Problems with (a) import of .MPEG files (b) HDV material /tape

Question

I have issues several issues with *Final Cut Express 4.0* and iMovie '09 which might be related. Basically the *import of HDV material* seems to be impossible, at least with the camera I use. I really hope this is not the case!
I currently try to convert from the Windows environment to Mac. On my Windows Vista system I use Premiere Elements 7 as a default software for video manipulation. The *HDV camera* I use is a tape based *HV-20 from Canon*. The import on the Windows system is done be a 4-pin to 4-pin Firewire cable which worked fine. The result is a file in format .mpeg.
When I try to import tapes on the iMac I firstly discovered - a new cable is required. The iMac uses the 9-pin Firewire 800. So I have this cable. However it seems this does not solve the issue. *Neither Quicktime nor iMovie nor Final Cut Express 4.0 can even recognize the HV-20 camera from Canon.* What could be the reason? (remember the same camera setting is recognized by the windows system).
Secondly I have issues in transferring my collection of .mpeg files to the iMac. Here I found out a mpeg-codec exists for Quicktime (applicable from Quicktime 7 onwards). This codec needs to be bought separately - however it didn't help in this case. Quicktime recognize now the .mpeg file but the screen remained black and the sound is silence. So, *how can I import .mpeg files into Final Cut Express 4.0*?
I seek for some good advice here. Hope somebody can help. Thanks.

Answer 1

Hi(Bonjour)!
Welcome to the forum.
You have to select Apple Intermediate Codec 1080i60 in easy setup dialog to capture from this camera.
No need of MPEG quicktime component at this stage. HDV is transcoded to AIC.
Here's an example of workflow when working with HDV material edited in HD sequence:
It's a must to use the correct setup in easy setup dialog to fit your shooted material on tape.
Here's the steps to follow if you want to edit in HD (by the way some camcorders can shoot in HD mode or DV NTSC mode: wide or standard screen (or pal for european model).
On the FX1
-find the camera menu and set the recording format to HDV (it sould be 1080i60 (1080i50 for FX1E model)as it's the HDV format used by this model).
-Set the output format to automatic or 1080i (this is the type of signal that will be outputed by your camcorder upon capture via firewire).
-turn off you camcorder and mac.
-Plug both devices with a firewire cable.
-turn on the FX1 AND the mac.
-Start FCE
In Final Cut Express 4.0.1
-Use "Easy Setup..." command in Final Cut express menu , select HD in format tab, 29.97 in rate tab and HDV-Apple Intermediate Codec 1080i60 (or AIC 1080i50 for european models). Click "Setup" button.
-From this point, any new sequences and capture session will occur in Apple Intermediate Codec 1080i60 (the format used to edit in HDV).
-Use command-8 to open the capture window. HDV is captured via a simple dialog. There are no capture settings or log clips info.
-Start your camcorder in *VCR mode*(the play button on camcorder or on remote) and click the capture now button into FCE HD.
NOTES: there is no sound from your MAC upon capturing. There is a lag time between what is played on your cam and what you can see on your mac screen, so use the camcorder screen to monitor the content.
-Hit the "ESC" key when you want to stop the capturing process.
Once the esc key is pressed, your mac will continue to process the captured material and the capture window should close.
Michel Boissonneault