FCP4: Can't "capture now"

FCP4
Powerbook G4 867MHZ 10.2.8
When I try to use "capture now" in FCP4, I get the "allocating disk space" message. I've noticed that many seem to have had a similar problem. But whereas everyone else who sees this message seems to end with the dreaded rainbow circle of confusion spinning into eternity and then discover gigantic phantom files, for me the "capture now" window just disappears after about 15 seconds and I end up right back where I started. The only evidence that I tried the procedure at all are small (roughly 200kb) files in the "capture scratch." These files do have the tell-tale av. I also have Norton Antivirus running, though I've also tried disabling it with no discernible difference.
What I find odd is that the last time I had a digitizing session (about two months ago) everything worked like a charm. As far as I can tell nothing has changed in my set-up. Now, it's not working at all.
I have four different scratch drives and have tried all of them, as well as the internal hard drive. I have tried reducing the limit of "capture now" to 1 minute. I've tried trashing the preferences, restarted the machine any number of times. The physical connections are all working, since I was able to preview the source through iMovie. (However, my digitizer doesn't import properly to iMovie, so I can't simply use that as a workaround.) I'm out of ideas. Does anyone else have some? (Please....)
Thanks!
jwb

Thanks!
I'm using FCP 4.1.
QT 6.5.3. Don't have a key for QT6 Pro. Tried to get one when I moved FCP from my desktop machine (and, yes, I did properly uninstall it from the old machine), but haven't figured out how to get a Pro key for QT6, now that QT7 is out. In any case, Pro can't be the problem since I haven't had it for a long time.
I'm in the process of unistalling all Norton software—though I'm not sure how to make sure I get everything. Having looked through a number of posts, others seem to have that problem as well. But I've had NAV running for a long time and it's never interfered with FCP before. (I won't be able to check until tonight when I get back from teaching.)
At least two of the external drives are HFS, as, of course, is the internal. (I inherited the other two and away from them so at the moment I can't check them.) In any case they all seem to behave in the same way.
Yes, I'm running 10.2.8. I'm of the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" school. Really, it's been very stable for me, and again it's never given FCP any trouble. But it's clear that I'll need to upgrade to 10.4 if I determine that the FCP 5/Studio will run decently on my machine.
For various reasons, primarily because it allows me to bypass you know what, I'm using an old Formac digitizer. I need to have this capability because I have to be able to extract clips (from my own library) for use in the classroom (which also explains why I only use FCP in spurts).
Thanks!
--Jim

Similar Messages

Can't capture now

Trying to capture "now". Then opens a black screen as usual but freezes up with the message "Allocating Disk Space". I can't cancel it or quit the progran, nor shutdown the computer. It just locks up. Please, help will be apreciated.
thanks.

#10 Capture now makes large file, Beachball
Shane's Stock Answer #10: ALLOCATING DISKSPACE
1) Set a limit on Capture Now. Never have that box unchecked. Set it to 60 min if you want the whole tape.
2) Do not under any circumstances run any anti-virus/filesaver software. Including Norton and Virex. Sure, Apple doles out Virex for free, but FCP doesn't cooperate with it very well.
If you absolutely feel you must keep Virex installed on your system then use Kevin's script to shut it off before you use FCP:
http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?[email protected]@.68a85d17
3) Do not capture to your main system drive.
4) Check the format of the drive you are capturing to. It should be Mas OS Extended, jornalling off. If it isn't, copy your files from it and re-initialize it. If it is any other format, you will encounter problems. If not at first, then eventually.
Shane

No longer able to use Capture (only capture now)

I used to be able to capture with the full capture functionality (in Final Cut Express) and now I can only 'capture now'. I have not changed any of the system settings.
I confirm my camera (Sony HDR-HC7) is recognised in system profiler and I can also use the full capture (import) functionality in iMovie. But not in FCE.
Please advise.
Thanks
Paul

I think your confusion is caused because FCE and FCP handle HDV differently and therefore have different capture windows.
For normal DV they are both the same and you get this window:
However, FCE cannot edit HDV natively so it is converted during capture to the Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC).
To do this, FCE uses a simplified capture window which only permits "Capture Now" like this:-
FCP on the other hand can edit HDV natively so it uses the normal Log and Capture window like this:-
FCE has always used the simplified capture window.
The only way you can get the full window is by upgrading to FCP . . . . . . . . which is a rather expensive way of changing your capture window!
Message was edited by: Ian R. Brown

Dropped froms in Batch not in "capture now" , Sony Z1P HDV w/ firewire

I'm trying to log shots but the computer cant see the timecode frequently when I log and shuttle etc. When I have logged some clips, trying to batch caputre them or even capture a single clip results in an error saying that the computer cant find the time code or has dropped frames.
so I have to capture the whole tape with capture now and then log it as sub clips
any suggestions for how I can do my batch?

yeah that's true - was told I was getting a deck and they gave me a camera - their loss... but I can only capture now anyway - I was trying to log...
I probably will just capture now and make subclips but if you know the answer to my question that would be calming to me... I am annoyed at the problem and want to know/learn

I shot at a Live performance last weekend by using the 'capture now' button. Now, my FCP is only playing the first 6 frames - how can I access or recover the full hour I shot?

I shot at a Live performance last weekend by using the 'capture now' button. Now, my FCP is only playing the first 6 frames - how can I access or recover the full hour I shot?

FCP X? Then you need to use a different forum...This is the FCP 7 and earlier forum:
https://discussions.apple.com/community/professional_applications/final_cut_pro_ x
FCP 7? Did it look like it captured normally? Everything go smoothly? Stop normal? Did an error occur at any point? Can you open the file in QT?
In the future...do not rely on ONLY FCP for this task. Get a reputable recorder that can record to ProRes. AJA KiPro, KiPro Mini, Atmos Ninja, Decklink Recorder...lots of options.

Why can't I capture now in HD in FinalCut Express?

I shot film in HD format, but I can't get anything to capture that way. I am totally new to Final Cut Express. If i load it under Firewire basic settings, will it capture it as HD? will it affect quality???

My mac-
Model Name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook2,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per processor): 4 MB
Memory: 1 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MB21.00A5.B07
SMC Version: 1.13f3
Internal HD:
Intel ICH7-M AHCI:
Vendor: Intel
Product: ICH7-M AHCI
Speed: 1.5 Gigabit
Description: AHCI Version 1.10 Supported
WDC WD5000BEVT-00ZAT0:
Capacity: 465.76 GB
Model: WDC WD5000BEVT-00ZAT0
Revision: 01.01A01
Serial Number: WD-WX60A7999103
Native Command Queuing: Yes
Queue Depth: 32
Removable Media: No
Detachable Drive: No
BSD Name: disk0
OS9 Drivers: No
S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified
Volumes:
Macintosh HD:
Capacity: 465.44 GB
Available: 198.25 GB
Writable: Yes
File System: Journaled HFS+
BSD Name: disk0s2
Mount Point: /
I am using a brand new external HD for my scratch disk as set in the system prefs:
Toshiba desktop external HD 1 TB
Specifications:
* Speed: 5400 RPM
* Interface Transfer Rate:
o Up to 480 Mb/s (USB 2.0)
o Up to 3.0 Gb/s4 (eSATA)
* Cache Buffer: 8 MB
It connects via USB 2.0
The camera that ist was shot on is:
http://www.usa.canon.com/app/html/HDV/XHA1/specifications.shtml
Canon XH A1 A
Specifications of the XH A1 High Definition Camcorder
Recording Media MiniDV Cassette
Recording Time SP: 80 min
Lens:
Zoom Ratio
Focal Length
Zoom Speed
Max. F/Stop
Filter Size
20x Optical
4.5mm - 90mm (32.5mm - 650mm; 35mm photo equivalent)
16 Zoom Speeds, plus High Speed and variable
f/1.6 -- 35mm
72mm
Image Stabilization Super-Range Optical
Viewfinder Widescreen .57" Color Viewfinder (Approx 269,000 pixels)
LCD Screen 2.8" Widescreen LCD (Approx. 207,000 pixels)
Auto Focus System 3 Mode Instant AF (external sensor plus TTL)
Manual Exposure Yes
Programmed AE Auto, Full Auto, Manual, Av, Tv, Night, Spotlight
White Balance Method Outdoor, Indoor, Manual, Set (2x), Color Temperature (in degrees Kelvin)
Image Sensor 3 - 1/3" Native 16:9 CCDs (1440 x 1080)
Total Pixels:
Tape Recording
Still Image Recording
Approx. 1.67 Megapixels
HD: 1440 x 1080; Approx. 1.56 Megapixels
SD (4:3): 1080 x 1080; Approx. 1.17 Megapixels
SD (16:9): 1440 x 1080; Approx. 1.56 Megapixels
SD (4:3): 1080 x 1080; Approx. 1.17 Megapixels
SD (16:9): 1440 x 1080; Approx. 1.56 Megapixels
Audio:
DV
HDV
2-channel recording/MPEG1 Audio Layer II
16 bit (48 kHz)
12 bit (32 kHz)
4ch synchronous recording not possible
2-channel recording/MPEG1 Audio Layer II
Power Sources Supplied CA-920 Compact Power Adapter
Supplied BP-950G Battery Pack
Weight 4.6 lb (2100g)
5.2 lb (2330g) - including hood, BP-950G, Cassette and memory card)
Dimensions W X H X D Approx. 6.4 x 7.4 x 13.8 in (163 x 189 x 350 mm) - not including grip belt
Approx. 6.4 x 7.4 x 12.4 in (140 x 189 x 314 mm) - not including the lens hood and grip belt
Connectivity 2 XLR (line/mic level) inputs with phantom power (+48V)
BNC Video
Component Video
Composite Video
IEEE1394
Mic terminal (3.5mm)
Headphone terminal (3.5mm)
LANC terminal
I had a professional shoot the film onto miniDV and HD.
I am connecting via fire wire
6-pin connector
to computer
DV camcorder
in VTR mode
4-pin connector
to camcorder
The Final cut express seems to only be able to "capture now if it is on any preset EXCEPT the HD presets. I can get it to recognize the camera with basic fire wire, then change it to anything except the HD presets and it will capture now. Image appears the same, but does not appear HD quality.
I have this on rental and must give the camera back at the end of today. Help!?
I don't know anything about quicktime settings- when i open quicktime about quicktime says this:
QuickTime Player
Version 7.6.4 (518.35)
QuickTime™ Version 7.6.4 (1327.73)

Can not capture from Sony HDV 1080i (recording in 60i)

Hello
We are trying to capture from the above camera to a Mac Dual G5. We are using FinalCutPro 5.1.2. We are using a FireWire 400 cable to connect to the front of the computer (have also tryed back of Cinema Display). The footage was captured in HDV1080/60i, and we have tried the corresponding formats in Easy Setup (Basic, standard, Apple Intermediate).
The problem: we can control the camera from the Log and Capture windows, but when starting capture, no data is coming in, and the program therefor gives up after a few seconds (displaying a no data error message).
We have tried Batch and Now capture. We can log clips, and get the correct time code, but can not capture those clips due to the no data problem.

This is a good workaround for curing your camera recognition problem with FCP (if that's what it is):
First, check that your Easy Setup / Timeline / Camera or Deck Settings are all exactly the same, then making sure your camera or deck is in VTR mode, try to capture again.
FCP uses a different form of QT than iMovie for capturing, so if the camera works in iMovie (or if it's listed in System Profiler) but not FCP, it obviously means your Mac can see the VTR but FCP can't, so you need to do this QuickTime fix.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301852
Follow the instructions carefully and you should have things running in no time - it's quite safe but you must Trash the Receipts AND re-install QT from the link provided.
If the Camera / Deck isn't recognised by iMovie or System Profiler, try resetting the Firewire Bus . . . Turn off the Mac and disconnect the power and all Firewire cables. Leave it for 30 mins then connect back up.
Still not working? Try a different Firewire cable.
Failing all this, try resetting the PMU (Power Management Unit). The method varies from machine to machine, so visit the Apple site and search for it in support.
Don't use iMovie for capturing - it doesn't give you a timecode and that's very important.
Let us know how you get on!
Andy
Quad 8GB. 250+500 HDs. G-Raid 1TB. NORTON. FCP 5.1.2. QT 7.1.3. Sony HVR Z1E Mac OS X (10.4.7)
"I've taught you all I know, and still you know nothing".

Capture "Preview Disabled" and unable to "Capture Now"

Okay so I don't think I'm the only one but figgured I'd post just to see what the status is.
Today I went to capture some plain ol' DV footage from my Panasonic PV-GS500 minidv camcorder and was unable to... sorta.
If I try to capture I get the message "preview disabled" and at the top it shows (AV)(Unknown).
If I try to capture now i get the message "Attempt to capture video without a video device selected. Please select a video device in your capture presets and try again".
I'm using that NTSC Anamorphic easy setup and had no troubles in the past. I beleive that it might have something to do with QT 7.3 as others have suggested.
What makes it so strange is that if I log clips (monitoring on the cameras LCD itself) and then batch capture it appears to work fine. I can also send video to the Camera.
Finally to top it all off it captures just fine using iMovie - but this is hardly a solution by any means.
So anyone know what the deal is?

You might rey first simply resetting everything to make sure nothing is interfering with the deck control. Power cycle the camera as well. Perhaps if iMovie had been communicating with the camera, FCP may not be able to work correctly with it until it was reset.
I have read of several instance of similar problems having to do with recent upgrades, however. Hope you are not one of the unlucky ones having issues with QT , FCP, OS versions etc.

Unable to initialize video deck, (can not capture from camera)

Hello All,
I am using a quad core G5 and am trying to capture some footage into Final Cut Pro version 5.0. I have two Panasonic DVX 100B mini DV cameras. I normally capture with a JVC BR-DV3000 mini DV deck but it is currently not working. So I'm trying to capture using my camera.
I hooked my camera up to my computer via firewire and started final cut, When I click File > Log and capture a little window pops up that reads:
" Unable to initialize video deck. You may still log offline clips or use Capture Now"
I'm not sure why this box is appearing. When I click the capture now button, the Capture window pops up and then I press play on the video camera and the footage plays on the camera but the capture window remains black or empty. I have tried both cameras and two different firewire cables with the same results. I have also tried to restart the computer.
Can anyone shine some light on this situation?
Thank you so much for your help.
Mike Wardynski

Are there any other firewire devices connected to your Mac?
Did you go into your easy setup and reselect the DV setting for the standard you are using?
Also sometimes, shutting down and restarting your Mac, after making these changes some times allows the new device to be recognized.
One other thing, the DV camera may have a menu setting that needs to be set for communication via firewire possibly?

Can't capture video using iSight camera in QuickTime 7.4 (92)

OK, I see that there are plenty of "bugs" with Quicktime Version 7.4 (92), but I don't see the problem I am having, posted anywhere. Here goes...
I cannot capture video using my [Firewire] iSight camera on my CoreDuo MacMini. I definitely used to be able to do this. When I go to File>New Movie Recording, I get a back/blank Movie Recording window and that's it. I click on the Red/Record button and nothing happens. The timer doesn't even advance. Just sits there. When I try to stop the recording, I get the following message:
*"Recording failed because no data was received.*
*Make sure that the media input source is turned on and playing."*
I can still capture audio, although had some problems and had to "downgrade" to version 7.3.x and subsequently reinstalled 7.4. Now the audio works but still no video.
A few things:
1. YES, the iSight camera works - I can use it in iMovie, iChat, Photobooth, etc. - for both video and audio.
2. As I mentioned, I tried "downgrading" (using "Pacifist") but still no video.
3. I re-installed Version 7.4 and the audio problems cleared up, but again, still unable to capture video.
3. All software updates installed.
Any ideas???
Thanks!

"As I mentioned, I tried "downgrading" (using "Pacifist") but still no video."
See QuickTimeKirk’s posting in the following thread:
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1357579&tstart=0
Try the following:
Trash com.apple.LaunchServices.plist
It's located in your account:
HD/Library/Preferences/com.apple.LaunchServices.plist
Delete the file, restart (a new .plist will be created) and quicktime hopefully will work again w/o doing an Archive & Install.
+If you want to do an A&I:+
Do an archive and install of your OS from the OS disc. Stop at the QT upgrade you need.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301270 Scroll down to "Archive and Install”
IMPORTANT: Maker sure you select "preserve user preferences and data" when you performed the A&I?
Good luck!

After downloading IO6, can't capture photos from Facebook. I get "save photo" instead of "save image". While browsing, save image comes up and photos save to camera roll. Seems to be a problem only on FB.

Downloaded IO6 on my iPhone 4s. Now I can't capture a photo off Facebook to the camera roll. When I try, I get a "Save Photo" tab rather than a "Save Image" button, The photo does not save to camera roll. For email images and Safari images, "save image" comes up and save to camera roll. Seems only a problem with images on FB. Any ideas? Thanks

You launched iPhoto and from its Preferences you selected Connecting camera opens.....

Can not capture

Upgraded Premiere Pro, Have bought the new mac computer. Using a Canon DV camera, and can not capture any footage from my DV tapes. Have tried everything!!! Premiere just say Capture Device Offline,. Read through many threads and have got no idea how to fix. Help me Please... I just bought this MAC and now its useless if i can't use it to edit
Even tried all the steps on the web bpage, i do not have a firewire, the USB port i use to plug in are through an AV device (yellow, red, white cables) that then filter through top a USB port cable and plugged into the back of my computer.

I mean it's the new Mac do it's just a thin screen, I would rather leave it and have an external cord.
Why has Mac not allowed for this, they are suppose to be the best & up to date with video software?
Unfortunately, Apple knows best, and will dictate that to its loyal users. They must adapt to the "party line," or move to a PC. That is just the way they think.
Sorry for the bad news,
Hunt

Capture Now Freezing

I just got a Canopus ADVC 110. Everything connects fine and works well. I can moniter play and watch video in the capture windo. I have my VCR connected to the converter via RCA then to the computer with FireWire. When I try to capture "now" the window that shows what I'm capturing freezes. And I get a clip that show's a half second of action and sound and then a minute of still frame. I'm confused with what to do. I've check a lot of other discussions and help guides online and in books. The iMovie capture works great my Final Cut doesn't. I'm using Final Cut Express 2. Please help I would be greatly appreciated.

Are you using the DV Converter setting in FCE?

Capture Now Limits- Audio Video Sync Issues?

In a creative cow podcast the author mentions that if you capture in FCP for more than 30 minutes, your audio and video can go out of sync, and recommends limiting capture now to 10 minutes.
I was wondering what the communities thoughts or experiences were on this.....
Thanks!

I'm having similar problems although I never used to. But note:
I'm having sync drift problems with material shot with and capture from Sony DV Cam devices. Different clips have different degrees of drift from 1 to 12 frames.
For now, I think I shall resort to a 10min log and batch capture approach.
Aldo

FCP 5.1 - suddenly can't capture

I was batch capturing 36 clips to a 250GB USB 2.0 HD which had been working fine, and which had >200GB free.
It seemed to be crunching the hard drive in some sort of loop, and capturing had stopped about 20 clips in. I couldn't get out of the batch capture; escape didn't do anything. I couldn't force quit. Ultimately I had to reboot.
Disk Utility says the external drive is fine.
Now, however, I can't capture anything, and all the in and out points I had set on these clips are gone. The media start and end still appear, but no ins and outs.
I tried loading up one of the autosave files, but the same situation exists.
I tried opening a new project, logging a random in and out point, and capturing - but nothing happens. A capturing window opens, but the window is black and doesn't go anywhere - plus, I can't escape out of it.
There is still communication with the camcorder; if I restart FCP, I can control the deck with play, rewind, etc., but I can't capture.
I tried deleting the com.apple.FinalCutPro.plist file - no effect.
Help!

Glad you were able to re-establish contact.
Now let's think about why this happened.
USB2 has a burst transfer rate that is higher than Firewire 400 and on the surface seems like a likely candidate for a capture scratch drive. However, when we look more closely at what constitutes a video stream we'll see it is not short little bits of data that can be written (like a Word document) - it is a veritable torrent of bits flowing down the data pipe. If the Word bits get interupted, no matter, the drive will finish placing them when it gets back to the file - it is a static document and will not be harmed by the interuption. But video a highly time sensitive sequence and if it is interupted, there will be serious consequences for the file integrity.
To put this is a more technical way, USB does not operate in an isosyncronos manner - that is it does not have the ability to command the entire bandwidth of bus and so, if push comes to shove, the data stream (aka your capture) will be compromised. The result of a compromised write operation is as you have described.
The long term solution to your issue is to either switch to firewire 400/800 drives or SATA internal/external drives. USB2 is not only not supported, it is decidedly not recommended.
Good luck.
x

FCP4: Can't "capture now"

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