Capturing issues using FCP + camcorder

About a month ago, the last time I used FCP (HD) extensively, I ran into problems when trying to use my camcorder to capture footage.
If I had my camcorder plugged in via Firewire with FCP open, FCP would lock up, but immediately return to normal once I powered off the camera. Also, if I had the camera plugged in and turned on when I launched FCP, FCP would lock up yet again.
Now, just today... it looks like FCP is not even recognizing the camera. I am trying to access Log and Capture with the camera turned on, but FCP is not detecting the camera at all, it seems. ('Unable to initialize video deck' error.)
What's wrong? Is it something with FCP? Or is it possible my firewire cable has decided to crap out?

QT 7.0.4.
Ok, I reinstalled 7.0.4... same problem. (FCP not recognizing camcorder.) I downgraded to 7.0.1. Same problem.
Also, Disk Utility has a conflict with iTunes, so I can't repair permissions (http://www.macworld.com/forums/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=38 0025&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1)
What else could I possibly do?
And, strangely (?), I used a totally separate machine with a DV deck to capture my footage, and the actual QT files are corrupt when I attempt to play them back. The majority of them lock up when I try to play them, and I cannot copy them from my one external HD to the other.
Latest version of QT 6 or 7?
On the chance you have 7 running, there is a high
probability you have a compromised QT installation.
Time to do a full quicktime reinstall.
Go to /library/receipts and delete any files
that say Quicktime followed by a number e.g.
Quicktime703.pkg
Go to the
Apple quicktime site and download the appropriate
version of Quicktime to your hard drive.
Run the Quicktime installer.
Repair Disk Permissions for your System Disk (Disk
Utility > Select the system disk > Repair Disk
Permissions)
Reboot
Good luck.

Similar Messages

Capturing Issues using FCP 7 and Sony HVRZ7U

I am using FCP 7.0.3
On a Mac Book Pro OS 10.5.8
With 2.33 Ghz Intel Core 2 duo processor
I am capturing HD tapes to a WD 2TB external drive.
I am using the Sony HVRZ7U as my playback deck All HD footage was shot on Sony HVRZ7U and Sony HDRFX1.
I have my capture settings set to HDV apple pro res 4222
A. I have noticed that FCP is not capturing in “real time” is this due to the hi res capturing setting? and do I need to let FCP finish process footage even though tape is done with capture? (This usualy adds another 20mins per 1 hr off footage) Is there something I can do to maintain high quality and not have to wait for FCP to be behind capture?
B. Having already gone through aprox 20+ tapes I have come across a few tapes that wont capture? is this due to the fact that not all tapes came from the same camera source? or is it perhaps a bad tape? or something in FCP that went buggy? i tried the usual dumping my preference files, but still fcp keeps frezzing on the capture and then not saving any of the file. I tired to capture smaller portions of tape but still no mater where on tape I try to capture I get same problem

A. Yes and yes. Only by increasing the speed of the processor.
B. Maybe because of the different camera types, what cameras are they? It could be a bad tape. Can you view it playing back in your camera?

Capture problem using FCP 6.0.1 on Imac 1.9 GHz

---I have come across a problem capturing DV on a sony dv deck into FCP 6.0.1. The Logging window remains black, but by using the screen on the deck I have tried to log footage anyway. When I go to capture the video all I get is slug. I have checked the settings to make certain that it is not set for audio only, I have trashed the pref's, and I have tried to do this on several of the Imacs, but cannot get the footage captured.
---I have posted this same issue on the lafcpug site but was moved from the bug catagory and hidden down on the listings. So I am not getting any help at all with this issue. I am hoping by posting here on the Apple FCP forum maybe someone will be able to tell me what the issue is.
---Thank you,
----Donovon

Well it appears as though I ran into a few bad decks in a row, go figure huh? I knew the issue did not make sense, but what are the odds of so many bad decks in a row?
---This definately goes into the oops catagory!
-----Donovon

FCP 4.0 issue - using capture now, freezes after 5 minutes

Capturing miniDV to FCP 4.0 using capture now on external drive. Never had any problems in the past, but now FCP freezes after a little more than 5 minutes of capturing. I have to force quit. When I find the file on my hard drive it's about 10 GB. Haven't used FCP in several months. Is it possible some settings got screwed up? No problem capturing via iMovie 4.0 so the problem doesn't seem to be with the drive.
Any assistance would be very much appreciated.
Nick
Message was edited by: nlevitin

Just to reiterate what Shane and David told you. Updating to QT 7.4 is probably not going to solve your issue. It might make things worse though. You need to do what they said and get your quicktime version they recommended. Now, if it works for you, fantastic, but there have been enough posts on this topic and chances are very slim to null that QT 7.4 will work for your version of Final Cut.
And please be prepared to do an erase and install if the archive and install does not work.
One more idea might be to use a program called Pacifist. (Search the forum for Quicktime and Pacifist) You may be able to use that. Anyone can correct me if I am wrong here.
-Albert

I captured from mini-dv camcorder to FCP7 using control from my computer and firewire. I cannot find the file or clips I transferred anywhere except for in Finder. How do I get the clips from Finder to FCP7. Also I did not see audio on the computer meters

I captured from mini-dv camcorder to FCP7 using control from my computer. I only find the capture clip in Finder. How do I get the clip in Finder to FCP7.
Also my audio in the capture was not showing up on my audio meters on my computer-is this normal. Thanks

you will not see the audio meters from within fcp move while capturing.
If you only see the captured clip in the finder, not within fcp, there's something wrong. You might try deleting your fcp preferences
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-2491

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.

Export sequence of still images (JPGs, TIFFs) from FCP timeline into DVD without interlaced issues using Compressor

Hi,
How to export a sequence with stills (jpg) into a DVD format by using Compressor without having the interlaced issue on the outcome? The stills in the Canvas look crisp but once exported to DVD format, the outcome images look interlaced. How can I best match the crisp look of the high resolution JPGs in time line when exported to DVD?
My Sequence settings match the image settings:
Frame Size: 1024 x 768
Pixel Aspect Ratio: Square
Field Dominance: None
Compressor: Photo JPG
I tried to export the sequence of img as an independent QT movie file by using Apple ProRes 422 output settings. The video file looks great. I then imported it back to time line into new sequence and exported into DVD format trying both: deinterlace and "same as source" setting. Both output DVD files still have the interlaced issue.
I also tried to work with JPGs converted to TIFFs on a different sequence with same as Tiff settings and the issue still persists.
I will appreciate any advices.
Thank you,
Izabela

Dear Nick,
Thank you, I understand now it is the aspect ratio issue.
Are you suggesting that I should use Photoshop or Graphic Converter to convert the 1024 x 768 to 720 x 480 prior to importing them into FCP seqence?
> Give the DVD authoring software the correct size:
I am using FCP 7.0.3 to create the sequence of images (there has to be specific timing and transitions), which I then export to DVD format by using Compressor.
Do you mean that I should set the FCP timeline sequnece settings to 720 x 480?
Please let me know. Thank you,
Izabela

Exporting using Compressor failed, and other awekward issues with FCP

Hi FCP gurus! I need your help!
Everytime I try to export using compressor, my submission fails.
I even try a sequence a exported as m2v on Monday, but today is not working.
Compressor will some times say "Unable to view preview, FCP is busy". When I press submit, it goes to Batch Processor but it either will immediately show FAILED or it will just not do any processing. When I quit and restart, then the submission appears as failed.
Also when exporting, FCP comes back with a pop message saying that 4 files went offline. When I try to reconnect them it says: "There are not clips selected that have files associated with them". So, why is FCP constantly not able to fine this files, if they are not been used?
I need to export a file for my soundtrack guy, and he needs MOV, preferable DV-PAL or Motion-JPEG or similar frame-based codecs. What are my options?
In any case, what the problem here is that I CANNOT export anything. What shall I do? I already restarted the computer twice, nothing.
I realized that I have files using in this project, saved in two different external harddrives, do you think this has anything to do with the issue?
I am using FCP 5.1.4
Thanks so much in advance!

First off, fwiw, I never "send to compressor." I export a self-contained QT movie, not a conversion. Then I run that through compressor with the appropriate settings. I like the self contained file, it becomes a master from which I can make all sorts of variations. The only difference, in theory between self contained and reference, is that if for any reason you lose the render files the reference movie will not work.
Q1 No.
Q2 see above
Q3 There is no such thing as uncompressed. It's just a different codec rather than a perfect copy of your timeline.
Q4 lots of reasons for making a conversion, but none of them are valid for making DVD's
Q5 Nothing wrong with letting DVDSP make the encoding-- just be sure to get into the preferences for DVDSP and set the destinations to a folder for the project, so you don't overwrite any other projects. Depending on how long the project is, you can let it encode in the bg while you set up your project, build the buttons etc. It's all the same encoding engine, whether is is done in compressor or dvdsp. I find it much faster to use compressor then to take to dvdsp becaue you can use quickcluster.
Now a couple of questions for you: what sort of footage are you using and what are your fcp sequence settings?

Using a camcorder to record video and an interface to capture the audio

Here is what I am trying to do:
Use my camcorder to record the video and use a mic connected to an audio interface to record the audio portion of the video.
Here is how my set up looks like:
I have an M-Audio firewire audio interface connected to my MacBook Pro. I have a mic connected to the interface, and I have a firewire cable connecting the camcorder to the interface.
I am able to make this work using iSight but not with the camcorder.
Recording with the camcorder works fine but the mic connected to the interface will not work. I can only hear the mic connected to the camcorder itself.
Any suggestions?
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.7)
MacBook Pro Mac OS X (10.4.7)

... hmm, probably beyond the concept of this nice consumer app...?
iM is meant to work with miniDV camcorders.. all audio+video come via that single firewire "line"...
I've heard about an "internal software router", which claims to route different sound inputs to diff. apps...
it's free, so give it a try: Soundflower
please post your results, and let us know what happend..

My external hard drives are causing problems when i capture DV in FCP

We have external hard drives (2 different brands lacie and WD) are causing dropped frames when I capture DV in FCP. This only happens when they are connected via firewire 800. When I connect them using USB everything works great. Any ideas why this could be? We have 2 of each drive and 2 older mac pros and they both have this issue with every combination of drives I try. I've also tried reseting the ports with no luck...

Connecting your camcorder to even 1 FW drive constitutes daisy-chaining. Even if you have two FW ports in your Mac, connecting a drive to one port and your camcorder to the other is the same as daisy-chaining as far as your Mac is concerned.
Try capuring from your camcorder with no exernal FW drives attached. Verify that works before trying anything else.
Also, I noticed your profile says you have a Mac Pro. You might consider adding a FW card in order to get extra FW ports that are not on the same FW bus as the built-in FW ports. Then you could connect your external FW drives to the card; and your camcorder to the built-in ports and it should work.

Macam or Parian cause capture issues???

Hello all - I've been having capture issues with my HDV stuff (Crashes during capture - I posted the details under 'Crash under HDV log and Capture' if anyone can help me out with that issue and this is slightly related...
People elsewhere say that Macam or Parian can affect Final Cut - any experiences with that? any other programs that I should avoid that could negatively affect my fcp performance?
Thanks!
- John

I'm using FCP7 on Snow Leopard.
Any idea as to what could cause fcp to crash during capture (HDV to ProRes) if it's worked more then a dozen times prior??? Any other programs could affect such things? Nothing has been installed or changed on my system in over a month.

24p advanced capture issue

hi, folks...
posing an old question that was never completely resolved because i've bumped up against it again.
here's the situation: i've shot and edited hours of footage at 24p advanced on a canon xl2. captured using 2:3:3:2 advanced pulldown removal without problems-- edited nicely into sequence.
but somewhere along the line something happened. now when i capture 24p footage and edit into the timeline i get motion blur every fourth frame (the pulldown frame?) the only way i can get a clean clip is if i capture 23.98 footage using the DV NTSC (30 fps) setting rather than 2:3:3:2 pulldown, then use the "advanced pulldown removal" feature from the tool bar after the fact (thanks patrick for this work-around).
so... situation is i can deal with this funky capture issue but it's an extra step and a pain in the rear-- anyone have any theories on how this happened and/or a permanent fix so i can shoot and capture the way fcp is supposed to work?
btw: checked the camera set-up again -- still 24p advanced, triple checked my fcp capture and sequence settings-- it's all at 2:3:3:2 pulldown removal and 23.98 as it should be. clip analysis on captured clips shows frame rate coming in at 23.98... as it should. couldn't find anything on topic in the search. appreciate thoughts. thanks much.

have you changed or downloaded anything at all that
might force the change in procedure, like a quicktime
update perchance, ipod update maybe???? just fishing
for a clue......
thanks, zeb... but no. i do remember the day things went haywire-- i captured footage off one of the reels and noticed two of five clips had captured at 29.97 instead of 23.98. it was puzzling but i went back through capture presets, sequence, etc and remember double checking and resetting all the pertinent settings before going back and recapturing the footage that had come in a 29.97. it then captured at 23.98-- but the every-fourth-frame motion blur issue cropped up at that point. and it's been happening ever since.
i know the fcp settings are correct -- i just don't get it.
fyi... i notice that as footage plays out through the firewire from the xl2, it looks fine in the camera viewfinder but i can see the motion issues on the log and capture window as it plays-- this is obvious even before initiating capture.

HVR-Z1U Capture Issue

Issue: FCP 7 will only recognize the HVR-Z1U in "log and capture" when using "DV-NTSF" and I notice that the cam display on the firewire port (HVR-Z1U) switches to "dv".
HVR-Z1U display on cam playback confirms that the footage is in fact HDV.

Hi
Your camera has the ability to downconvert HDV to DV on the firewire output. *Make sure that feature is not turned on.* If it is on, then the camera is converting the HDV to a DV signal on the firewire output, which would explain your problem. See page 70 of your owner's manual.
Hope this helps.

So many capturing issues...Can anyone help?

Hello fellow editors,
Over the past 2 weeks I have been struggling to fix my capturing issue. I have read the forums and have tried everything people have said about revlevant issues. So I ask for some help please.
I am editing on FCP 5 I use a Duel 2.0 G5 2.0 GB ram, I use 2 internal drives and 2 Lacies external. My deck is a JVC Mini DV/SVHS combo model number SR-VS30U.
So here are the issues either the deck fails to initilize or FCP sees the deck but the Preview is disabled and not allowing me to capture.
How do I fix this, I have been capturing often but just recently have started seeing all these issues.

So here are the issues either the deck fails to
initilize or FCP sees the deck but the Preview is
disabled and not allowing me to capture.
An obvious question: any adjustments - upgrades to Mac OS X, FCP, QuickTime 7 or alterations in hardware - in your system since your system decided to go AWOL on you?
Also, in terms of FireWire control, (not familiar with the exact model, so sorry if this isn't applicable) do you have device control but just not the ability to preview within the Log & Capture Window?
And do you have the ability to monitor externally? I've found that - in FCP 5 - if the deck is turned off for any reason - I shut it off once when a tape got jammed - the Log & Capture window will not be able to Preview but I was still able to Capture - and Batch Capture, at that - thanks to external monitoring.

Unable to capture video using FNC 5.1.1 Quicktime 7.1.2 using Pyro A/V link

Pyro A/V link is the capture device. They say if it works in iMovie HD then it works and they can't help me. It works in iMovie HD but not using Final Cut. I don't know what to do. Do I need quicktime pro? Is there some other driver I need? When I do log and capture it just does the beach ball and then nothing.

I use my camcorder it works with passthru.

Capturing issues using FCP + camcorder

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