Real-Time Capture in Final Cut Express

Hi All -
I own a music venue, and we're considering adding video recording services (current we just offer audio). To reduce labor, I'm planning on a fixed mounted camera (brand/model TBD) from one of our lighting trusses (on the ceiling). We'd like to stream the video footage into a PowerMac and/or PowerBook in real time (presumably via a long firewire cable), thus avoiding the use of tapes, etc... So two questions:
1- Can Final Cut Express handle direct capture of video in Real Time? If so, are there any constraints, such as 7200 RPM harddrive, no HD, etc..., that I need to be aware of?
2- We plan to capture audio separately so that we can mix it in 16-track format in our ProTools HD studio. Will FCE work with a time code (SMTPE, etc...), or are there other prefer methods of keeping the sources in synch?
Any other thoughts from concert film masters would be appreciated! We're a small venue (150 person capacity) and will be using this mostly for student recitals and local bands - thus we need to be frugal and minimize the number of people needed to run it.
Thanks!
Raja
Red House Studios
www.redhouselive.com

1. There are limitations to the length of FireWire cable data can be streamed. You might want to check up on this. FCE captures DV in realtime. You'll need a fast drive either in the computer or an external FW drive at least 7200rpm with 8MB cache.
2. No.

Similar Messages

Issues Capturing with Final Cut Express

Hi
I am currently having issues capturing with Final Cut Express. I am using a Firewire 800 gold speed cable 9pin/4pin with my Sony LSF-S58 camera. I use mini DV tapes and usually capture on other computers with no problems. However this time I am using Final Cut Express version 4.0.1 along with a Thunderbolt to Firewire adapter so it'll connect with my MAC Book Pro (Operating system OS X 10.6.8). The issue is when I open Final Cut's capture option there is a message at the bottom that says "No Communicatin" I have tried various settings within easy set-up and nothing seems to work as well as browsing this help board along with others looking for the answer. Any help anyone can provide would be great. Thanks.

When I Google LSF-S58, I get a Sony Lens Hood, not a camera. Are you recording in HD or SD?
Have you used the Thunderbolt to Firewire convertor successfully on your computer with other devices?
Have you used the Thunderbolt port successfully with other Thunderbolt devices?
I don't know if this is applicable to your computer, but there is a Thunderbolt software update for 10.6.8 here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1452?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
MtD

Capturing into Final Cut Express

I work within Final Cut Express and up until now i was capturing footage via a sony camcorder with a firwire connect.
But i have just recently bought a panasonic gs 500 which comes with a usb cable connection. So i plugged it in, opened Fianl Cut and it doesnt recognise the camcorder being attached? I know the camcorder works with Final Cut, so i wondered if it is because i need a newer version of Fianl Cut to work with usb connection, or that i will need to buy a firewire cable for my camcorder? Any help would be great, want to get capturing footage.

Most camcorders that I've encountered don't come from the factory with a FireWire cable - you have to supply your own. A USB cable is usually included to transfer stills, not video.
Again, FCE captures via FireWire, not USB. Beyond that, USB cannot sustain the throughput required for video. Even though the USB2 spec appears to be faster than FW400, that's simply not the case in real life. The explanation involves the electrical, signalling & protocol characteristics of USB vs. Firewire.
USB cables (esp. the cheap ones packaged with cameras) are much less costly than FireWire cables. We might like the manufacturer to bundle a FW cable with the camcorder, but the manufacturer sees that as an unnecessarily expensive accessory.

Can you batch capture with Final Cut Express?

I'm new to Mac and FCE,
I'm used to running through my dv marking in and out points to create a batch and then hitting capture at the end and the computer rewinds and captures each in/out point. At this point, I usually start editing pics, etc for the video on another machine (videos are very short turnaround time).
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Thanks,

This is very irritating. The more I get into the Mac side of video the more I think I have been sold a bill of goods. Mac seems to be good for lots of stuff, but I have to say that iMovie and Final Cut Express seem to lack some pretty basic functionality found in Windows software like Ulead MSP.
I even asked this specific question to the Apple store personnel and they guaranteed me that batch capture is possible on FCE.
I have to ask myself at this point why am I considering paying 900.00 for FCP when a 300 dollar Windows Program does the same thing. I guess live and learn, but it sure helps when people tell the truth and don't make stuff up when they don't understand it.
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Panasonic HDC-SD100 media card unable to capture on Final Cut Express 4

No problems at all with transfer to i-movie but just purchased final cut express 4 and problems with capturing from the media card. Signal system on camera is 1080/50i. Have tried setting HD and 1080/50i in the easy set up but no joy. Have tried log and transfer and see clips but on transfer message states no data. Can anyone help with the settings please?
Many thanks in advance

Welcome to the forum!
There are many things that could cause this, and almost all have been discussed.
Some things to try:
• In the Log and Transfer window, click the preferences button (the gear in the upper right). Make sure audio is set to *Plain Stereo*
• Also in that preferences window, click the button to *Clear the Cache*
Also, what drive are you using to capture to (internal or external)? How is it formatted, and how much space is left on that drive?

How to convert MTS files for capture in Final Cut Express 4

*PLEASE HELP!!!* While waiting to buy my iMac I saved my Canon Vixia HF200 AVCHD video clips on a PC with backups stored on an external HD. I transferred these to my iMac and they are in .MTS format. I can not open them in either iMovie or Final Cut Express 4. I gather I need to convert the files somehow. What is the best way to do this? _Thank you for your help!_

Here are your options now that you just have the files...
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=9966355#9966355
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2073767&start=15&tstart=0
As Tom said, next time import directly from the volume rather than copying the .mts files.

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When I go to capture (using capture screen control buttons), the camera starts and the capture screen stays black for about 5 seconds then stops camera. VTR at bottom of screen is showing connected. I've tried many things with no results. played with camera settings. Need some help.

Do a forum search for QuickTime 7.3. It doesn't work with FCE versions 3.5 or older.

Audio De-Sync during Capture in Final Cut Express

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I do a lot of work in Final Cut and this is a large problem for me. Any help at all would be greatly appreciated.

If you have been altering the Easy Setups a lot you may have corrupted the preferences.
So trash them completely like this
Misc1 Trash Prefs
Then set the correct Easy Setup.
If you are not sure which to use let us know exactly what video format you are using.

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I am having trouble capturing media in fc express as well as imovie. my footage is HD. when I start to capture the media goes in normal for like 2 seconds, then it says that the capture is 95% behind(in fc express) or that it is capturing at 1/8 speed (imovie). even when i stop the capture in order to let it catch up to real time,the media freezes up so that i cant really view it. i dnt know what i am missing.Ive even tried to use a different firewire cable. any suggestions?
Message was edited by: sscstudios
Message was edited by: sscstudios

Thanks for the reply Tom. (BTW I'm not the original poster.)
You are correct- It is a USB drive formatted FAT 32 . After my original post, I erased the drive and started over with a clean slate. This was successful for tape one (about 60 minutes). About twenty minutes into tape two though, it was deja vu all over again. FC froze, I force quit, and lost all of what I had captured from tape one in the process. I unsuccessfully tried to recapture tape one. Same problem again.
Although this is the first time I've tried to capture through FC onto an external drive, I've got three other USB drives full of video I've captured from VHS with the same computer through a DV encoder. When you say USB is not supported by Apple for video applications, does that mean video editing applications? As for complete information, apologies but I'm not exactly sure what other info. you mean. Please let me know. Thanks again. I appreciate the time.

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http://www.fcpbook.com/Misc7.html

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Final Cut Express 4.0 - BEST export for...

Good evening everyone!
I've finished up the first phase of a project I've been working on.
I'll be now exporting my final cut video ( using Final Cut Express 4.0 ) to a DVD for transport to the client. They will be taking the video and loading it onto some TV displays and they'll be converting it for some web usage.
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thank you for your time in advance!
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Just testing now... and verified that the .mov files ( quick time files from Final Cut Express 4.0) plays very bad on my Windows machine.
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Final Cut Express: No audio when capturing from camcorder

When capturing video from my "Sony TRV 18" digital camcorder and a Canon ZR500 digital camcorder
into Final Cut Express 4.0.1 via fire wire to my scratch disk - a LaCie external hard drive -
I get the video in my browser but it has no accompanying audio.
When I move a captured clip from the browser to the viewer and time line, the video shows up, but (1) there is no accompanying audio shown in the audio time line, (2) no audio can be heard and (3) the audio meters show no action.
My Easy Setup settings for audio match my camera audio settings.
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I use an IMac with OSX 10.6.5 with 266 GHz intel Core i5.
Thank you in advance for any tips that could help.

Hi Sid
I get the video in my browser but it has no accompanying audio.
YES - This is the way FinalCut Express AND Pro works !
If You need the audio - Then You connect a small set of speakers to Your miniDV Camera
(headphone out)
alt. if no phono-out on Camera is to connect a small TV to the Camera analog way
and here You can both see and hear during Capture
(BTW - Connecting a small TV (or if §§§§§ is no problem a reference monitor
§5-10,000 or even more) is a Very good way of keeping Quality control during
editing process. Eg Transitions, audio levels, color fidelity etc. I do and the
ref monitor are well compared to my final DVDs.)
There are NO WAY that You can monitor audio during Capture in any FinalCut versions !
Yours (been there and done that - or as said in Sweden "butted Your head at it") Bengt W

Trouble capturing footage to final cut express

hey this is quite urgent....
i am trying to upload footage to final cut express from my sony DCR-HC52E. it sais VTR OK and plays and pauses and stuff but i cannot see anything it just stayed on those coloured bars.
i can see it playing on the camera though...
i got it working once with this camera, just cant remember how
any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi
My table for this was once for iMovie - BUT it's more General than that so You might find help here.
*NO CAMERA or A/D-box*
Cable
• Are You sure that You are using the FireWire Cable - USB-Cable will not work for miniDV tape Cameras
FireWire - Sure not using the accompany USB-Cable but bought a 4-pin to 6-pin (or 9-pin) FW one ?
• Test another FW-Cable *very often the problem maker*.
Camera
• Test Your Camera on another Mac so that DV-in still works OK
• Toogle in iMovie pref. Play-back via Camera (on<->off some times)
• Some Cameras has a Menu where You must select DV-out to get it to work
• Camera connected to "charger" (mains adaptor) - not just on battery
• Camera set in Playback mode - NOT Recording mode
Does Your Camera work on another Mac ?
Sorry to say it is to easy to turn the 6-pin end of the FW-cable 180 deg wrong.
This is lethal to the A/D-chip in the Camera = needs an expensive repair.
(Hard to find out - else than import/export to another Mac ceased to work
everything else is OK eg recording and playback to TV)
A/D-box
• Is the dip-switches set right ?
• Set to same standard as recorded/editing eg NTSC 29.97fps or PAL 25fps
• Try resetting it
Connections
• Daisy Chaining most often doesn’t work (some unique cases - it’s the only way that work (some Canon Cameras ?))
Try to avoid connecting Camera <--> external HD <--> Mac but import directly to the Mac then move
the Movie project to dedicated external hard disk.
• FireWire-port - Can be re-setted by - Turn off Mac and disconnecting Mac from Mains/Power for 20-30 minutes
Mac
• Free space on internal (start-up) hard disk ? Please specify the amount of free space.
(Other hard disks don't count)
I go for a minmum of 25Gb free space for 4x3 SD Video - and my guess is 5 times more for 16x9 HD ones
after material is imported and edited.
• Does Your Mac have a FireWire Port
• White MacBooks - don't
• MacBook-Air - don't
if not then a few Mac’s has a PCM-CIA slot and there are FW-Cards that makes a FW-port this way
else - NO SOLUTION
Only option as I get it is either
• Use another Mac to Capture material (to an external USB2 - Mac OS Extended formatted hard disk - or -
• Change to another Camera that can be used with Your Mac (no there are no miniDV tape Cameras that can)
• If Your Mac-Book has a PCM-CIA Card place - then there are FW-port-Cards and then
You can import via this - but I've not seen this on more modern Macs. My PowerBook G4
has one and this FW-Card-port works greatly.
SoftWare
• Delete iMovie pref file may help sometimes. I rather start a new account, log into this and have a re-try.
• Any strange Plug-ins into QuickTime as Perian etc ? Remove and try again.
• FileVault is off ? (hopefully)
• Screen Saver - OFF
• Energy Saver - OFF
Using WHAT versions ? .
• Mac OS - X.5.4 ?
• QuickTime version ? (This is the heart in both iMovie and FinalCut)
• iMovie’08 (7.1.?), 09 or 11 ?
• iMovie HD 6 (6.0.4/3) ?
*Other ways to import Your miniDV tape*
• Use another Camera. There where tape play-back stations from SONY
but they costed about 2-4 times a normal miniDV Camera.
• If Your Camera works on another Mac. Make an iMovie movie project here and move it
over to Your Mac via an external hard disk.
(HAS TO BE Mac OS Extended formatted - USB/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange WILL NOT DO)
(Should be a FireWire one - USB/USB2 performs badly)
from LKN 1935.
Hi Bengt W, I tried it all, but nothing worked. Your answer has been helpfull insofar as all the different trials led to the conclusion that there was something wrong with my iMovie software. I therefore threw everything away and reinstalled iMovie from the HD. After that the exportation of DV videos (there has not been any problem with HDV videos) to my Sony camcorders worked properly as it did before. Thank you. LKN 1935
from Karsten.
in addition to Bengt's excellent '9 yards of advice' ..
camera set to 'Play' , not rec/computer/etc.?
camera not on battery, but power-line?
did your Mac 'recognize' this camera before...?
a technical check.
connect camera, on, playback, fw-connected...
click on the Blue Apple, upper left of your screen ..
choose 'About../More..
under Firewire.. what do you read..?
More
• FileVault - Secure that it’s turned off
• Network storage - DOESN’T WORK
• Where did You store/capture/import Your project ?
External USB hard disk = Bad Choise / FireWire = Good
If so it has to be Mac OS Extended formatted
----> UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange is NOT Working for VIDEO !
mbolander
Thanks for all your suggestions. What I learned is that I had a software problem. I had something called "Nikon Transfer" on my Mac that was recognizing my Canon camcorder as a still camera and was preventing iMovie from working properly. After uninstalling Nikon Transfer and doing a reboot, everything worked great.
I never liked the Nikon Transfer software anyway--I guess I'll get a cheap card reader and use that to transfer photos in the future.
*No Camera or bad import*
• USB hard disk
• Network storage
• File Vault is on
jiggaman15dg wrote
if you have adobe cs3 or 4 and have the adobe bridge on close that
or no firewire will work
see if that halps
DJ1249 wrote
The problem was the external backup hard drive that is connected, you need to disconect the external drive before the mac can see the video camera.
MaryBoog wrote
Maybe your problems is solved in the meantime, but for all others this might help as I had the same problem, also have the Sony HDR-HC7, but the 7e (Europe, PAL). I found this link today and it works perfectly
//support.sony-europe.com/tutorials/dime/videotransfer/vtransfer.aspx site=odwenGB&sec=DVH&m=HDR-HC7E
What I exactly did.- put camera in play mode - open guide - choose connection guide - choose comp./printer (where to transfer movie to) - select connection.- i-link (on my camera) but equal to firewire - OK - choose HDV - choose NO for conversion of i.link.
Settings are shown then (VCR HDV/DV.- HDV and i.link-conv..- OFF), press OK, OK, END.
Switch camera off. Connect firewire cable to camera & Mac. Switch camera on, in play/edit mode.
Open i-movie, choose import from camera. On screen below the camera connection is shown.- DV (HDV). Now you can import, automatically or manually.
This worked perfectly for me. Took me 2 days to find out. Could not find any clear thread explaining what I had to do on the camera and the manual was not clear either.
Yours Bengt W

Real-Time Capture in Final Cut Express

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