Best camera workflow with FCE???

I am in the market to buy a new camera. I really like the new Sony PMW EX3, but you need some sort of 3rd party software to trasnfer the files to Final Cut Express.
My question is this...what is the best camera that you've found to do workflow with FCE HD? I would like something that doesn't take long to download (captures on hard drive) and is HD with preferably 1080. Any suggestions???

If you want to keep things simple and get reasonable quality you need an HDV or AVCHD camera.
Remember that if you want to make Hi-def DVDs you will need to buy a Blu-ray burner for hundreds of dollars and everyone who wants to view your DVDs will need a Blu-ray player or a PS3 (again hundreds of dollars) and an HDTV. Plus every disc will cost many dollars instead of a few cents.
All this extra stuff will cost as much as many cameras.
P.S. This was written over an hour ago before I knew what that camera was. (I couldn't send my reply then because my internet connection went down!)
Message was edited by: Ian R. Brown

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List of cameras compatible with FCE 3.5HD?

is there a simply nice list of cameras that are considered the easiest to use with FCE, maybe some pros and cons, that kind of thing?
Thanks

There are simply too many cameras from too many manufacturers for anyone to even compile, let alone update, a comprehensive list. That said, here's a general comment likely to stir up a debate:
IMHO, you achieve the easiest and most straightforward workflow with a firewire-equipped standard-definition mini-dv tape based camcorder from a manufacturer other than Canon.
Other opinions?

Hard drive cameras compatible with FCE 4?

I am comparing cameras for purchase for our video broadcast program. I like the idea of the hard-drive camera so we eliminate tape and all its aggravations.
However, I notice the hard drive cameras interface with USB. Can FCE import these files?
Thank you.
Chris Schwalm
Message was edited by: scwalminator

Hi Chris
What tape brand are you using... to have bleed-through sounds like very poor quality tapestock.
I have never had a problem as you mention in the 8 years I have been using mini-dv tapes in dvcpro vt players, the only problem I have had is with JVC cassettes, snapping and needing to be spliced, here in South Africa we tend to use SONY/PANASONIC tapestock.
Really if you go back in the forum you will find a huge discussion about the pros/cons of hard-drive camera's vs minidv camera's.
With mini-dv you do not need the camera to edit from, in the case of hard-drive camera's the camera is out of duty for the length of the edit, with mini-dv the footage is separate from the camera.
If it was me, I would either argue for a bigger budget based on a number of factors. Final Cut Express is capable of dealing with AVCHD footage after it has been converted, if you do not like this then Final Cut Studio 2 which would cost the same as a Sony HVR A1.
Tape stock is much cheaper than camera's or P2 memory cards.
Something we use here is the FIRESTORE external hard drive that is attached to the camera and records footage at the same time as the camera records to tape. Very handy!!!!
That would solve the problem, you have instant access to the footage and an archive tape.
Justin... Durban... South Africa

Best color workflow with hdv source material?

Hi,
I am wondering about the best workflow for working with hdv material in color?
My first Color experience, I sent a AIC timeline (hdv source) to color, made my corrections, clicked NO when sending back to fcp when asked if I wanted the rendered timeline to be conformed to color render settings (apple pro-res) as I wanted the same sequence settings back in fcp.
I then tried to off/online back to my source hdv capture files, and therein arose the problems. Because color had renamed the files, the new names came up in the re-connect media window, not the hdv source. When ignoring these and locating the hdv source, the corrections were not attached.
After advice, tried onlining the original, locked edit, opening in color - files came up red (offline?), but could not apply the grades from the previous project anyway, as the whole program crashed before I could do anything?
Thoughts on workflow, theories on what I may have done wrong greatly appreciated.
Lastly, a lot of noise appeared in some clips I adjusted in color, which did not occur when making similar corrections to the same clips using the 3-way color corrector within fcp itself.
How come?
Thanks for listening,
-Tom

Hi Tom, agree 100% with all of JP OWENS comments on this thread. This is very good advice.
Myself, coming from the dark side of a SONY HDV (HVR-Z1P) and DUMPING the SONY for a Panasonic DVCPROHD HVX-200 iFRAME HD format 66mbs and 110Mbs DVCPROHD 4:2:2 CODEC was primarily because when using COLOR on the HDV it was as dreadful as JP OWENS says it is.
As as has been mentioned in this thread, for working with HDV and trying to perform any reasonable grading using color.app you would indeed move it all to  PRORES422 by either:
• ingesting it as proposed from the source as APPLE PRORES 422 or
• ingesting and then BATCH CONVERTING in FCP (or go via a COMPRESSOR.app DROPLET - a favourite of mine) and THEN importing that into FCP.
It gives you these workflow advantages (again pointed out by Mr Owens):
• iFRAME format editing in FCP is "faster" (not GoPs to play with in 25Mbs MPEG2 HDV)) and
• workflow transcoding is faster. (many threads in these forums concerning exporting from an HDV timeline).
However to roughly quote Stu Maschwitz (his DV REBEL book) "+..converting DV to a near loss-less codec is a bit like carrying a golf ball around in a streamer trunk+".. applying this to HDV as well simply meaning that there is also NOT much colour information to work with in grading.correction applications like color.app.
Thus there is NO colour benefit from working in prores 422 from HDV source.
IN short, work in PRORES422 from your HDV source and your workflow will improve and efficiencies will be seen.
hth
w

Flip Video Camera Compatiblilty with FCE 4.1

I was wondering about the Flip video camera's compatibility with my Mac set up. I have a PowerMac G5/Power PC, with Tiger 10.4.11. I'm using FCE 4.1. I also wondered about after dumping video into the Mac, and putting it in FCE, is there (the dreaded red line) RENDER time for every single clip put in a sequence. I know there are different versions of these cameras after viewing them online. Some say they are compatible with Power PC G4 or better. Others say you need the Intel based Mac. Any info. much appreciated!

Any suggestions on another small video camera like this that video will not have to be converted?
All these small video cameras use highly compressed delivery (or proprietary) codecs to record the video. There is no way around it - even when using Final Cut Pro, which has a much wider degree of latitude with regard to editable formats.
My advice, just develop a work flow that ingests and converts as standard practice. Create a batch process and go have something refreshing to drink while you wait for it to complete.
Have fun,
x

Rapid Tapeless Multi-camera workflow with OnLocation

I am wondering whether anyone is using OnLocation for rapid (read almost instant) tapeless workflow.
What I would like to do is:
1 - Use 4 Sony V1U HDV cameras and ISO record all of them as HDV files.
2 - Record the ISO on four separate laptops running OnLocation via a Firewire feed from each camera.
3 - Store the clips (as they are being recorded) onto four external eSATA drives (one for each camera/laptop combo)
4 - After 90 minute recording is complete, move the four external eSATA drives to a central workstation running CS4 and equipped with 4 eSATA ports.
5 - Then WITHOUT copying the files from the external drives, immediately start editing a multi-cam session.
Can I do this?
Are there any "gotcha's?"
What kind of of pre-processing of the clips is necessary if any? (audio or video "conforming"?)
Does timecode stay with the files?
How long after I mount the drives might I be ready to start editing? 1 minute? 5 minutes 1 hour or more?
I need to do a FAST turnaround, but cannot do a live switch.......
Thanks!
Mike Fayette

That actually sounds pretty cool. The only question I'd maybe ask is what is cheaper: 4 laptops with onlocation, or 4 solid state recording devices for your cameras (like Convergent's little one which records from the HD-SDI port of the camera)?
If you need the functionality of OL, like scopes and what not, then sure it sounds like it's the way to go. Just sayin there may be alternatives?
http://www.convergent-design.com/CD_Products_nanoFlash.htm
But I saw a handful of others along this line at NAB last year.
MP

Do the new Sony Cameras work with FCE?

I have been looking at the new Sony HDR-XR500v.(120 g hard drive) I am just wondering if it is compatible with Final Cut Express for capturing?

It should work. It's an AVCHD camera that should ingest using log and transfer in 4.0.1.

Cameras to use with FCE

I'm interested in upgrading from Imovie seeing as I know it like the back of my hand and feel limited by it at this point. I'm looking to get a new camera in the spring of this year, and I'm wondering what kind to get if I want a good one for a good price that would be great with FCE 4.
Does everybody use Mini Dv cameras with this software? I don't see these in stores, and it this point to me it seems like they are old, clunky, and outdated. I'm no expert, but that's just the impression I get from them, so why are those the primary cameras used with FCE?
So if anybody can answer these questions, and provide me a list of a few good cameras (Mini Dv or not) that would work with the program and not cost a fortune, I would be much obliged!

FCE can work with DV, HDV and AVCHD camcorders.
Most consumer/prosumer camcorders on the market today are AVCHD camcorders or a variation of AVCHD. Be aware - if the camcorder doesn't have the *AVCHD logo* or doesn't *specifically state in the specs* that it's AVCHD, then it's probably not AVCHD. Even if it says it's H.264 or MPEG4/AVC that does not automatically make it AVCHD - a lot of people have been burned not watching out for this.
DV is, as you said, on the way out. 4:3 aspect ratio & standard def; however, decent DV camcorders can do anamorphic 16:9 and it turns out quite nice. So, you can do widescreen with many DV camcorders. HDV is still around and has a loyal following. There are some very nice HDV camcorders - Canon HV20/30/40 for example - and they're not too expensive.
Another thing to keep in mind is that even though you shoot high def with HDV or AVCHD, when it comes time to burn a DVD of your video it will be standard def - because DVDs are by definition standard def. To burn hi-def optical disks, you have to get a BluRay burner, BluRay authoring software (DVD Studio Pro, Toast) and of course BD media. It's not cheap.

Camcorder who work with FCE

Hello
I plan to buy a camcorder. According the support page of apple only AVCHD Cameras work with FCE.
I tend to buy a Canon camera. Does someone know if for instance a LEGRIA camera work with FCE ?
Please let me know what cameras work with FCE. Many thanks.

The Canon Legria HF-R, HF-M and HF-S series camcorders are AVCHD. The Legria HV40 is HDV. All of them will work with FCE.
(Note: the Legria standard definition FS series will not work with FCE, although their videos may be converted to a format that will work with FCE.)

FX programs compatible with FCE HD 3.0?

I bought my copy of FCE HD 3.0 last year on the basis of an Apple customer service rep telling (and I quote) " there will always be an upgrade path to FC PRO". Techinically, that's still true but you have to buy the whole Pro studio package now just to get "MOTION".
As I delve deeper in the Live Type effects that came bundled with FCE HD, I realized that having a full fledged FX program would (or should) let me do things I want to do much quicker than mucking about in either Live Type or FCE.
Since Jobs & company have now gone over to the dark side and adopted the GATES mantra of "more money and don't forget to screw the little people", some of us can't afford the ultra bucks to buy a whole a suite just to get an FX program. My sense of betrayal by them is palpable.
So can anyone please tell me a decent FX program to get that will run on my G4 1.2 GHZ, OSX 10.3.9 machine that will be compatible with import to FCE HD 3.0? OR how to get a new and registerable copy of motion?
I'm pretty sure I will never buy another thing from Apple since they have zero allegiance to their existing customers.
Ken
G4 Mac OS X (10.3.9) 1.2GHZ

Here's a recent example.
I was making an opening screen in LIVE TYPE with a motion background and then had another 6 layers of motion objects that apperared and disappeared at different times. Some of the objects I chose played at full opacity and didn't give a smooth appearance of fading in and then fading out as another object was coming on.
The sceen was supposed to be similar to the big bang, but with other things happening before it and then dying out.
I discovered that there was no way to vary opacity in LIVE TYPE over the length of each layer (sort of fade in and fade out).
I realize I could export each object layer separately from live type to FCE HD and then change opacity in the time line, but the little light bulb went on and I said , hmmm maybe it's time to buy "MOTION" or some thing like it.
Ken

Best extreme camera to work with FCE HD

I'm looking for an extreme camera and digital recorder which will work well with my MacBook Pro. (FCE HD or iMove)
I've located a company whose camera I like but I've heard the recorder they use does not seem to work well with the Mac.
http://www.helmetcamera.com/
The recorder needs to be strong enough to handle harsh treatment.
If you're using a great helmet camera and recorder please let me know.

Hi(Bonjour)!
That depends of what are your needs...
Both models works well with FCE HD 3.5 .
Try some research on the web for a comparaison between those two models. Look at:
http://reviews.cnet.com/SonyHandycam_HDR_HC3/4505-65007-31749257.html?tag=tpr
and
http://reviews.cnet.com/SonyHDR_FX1/4505-65007-31085889.html
The FX1E (E stands for european model) seems to be more semi-professionnal (3 CCD chips, big lens, big form factory, more manual controls and big price) than HC1(one CMOS chip, smaller case, operation by screen menus). But the HC1 would give good results either. Pay attention that HC1 is actualy replaced by a newer model: HC3 for the same price. May be you can find a bargain price for a new HC1.
It's a matter of finding to good balance between your needs and your wallet...
Remember that HDV needs powerful computer with plenty of RAM and space on hard disk, but that image quality is fantastic. (a dual G5 with 4.5 Gig RAM is a such powerfull computer).
Actually, your options for distibuting HDV natively are limited to play final movie from your camcorder. There is not DVD burner that support HDV right now. (do a search in this forum under "HDV, iDVD DVD burner"
Michel Boissonneault

Is there a preferred Video Camera in the forum for use with FCE?

I am on the hunt for a new HD camcorder in the 800 to 1200 US dollar range. Is there a preferred recording format or anything specific to look for that will help my camera work best with FCE or better yet are there things I should try to avoid?
I am looking for something compact so that I can carry it with me on trips easily, but still give a good quality HD image. Thanks

The main consideration is that AVCHD is a hard drive based format whereas HDV is tape based. The nature of tapes is that they're relatively inexpensive so it's not such a big deal to save your tapes as backups in case you ever need to restore your project from the original footage. For AVCHD on the other hand, you'd need to make a backup by copying the whole file directory to an external drive for safe keeping, and if the drive fails or gets corrupted then you are out of luck.
There are other less important things to keep in mind. AVCHD can reach a maximum resolution of 1920x1080, whereas HDV by comparison reaches its peak at 1440x1080. I've heard some say that AVCHD cameras generally work less well in low lighting conditions, but I personally haven't noticed too much of a difference. Finally, the market seems to generally be moving away from a tape based workflow. Not that AVCHD is exactly the format of the future (and you'll certainly be able to purchase DV tapes for a while to come), but it's something to keep in mind. FCE deals with the two formats differently as well, and it might be wise to skim over both the section in the User Manual about capturing and the one about the "Log and Transfer" process.
As far as bugginess is concerned, I wouldn't say that one format is prone to more problems than the other. As long as you read up on the capture or ingest process before attempting anything you should be fine.
Finally, keep in mind the fact that FCE transcodes both HDV and AVCHD into the Apple Intermediate Codec upon capture or ingest. AIC usually runs at about 41-50GB per hour, so you'll want to make sure that you have a fast external firewire drive to use as a scratch disk when editing to store your media.
Sasha

Best Camera for FCE under 3K?

I produce semi-professional videos for the corporate world. fifteen to twenty minute shorts designed to convey engineering details for commercial real estate. I'm going to use FCE as the NLE to put it all together. My question is, WHICH CAMERA IS BEST to use if FCE is going to be the editor. I'm not looking for a BestBuy camera, but I don't need a $10,000.00 Sony either. I want to get as many professional features as possible thought for around $2K to 3K. Furthermore, I've heard that many codex are not compatible with FCE.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?

Presumably you are looking for something like the Canon GL2 ......
http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=165&mo delid=7512

I am putting together a proposal for a Final Cut Pro Workstation to use with a tapeless HD camera. Can anyone suggest the best camera (in the 5-10,000 dollar range) ? What hardware and software should I include in the package?

I am putting together a proposal for a Final Cut Pro Workstation to use with a tapeless HD camera. Can anyone suggest the best camera (in the 5-10,000 dollar range) ? What hardware and software should I include in the package?

This is quite an open suggestion, but here are some ideas which might get you started. There are good HD cameras in your price range from Sony, Panasonic and Canon (and maybe other manufacturers). Tapeless formats vary. I have only worked with Sony XDCAM which seems pretty good to me. File sizes for material shot at 35MBS are not too huge and, with the free Sony transfer and conversion programme, are easy to bring into the computer via USB direct from the camera or from a fairly inexpensive converter. The Sony XDCAM EX3 can produce results well up to broadcast quality.
As to hardware, you'll need a powerful MAC - iMac, Macbook Pro or MacPro with 4GB or more of RAM and a good video card. Softwarewise, FCPX is quite a bit cheaper than FC Studio 3 and of course it's 64bit and can make better use of multi-core machines than FCP7. It's also designed to handle HD formats with less hassle than FCP7 and is matched to the latest versions of Motion and Compressor. But you'd probably be wise to search reviews of FCPX before you make your choice - it has some issues.
A good HD monitor will be essential and, for colour correction etc, you may want to consider a second monitor or HD TV foe editing. ( A MacPro is generally the best machine to connect a second monitor to).
This should give you a good editing system, but there are many other things you could add (Photoshop, professional sound monitors, etc)
Hope this helps a bit.
Jonathan

A Camera That Works With FCE?

I just got a JVC and its kinda a joke. I have to go through like 20 steps to get my video files off my Hard Drive Camera and into a format editable on FCE.
Does anyone have a nice camera, around $1,500 or so that has good quality and works well the Apple computers and FCE?
Thanks again.

I have the Sony HDR-SR8 camera that works with FCE. Tried it last night. Was able to import video from the camera. Hooked the camera up through the USB port and the camera showed up as an ICON on the desktop. In FCE I was able to import the clips. Pretty cool. Haven't done any editing yet.
Sony has come out with newer models than mine and the picture quality should be fantastic.

Best camera workflow with FCE???

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