TRANSFER FOOTAGE FROM SONY HDR-FX1 HDV TO FINAL CUT PRO.. NEED HELP PLEASE

Question

Level 1

8 points

TRANSFER FOOTAGE FROM SONY HDR-FX1 HDV TO FINAL CUT PRO.. NEED HELP PLEASE

Could someone please help? I am trying to transfer my footage from my Sony HDR-FX1 HDV camcorder to FINAL CUT PRO 6 via firewire cord. When I try to use the File>Log and Capture in FCP I get the message "To capture HDV source material, both capture & device control presets must be configured for HDV; otherwise......."

What presets should I have chosen under both:
Final Cut Pro> East Setup
and
Final Cut Pro> Audio/Video Settings

in order to transfer my video from this Sony camera?

Appreciate any help that I can get!!
Thank you

MacPro, Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Jul 30, 2007 1:30 PM

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Answer 1

gogiangigo

Level 6

8,035 points

Jul 30, 2007 1:53 PM in response to vjroyer

After connecting the camera set to HDV playback mode
go to Easy Setup and choose HDV format and in use the resolution you shot on.
In Audi Video Settings go to Capture Presets tab and select the appropriate HDV setting. Check that in A/V device tab all connections are in place (not missing) and FW working fine.
Now open Log&Capture.
Do you still have problems?

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Answer 2

gogiangigo

Level 6

8,035 points

Jul 30, 2007 1:57 PM in response to gogiangigo

By the way after choosing your settings in Easy Setup the HDV setting should automatically appear in Audio/Video settings>Capture tab.

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Answer 3

Albeer

Level 1

131 points

Jul 30, 2007 2:19 PM in response to vjroyer

Maybe this will work:

First, make your own Easy Setup by using Audio/Video Settings.

Go to Final Cut Pro>Audio/Video Settings and when it opens, adjust each of the pulldown menus as follows:
Sequence Preset: HDV - 1080i60
Capture Preset: HDV
Device Control Preset: HDV Firewire Basic
Video Playback: Apple Firewire NTSC (720 x 480)
Audio Playback: Firewire DV

Note: the last two are tricky because I'm not sure how you're going to be able to monitor HDV footage without something like a Matrox MXO (see other threads about this product). But for now, just put these in. Now click on Create Easy Setup and follow it's directions (name it something like HDV Capture or something like that). Now you have a Easy Setup, which you can load and tweak (but you'll have to save as the same or another setup if the tweak works when the original didn't). Try and see it these settings work. I've also seen comments from someone on this forum who goes by "Z1User" and he appears to have some good suggestions.

Something I've been seeing on these threads with some HDV camera/decks is it appears you might have to capture your HDV footage on the fly. I've done that and it basically means you start your camera tape rolling via the VCR functions and when prompted with a Capture window, you name the clip and when you press Okay, it's capturing HDV footage until you press Escape.

Hope this helps! Maybe?

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Answer 4

vjroyer Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 31, 2007 9:08 AM in response to gogiangigo

Testing your suggestions out right now!
Thanks and I'll let you know if it works.. (i'm new to Final Cut Pro and really getting frustrated at trying to get this footage onto the computer).

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Answer 5

vjroyer Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 31, 2007 9:09 AM in response to Albeer

Thank you for the detailed explaination of what I should do.. I'm going to try it out right now in hope that in works! I'll get back to you if I have any other questions..

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Answer 6

vjroyer Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 31, 2007 9:26 AM in response to Albeer

So I followed your instructions and this is what I got:

I was able to adjust each pulldown menus as you instructed until I got to Video Playback and Audio Playback.

Under the Video Playback menus- the only two things on the pulldown were:
None
Digitl Cinema Desktop Preview-Main

Under the Audio Playback menu- these were the things on the pulldown menu:
**Default**
*Bult-in Output *
*Built-in Line Output *
*Built-in Digital Output *
All of which were in bold and I could select..

Firewire DV
Firewire DV (DV50)
HDV
All of which were not bold and I could not select

The footage I did capture with the Sony HDR-FX1 HDV was captured in DV format on a MiniDV tape. I did not capture the video in HD.

Any other suggestions in my process of getting the footage from the camera to Final Cut Pro on the computer?

Thanks!

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Answer 7

Z1User

Level 4

1,085 points

Jul 31, 2007 9:26 AM in response to vjroyer

One very important step is to insure you are outputting HDV from the camera/deck. With Sony you need to disconnect the firewire cable first for changes to take effect. Turn off the camera and disconnect the FW cable. Turn on the camera in VTR mode open Menu find Rec IN/Out, find I-link Conv and set to OFF for HDV, then turn off the camera and connect the firewire cable and turn back on and try the L&C again.

Good Luck
Z1

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Answer 8

vjroyer Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 31, 2007 9:51 AM in response to Z1User

Z1User-- I've heard your the person to talk to! Glad you wrote!..

Ok.. So i took your suggestion and made sure the i-Link Conv is set to OFF.
I reconnected the Firewire from the camera to the MacPro.. Opened Final Cut Pro 6 and went to Easy Setup.

This is what my current setup is:

Format: HDV
Rate: (all rates)-- I am not sure what the fps is for this Sony HDR-FX1 HDV camera- I am borrowing it
Use: Custom Setup

Then in the gray box under those dropdown menus is the following:
Sequence Preset: HDV:1080i60
Capture preset: HDV
Device Control: HDV Firewire Basic
Playback Output Video: Apple Firewire NTSC (720 x 480)
Playback Output Audio: Firewire DV
Edit to Tape/PTV Output Video: Same as playback
Edit to Tape/PTV Output Audio: Same as playback

I click save and then go to File>Log and Capture
and I get the following message:

*Unable to Initialize Capture Device*
Device is not connected or the capture preset isnot setup correctly. You may still log offline clips.
This might also happen if you play DV footage in an HDV device.

Any other suggestions or guidance?
I have to return this camera to the owner tomorrow so I'm so so so eager to get this video onto my computer to I can edit it.
Thank you again for your help!!

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Answer 9

vjroyer Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 31, 2007 9:56 AM in response to Z1User

Should I change anything under-
Final Cut Pro>System Settings???

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Answer 10

Z1User

Level 4

1,085 points

Jul 31, 2007 10:10 AM in response to vjroyer

Email me a contact number.
mikepalmer61@gmail.com
Z1

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Answer 11

vjroyer Author

Level 1

8 points

Jul 31, 2007 10:47 AM in response to Z1User

Z1User was able to solve my problem..

This is what we had to do..

Since I captured the footage in DV format on the Sony HDR-FX1 camera he told me to turn the camera off, unplug the firewire cable, turn the camera on and open up the menu.. go to the In/Out Rec then to i.Link Conv- chose ON (HDV-DV).

Then turn the camera back off and plug in the firewire cable.

I then opened up final cut pro and opened Final Cut Pro>Easy Setup

Format- DV/Panasonic DVCPRO
Rate- 24.00fps
Use- Cinema Tools-24 fps from DV NTSC 24.00 fps

and clicked save....

Then opened File>Log and Capture

then the video poped up on the log and capture screen

KUDOS Z1User!!
Thanks a million!!

Victoria

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Answer 12

Z1User

Level 4

1,085 points

Jul 31, 2007 10:51 AM in response to Z1User

The one very important variable that has assumed by the OP and everyone trying to help was that HDV was the intended format. Easy to think from the camera description given and after talking direct to the OP it was NOT. She wanted DV and is now editing.
Z1

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