How to import mini dv tape as one clip?

Thanks for the explanation Posedion.

I don't have access to the application just now, and today was the first time I imported footage from a tape camera. I didn't study the files, or the order they appeared in the browser but are you saying FCP X gives each clip a RANDOM name?

What information do you see in the Inspector (extended view) when you select a clip in the Event Browser?

You can change the settings of the Event browser so sort clips by different criteria (I know reel name is one) is there really no way to get them to display in the order they were captured?

I hope there is, I have about 60 tapes that I want to digitise when I get time!

If the worst comes to the worst and there is no sensible way that FCP X will do it, of course, if you have legacy FCP, you could capture them with that, then import the QT files into FCP X.

Andy

Thanks Andy for giving the time and energy to try and solve this. I really appreciate it.

The sorting option is new to me so thanks for telling about that (I've just downloaded the 30-day trial version of FCPX last night to hopefully address this one single issue that iMovie cannot do so I am totally new to FCPX but it's pretty intuitive especially being familiar with iMovie. This is my first and only version of FCP and will likely buy it if it can help me with this one huge hurdle).

There are several configurations that can be tried for both "Group Clips By" and "Arrange Clips By" but I was unable to find the right combination for both categories to give me the results I need. Perhaps I've not done this correctly and all I need is the right coaching for what both settings should be at.

I'm not sure exactly what you are asking about for the Inspector view information. I will try to attach an image of my screen. It appears that each clip has the label of what day it was shot and what time. The Master video however has clips arranged completely out of chronological order and so there lies the problem. Perhaps you were asking about something else though and I'm just not sure what it is.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME YOUR THOUGHTS! It's kind of impossible to find help on this or a complete definitive answer so your time is very much appreciated. If you travel to McCall, Idaho for a ski trip I will buy you a lunch or copious amounts of microbrewed beer.

~Nate

Nate,

Thanks for getting back to me on this. It's important to me to get it sorted too - but just this evening, I cannot access FCP X.

Tomorrow I will capture some more video from tape and report back with my findings.

Are you anywhere near Cataldo? I train sheepdogs (and make DVDs about them - and how to train them to work). A few years ago, we sold three dogs to someone with a cattle ranch near Cataldo. (I think they've since moved to Florida).

Andy

Great video. Very well done.

Cataldo is a short 6 hours north of here. We're right in the mountains of Idaho with plenty of sheep being herder. Seldom do I go for a hike without crossing a herd with a loyal dog watching over...perhaps you trained them as well.

Thanks again for your time. I'll look forward to hearing back from you whenever you've had a chance to play around with importing.

~Nate

Posedion wrote:

5 minute video into a 1.3GB file.

Yes, that's correct for the DV codec. You can now convert it to a smaller codec (like H.264) if you just want to archive it, and don't need to edit it further.

Glad I could help you.

Les

Posedion wrote:

How do I convert to a smaller codec?

If you have Compressor, that would be the best way. Another good software would be MPEG Streamclip.

Otherwise, you can just open the movie file in QuickTime Player, and select: File > Save As…, then choose HD 480p.

Posedion wrote:

It appears that each clip has the label of what day it was shot and what time. The Master video however has clips arranged completely out of chronological order and so there lies the problem.

Nate, all seems fine to me - I make a camera archive from the tape and they appear in the order they were shot.

Am I right in saying that the clips from your archived tape have retained their original timecode and so appear jumbled up, rather then in the order they were on the archive tape?

How did you get Vidi to work? I can't make any sense of it at all!

What is the spec of the Vidi output? (Open a file in QuickTime and press Cmd+i to open the inspector, then tell me what it says. It sounds like ProRes 422 - which is ideal for editing but very large files.

Andy

Poseidon,

I know it's been a while since you posted this question...but I have the same dilemma (a fully edited, completely finished, home movie from about 10 yrs ago, that is on Mini DV. When I try to import it to FCPX it comes in as lots of random clips.)
When you imported into iMovie HD (v6), did you then import it into FCP X or just archive it and make DVD's from the iMovie copy?

I'm just nervous about the life of the Mini DV tape, so wanted to make a digital copy that I could burn DVD's for various relatives who use DVD's to watch family movies (and think a cloud is something in the sky!).....

Thanks for any help,

Alan.

Try vidi?

http://www.mitzpettel.com/

Oh ok well last question then.

How do I convert to a smaller codec? I'm completely unfamiliar with H.264

thanks for your time.

Great to know thanks Kevin.

I've got that iMovie HD 6 and will try that.

Thanks Les!

I just downloaded MPEG Streamclip.

Huge help.

Alchroma,

I think you're missing the question (see the previous posts).

Alan.

This issue of trying to capture ONE DV tape has been raised before:

Re: Import a DV tape without splitting

Al

Thanks Ian,

And, ahem, do you mean I would not notice the difference... whereas a more discerning eye would? Or there's really no difference?

Thanks again, appreciate all the help!

Alan.

😀