Capture problem with Sony HDR-FX7

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Capture problem with Sony HDR-FX7

Having problems capturing HDV footage in Final Cut Pro from a sony HDR-FX7.
It works sometimes but not all of the time, after messing with it for 6 hours yesterday it finally
starting capturing on the 1080i50 easy setup (which i thought was weird cause i thought it was 1080i60) but then when i packed everything up and went home and restarted it will not work again. Still not working, same tape, same settings, same everything. I have tried a different iLink cable as well with no result. I have tried both the 1080i60 and 1080i50 setups.

ILink conversion is set to off.
VTR is set for HDV
Unchecked Mirror on Desktop in the A/V settings in FCP

Some of the errors:
Stream Problem - Capture was stopped due to a problem with the incoming stream. This might be a problem with the tape.

or

Timecode Error

or

Starts capturing and then 2 seconds later says "Searching for Media" and only captures like 2 seconds

Specs on everything:
Macbook Pro Intel Core2Duo 2.33
3gig ram
OSX 10.4.10
Quicktime 7.2

Final Cut Pro 5.1.4
Sony HDR-FX7

Anyone esle having this issue or knows an answer. I am going crazy here, I have a project that needs done and I cannot get this to work consistently.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Macbook Pro 2.33ghz Intel Core2 Duo, Mac OS X (10.4.10), 3 gig ram

Posted on Aug 28, 2007 9:15 AM

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Answer 1

Aug 30, 2007 6:52 AM in response to chadabel

I myself had the exact same problem with the exact same camera. Unfortunately, the hdr-fx 7 camera is not compatible with Final Cut. I am surprised it allowed you to capture at all. My mac pro will not even recognize my cam when it is plugged in. You can verify this by going into the compatible devices section of final cut on the apple website.

The solution is capturing your video through IMOVIEHD '06 (or 08). It will actually itemize all your footage on capture and breaks it up nicely for you to see. From there, you simply drag and drop the video files onto a timeline in FCP. You will have to render it, but it works just fine.

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Answer 2

Sep 8, 2007 5:41 PM in response to chadabel

I have the same problem.
Went to an Apple Store One to One session to find out why. He couldn't figure it out and told me the same solution- capture to iMovie and transfer files to FCP.
I think it's ridiculous that the free iMovie works but the expensive FCP doesn't.
I bought this camera specifically to use with FCP.

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Answer 3

Sep 8, 2007 9:10 PM in response to John Pomeroy

From the Sony release:

"With this new introduction, Sony is making no apologies that this camcorder is a prosumer camcorder without indie film aspirations.
"It's for the advanced consumer user, if you're going to be interested in [the higher end] products, you are a professional film maker," said Sony USA spokesperson, Yolanda Hunt-Boes."

Do a search of these forum pages for The Bonsai method to capture and use footage.

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Answer 4

Sep 8, 2007 11:53 PM in response to chadabel

Although I am having tremendous issues right now with my FX1 using FCP 6, I have to say that my last 7 projects were not a problem at all. I used FCP 5 and brought all of the footage in via my FX1. Originally shot HDV and brought it in at HDV resolution. Make sure to use the Sony HDV Firewire selection for Device control. That may help. You shouldn't bring footage in that is 1080i (60) with the 1080i(50) selected.

Try throwing out your fcp preferences and restarting. Also, change a few setting on the camera - make sure it is set to output corretly. So this with the ilink cable unplugged. Then power the camera off, plug the cable in and turn it back on. Restart teh computer and try capturing again.

Good luck... now I only hope that someone can help me with my FCP 6 capture problem... FCP is quitting in the middle of capturing. Not at the same point and not all the time which makes it more frustrating!

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Answer 5

Sep 17, 2007 1:07 AM in response to John Criswell

So, in other words, Ms. Yolanda Hunt-Boes is saying is: I should have bought a Canon.
I guess I will next time.
Her explanation is a pitiful response.

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Answer 6

Sep 17, 2007 3:42 AM in response to chadabel

Thought I was loosing my mind since FCE was giving NO PROBLEMS -- while FCP was.

Tried the following custom setup and got success:

Format: NTSC
Sequence Preset: HDV - 1080i60
Capture PReset HDV - Apple Imtermediate Codec
Device Control Preset: HDV Firewire
Playback out video: Digital Cinema Desktop Preview
...

-j

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Answer 7

Sep 17, 2007 7:32 AM in response to John Pomeroy

No, John, I believe Ms Boes is saying you should have learned about which camera was designed to perform the tasks you desired before buying it.

She works for Sony... and she says this camera that they make, is not designed for what you want it to do. You bought a toy camera and expect it to work with professional tools. iMovie is not a professional tool if it works consider it a way to get the toy to do some work for you...

sheesh..

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Answer 8

Sep 17, 2007 2:37 PM in response to John Criswell

I'm sorry but FCP has worked very well with my last two cheap Sony miniDV cameras costing less than $500. To expect that this $3,500.00 "toy" wouldn't work with FCP is a joke. Oh, and God Bless you!

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Answer 9

Oct 6, 2007 4:43 PM in response to bighulawood

Did you have continuing success with these settings?
I tried it but couldn't get it to see the camera. My screen went blank. Are you monitoring on and external screen? I am trying to do this on my new iMac.
Thanks a million.

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Answer 10

wendydoz

Level 1

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Nov 15, 2007 7:03 PM in response to John Pomeroy

Do you know if the Sony HDR-HC7 has the same problems with FCP 5.1.4?

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Answer 11

wendydoz

Level 1

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Nov 15, 2007 7:06 PM in response to Jon Corbin

Do you happen to know if the HDR-HC7 is compatible with FCP 5.1.4? I am having capture problems -- regarless of my ins and outs, the computer only captures one frame. Help!

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Answer 12

wendydoz

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Nov 16, 2007 5:04 PM in response to John Pomeroy 3

Did you ever get an answer to your question? I am having the same problems with my HDR-HC7.

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Answer 13

Dec 22, 2007 8:27 AM in response to wendydoz

Hello Sony and FCP programmers,
Is there a way to fix the capture problem we FX7 owners are having?
I can capture into iMovie then transfer to FCP, but, but... why?
Did they design the FX7 NOT to work with FCP on purpose or is an oversight?

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Answer 14

Dec 22, 2007 8:53 AM in response to chadabel

Welcome to the forum chadabel!

Sony HDR-FX7 is not on the list of Qualified Devices for Apple Pro Applications:

http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/resources/devicelist.php

Probably you could replace it for a qualified device if it is not too late.

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