Capturing with DVCPRO AJ-D455 through FireWire

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Level 1

11 points

Capturing with DVCPRO AJ-D455 through FireWire

According to the Final Cut Pro website DVCPRO will work.

http://www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/specs.html?finalcutpro

I am trying to capture video from my DVCPRO AJ-D455 deck with Final Cut Pro HD through a firewire connection. I've read that the deck model I have will work by changing some settings and I've heard that the deck will not work.

So, am I out of luck or is there a way for this deck to work with Final Cut Pro HD?

p.s. The only thing that works is I am able to control the playback of the deck. There is no video or audio.

Thanks in advance.

zanm

Posted on Jun 7, 2006 6:19 AM

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Answer 1

andynick

Level 5

4,961 points

Jun 7, 2006 6:30 AM in response to zanfardinom

Go to System Profiler (in Applications > Utilities).
With the camera connected and switched to VCR, click on Firewire in the Profiler.

If you're camera shows up there, it's the Quicktime 7 glitch.

Go here and follow the instructions EXACTLY - you'll be running again in minutes.
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301852

Andy

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Answer 2

zanfardinom Author

Level 1

11 points

Jun 7, 2006 6:11 PM in response to andynick

andynick,

Thanks for the quick reply.

I went to System Profiler and I did see the Panasonic DVCPRO AJ-D455 deck. I'm not sure if I understand why quicktime 7 would cause a problem. Do I need to capture video through quicktime? We are using FCP HD and we just bought the system 2 months ago and are now starting to use it.

When I start fcp hd and choose log and capture. I get deck control...I can hit play, stop, ff,...etc through fcp hd but I do not see video or hear audio.

In this article it mentions that the panasonic DVCPRO aj-d455 deck has problems but there is a fix by changing menu settings. It does not mention that. Any ideas.

Here is the article...read page 4.
http://www.spec-comm.com/ServTips7.pdf

Thanks,
zanm

Quad 2.5GHz PowerPC G5

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Answer 3

andynick

Level 5

4,961 points

Jun 7, 2006 11:20 PM in response to zanfardinom

Zanm,

FCP uses QT to capture - iMovie doesn't, so the chances are, iMovie will recognise your camera as well. I wouldn't recommend using iMovie to capture as it's not recommended for use with FCP.

The symptoms you describe fit perfectly (I've experienced this too).

Do the QT fix EXACTLY to the instructions and you'll have sorted that problem out for sure. In the unlikely event there's still a problem with capture, see whether you can borrow or hire a different make of camera with similar spec. If FCP recognises it, you'll know where the problem lies.

Personally, I think that if the Mac sees the camera, then once you've done the QT fix, you'll be up and running. There are posts from people with the same problem every day of the week - if you want proof, search this Forum for it.

The QT fix won't do any harm to your system but follow the (simple) instructions carefully or it won't work.

Let us know how you get on.

Andy

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Answer 4

zanfardinom Author

Level 1

11 points

Jun 8, 2006 8:42 AM in response to andynick

Andy,

I followed the QT fix step by step then restarted the computer. I started FCP and did File > Log and Capture. When the log and capture window opens I see in the video preview portion bars and tones with a message reading Preview Disabled. I then click capture now and a black window opens with Final Cut Pro in text and at the bottom it says Waiting for Timecode. Everything mentioned above is exactly what we got before the QT fix.

Do you know of any other resources? Are there menu settings on the DVCPRO AJ-D455 DECK I need to change?

Recap...when we use the Panasonic DVCPRO AJ-D455 DECK and the 1394 connection we see no video or hear any audio but we can control the playback. But, if we use a Sony CAMERA with 1394 connection we can caputre video and audio with no problem.

I'm sorry if this dosent make sense. I hope I'm explaining this right.

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Answer 5

andynick

Level 5

4,961 points

Jun 8, 2006 9:36 AM in response to zanfardinom

> Recap...when we use the Panasonic DVCPRO AJ-D455 DECK

and the 1394 connection we see no video or hear any
audio but we can control the playback. But, if we
use a Sony CAMERA with 1394 connection we can caputre
video and audio with no problem.

recap
n 1: a summary at the end that repeats the substance of a longer discussion.

Huh . . . ?
You didn't mention this Sony Camera in either of your earlier posts.
Obviously it's a camera related problem.

Look for a Forum that deals with that camera.

Andy

G5 Quad. 8 GB. 250 & 500 GB Int'l Drives. G-Tech G-Raid 1 TB. FCP 5.0.4 (Studio) Mac OS X (10.4.6) Sony HVR-Z1E . . . I mark my questions Solved or Helpful - and I LOVE FCP.

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Answer 6

zanfardinom Author

Level 1

11 points

Jun 8, 2006 10:41 AM in response to andynick

Andy,

I just tried the Sony camera right before my most recent post.

In FCP 5 HD I currently have DV-NTSC selected as my device. Do I need to select something different? I see DVCPRO-PAL but we are not using PAL.

The Panasonic DVCPRO AJ-D455 is a tape deck and not a camera. With this tape deck we can control the playback but when I try to caputre video with FCP 5 HD I am now getting this message...This operation could not be completed as there is no video.

In the pdf file I read that the Panasonic DVCPRO AJ-D455 had problems and you needed to change menu settings to get it to work. I am new at this so I could have read it wrong. Here is the article...read page 4. http://www.spec-comm.com/ServTips7.pdf.

We can capture video using our Sony DVCAM DSR-200A camera.

I really appreciate your help. Is there anything else that might be causing the problem?

thanks,
zanm

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Answer 7

andynick

Level 5

4,961 points

Jun 8, 2006 11:28 AM in response to zanfardinom

> I just tried the Sony camera right before my most

recent post.

Sorry zanm, it didn't come over that way.

I had a quick look at page 4 but couldn't see anything relevant why not quote the section that troubles you?

I'm sorry I'm not familiar with the deck you have, so I can't be of much help but if your work is urgent, why not use the Sony for capture - then when you have more time, search this forum (and others) for any info on your deck. I'm sure you can get it working OK. Try talking to the dealer who sold it to you.

Good luck,

Andy

G5 Quad. 8 GB. 250 & 500 GB Int'l Drives. G-Tech G-Raid 1 TB. FCP 5.0.4 (Studio) Mac OS X (10.4.6) Sony HVR-Z1E . . . I mark my questions Solved or Helpful - and I LOVE FCP.

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