Final Cut Express & Sony DCR DVD-405 Compatible?

Long story short . . .
Received a gift "Sony DCR DVD-405" (uses USB, NOT firewire) with intention of home video and family use. Happy with iMovie. No need for more.
But . . .
It is a major pain in the butt to get iMovie & camera to talk. Bought two 3rd party applications and still not happy.
Will Final Cut Express work smoothly with this camera or should I Craigslist it and buy a Sony HC96?
I will have access to Final Cut Express for free through work in the Fall.
Jeremy

Will Final Cut Express work smoothly with this camera or should I Craigslist it and buy a Sony HC96?
The 405 is a camera that produces Mpeg 2 files and that means no direct working with FCE, third party conversions required.
The HC96, being a Mini DV camera, will fit like a glove.
FCE works with DV, HDV or AVCHD (version 4 only using Intel chip Mac)
Al

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Final Cut Express to Timestamped DVD

I have a Final Cut Express project that is 20 minutes long. There are 140 different clips. Each clip ranges from 5 to 30sec. a piece. I need to export something that all the editors can view on their separate computers w/ chapter markers that have timestamps so they can tell me what/where to edit.
So far we have been doing it from FCE directly, but now that the video for this company is expanding I need to create a better workflow. One that multiple editors can view for instructing editing on videos.
I am a graphic designer working @ a publishing company (we are diving into video blind, not my choice). I've got as far as making over 20 videos for viewing online. Now they have footage from one of they conferences they host and all of them need to view it for editing. Then they can come back and say "clip 3, 00:15:03 - 00:18:04, Clip 5 00:04:03 - 00:15:15 etc"... any suggestions?

FCE Timecode Display may display the current timecode at the playhead position, the start and end timecode of the clip, and the reel name. You may enter this name either during capture (reel name plus timecode may uniquely identify a frame in your movie library), or later in the browser while in list view. Unfortunately there is no way to display the clip name.
By using your own example it is not possible to display "clip 3, 00:15:03 - 00:18:04, Clip 5 00:04:03 - 00:15:15" but only something like "00:15:03 - 00:18:04" and "00:04:03 - 00:15:15", etc.
Note however that using the default Type (Absolute Timecode) you might in fact get "02:15:03 - 02:18:04" and "03:04:03 - 03:15:15" if clip 3 starts at absolute 02:00:00 and clip 5 at absolute 03:00:00; in other words you might not need the clip name because the absolute timecode (also named source timecode) uniquely identifies the clip in the movie.
Some warnings.
- Burning many clips in iDVD is not an issue, as long as the whole movie is shorter than 2 hours: not a problem in your case (20 minutes, right ?).
- Instead adding a chapter name to each clip might raise problems: first there is a limit in iDVD I don't recall, but for sure less than 150...; second there is no automatic way to name the chapters: you have to type each name in each chapter marker.
- iDVD does not have a "time window", but if you burn the clips timecode using the filter above you'll be able to read it also in the iDVD preview window.
- Finally, after burning the DVD, you can always read the movie timecode while playing back the movie with DVD Player: just use the various controls made available by the player. This however is the new timecode of the movie, not the absolute/source timecode of the original clips.
I hope I answered your questions.
Piero

Best program to use with Final Cut Express to make DVDs

Im using FCE 3.5 HD and I want to create nice DVDs. I know how to edit and create good picture videos, but iDVD just doesnt cut it. It compresses my image WAY too much and it makes everything look bad. I had a 4.2 GB HD video that I dropped into iDVD and it downsized it to about 2.7 GBs Anyone know why exactly? Is it because iDVD makes everything SD? If so, then whats the best way to grab my full HD video and drop it into iDVD (for the mean time) so that it fits it exactly into a 4.7 DVD and doesnt compress it sooo much like from 4.2 GB down to 2.7 GB (thats a really BIG down conversion). So more like, what can I do to make perhaps a 10 GB full HD video drop down to fit into the 4.7 GB on the DVD? <---Thats actually question 2. For question 1: I would LOVE to have DVD Studio Pro, but it only comes with Final Cut Pro and I dont know all that as of right now. Any way of getting DVD Studio standalone or what other programs can you refer that is as good, better, or almost as good as DVD Studio?? Thanks!
GC

noloc45 wrote:
.. Anyone know why exactly? ...
FCE works with dv (=13GB/h) or AIC (=~40-60GB/h).
videoDVD contains files in mpeg2; the standards allow a max. bitrate of ~9MB/sec ... = 1h=4GB ...
so, the encoding from FCE to iDVD HAS to drop the file size.
iDVD is a consumer tool, so no manual settings of bitrates.. it has some 'automatic' benchmarks= project length <60min = max. bitrate, <90min=6MB/sec, <120min=4MB/sec.
iDVD allows import of HiDef projects, but does not support creation of HDDVD(=dead format) nor BR-disk.. Toast9 + Roxios plug-in + an ext. BR-burner allow creation of BR-disks.
you find older versions of DVDSP sold single at eBay.. but those versiosn are not for Intel-Macs, will run under Rosetta=slow..

Final Cut Express HD 3.0- NOT compatible with intel I Mac ????

I just bought a new I MAC running 10.5.2 and for some reason when I try to load Final Cut XPRESS HD 3.0, it loads just fine but when i try to launch, an error window pops up stating this software requires certain hardware or software which is missing. * AGP GRAPHICS CARD. And then proceeds to NOT launch the program.
Hmmm??? My graphics card is: ATI RADEON HD 2600 PRO. I had the first IMAC 20"(white body) and loaded the same program on that machine. It worked great.
I will be bummed if this intel thang is what is cutting my feet out from under me.
Thanks for any help.

It's on the forum like every other day. Press the escape key to bypass the message. You're using non-Intel software on an Intel machine.

Final Cut Express Export and DVD

I created a video with a dancer dressed in black with a black background. Lighting is good and video looks great on canvas. When I export I set compression at H.264 and I've also exported without any compression. Result after using iDVD is a video that doesn't have the same resolution seen on the canvas and hand motions leave a trail or a flutter effect (which isn't wanted). Any suggestions on how to transport the video so it's the same quality and without this "flutter" effect as seen on the canvas.

Use File>Export>Quicktime Movie to create a reference file and drop that into iDVD.
A reference file is one that is not self contained, simply don't check the self contained box in the export window.
Al

Final Cut Express v 1.0.1

Just a basic question is final cut Express v 1.0.1 compatible with Tiger?
After moving up from 10.2.8 I seem to be having trouble adding video transitions.
I'm getting no result after trying to apply a transition or a window appears that says "Insufficient content for Edit"
Thanks for any insight or help offered,
Kerim

You need to have "handles" on the ends of your clips.
To make "handles" you need to cut off at least half a second from the ends of your clips.
This is nothing to do with Tiger - it's the same on all OS X systems. It's the way FCE works.
Ian.

Sony DVD 403 users with Final Cut Express

Hi.
Anybody's input on getting Sony's Mini DVD-RW. into Final Cut Express that uses a Sony DCR-DVD 403 camcorder.
Walter

Walter
DVD and FCE are not directly compatible. Probably not what you wanted to hear.
Mini DV (tape base) cameras are compatible.
You will have to either use analogue outputs from your camera hooked up to a DV Converter or use a software based converter to de-mux the files.
You will find lots of info on this forum, Try a search for de-mux.
Al

Sony DCR-TRV140 w/Final Cut Express 4 - Capture format question

A big thanks to the forum for patience and direction. You all have helped me get an older digital camcorder hooked up to the Mac to date.
I'm now able to capture video from the camcorder to FinalCut Express.
So, on to today's question...
I have a Sony Digital Handycam DCR-TRV140. I know that it's NTSC (mainly because it says so right on the side of the camcorder). But I don't know what capture settings to use in Final Cut Express to get the best quality video onto the Mac, and ultimately onto DVD's or digital files I publish to my family over the net.
So when I go to the menu path Final Cut Express -> Easy Setup, I have a number of options to choose from... I (think) that I know that the best format option to choose from the dropdown is NTSC... But I don't know what to choose from the drop down list.
Here's a picture of the drop down list:
https://wu20hg.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pNUoJrOOSdf-4NJq3OjEIyrt38TEU64-Pid2LRNbw kG9grywxFV1qA2NshK8uSxl6eiTlYiq4uNbG86CJRUantQ/FinalCutExpressTim1.tiff
Specifications for the Sony camcorder can be found here:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=1055 1&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11027762
or here
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DCRTRV140-Digital8-Camcorder-Streaming/dp/B0000634T4/ ref=cmcr_pr_producttop
Can you help me decide what is the best option to choose? If it depends, maybe you could explain what it depends on...?
Many thanks!
Tim

The differences among the Easy Setups have to do with audio sample rate, device control, and widescreen shooting.
The Anamorphic setups are for widescreen. If your camera doesn't shoot widescreen (16:9), you can ignore them.
DV media is generally recorded with audio at 48kHz or 32kHz. Choose according to the audio recorded by your camera (some offer different record options). If you capture with the wrong audio selected in your FCE Easy Seutp, you'll get a warning message at the end of the capture.
What FCE Setup are you using at present? I'm guessing it's either DV-NTSC Firewire Basic or DV-NTSC DV Converter. If that's working for you, stick with it.

Does the DCR-SR62 30GB Sony Handycam work with Final Cut Express hd 3.5?

Hi,
I am a new mac user and I want to get a good camera that will work with Final Cut Express hd, I am currently looking at the DCR-SR62 30GB and the HDR-UX1 dvd both by sony and I would like to know if these to cameras or one of them will work with Final Cut Express Hd. Thanks.

Niether one of these cams are the best choice for FCE. FC can not directly work with either DVD or HD (as in Hard drive) camcorders. You will have to convert and/or rip the output of either camera, giving you an extra work step and perhaps diminishing the quality of your footage
FCE is designed to work with DV/HDV material ... from a tape, throught a Firewire connection
There is software like MPEG Streamclip which will allow you to convert those cam's output to work with FC but if you haven't bought them yet, I would hold off and look at a good quality tape based cam

Sony DCR-TRV140 with Macbook Pro and Final Cut Express 4

OK all, I'm a Mac novice here. Just bought my first Mac last month and added Final Cut Express to it in order to have some nice advanced features when it comes time to edit all kinds of home video shot on the Sony DCR-TRV140 Digital8 Handycam...
But I'm having trouble figuring out how to get my MacBook Pro to recognize the camcorder.
I have a 4-pin firewire connector on the camcorder, and a 9 pin firewire connector on the Mac. Is it as easy as buying a 4/9 pin cable?
I thought about trying to hook it up through the USB cable... but haven't had any luck there either.
As you can tell, I'm quite new to this, so please be nice. Ha!
If I can provide any further information, please let me know.
Specifications for the Sony camcorder can be found here:
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=1055 1&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=11027762
or here
http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DCRTRV140-Digital8-Camcorder-Streaming/dp/B0000634T4/ ref=cmcr_pr_producttop
Thanks!!

Is it as easy as buying a 4/9 pin cable?
Pretty much.
Hello and welcome to the forum.
Here's one source of such a cable:
http://www.cablestogo.com/product.asp?cat_id=606&sku=50708
I'm not sure what Easy Setup you'll need to use in FCE, but, if you're in the USA, I think it will be DV-NTSC DV Converter or maybe DV-NTSC Firewire Basic.

Capturing video from Sony DCR-SR32E to Final Cut express

I have a Sony DCR-SR32E camcorder and visited the Genius Bar recently, it appears it's one of the few camcorders not supported in iMovie and was told by the genius that I needed to ask Sony for an mpeg-2 codex.
Sony re-directed me to search for one on the internet and could be of no further assistance. Can anyone recommend an mpeg2 codec that will convert modd or mpg files so that I can use the Final Cut I purchased or if not that at least iMovie.
Unfortunately I seem to have a MAC, that I bought specifically for editing video, that can't handle the Sony files and a Sony Camcorder that I can't use as the HD is full

This forum is the Final cut express forum so it's best to post in the iMovie forum for iMovie stuff.
Even if you are using FCE the files from this camera will not work directly.
You will require a transcode to Quicktime using an application like Mpeg Streamclip.
You may have to purchase the Apple Mpeg viewing software as well to minoitor the video if required.
Al

HT2948 I have a Sony DCR-PC100 is it supported by final cut express?? wilth

I have a Soney DCR-PC100 is it supported by final cut express ?? what 'p' will they convert to??

Hi
Just my notes - for iMovie - but they go to 99% for FinalCut too.
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
• Toggle 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 e.g. recording and playback to TV)
A/D-box
• Is the dip-switches set right ?
• Set to same standard as recorded/editing e.g. 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
External device’s (hard disk’s)
• Should be FireWire as USB/USB2 performs badly and so does Airport or Net-work connected ones too.
• MUST BE - Mac OS Extended formatted - UNIX/DOS/FAT32/Mac OS Exchange - DO NOT WORK for video due to 4Gb barrier.
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 minimum 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. No Camera or A/D-box
• GarageBands fix - Close iMovie, Open GarageBand, Play some notes, Close GB and iMove can now be OK
• 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 helpful 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 Choice / 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 un-installing 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 helps
DJ1249 wrote
The problem was the external backup hard drive that is connected, you need to disconnect 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=odw_en_GB&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

Does the Sony DCR-HC32 camcorder work with Final Cut Express 3.5?

I was just wondering if the Sony DCR-HC32 camera model works for the Macbook or Final Cut Express 3.5. I am really interested in getting the Macbook for video editing. Thanks
Compaq Presario 700 Windows XP Pro

Yes.
Sony calls it iLink, Apple calls it firewire and the techos call it IEEE 1394.
All are one and the same.
You will require a 4-6 pin iLink cable that can be obtained from just about any computer or electrical store. Get a good quality sheilded cable no longer than 2 metres or shorter if you setup allows.
Al

Will final cut express work with a sony DCR-SR40

I got a sony DCR-SR40 camcorder for christmas an imovie won't work with it - will final cut express do the job?

First of all, welcome to the forum.
That camcorder uses a USB interface, correct? FCP and
iMovie can only import via FW. For hard drive
camcorders, you must import the footage like you
would files from an external HD. Then you can work
with the files in FCP or iMovie.
Good luck and happy New Year.
This Camera supports Mpeg -2 files I have had no end of problems importing this into I movie. Bought the software recomended by Sony (Capty MPEG ..whatever) cost £65 and is rubbish, so bought the Quicktime MPEG 2 codec plugin for £15, got the picture not the sound. What plug in do I need for the Audio, or should I ditch the camera and go for a Firewire version.

Sony DCR SR42 files and Final Cut Express

Hi - I am the owner of a new MacBook which I bought specifically to edit movies from my Sony hard disk Camcorder. I have since found that this model is not on the list of supported camcorders for iMovie and in fact iMovie does not recognise the mpeg files saved by the camcorder.
Can anyone tell me whether Final Cut Express would work with this camera? If not I will probably have to exchange my mac for a PC laptop.

Hi there,
I'm having the same problem with the same camera. I'm replacing it with a mini DV (picture quality is much better and so is compatibility with iMovie '06 and FCE).
But I've still got a ton of footage from the Sony that I need to convert.
When you converted your footage, what file format did you use? Were you happy with the new quality? And was the resulting footage easy to work with? Anything else you can share?
Thanks for your help.
Bryan

Final Cut Express & Sony DCR DVD-405 Compatible?

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