Setting FCP X to "Non-Controllable Device"

Black N? I dont understand. Is there a way to capture "live" by passing through a device (like a camera) in FCP 10.0.7 as you can using the Non Controlable Device feature in FCP7? Thx.

Tom,

I have the ADVC 300 that does have a TBC and it will also capture to FCP X.

However, while it does capture using an analogue input source it will not capture with a DV/digital source.

I don't really understand why the difference, maybe because DV is assumed to carry Timecode.

On the ADVC is a switch that tells the converter to either use Analogue or Digital as the input source.

Inputting 8mm as F.Carl McIvor finds makes sense using the conveter as it must be analogue.

Any input sources with the DV switch enabled causes FCP X to simply do nothing, well actually it captures about a seconds worth. It does not see timecode and spits the dummy every time.

Al

Hi Al & Tom

My ADVC 100 converts either way -- analogue to digital, digital to analogue. Your ADVC 300 is likely the same. It's possible that it does not capture the digital as it is converting to analogue. FCPX would not recognize the signal in that case. It won't act as a digital passthrough for a digital signal.

The switch on the front does indicate what it is converting from and to. It also has DIP switches on the bottom for PAL and other audio settings.

In case anyone is looking into a converter, I highly recommend the Canopus brand, it's now called Grass Valley. It does a superior job relative to any other converter I've seen.

Regarding "live" capture in FCPX, it does seem to recognize iSight. I'll experiment with a camera later in the day. I'll let you know what I learn.

Carl

Standing by for your findings. 🙂

Al

Well I did my experiment. Here's what I found. Using my digital camera, I was not able to capture "live" video into FCP X. But, using my old Samsung 8mm analogue camera I could capture live video by converting the signal through an ADVC. No time code, but it did keep track of captured time.

I have no need to capture live video, but this is a possible work around for someone that must. I hope this info helps you KidVid.

cheers

Carl

F. Carl McIvor1 wrote:

Well I did my experiment. Here's what I found. Using my digital camera, I was not able to capture "live" video into FCP X. But, using my old Samsung 8mm analogue camera I could capture live video by converting the signal through an ADVC. No time code, but it did keep track of captured time.

I have no need to capture live video, but this is a possible work around for someone that must. I hope this info helps you KidVid.

cheers

Carl

That's what I have found.

Analogue source will work live.

Digital source will not.

A digital camera outputting an analogue signal to the converter will work.

Al

That ADVC 300 Grass Valley converter thing is a very expensive way to work around a feature that was somehow missed in FCPX.

Thank you, Tom, Alchroma, and Carl for sharing your research. Its nice to know I FCPX can handle a digital pass through. For an analog live pass through I guess we can just close the FCPX then open FCP7 to do the job (Non Controlable Device Feature) Frustrating! 😠

I found that if I run a tape in my Cannon HD XLH1 cameras while capturing live in FCPX 10.0.8 it worked for a while athough the time and date of capture seemed to be wrong then today right at the beginning of a live event it started act up and kepted freezing up ... ugh!. I film live sporting events (15 hour days and offere on site videos so there's not time to capture from tape and still use tape driven cameras) I'v always captured Non-controllable device in FCP 5 even w/o running tape but when I moved to HD in FCP 5 I had to run tape at the same time to generate time code, worked OK as long as I did not run out of tape. Not sure why all of a sudden it wont work in X?? I'm really hoping Apple will add "Non Controllable device" to FCP X!

I tried to capture a TV program I saved on my DVR to test FCPX with an old Dazzle Firewire capture box I had. FCPX listed the Dazzle in the import device list and showed the program in the import window as it was playing, but it would not actually save to the event list. I ended up using Final Cut Express to capture and export, but it would only save to a smaller letterbox like size, not the full screen.

I checked with my local Apple Store and their video expert suggested I try a newer capture box. I found the Grass Valley/Canopus ADVC110 Firewire bus powered box for $180 at B&H online, so I bought on a whim. It has a digital/analog button, and boy am I glad it worked.

I found a good article for all you guys:

http://blogs.lsa.umich.edu/issmediacenter/2012/09/24/importing-analog-video/

…workarounds, tricks, buy other devices, more money… when the solution could be and must be in the software!

Apple wake up!

Use feedback.

I just did some further testing with the ADVC110 and discovered that it also only captures from my DVR in reduced size (even though in the viewer it fills the screen). The same thing happens when I capture using the suggested Quicktime Save Movie operation.

At first I kept asking myself; "Why will it not save full HD from the programs off the DVR, which as far as I know, is 1080i? Is it a copy protection thing? Is there a setting I'm missing?" Then I realized, the ADVC110 box uses either a single RCA cable for the video, or an S-Video cable, which do not support HD. I also read that a capture box with HDMI will not capture protected programs, so I'm going to have to live with the reduced size when I want to work with broadcast captures.

Do you know what codec the DVR records to or is set to record?

Al

No, but with my realization that it's the box that will not support HD, I don't think it matters. All I know is the DVR is 1080i.