HDV in FCP 5

Hello... I'm a bit nervous posting this. I come to this forum for all my questions, and I've never had to post a question because I can always find my answer by doing a search. But I am quite confused about my question today, so here it goes...
We are about to shoot our first HDV project, and I just want to make sure we can actually edit this stuff with the hardware/software we have. After lots of searching, I think I've answered my questions, but need someone to double check my answers...
Specs:
Camera: Sony HVR-V1U (not sure what settings we will use... open to suggestions)
Computer: iMac G5, Processor- 2.1 GHz, Ram- 1.5 GB
Software: FCP 5, DVD SP 3
Final Output: SD DVD (TRT around 10 minutes)
Please let me know if any other info is needed.
Questions/Assumptions:
1. I CAN digitize and edit with the hardware and software we have, right?
2. Will I need to downconvert before/during digitizing?
3. Can we keep the widescreen look or must we switch to 4:3?
4. What kind of media (tapes) should we use?
5. We can only digitize with that same camera, right?
6. Can we edit 24p in FCP 5?
Thank you in advance. I'm sincerely sorry if I've posted questions that have been posted before. I'm being selfish and need (want?) answers to my specific situation
Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Questions/Assumptions:
1. I CAN digitize and edit with the hardware and
software we have, right?
Yes
2. Will I need to downconvert before/during
digitizing?
Depending on the delivery requirements I would say After edit
3. Can we keep the widescreen look or must we switch
to 4:3?
You can keep the widescreen look but it will most likely be letterboxed.
4. What kind of media (tapes) should we use?
SONY
5. We can only digitize with that same camera,
right? No, Any Sony HDV product will work.
6. Can we edit 24p in FCP 5?
NO You can Shoot 24p and the V1U will convert to 60i on the tape and you will edit HDV 60i, with a 24p look.
Good Luck
Z1&V1user

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Unable to capture HDV in FCP 6.0.1 from Sony HVR-Z1P

Hi I'm attempting to capture HDV footage from a Sony Z1.
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At present it will capture HDV in IMovie but not FCP 6.0.1
Message was edited by: Matt Blyth

Thanks Adrian, since posting the thread I've thought of that too but unfortunately to no avail. From other forums I've read this seems to be a central theme to the solution to my capture woes. I since have sorted the problem it was in Audio/Video Settings.
In the end I set my Audio/Video Settings to:
Sequence Preset to: Apple Intermediate Codec 1080i50
Capture Pre-HDV- Apple intermediate Codec
Device Control Preset: Sony HDV 1080i50 Firewire
And hey presto my I'm capturing HD without any problems. Thanks everyone for your suggestions.
Message was edited by: Matt Blyth

Log and capture problems for HDV using FCP 5.0.1

I cant seem to get a picture in my log and capture browser when using HDV. The screen says my camera is connected, I see timecode correctly rolling in sync with my cameras timecode, I can use the controls, but no picture on the screen?
When I hit capture now, the capture screen pops up and gives a message "waiting for data from device".
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Thanks for responding.
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Hi all
I am running FCP 6.0.2 on a Dual 2GHz PPC G5 running OSX v 10.4.11
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I followed your list -- one menu setting I didn't see on the camera was AV/V-DV...I looked at the menus when the camera is set to VCR and also when set to Camera and I didn't find it...can you please clarify?
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I figured out the problem!!! It was "Rosetta". Hopefully this issue will help someone else in the future!
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Problem playing back HDV from FCP HD

FCP 5.0.4
I am doing my first HD project and am experiencing a problem I cannot solve.
Using both a Sony HDV HC1 and Sony HDR FX1 as playback devices, I cannot get the video to play back from FCP using HDV1080i60. Under Video playback, the options for the HDV are grayed out for the only firewire options:HDV(1440 x 1080) 30fps and 25fps. However, the option exists under Print To Video, and when chosen, will send HD1080i60p video to the cam>hi def monitor.
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No HDV decks will allow you to monitor external video from FCP through them UNLESS they are in the recording mode. So they just don't support this like DV devices do.
You need to look at a card for this. Least expensive would be the Intensity cards from Decklink. I like the MXO from Matrox too for this too... does more output, but has no input... I use an Io HD for that... and turn that slow rendering HDV to ProRes.. much faster rendering, and visually lossless.
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HDV Widescreeen FCP to PAL SD Widescreen DVD?

We have a film that is finished in HDV 1080i50 on FCP at 1440 X 1080 (16:9). We now want to create a PAL SD DVD that gives us pure 16:9 rather than 4:3 letter boxed. What are the exact sizings for this and where should i be resizing?
I have found another post on discussions that reccomends using the method I employed below but I am unsure that this produces a perfect 16:9 video.....
I've been exporting a QT using the export command and the default settings of HDV1080i and that gives me a QT which is by 1920 X 1080. I then brought that into compressor 2 and used the apple setting of high quality 90min 16:9 preset. I altered the .m2v preset so that the filed dominance was upper layer, I changed the "frame control" to be custom (in "resizing control" I selected "best" on "resize filter" I changed it to "top first" and finally I changed the "deinterlace" to "best".
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Many thanks for anyone who can help me.....
Fred

I perhaps should mention that I haven't done this myself, and that I'm just trying to think through how it should be done, for what it's worth!
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As there's going to be motion a lot of the time I would argue that just dropping one of the fields would be as good as any other way. Pick either field in the deinterlace options.
I just played around with the 16:9 settings in FCP, and it seemed to have a mind of its own! I wrestled with it and convinced the video clip to fill the document area. I'm sure there is a better way to make that work.
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With Simulator set to 16:9 display mode I get a wide screen, with the video reaching from top to bottom. If I set a 4:3 display mode I still see the whole video, but with the usual letterbox bars above and below the 16:9 area.

SOLUTION: Are you having problems using HDV in FCP X and iDVD?

If you edit HDV (TAPE) in FCP X and want to burn the video in iDVD you will find the following problem . . . iDVD squashes the image as shown in the screenshot below.
Whether you export as ProRes or H.264, iDVD will see it like this as a squashed image.
This is because iDVD does not recognise HDV anamorphic images unless they are in the Apple Intermediate Codec.
There are 2 solutions to this problem:-
1. Create a ProRes 422 Custom Compressor Preset with a frame size of 1920 x 1080.
The only downside to this is that the conversion process in my 2008 iMac takes about 5 times realtime.
2. Create an Apple Intermediate Codec preset for HDV. This encodes on my iMac in around realtime, so it is at least 4 times faster than the ProRes solution.
Unfortunately, if you have Compressor 4 you cannot create Apple Intermediate Codec presets, but Compressor 3.5 will and what is more important, that preset can be installed in Compressor 4.
So you can export your HDV project from FCP X using Compressor Presets in either ProRes or AIC and use the resulting file in iDVD to get a correctly proportioned image like this.
I prefer to use the AIC preset as it is 4 times faster and there is no quality difference on the final DVD.
What do you do if you haven't got Compressor 3.5 or 4?
Well you can email me for a 12KB copy of the preset as I believe FCP X can use it even though you don't have Compressor.

Ian,
Thanks for the tip!

HDV and FCP Export to Quicktime Movie

Hi.
Should I be able to "Export to Quicktime" a 90-minute FCP timeline and expect no hiccups? I keep trying and my Quicktime file has an occasional slight jump from one frame to another when I view it. This happens about once every 2-3 minutes.
Is the file too large to play back (13gig)? Do I not have a powerful enough computer or graphics card?
My goal is to play the movie using DVI-out to a theatre's DVI-in, so the film can be viewed in the best quality possible. I was hoping to output to a Quicktime, dump it to my MacBook and play it using the DVI-out.
Any thoughts or suggestions?
Specs:
~ MacPro Dual-Core Intel Xeon 2.66 GHz, 1 GB Ram
~ NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT graphics card
~ Timeline: 720p at 24fps HDV native video
~ Outputting to Quicktime Uncompressed
~ MacBook: 2.16 GHz, 1 GB Ram
~ MacBook Video Card: Intel GMA 950 graphics processor with 64MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory4

Choose file/export/QuickTime Movie, and check on the "make self contained" option. Turn off the "recompress all frames" option. This is the best export there is for any source media format HDV or not... Might try exporting just a bit, and see if this movie will play back ok on a MacBook first though using the DVI out to another monitor... Don't change formats. Making it any other format will cause quality loss, or create a file so large that the macbook won't play it... I'd also suggest you put it on a fw drive to play back from the MacBook.
If it were me though, I'd not trust the Macbook to play it back OK... just not enough horsepower IMHO.
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No dialogue box when importing hdv into fcp, normal?

I'm using a Canon Vixia HV40. When I import into FCP no dialogue box appears, just a small box that lets me name the file and import. I am choosing log and capture.
It will then import but without showing any progress and I have to press the quit button first to view the clips.Is this normal for HDV importing? I'm new to HD.

Can I use a capture card with an iMac?
No...sorry.
Do you happen to know what setting to use when I capture from native 24p. Which Pro Res setting do I use?
I don't. The one time I did capture ProRes in the manner you are, the tape was 1080i60, so it was pretty standard. Now..."native" 24p...you can't get that on tape. Impossible. NATIVE means that it was recorded at 24fps (running at 23.98). Tapes don't do that. They run at 30fps (29.97). So how the HV40 does it records 24fps onto a 30fps tape, and you need to remove that pulldown when you capture.
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I see an HDV 1080p24 Firewire Basic option, and an HDV-Apple ProRes 422 1080p24 option. What do those get you? Oh, what version of FCP?
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HDV to FCP and onto the web

Hi there,
I have a Sony Z1 and film in HDV 1080i 50HTZ PAL setting, and edit usig final cut pro 5. I was wondering what the best way of exporting the footage for use on the web is. I have tried so many different methods and programs but it all looks rubbish or appears in 4:3 and not 16:9.
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All I want is a video that I can put on the web using flash that looks good and has nice controls. It would be a bonus if it had bandwith detection too, so the quality could reflect the users bandwith.
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What? Didn't you know Apple lives in a bubble? There is only Quicktime and AVI. <vbg> Welcome to the world of "fighting to get files that work on Windows or in Flash".
To export as 16:9 for the web, use QuickTime Conversion and click Options, then set the size to a size you like, such as 480x270 (a 16:9 ratio would be useful for this setting).
Then export it.
Then use VisualHub or similar to convert it to Flash.
Then open the flash file in Flash, and follow the prompts, selecting the controls skin you want. Then Publish the Flash project with HTML.
Or... switch to Adobe Premiere, and simply export the movie as Flash.

Connection errors (lots and lots of them) between HDV and FCP 6

So this is a tragedy for me so far. I have a $3500 Cannon XH A1, and an equally expensive Macbook Pro. The problem is, I can't get a connection via firewire between the two. I've changed the presets a bunch of times to what I think the correct specs are, nothing has worked. But when I flip on the the right settings on my school's computers (which run FCP 5), it works fine.
I'm out of ideas. I've updated everything, I even tried this pointless apple tutorial telling me to delete QT receipts. Can anyone help me?

Well, it might take a bit of time to straighten out, but probably not a tragedy.
First, was your move to 10.5.1 a clean install? If you just installed over the old OS, problems can arise. Worst case scenario is you'll have to strip the drive, reinstall the OS and updates, then install FCS 2 and the updates.
But, some things to try first:
Shut everything, computer, camera, etc. off
Connect the camera to the mac via firewire, and remove any other firewire connections, even if the other connected equipment will be off (unless, of course, you'll be capturing to an external firewire drive).
Turn the camera on to VCR mode, load the tape. (I'm assuming you want to capture TO FCP, not print back to video.
Now turn on the Mac, fire up FCP. If any projects open with it, close them.
Now, choose an Easy Setup; probably HDV 1080i60, or another HDV preset.
Next, open a new empty project, and open the log and capture window.
Are you now able to control the camera from the keyboard? And, are you able to see your footage in the log and capture window? If so, proceed with the capture.
If this doesn't work, you may want to erase and reinstall everything on a clean drive.

Capturing Canon hx-a1 HDV to FCP

I can not get the camera to stay in playback HDV mode in signal setup. When I put in the firewire cable it goes back to playback STD and is grey. So when I try to capture the footage to FCP it says it is not getting any data. All settings seem
OK. Any explanation or solution out there?

Yes, there is a codec issue with footage shot on Canon camcorders and rendered with Sony or Panasonic equipment. If you can use the XH A1 for capturing it might solve the problem. I have a XH A1 and was warned by Apple NOT to shoot in 24F unless I was transferring to film as it could require the extension/compression of some frames when editing in FCP. Not sure why, but that's an issue I can do without.
Good luck,
Corpguy

Sony V1-u 24p/HDV/1080p + FCP

I have a Sony V1-U camera. It doesn't work well with Adobe Premiere. I think that's because premiere doesn't have a proper setting for HDV/24p footage.
I'm thinking of selling this computer, with adobe premiere, and buying a mac with FCP instead. I just need to know if FCP would handle my raw footage better than Premiere pro 2 does.
How does one properly capture HDV 1080p footage on Final Cut studio 2? Which sequence settings would I use? Does the HDV footage automatically get down-converted to Standard def. when I capture it? Does the HDV footage stay preserved during the encoding process? What happens to HDV footage if you try to burn it on a standard def. dvd? And finally, Could I possibly sound more like a noob?
Thanks for taking the time to read this.

I don't use Adobe Premiere but I would believe it has a proper setting for the Flavor of HDV you are producing from the V1. All Sony HDV products record to mini DV/HDV tape as 60i in the United States (V1-U = USA).
*How does one properly capture HDV 1080p footage on Final Cut studio 2?*
Sony HDV is NOT progressively recorded to tape. During the progressive recording it is like interlaced, but the sensors for each field are recorded at the same exact time so in effect it is progressive during the image making process, but Sony then separates the two fields and lays to tape interlaced so all other HDV products they sell work properly together as 60i. Don't worry the progressive look is retained but a 3:2 pull down is added making 29:97 or 60i material.
*Does the HDV footage automatically get down-converted to Standard def when I capture it?*
No, you can down convert out of the V1U by menu settings or you will have to do it during an export in your EDL.
*Does the HDV footage stay preserved during the encoding process?*
In Final Cut the originally captured HDV material is not changed and will remain in the Capture Scratch folder while the exported sequence is rendered into a new HDV Quicktime file if this is what you're exporting to.
*What happens to HDV footage if you try to burn it on a standard def. dvd?*
Well you will either export the HDV sequence as SD using Apples Compressor or you will drop a copy of the HDV sequence into a new SD sequence for exporting.
*Could I possibly sound more like a noob?*
No comment, I'm sure others here can appreciate your energy.

Which HDV does FCP support?

I'm interested in shooting in HDV and cut it on FCP. But there seems to be 2 different types of HDV from Sony, and JVC. I'm quite confused:
1) Which one can be cut on FCP.
2) Can it be output to any deck such as Digibetacam?
3) Can it be input or output to a deck by component, S-video or composit? Will it lose quality?
4) does FCP support the new Panasinic P2 camera?
5) Fianlly, is there any different between the Sony & JVC HDV's, both in cameras and in Decks (if there's any)?
I'm leaning towards the JVC HDV. But if FCP does not support it, I'll have a problem.
Thanks for anyone with any insight.

1) FCP mainly supports the Sony format, but also supports the JVC format, although ONLY the 720p30 setting, not 24p. You can also use HDVxDV to convert the footage to "I" frames, which I hear is a decent way to cut HDV.
2) Yes, but only if you have a capture card. Outputting to digibeta will always require a capture card. And you will have to render your HDV footage in an SD sequence...as Digibeta is an SD format.
3) Yes, it can. This is probably the better way to import HDV footage, IMHO. With the use of an HD capture card, you can import HDV in a different HD format which is easier to work with. Lose quality, yes, some quality will be lost, but nothing you'd notice.
4) It supports the DVCPRO HD format, but as of yet there isn't a card reader for the P2 cards designed for the Mac yet. That will be remedied soon. But hey, the camera isn't even OUT yet, so patience man!
5) Yes, there is a difference. They record different flavors of HDV. Sony and Canon record using a long GOP (group of pictures) and JVC uses a short GOP.
If you lean towards the JVC, only shoot 720p30 if you intend on editing with FCP, or get an HD capture card and plenty of high speed storage if you want to capture it in a different HD format.

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