Unable to initialize video deck

Question

Level 1

0 points

Unable to initialize video deck

I'm using Final Cut Pro 7.0.2 and I get this message when trying to Capture Footage from my camera: "Unable to initialize video deck". My settings are on Firewire NTSC which is what I always use. I used it a week ago and it worked then and many times before, now all of a sudden, it doesn't work. Anyone know what the problem is? Is the firewire fried or is there something else that could be wrong?

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Jun 8, 2010 3:43 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Tom Wolsky

Level 10

151,010 points

Jun 8, 2010 3:45 PM in response to Macrophone

Please give your full system specifications, what computer, what drives, what camera or deck, how everything's connected, what settings are on the media, what settings you're using in Final Cut, and finally what version of the software, of the OS, and of QuickTime you are using.

Reply

Answer 2

Macrophone Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 8, 2010 4:02 PM in response to Tom Wolsky

The camera I'm using is a Canon NTSC ZR65 MC, my computer, if you can't see it below is a MacBook Pro with Mac OS X 10.5.8. I don't know what you mean by settings on the media, it's just a MiniDV tape and I'm using a Firewire. I gave the version of the software, Final Cut 7.0.2. As for the other settings, what do you need to know? Thanks for your help!

Reply

Answer 3

Jun 8, 2010 4:13 PM in response to Macrophone

Most likely is a bad FW connector, they are obscenely fragile. You test by moving your camera to another computer and trying your cable on another FW device. These are binary tests, you only do one thing at a time.

bogiesan

Reply

Answer 4

Macrophone Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 9, 2010 8:45 PM in response to David Bogie Chq-1

Well, I tried a new firewire and got the same problem, so it wasn't the firewire. Any other clue as to what the problem might be?

Reply

Answer 5

Meg The Dog

Level 6

13,561 points

Jun 9, 2010 9:11 PM in response to Macrophone

Hi -
In the Log and Capture window, select the Capture Settings tab and change the Device Control to Firewire NTSC Basic and see if that helps.

!http://www.spotsbeforeyoureyes.com/FirewireBasicDV.jpg!

Reply

Answer 6

bazinoz

Level 1

10 points

Jun 9, 2010 9:21 PM in response to Meg The Dog

with the camera connected firewire to your mac go...

apple icon (top left) > about this mac > more info > firewire

... and check that the device shows up in the right panel.

If it doesn't then there is a hardware problem (cable, camera connector etc)

Baz

Reply

Answer 7

Macrophone Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 10, 2010 1:25 PM in response to bazinoz

I did that and it shows up as an unknown device with this information:

Unknown Device:

Manufacturer: 0x85
Model: Unknown
GUID: 0x850000AB6790
Maximum Speed: Up to 100 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Up to 100 Mb/sec

Is it something wrong with my settings in FCP?

Reply

Answer 8

Macrophone Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 10, 2010 4:06 PM in response to Meg The Dog

I tried setting it to Firewire Basic and I get the same message

Reply

Answer 9

bazinoz

Level 1

10 points

Jun 10, 2010 5:37 PM in response to Macrophone

Well it should show the manufacturer and model number.
I suggest you try another 'known working' firewire camera and see if that shows up and works correctly.
Baz

Reply

Answer 10

Macrophone Author

Level 1

0 points

Jun 10, 2010 11:52 PM in response to bazinoz

I just tried it on a different computer with the same camera and the same firewire and it works on that one. Maybe my computer has a dirty port or something. It was just working with my computer last week...

Reply

Answer 11

Jun 12, 2010 8:01 AM in response to Macrophone

I am having a similar problem. I have the Canon Z65 DV camcorder and have a firewire 800 cable that connects correctly to the camera and my newer Macbook Pro but i dont see anything under the Apple Info under firewire. It just lists the maximum speed for the firewire bus. I put the camera on VCR/Play mode and even tried setting the cameras VCR setting VCR-->DV to On but still i dont see any changes for whats connected to the firewire bus or the ability to see the camera in imovie.

Any advice?

Reply