Importing DV/HDV Tapes

Hi,
I would like to know if there is any software to import DV/HDV tapes to my Macbook pro (doing the same job that we can do using the "Log and Capture" window) ?
I don't want to use the FCP to do it because I want to use it at the same time in another tasks.
Thanks

You cannot capture video AND use FCP at the same time doing something else. Meaning you cannot capture video AND edit video at the same time on the same machine. Just not possible. Nor can you capture and compress video at the same time.
To be able to capture video while you are working on something else in FCP....you'd need another machine.
Shane

Similar Messages

HDV tape as a unique file

is there a way to import an HDV tape as a unique file, instead of having all those hundreds of files, one for each time there was a recording ?

In the Log and Capture window, click the "Clip Settings" tab. There is a setting for "Create new clip on Start/Stop". Uncheck this box.
I'm guessing this might do the trick but I haven't been able to try it since I discovered it was there when importing HDV.

Help - HDV tape import problem - Sony HC-3 broken - Questions/Warning

My Sony HC-3 HD camcorder has just failed. I've had it just over 3 years.
I really don't enjoy video editing much, and despite maybe shooting 20-30 tapes of HD footage of my young children, I'd only got round to importing a handful over Firewire, but was lulled into a false sense of security perhaps by treating the tapes as my film negatives (new tape each time).
The camcorder behaved a bit erratically a few weeks ago when inserting a tape, then the other day it gave an error, I ejected the tape and had a constant C32:11 error flashing. Lots of user reports on the web, no idea what the real issue is, but any suggested fixes didn't work.
Essentially I cannot close the tape transport compartment with or without a tape - it won't accept a tape and return to record/play position.
Almost feels as though something isn't clicking/catching when you push the tape in.
Anyhow, I thought if worst comes to worst I'll just buy Sony's latest model - then the realisation they'd discontinued consumer HDV tape camcorders. Not a happy bunny.
I've sent camcorder to local Sony repair center and am awaiting outcome.
Now my questions are:
1 - Is there any way of simply reading the tape data using an SD camcorder if I ever needed to ? - There are programs that use them to archive data so I guess in theory it must be possible just to read the data, unless it's stored in an SD compliant file format rather than just data.
2 - is 1080i HDV (1440x1080 res) as captured by the Sony HC3 a cross-vendor format or Sony specific - (if 1 is impossible) could I if needed say pick up a Canon HDV camcorder and use that to import my video?
3 - are we to assume now that DV/HDV is dead as a consumer format despite it's better image quality compared to hard drive/memory card video codecs.
Hopefully Sony will repair my camcorder for a fixed rate charge - if they can't or won't what are my options for importing the video I've got on tape?
There are bound to be companies who'll do this for a fee if worst comes to worst, but I feel a bit annoyed with Sony for dropping support for the format after buying an expensive camcorder only a few years ago.
Even if it can be repaired, I'm not sure I'll want to continue using it if there's a risk of future failure and inability to import old tapes. Frankly I'm glad I've used the video function on my Canon 5D II a lot in the last year or so for quick video clips even if many are transiently OOF.
Yes, my fault for not importing the tapes immediately after shooting, but I'd assumed that I would be able to import the data well into the future evene if it meant a new device.
AC

Jeremy Hansen wrote:
HDV is not dead!!! Heavens, the pros laugh at AVCHD and hard drive based cameras. When you shoot on HDV tape, you have a backup.
Sony do still manufacture HDV pro camcorders of course - it's the early adopter consumer they've left in the lurch.
One of my original reasons for using tape was this automatic backup - silly of me not to routinely import tapes to Mac of course.
To answer your questions:
1. No, you can't read it with an SD camera. you are correct that it is just 12GB of data, but no software really knows how to go back and forth, so to speak. In case you care, there was an app years ago (I forget which) that could use a Dv camera as a 12GB backup drive. But practically, no.
Shame really seeing as it's just data - I'd used the Firewire SDK kit DVHSCap app to pull off 12-13GB m2ts files in the past which I felt would be ok for computer archival, unedited direct playback on PS3 and fairly quick to convert to AIC as needed for future editing purposes using a utility.
I did wonder if DVHSCap might be able to pull the data from an SD camcorder, but maybe the tape just would not play.
2. HDV is HDV. If you had problems, pros would advise you to import with the same camera, or at least same brand. But, usually there are no problems. There shouldn't be, but occasionally there are.
I was hoping this was the case, great.
3. Image quality is NOT better with hard drive based camcorders. In fact, most use a higher rate of compression than HDV. What is the advantage? A tape-based camera takes an hour to import and hour. Hard drive cams go faster. Some look great, but there is no advantage over HDV.
Yes, the only advantage of HD/card based camcorders is simpler import faster than real time, and I'd always been concerned with HD camcorders you'd have too many eggs in one basket if the HD failed in between imports to computer.
I own an HC-3, and you have to realize it was an early camera in the high-def market. I don't use it often (except as a secondary) because of its optics.
I've always found it produced pretty acceptable results - constantly amazed that 3-4 year old products get regarded as obsolete by manufacturers who just want you to buy the latest gadget.
Here is my advice:
Get a Canon HDV camera. Use it to import your tapes, and enjoy its superior optics and color quality. Opinion? Yes, but I believe it.
I may consider that if repair fails - any model recommendations that would trounce the Sony?
Cheers
AC

Problems importing HDV tapes

Hello everyone,
First time I need to importe HDV tapes, frames recorded on HDV1080i 50i. I use a Sony HDV camera recoder, plug in with an firewire 800.
I set everything as it must be, then when I open the listed and capture the preview is black and when I start to capture it's says something like "missing of datas from the device, check the connections".
Do I need a special firewire cable for HDV images? Cause It works if I want to import some DVcam frames...
Please Help!! Just rent the camera for few days for import tapes...

Also, I have found that the WAY HDV is logged has a big effect as to how easily it can be captured - I used to constantly get the same warning you do. I started to mark my in and out points "on the fly" meaning the tape was rolling (NOT paused) while setting in and out points. Since doing it this way, I have yet to get that warning again. I imagine that it must have something to do with the GOP nature of HDV, but I'm not sure... I can use the same camera and cables to log and capture DV (paused) without an issue. As soon as I switch to HDV, the warning reared it's ugly head unless logged on the fly.

How can I digitizing HDV tapes into FCPX

I am about to upgrade my Mac laptop and FCP, but I need to know how I can import (digitze) my HDV tape based video into FCPX. The camera has firewire 400, but I have used a firewire 400 to 800 cable to digitize into Final Cut Studio. What is the best way to do it?

If you get the Retina MBP, you will need to get a FW–Thunderbolt adaptor to use with your 4 pin to 9 pin cable.
Russ

Best "Capture" workflow for projects mixing HDV tape and XDCAM footage

I'm trying to determine the best workflow for projects that combine XDCAM and HDV footage.
I'd obviously do the editing in a project designed for XDCAM, as that's the higher quality footage,
and render the HDV clips in the XDCAM timeline...ending up with an XDCAM end product.
I'd use SONY'S XDCAM TRANSFER to get the clips into FCP.
My question concerns capturing the HDV footage in this scenario. I've never been able to get
the Log and Capture feature for HDV footage to work, unless I've created an HDV project and am capturing into that HDV project.
So, generally, I create an HDV project, open the log and capture utility which is now set to capture HDV, and then capture the footage. I then close that project and create a new project, designed for XDCAM footage. I use XDCAM Transfer to get the XDCAM footage into the project, and I import
the previously captured HDV footage into that browser and start editing, rendering the HDV in the XDCAM timeline.
My question...do I really have to open, what is essentially a "fake" HDV project just to capture that HDV footage? You don't seem to have the option of capturing HDV footage (out of a camera or HDV tape deck) directly into an XDCAM project. If I try to change the capture or audio video settings of the XDCAM project to HDV, you get messages saying you can't do it.
Is there something I'm missing or a more streamlined way of doing this?
Thanks in advance for any input.

No need to jump through these hoops. Just set yourself up with a universal Easy Setup that will handle both. Choose your regular XDCAM HD Easy Setup then open the Audio / Video Settings window and change the Capture Preset to "HDV" and the Device Control Preset to "HDV Firewire" ... then click the "Create Easy Setup" button and save it for recall whenever needed.
Regarding the overall workflow, I'd seriously question the idea of creating XDCAM HD masters. No real benefit to that unless you need to export to XDCAM HD. Much better would be export your final master as Apple ProRes 422.
Best
Andy

Need HELP with importing high definition tape

I am using Imovie 6HD - and trying to import a high definition tape from a CanonHV20. After importing the first tape I had a screen saying LETTERBOXING which went on for ever. I noticed it made black border tp/botom on the frames. I don't want that. What should I do - I have more tapes to import.
What settings do I need? As mentioned I used High Definition Tapes so I would like to have a high definition movie/dvd. Also after burning the dvd I suppose I can play that on any tv?? Please help with detail explanation!!
Thanks.

teit wrote:
.. import a high definition tape from a CanonHV20. .. a screen saying LETTERBOXING ...
wrong setting on Import/New Project:
• select in New Project dialog 'HDV 1080i' or 'HDV720p' (=depends on your settings on your camcorder...)
... I would like to have a high definition .../dvd. ..
no such thing.. DVDs are allways 'Standard'-only.
• drag iM project file into iDVD = automatic conversion from HD>>SD ..

DV-format won't import, just HDV - why?

I have a 2 year old Sony HDR-HC7 which record and play hd-video fine. It also import hd into iMovie 09 just fine.
If I try to switch tape to a DV (SD) format I just get a blue import screen. The same happens if I change the menu settings on the camera to HDV>DV - a setting that will import from HDV to standard DV. Same as playing DV tapes.
I can ses that the camera-option in the import window says (HDV) at the bottom when I try to import HD-video, and it says (DV) when i try to import DV. Still the screen is blue.

Yes that actually helped for me too. It seems that you have to change settings and turn on equipment in an certain order to make this work.
What I don't get to work though is the HDV>DV iLink converting on the camera. That still give me a blue screen, but its not that important anyway.
Message was edited by: elangsru

Best method for importing mini DV tape movies directly to an external seagate hard drive for later import to iMovies ??

Best method for importing mini DV tape movies directly to an Seagate external hard drive,for later import to imovie event???

The simplest and cheapest option is LifeFlix. They have more info at www.lifeflix.com or on the Mac app store at https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/lifeflix/id630212114?ls=1&mt=12

Can FCP Black and Code HDV tapes?

(Reposted from the FCP Express forum)
I'm running FCP Studio 5.0.4.
I'm trying to stripe some HDV tapes for an upcoming shoot. I've set up a project using the 1080i60 Easy Setup. I have my Sony FX-1 set to HDV record mode and HDV input. When I go to Edit to Tape and hit the Black and Code icon, a dialogue box pops up giving me a dropdown menu from which I can choose the 1080i60 setting.
After the warning that I'm about to erase the tape with black and timecode, I hit OK and a status bar pops up saying it's 'Conforming HDV Video.'
All that is what I'd expect, but the estimated time for it to do this is 10 hours! I let it run for about 15 minutes just to see if that would change, but it looks as though it really would be that long. The status bar counted up to 1% complete during that time. That seems way too long to wait to stripe a tape.
I also tested doing this with Print to Video. I created an hour long sequence and filled it with slug. The same message popped up...only the estimated time was now 3 hours. Better...but not reasonable just to stripe a tape.
Any thoughts?
Other than the inevitable argument over striping tapes, I mean? : )

Its always been about a 50/50 chance of the previous footage cutting through frames of the new video when I have done this, so I never overwrite. Would overwriting black video be a safer bet?
And so the argument begins... Black is previous video whether it comes from a deck via edit system or a capped camera... either way is the same, you are laying down something that you are going to erase!!!!! If you have a break between takes, something is going to bleed through. The only reason you need a stripped tape is for insert editing.
That's why the recommendation is to not bother blacking tapes for shooting. Instead, take the time to ensure that you follow proper shooting practices that will avoid time code breaks.
As for re-using tapes... (that is essentially what you do when you black a tape before use.) Tape is cheap, why risk your money and rep by re-using tape.
rh

Will FCE 4 Import Analog 8mm Tapes (unlike iMovie '08)

Hello--
I've had a heck of a time importing my older analog 8mm tapes onto my MacBook and was wondering if dropping bigger bucks on FCE 4 will help.
Since iMovie '08 for some reason won't import analog 8mm tapes from my Sony TRV-330 Digital8 camcorder, I've had to import the tapes using iMovie HD. The problem is then I have to save the iMovie HD project before I can import the video into iMovie '08 where I want to tag and edit it...and this takes a lot of extra time (hours per tape).
On other discussion boards, people have suggested using other video importing applications such as Vidi, iDive, and QuickTime Pro. The first two didn't seem to work out for me, so I just spent $30+ to get QT Pro...that was a mistake because the video and audio quickly got out of synch which was completely unacceptable (some of my older tapes have periodic video and audio dropouts due a problematic camcorder at the time, which I understand can cause that problem...but it didn't seem to be a problem for iMovie HD).
So, since I've read on these FCE discussion threads that FCE uses QuickTime it makes me wonder if I'd have the same video/audio synch problems in FCE (if it even would import analog 8mm video at all).
BOTTOM LINE: Has anyone successfully imported analog 8mm videotapes from a digital camcorder into FCE 4? I'd really like to be able to catalog, tag, and edit ALL my tapes (analog 8mm and Digital8) in iMovie '08 (but am willing to try to do it in FCE 4 if that's a better comprehensive solution). When will Apple fix iMovie '08 to make the lives of those of us who want to transfer old analog 8mm tapes easier??

Thanks for the response, M.R. I didn't know QuickTime was also the import engine for iMovie HD...if that's the case, I don't know why iMovie HD would import my analog 8mm tapes while iMovie '08 doesn't (assuming iMovie '08 also uses QuickTime as the import engine).
I haven't really considered a converter box since the Sony TRV-330 camcorder does the analog to digital conversion...seems like it'd be unnecessary. Do you think there's the possibility that the output from a converter box would look different than the output from my digital camcorder to iMovie '08?
--Bill

Importing A-Dat tapes into Logic

I have lots of 8 –track Adat tapes of recording sessions that I’ve done for the last 10 years or so. The recording session were for various Jazz projects. I have rough mixes from those sessions that I’ve been able to listen to. But, I don’t have a A-Dat player. So the original A-Dat tapes have gone un-used for some time.
The thought occurred to me that maybe I can import the a-Dat tapes into Logic and mix and master them on my own. The thing is that I’m not totally sure of the “best” way to go about it.
At the moment, I am using a small Firebox interface. I suppose that I would need to get a larger 8track interface like maybe a Firepod? I would also need to buy a A-Dat machine. I’ve seen these on E-Bay for a couple of hundred. I would imagine that I would take each of the 8 A-Dat track to a separate input on the Firepod, create 8 new audio tracks in Logic, press record in Logic and press play on the A-Dat?
Is that it? Or is there a proper way to do this that I don’t know about?
Thanks,
Morris

Hi,
Yes you can definitely import your ADAT tapes into Logic.
Here's how to solve the issue:
1.You should buy an ADAT tape machine,make SURE you get the right one,as the newer one recorded at 20bit,and the older(blackface)only did 16bit.This part is crucial.I would probably recommend you get as newer an ADAT machine as possible,and look for low head hours too.
2.Buy an audio interface that supports the ADAT lightpipe format.Usually this can be from a cheap box to an expensive one.Just make SURE it does support the ADAT standard.
3.Buy 2 ADAT optical lightpipe cables long enought to connect the ADAT machine to your audio interface.You WILL need both cables to ensure correct digital audio synchronization.
4.You will need another interface,such as a Unitor8mkii or a Motu MTP/av USB model,in order to slave Logic to you ADAT machine via MMC protocol.Please refer to chapter 19 Synchronization page 605/619 of the Logic Pro reference manual to learn how to sync Logic to the ADAT.
5.Yes,you would be able to record ALL 8 ADAT channels at once,in one "pass".
Just make SURE you read the manual in step 4 thoroughly and test your setup BEFORE recording,to ensure you are doing it correctly.
Cheers

Printing to HDV tape

I have not sent a project to tape in probably 3 years, and I rarely work with HDV tape so I need some help with this one. My acquisition is Sony XDCAM HD. I have ingested the footage and have it in an XDCAM HD timeline. I am attempting to send this footage to HDV tape for a client who wants to edit this himself.
FCP recognizes the camera because I am able to capture in HDV. If I try to Edit To Tape, I get an error message saying "Unable to initialize Edit To Tape. Please check your device control preset in audio/video settings". And when I try to Print To Video, FCP does its thing but I never see the video on the camera's LCD screen. Even when I put it in record/pause mode, it does not see the video.
Do I need to change my sequence settings to HDV and then render first?? what am I doing wrong. The camera is a Canon HV10 HDV camcorder.
thanks

thanks, I had tried changing the sequence settings to HDV but it still did not work. and what was bothering me specifically was in the video playback options, I did not see any HDV or firewire settings.
I decided to restart FCP and when I did that, I suddenly saw a list of HDV playback settings, but they were shaded. I then checked "Different Output for Edit To Tape/Print To video" under A/V devices in Audio Video settings and then it worked.

Is there a way to Black and Code HDV tapes?

I'm running FCP Studio 5.0.4.
I'm trying to stripe some HDV tapes for an upcoming shoot. I've set up a project using the 1080i60 Easy Setup. I have my Sony FX-1 set to HDV record mode and HDV input. When I go to Edit to Tape and hit the Black and Code icon, a dialogue box pops up giving me a dropdown menu from which I can choose the 1080i60 setting.
After the warning that I'm about to erase the tape with black and timecode, I hit OK and a status bar pops up saying it's 'Conforming HDV Video.'
All that is what I'd expect, but the estimated time for it to do this is 10 hours! I let it run for about 15 minutes just to see if that would change, but it looks as though it really would be that long. The status bar counted up to 1% complete during that time. That seems way too long to wait to stripe a tape.
I also tested doing this with Print to Video. I created an hour long sequence and filled it with slug. The same message popped up...only the estimated time was now 3 hours. Better...but not reasonable just to stripe a tape.
Any thoughts?
Other than the inevitable argument over striping tapes, I mean? : )
Dual 2.3 GHz PowerPC G5 Mac OS X (10.4.2) 4GB DDR SDRAM

You should ask this question on the Final Cut Pro forum.

HDV tape in Thailand

Listeroos
Sorry for slightly off topic, I'm going to Thailand in the Fall, and I had the buddy I'm staying with source HDV tape. He couldn't find any, and neither could I on the Sony Thai web site.
I asked at my local Sony store, and the sales person scratched his head and said that HDV tapes may not be in Thailand, and in any case "would be unuseable as they would be 'formatted' for SECAM."
I suspect bunk. Any other first hand experience?

Video tape doesn't come formatted, nor does it need to be after purchase.
-DH

Importing DV/HDV Tapes

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