Import VHS into Final Cut7?

To edit a Sample Reel in FCP7 I need to capture many VHS cassettes into my iMac computer and FCP7, as QuickTime files.  I bought a Blackmagicdesign Video Recorder at Tekserve.  But when I read the box it says: H264 Encoding :  "it records H264 Video to iTunes/ iPad&iPhone/AppleTV/ YouTube."
In this Forum I was told once that H264 is not fit for FCP.  Should I look for another Converter? (to Quick Time if it exists?), or convert to H264 and then to ProRes in a 2nd step via StreamClip for ex?  I also will be importing DVDs for that Sample Reel.  I would be grateful for any tip from someone with experience in this process.  Thank you very much in advance

Hi
Me Guessing a bit
Guess - .H264 is not that good and by converting it to ProRes or AIC - it will work but the quality lost in H264 coding is not there (and as far as I get it can not be restored)
If this is true - then my way of doing it is the best one I seen
• I use an A/D-box - Canopus ADVC-300 (Grass Valley ADVC-300)
An expencive box but as it has some to me very vital functions - worth it
• It has TimeBase Corrections
This is important if VHS tapes are a bit old or can have Drop-Outs as it tries to mend them = Program Importing DO NOT STALL (Halt) - Meaning You need not to Babysit
- My tapes are new to >> 10 Years old = Drop Outs
- Recorded on various brands (most of them too cheap) = Drop Outs
- Recorded in LP-mode = Drop Outs
• And if there is Drop Outs then with ordinary A/D-boxes - Audio goes OUT OF SYNC. And this is a night mare to correct by hand ! !
Ny notes on this:
Analog to Mac (digital)
Analog to Mac/Digital
From
• S-VHS, VHS, VHS-C - Camera or VCR (VHS-C needs adaptor cassette - SVHS/VCR in such cases)
• Video 8, Hi8 ...........................................( Camera / Digital8 Camera or special VCR-player )
Can be done via
• Camera and tape or video trough (if present) (miniDV or Digital8)
• A/D-box
    Several brands (Must be FireWire)
        Canopus ADVC-55 (now Grass Valley ADVC-55) - (only on way)
        Canopus ADVC-110 (now Grass Valley ADVC-110) - (two ways)
        Canopus ADVC-300 (now Grass Valley ADVC-300) - (Timebase/code-correction)
        EyeTV
• VCR --> DVD (result needs conversion to be of use)
Captured/Imported by
• iMovie 1 to HD6
• iMovie’08 & 09 & 11
• FinalCut Express or Pro
• Final Cut Pro - X ( iMovie’11 Pro? )
• QuickTime Pro
• iDVD
SCART - Must use an SCART-adaptor with in and out switch. The one that came with Camera is one way. Camera ----> VCR/TV - not other way around.
RCA - Connect right way around
USING the S-Video out than RGB-video (Composite) from SCART will give a significantly better result !
Why
• Want to do a  DVDs
• Want to edit
Connect VCR to A/D-box via SCART---RCA (EU) or via RCA---RCA (US) and set SCART switch to out (if used). The A/D-box may have an in resp. out side. Connect to in-side. Set A/D-box Input selector to Analog in.
My ADVC-300 has two sets of dip-switches on bottom - for PAL they are set to
Left one number 6 is set to on - all others in off state.
If 6 in off state then it is NTSC
From A/D-box via FireWire 6-pin to 6-pin or 9-pin end to Mac FW port.
Now turn A/D-box or Camera ON
Start iMovie or QT or FinalCut
Select Import or Capture
Re-wind tape in VCR or Camera
Start - Play on VCR or Camera
Import or Capture Now
See that the saved movie is collected on a hard disk with sufficient space
1 hour needs 13.5Gb
8 hour needs 105-110Gb (e.g. a 240VHS tape recorded in LP-mode)
How to store the material
• As is - Icon with a Star on it (iMovie HD6)
• As a set of DVDs
• Collected in a folder - FinalCuts Scratch folders + Movie document on an external/second hard disk
• As DiskImages
• Back to miniDV tapes
Do not use LP-mode with miniDV tapes. Two major problems.
a. When Camera dies - so does the tapes - Can’t be play-backed securely on other Camera even if
brand and type number is the same - the tolerances are to small
b. Audio goes out of sync due to 12-bit recording and/or drop outs in video makes video and audio
not walk in pace / parallel. Resulting in a very tough re-sync problem.
Yours Bengt W

Similar Messages

  • Filming on a Panisonic 24p camera but I imported it into final cut with a

    Filming on a Panisonic 24p camera but I imported it into final cut with a Sony HD camera. Will this mess up the quality of of my shots when I ad slow motion? I have noticed that the slow mo is a little chopy. PLEASE HELP!....

    24p is captured with your standard "DV-NTSC" easy setup, whereas 24pA is captured with the "DV-NTSC 24p (23.98) Advanced Pulldown" easy setup. Correct me if I'm wrong I still have yet to work in 24pA.
    http://www.kenstone.net/fcphomepage/24p_in_FCPnattress.html
    This page is priceless.
    http://www.nattress.com/Solutions/solutions.htm
    This page is nice too for reference

  • I am having problems importing files into final cut pro x

    I have tried several time importing files into final cut pro x but it keep say file not writable what should i do?

    WWhat exactly are you importing? From where? What version of the software are you using? Where are you trying to import the media to?

  • I have a .mov file that is 59 gigs.  Is there a converter that can reduce the file size with minor resolution loss so I can import it into final cut express?

    I have a .mov file that is 59 gigs.  Is there a converter that can reduce the file size with minor resolution loss so I can import it into final cut express?

    Open the file in QuickTime Player. Then do Tools > Show Movie Inspector.  What does it say for Format and FPS?
    At 59GB, I suspect you have either a 4 hour DV video or a 1+ hour video that was converted to Apple Intermediate Codec.   If it's either of those, you can import it directly into FCE provided you select the appropriate Easy Setup first.  Your clips have to match the properties of the Easy Setup you are using.
    If it's neither DV or AIC then you need to convert it to one of those codecs.  (QuickTime/DV or QuickTime/AIC)  Many people in this forum rely on MPEG Streamclip (it's free and works great).

  • Bizarre results importing imovie into final cut express?

    I have filmed different interviews which were captured in imovie. I am now trying to import them into final cut express. But when I import one interview called, say, Gavin I get Karen's interview instead. The clip is labelled Gavin but the footsage is from a different interview. No matter who I import I get a completely different project and there is no rhyme nor reason to the footage that opens up.
    Basically I get the wrong footage with every clip I open.
    Please help before I end up in the loony bin!
    Exasperated,
    Clare

    I bought Final cut express just after capturing all my files in imovie (having heard that it was supposed to be easier to cature and trim in imovie before sending the files to fce - is this what you have heard?). If it weren't for a solid week capturing and trimming 40 hours of film I would recapture in fce!!
    I have even replaced the captured media within the scratch folder but still it opens the wrong files.
    The files are labelled as the interviewees name. All the books say that you can import imovie projects into fce and then render and save as fce files.
    I have tried various methods of importing, opening and even dragging a clip straight from imovie into the browser of fce - which works but opens an original untrimmed version rather than the short trimmed version and again it will be an interview of the wrong person.
    I have since been turning the imovie files into .mov files and opening them in fce - this seems to work but hope there is no change to quality.
    Would this be the way to go? I would so appreciate an answer!
    Thanks

  • Importing VHS into iMovie - Communication Error

    Hi
    I have just got a new iMac with iLife 08.
    I am trying to import VHS tapes through a Canon camcorder into iMovie. I have done this many times before using Final Cut Pro on my old computer. My old FCP isn't compatible with OSX 10.5 so I have to use iMovie for the first time.
    My problem is when I connect everything up, I get a 'communication error'. I can play the VHS and see it playing on the camcorder but it won't play on the import window in iMovie. i have tried importing it anyway and it does capture a couple of seconds and then stops.
    Does anyone have any ideas?
    Thanks.

    I have the same problem, used the info from the above link....
    Live import workaround #2: Put a tape in the camcorder and put it into CAMERA mode. Launch iMovie HD 6.0.2 -- its import mode should show the live feed from the camcorder. Remove the tape -- iMovie HD should continue to show and import live feed from the camcorder. The drawback with this approach is that it produces wear and tear to the camcorder. If you keep the tape in the camcorder, it may also go into standby mode if the tape is paused.....
    But then switch from camera to play (VCR) on my canon MV500i
    imac   Mac OS X (10.4.8)  

  • Importing SWF into Final Cut Pro with no Background

    Hi Everyone:
    I've created an animated macromedia .swf file and imported
    into Final Cut Pro successfully just as an .swf file. I can see the
    .swf file animate in Final Cut Pro, the only problem is there is a
    white background along with my animation. I've seen many slighly
    related threads to this problem, but no end solution or work
    around. any help? here's what i've seen in posts and other forums:
    - create another layer below your object and place a
    tranparent color swatch box the size of your stage size
    - export the flash file as .mov with an alpha channel
    transparency
    - export the flash file as a .mov with an alpha channel, then
    open in quicktime pro, then re export again as a quicktime movie
    with the "Millions +" option.
    - i've also heard something about having the right codecs, or
    purchasing some other 3rd part software.
    none of these approaches have worked for me. My Dream would
    be to just import the .swf file straight into Final Cut Pro. I've
    been exporting my flash movies as a png sequence and importing
    every image into FCP for the time being. I'm also thinking about
    just making the background bright green, because i think i just
    chroma key it out, but i'm not sure how clean this will be.
    here's the related thread:
    http://www.kirupa.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242444
    Thanks for any help.

    You need one of these: http://desktop.thomsongrassvalley.com/products/videoconversion.php to do it properly. The ADVC 300 is the best option for the money.

  • Importing itunes into final cut express

    I just bought an IMAC with Final Cut Express to do all my video editing of my kids activities. I used Pinnacle Studio on my old PC prior to this but it finally gave out. I downloaded some music CD's I had into itunes and then tried importing the music into FCE. This is not working. I have no problem adding it to my imovies but it will not work with FCE. The music format is m4a which I think is typical.
    I went to You Tube and watch several tutorials from some of fellow FC users and still cannot get it to work. There must be something I have to set up in FCE to get this to work but I do not know what that is. I been looking around the program and have not been successful. Any help any of you can provide would be great. Thanks.. Ron

    Hi Ron, and welcome to the FCE Forum !
    You should convert the audio files to AIFF, 48KHz (aka 16-bit) stereo before importing them into FCE. Neither CDs nor iTunes songs are in that format. You can use iTunes to do the conversion.
    With a new Mac and Snow Leopard you probably have iTunes9. Open Preferences, then go to General > Import Settings, then select AIFF and set Custom Settings as 48KHz, 16-bit, stereo. Save the settings. Then in your music library, select the song(s) you want to convert and do Advanced > Create AIFF version. (Note: the format you selected in Import Settings controls what the Advanced > Create menu option does.)

  • Importing VHS into iMovie

    I just bought and hooked up a Canopus ADVC-110 between a TV/VCR combo and my computer. Several questions:
    1. When I first hooked up the canopus, the iMovie project I had been working on began displaying this message when I would open the project: " The camera you have connected is a different video standard from your project. You can edit but you will not be able to capture any new clips or export to camera". It didn't seem to affect importing digital video clips or still photos, so I just continued without worry.
    2. Now that I am TRYING to import VHS tape, when I am in my current project, nothing happens with I click the camera button and turn on my TV/VCR combo. I didn't know WHAT was wrong....until....
    3. I opened a new blank project. Suddenly, I could import video just fine. So I thought I'd try editing the clip in the blank project and then just copying it into my current project. When I tried that I got the following message: The DV file Clip is the wrong video standard and cannot be imported into this project. What is going on!?!?
    4. Lastly, I just noticed that at the top of my iMovie project it says the title and then says (PAL). Is that normal? Is that going to burn to a DVD okay? I thought North America had to be NTSC instead of PAL.
    thanks for any suggestions/advice!

    1. When I first hooked up the canopus, the iMovie project I had been working on began displaying this message when I would open the project: " The camera you have connected is a different video standard from your project. You can edit but you will not be able to capture any new clips or export to camera". It didn't seem to affect importing digital video clips or still photos, so I just continued without worry.
    I think there are small switches (DIP-switches) on the Canopus. Make sure the switches are set to NTSC.

  • Can't import anything into Final Cut 7.0.3

    I just recently updated my OS to Snow Leopard (10.6.7) along with Final Cut Pro 7.0.3. and now for some reason Final Cut does not recognize anything, video, audio, stills, nothing. I've found a workaround for video files, save as itself in Quicktime. But I still can't import. I always get this message.
    "File error:1 file(s) recognized, 0 access denied, 1 unknown "
    I've found that a few pople on Creative Cow are having the same issue but, there is still fix. I've trashed preferences, flashed pram, even did a hard re-install. My job depends on FC working properly. Does anyone have a fix for this.

    Its an was update from an earlier version.
    What earlier version?
    And you're saying when you using File>Import>File and select a JPEG you get the error message?
    You can't or shouldn't import MP3s into FCP.
    Have you try creating a new porject and importing into that?

  • Importing VHS into Imovie - file size question

    Hi,
    The novice is back so bear with me please.
    I'm using the Canopus ADVC-55 to import a 2 hour VHS into imovie so that I can convert it to DVD in iDVD. However, the file size is so massive that its eating up my hard drive. If I get an external hard drive, can I move the imovie project I'm working on to the external drive and will I still be able to use the imovie application even if the actual application is on the main hard drive? I just figure because of file limitations when working with digital files on my hard drive, it might be more practical to get a 200gig external but I want to make sure that I can still use the imovie application from it.
    Thanks.

    Leslie,
    If you do get an external drive, make sure it's formatted Mac OS Extended or it may not work properly with iMovie.
    http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=93296
    Matt

  • Importing Files into Final Cut Express

    I have a technical issue that I hope someone can assist me with...
    I recieved 2 harddrives full of video clips that were shot in HD from a video production house. Here is the content on the drives: CARD 1 (folder), inside this folder there are 2 items (CONTENTS & LASTCLIP.txt) in the CONTENT folder are the following folders : AUDIO, CLIP, ICON, PROXY, VIDEO, and VOICE.
    My question/dilemma: Can I import these clips into Final Cut Express to edit? I have an older version of Final Cut HD that won't work with these files.
    Any and all input will be greatly appreciated.
    -Greg

    HELP ! Anybody, please help !
    As you can probably guess. I've reached the limit of my "expertise" with your files ....... ".XML" sounds familiar but you will have to hang around for someone else to tell you whether and how they can be used.
    One thing I am sure about (I think!) is that the latest version of FCE will be no better than the older one you have.

  • Import m2v into final cut x

    I'm trying to import an m2v file into final cut x, but it won't import.  Any suggestions?

    FCP iz and always has ben QuickTime based. m2v is an MPEG format.
    look at the time lapse on my computer.
    I don't know what this means? The m2v file? Yes, you can look at it on your computer. It's the format used by iPad and Apple TV. You cannot edit it. It's not a production format. It's a delivery format. I don't know why the material from the 7D was made into a delivery format when it was going to be edited. Either you can have it remade into a production format, or you can convert it. The former would be much better. m2v is heavily compressed for use on mobile devices and such.

  • Audio lost when importing MPEGs into Final Cut Pro

    When I import MPEG files into Final Cut Pro 4.5 the audio disappears. When I play the clips in Quicktime the audio and video are present, after I import only the video is present. I have tried adjusting the sequence presets for MPEG, but that has not helped. Any advice? Thanks!!

    Hi:
    Check this thread:
    http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=4859045#4859045
      Alberto

  • Importing images into final cut

    Hi,
    I am working on a widescreen video, DV PAL format in final cut express (4.0.1). The sequence is thus set to anamorphic (seq properties: frame size: 720x576, dv-pal, anamorphic).
    To get the effect I wanted, I exported the frames for a clip as an image sequence out of fce and opened these in GIMP. There I first rescaled the image to 1024x576 which is PAL widescreen. Then I made the changes.
    Now when I re-import back into fce:
    1. it imports it as a sequence. This is even when I have flattened the image but saved as .psd. Is it doing so because its saved as .psd? Anyway this is not a big issue.
    2. The bigger issue is that the image is vertically smaller than the sequence i.e. there is a little black space at the top and bottom. Why is this happening? The item properties of the image imported as a sequence is frame size:1024x576, dv-pal. anamorphic not checked.
    thanks

    thanks. I have uploaded the image imported into fce online at
    http://ajaybrar.com/images/screenshot.png
    As you can see there are the black bars at the top and bottom.
    The file before import is at
    http://ajaybrar.com/images/5001.png
    Not sure if that helps though. But the sequence properties of the imported image has frame size 1024x576 with anamorphic not checked. Is this correct? the frame size of the other anamorphic clips is 720x576. So my master sequence is 720x576, anamorphic and into that i am putting the imported image which is 1024x576. Could that then be causing the problem? In that FCE resizes it...

Maybe you are looking for

  • Stills from QuickTime movie

    I have been attempting to collect stills from QT movies and find they all have horizontal lines impairing the images. Is there any way to avoid this ? Many thanks.

  • Setting up a wireless printer.  And I thought it would be easy.

    I am trying to set up a new brother MFC-6490cw wirelessly. It recognizes my Airport Extreme as it shows it's name on it's network configuration. (Although under "wireless Link Status" it says "failed to communicate") I seem to have the up-to-date dri

  • ITunes Resets my Server

    I have changed ISPs since first downloading iTunes. Now, whenever I open iTunes, it resets my server and I cannot connect to the internet without changing the authetication key. I uninstalled iTunes and tried to re-download but received the following

  • Lost installation CD, got a new compu

    I have a Zen Nano Plus, and I lost the installation CD so I can't access the library or anything. It used to be on my old computer but we just changed from Windows 95 to Windows XP. Do you know how I can get either the CD or something dowloadable to

  • Cannot view photos from Zire 71 Handheld

    Hi, Newby here I'm having trouble with viewing photos from my handheld, the "Photo" option doesn't appear on Photo Desktop. The expansion card is empty (when viewing My Pictures on Windows). Any ideas? Thanks Post relates to: Zire 71