing although I know the quality would not be as good. Again, when I tried to record, I got poor video quality and no sound. When I just play the hi 8 tape connected to my DVR, there definitely is sound and the video looks fine. I am at a loss--this is beyond my knowledge.
Thank you for your assistance, and if you have other suggestions, I would try them. However, the hi 8 camcorder and tape will not be available to me after tomorrow as my brother will be taking them back to Florida when he leaves Saturday. My only other thought is to record to a VHS tape and then I'm sure I can get that into my Sony camcorder because I've done that before. But, I sure would like to know how to make the other work right.
Thanks very much!
Barbara

Splitting events when capturing footage from tape

Using Final Cut Pro x, I want to capture footage from tape which is of a more then one event. what is the best way of doing this so as to avoid all of the footage captured as one event.

One way of doing this is to simply go into the Import from Camera window and select the clips that belong to one event then hit the Import Selection button. A window will come up asking you which event you want to import to and also give you the option to create a new event. After the little clocks fill up on each of the selected clips, that import is done. Now you can select the other clips and import them in the same way specifying a new event when you are asked where they are to go. Best wishes.
stpehen

Cant not upload pictures from my SD card into FCE through canon xha1s

Cant not upload pictures from my SD card into FCE through canon xha1s firewire. Is there another way? The strange part is when I originally hooked my canon up to the Imac iphoto saw the camcorder as a device and I do not what has happen since then. I just bought the camcorder and would like to take advantage of the photo capabilities as well as the video. All help would be greatly appreciated.

The card video stuff will most likely load into iPhoto when you tranfer the stills. USB connection only.
The video on the card will be a highly compressed, small dimensioned format and won't work directly with FCE and not over firewire in any shape or form.
However, you could take the clips from iPhoto and convert them to an FCE freindly format such as the DV codec. Streamclip is a free application that can do the job.
http://www.squared5.com/
Al

How can i download video hdv minicassette footage from my sony video camera with no fire wire port?

How can I download video HDV minicassette footage from my sony video camera with no fire wire port?

Hi,
Are you talking about your computer which has no firewire port ? If YES you can have one of two options:
(a) Use FCI - Firewire card like this (preferred)
You can buy from this:
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/2-Ports-PCI-Express-PCI-E-IEEE-1394A-Firewire-Adapter-Cable-Card-/1507023...
(b) You can also use USB-Firewaire adapter like this:
http://compare.ebay.com.au/like/120580625092?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes
Regards.
BH
**Click the KUDOS thumb up on the left to say 'Thanks'**
Make it easier for other people to find solutions by marking a Reply 'Accept as Solution' if it solves your problem.

Capturing footage from Camera using USB port

Quick question, that I need help with. I have final cut pro and I am trying to capture footage from a Sony Handy Cam. It only has the option to use a use connection to my mac.
In Final Cut pro, I can't figure out how to set it up to capture from the camera. If anyone can help and/or walk me through the process, that would be a great help.
Thanks.

Hi:
What kind of camere is it: DVD or hard drive?
If it's a DVD one you can use MPEG Streamclip to convert the MPEG2 files to an editable format like DV.
Alberto

Problem capturing PAL video into FCE HD

I'm having a problem capturing video from a PAL MiniDV tape. The tape was recorded on a PAL camera during a shoot in India; when I got home with the tapes the cameraman gave me, I was unable to view them on (or capture them from) my (NTSC) Canon GL-1 to my PowerBook G4 running FCE HD3.5.1 (external hard drive).
I borrowed a friend's Sony Handycam and CAN view the tape without a problem on that, AND get a "VTR OK" message in the FCE "Capture" window (though I get color bars and a "Preview Disabled" screen). I can also control the tape playback from the FCE Capture interface.
However, when I click "Capture Now", after clicking the "Play" button, I get a dialogue box that says "This operation could not be completed as there is no video."
I have tried a number of different "Easy Setup" device control options, but to no avail.
Can anyone help? Thanks!

I'm going to correct myself ... although I was able to capture the contents of ONE tape, after that the problem returned and I cannot capture anything else (even that same tape). So it seems the "solution" was not "FireWire-all-the-way" but remains out of my reach for the moment ...

Capturing footage from a camcorder memory card into FCP 7

I teach high school video technology. We are using FCP 7 and are awaiting the upgrade to 10.
In the past, we connected canon camcorders to the macs using a firewire and utilized the log and capture option under the file menu to put footage from miniDV tapes onto the computer to edit.
We just purchased canon FS400 cameras that use a memory card to store video instead. We have 18 computers and only ONE allows us to use the log and transfer option under the FCP 7 file menu to import footage from the memory card to the computer so the kids can edit what they shot. We have connected the camera to the computer using the USB cord that came with the cameras. However, there's only a message that comes on the camera LCD that says not to disconnect the USB cable or the power source until you safely end the connection from the computer.
When we launch FCP and select the log and transfer option from the file menu, nothing happens. on the one computer that DOES work, log and transfer allows the footage on the memory card to pop up after a little while and we drag it where we need it to go and it uploads to the computer.
I'm thinking it has to do with the computer settings. I tried the software updates on one computer and nothing changed. Still unable to import/capture. Please help as the district tech support can't get to us anytime soon and my students have planned and shot 2 different productions they can't even edit yet. I don't want to keep planning and shooting if they can never edit. Thanks so much for ANY reply.

h s video tech teacher wrote:
i'm not sure what you mean when you say "make sure you see the cards mounted on your computer."
You know when you insert a CD or external firewire drive, it appears on the desktop and in the browser windows? That's what should happen with your camera media. You may have to set the camera differently, try a different cable, etc., until you can see the media.
Wait until the computer recognizes the media, then launch Final Cut.

How to import/capture DVD or CD-ROM video into FCE4 to edit?

No copyright issues here. The DVDs are public relations material from government agencies or private companies that WANT their material to be used.
How to get this off the disc and into Final Cut Express 4 in a format that can be edited?
g.

One of the most common questions on this forum. The Search feature would have resulted in lots of info.
Basically you need to convert the DVD's MPEG2 format to a video format FCE can work with, like DV or HDV
You can use software solutions like MPEG Streamclip or DVxDVD to do the conversion. MPEG Streamclip is free but you need to purchase Apple's MPEG Playback Component to make it work
If you have a DV cam with pass thru capabilities, you can also try hooking the DVD player to the cam via analog cable then hooking the cam to the puter via Firewire. You would then select FCE's DV Converter easy setup and use Capture Now
No matter which solution you use, you may experience some quality loss when you go back to DVD

Capturing Footage From Composite / S-Video into FCE

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for