Live capture from a Pinnacle 500-USB?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Live capture from a Pinnacle 500-USB?

I have a Panasonic PV-GS29 MiniDV camera and a Pinnacle 500-USB capture device. I've never done video capture with FCP so I'm not sure where to even start. What I tried didn't seem to work.

In FCP, I went to File | Log and Capture. It popped up an error that says "Unable to initialize video deck. You may still log offline clips or use Capture Now." When I click OK to that, another error pops up that says "Capture Preset must have a video or an audio digitizer set to capture. Please change to desired preset in the Audio/Video Settings."

Okay. So I open up Audio/Video Settings and go to the Capture Presets tab. I have "Generic Capture Template" selected. Back at the "Log and Capture" window, under "Capture Settings" I have Device Control set to "FireWire NTSC" (the 500-USB is connected via Firewire) and Capture/Input is set to "Generic Capture Template". If I click "Now" under the capture box nothing happens.

What am I missing?

Mac Pro Desktop, PowerBook 12", Mac OS X (10.4.9)

Posted on Feb 22, 2008 11:47 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Feb 22, 2008 12:45 PM in response to Orcberg

Forget the Pinnacle unit for now. (USB is not recommended for use in FCP)

Are you capturing to the Mac Pro desktop? (It should have multiple FW ports.), or to the PowerBook?

There's a chance that your camera is not compatible with FCP, in which case you may need to capture using 'non-controllable device' in device control prestes.

I don't see your camera listed here...

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

..though that doesn't always mean it won't work.

Tell us exactly what your configuration is:
-Mac Model
-OS version
-FCP version
-QT version
-cable connections

Does system profiler recognize the Panasonic as a FW device?

Post back with info.
K

Reply

Answer 2

Feb 22, 2008 12:18 PM in response to Orcberg

If your Panasonic records MiniDV tape (not HDV, on MiniDV stock), you should simply use these settings:

Sequence Presets - DV_NTSC 48kHz
Capture Presets - DV NTSC 48kHz
Device Control - FireWire NTSC

I'm not sure why you'd be using the Pinnacle unit...no need to.

Make those settings changes, then post back if still no go. (there could be a couple of other things to consider)

K

Reply

Answer 3

Orcberg Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 22, 2008 12:32 PM in response to Kevan D. Holdsworth

The 500USB came to mind because we've had it sitting around the office unused for quite a while. The only reason I'm using it is because I can't think of any other way to connect it to my Mac. It only had a composite output that came with it.

On the side of the camera I found a small port marked "SERVICE". I had a firewire cable that fit it but FCP still doesn't work with it. When I click "Now" it says: "Attempt to capture video without a device selected. Please select a video device in your capture presets and try again."

Reply

Answer 4

Orcberg Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 22, 2008 12:55 PM in response to Kevan D. Holdsworth

It's on the Mac Pro desktop. 2x 2.66GHz Xeons, 2GB RAM, OS X 10.4.11.

FCP: 6.0.2
QT: 7.3

System profiler sees the camera on firewire (front port) --

PV-GS29:

Manufacturer: Panasonic
Model: 0x80A076
GUID: 0x804580D172D15B
Maximum Speed: Up to 100 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Unknown
Sub-units:
PV-GS29 Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x10001
Unit Spec ID: 0xA02D

Reply

Answer 5

Feb 22, 2008 1:07 PM in response to Orcberg

It may be time for the 'Guiness Solution'. Shut everything down and take a 10-15 minute break.

When you come back, turn on the Panasonic first (BTW, are you sure you have the FW cable in the correct port of the camera?...I'm leary about your port marked 'Service'...)

Turn on the Mac, make sure System Profiler still recognizes the camera, open FCP, make sure there settings are selected under Main Menu/Final Cut Pro/Audio-Video Settings:

Sequence Presets - DV_NTSC 48kHz
Capture Presets - DV NTSC 48kHz
Device Control - FireWire NTSC

Then open Log and Capture...do you see an image?, does it say VTR OK at the bottom, under the video window?, or do you still get your other prompt(s)?

If you're still unable to capture, you may need to change the Device Control to 'non-controllable device'.

Post back,
K

Reply

Answer 6

Orcberg Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 22, 2008 4:09 PM in response to Kevan D. Holdsworth

I just wanted to let you know that I really appreciate the help so far. I'll give this a try when I get back into the office on Monday.

Time for a 2-day Guinness solution. 😉

Reply

Answer 7

Orcberg Author

Level 1

8 points

Feb 25, 2008 6:13 AM in response to Kevan D. Holdsworth

Okay I did as you said and it seems to be working!

The only Firewire port on the device is this "For Service" port. There's also the stereo jack for the composite output.

When I open Log & Capture now, it says preview disabled and has colored bars. On the bottom it does say VTR OK.

When I click "Now" under Capture, a window pops up that says "Waiting for Timecode. Device must be in VTR mode when Device Control is enabled. Press 'esc' to abort". I press Play on the device and it seems to work.

Let's hope it continues to cooperate 🙂

Reply

Answer 8

Feb 25, 2008 7:17 AM in response to Orcberg

Glad it's working for now. Let us know if it bogs up again.

Does the camera have the ability to switch between shooting and playback modes? If not, you may simply need to continue working this way.

We use Canon GL-1's and the power switch goes forward for camera (shooting) and backwards for VTR (playback). When in playback mode, we capture with timecode, using the 'FireWire NTSC Basic' Device Control Preset. (we use the Basic preset, simply because it's a Canon, you should be good with the 'Firewire NTSC' preset, provided you are able to set the camera in a dedicated VTR mode)

K

Reply