FCP keeps creating huge gb files on my HD

[MikeQuill]

I've been having trouble capturing from my 24pa (F6) footage into FCP. I have my Sequence Preset set to DV NTSC kHZ - 23.98 and my Capture Preset set to DV NTSC 48 kHz Advanced (2:3:3:2) Pulldown Removal. I'll be able to capture a clip or 2 (sometimes less) but then FCP will freeze up my entire computer and I will have to restart it. Then I'll look in my external HD, where I'm saving my project, and a large file will have been created on it, leaving me with only 1.95GB.

In attempt to fix the problem, I'll go into the Library of my internal HD, go under Preferences > Final Cut User Data, and drag the Final Cut Pro Preferences file and the Cache file to the trash. This doesn't seem to be doing much, since the problem will just happen again.

I know it's not just my computer, because it happens on every other FCP program I work on with other G5s.

Can someone please give me some advice???

Thanks a lot,

Mike

[MikeQuill]

OK, now after changing my Sequence Preset from DV NTSC kHZ - 23.98 to DV NTSC 48 kHZ I'm not having this problem. Is this the Sequence Preset I should be using when capturing my dvx footage shot in 24pa (f6)?

Thanks,

Mike

[adkimery]

Not to sound like a smart ass, but have you looked at the sticky thread at the top of this forum called " FAQ- How to digitize 24pA footage for a 23.98 Edit". :)

-A

[MikeQuill]

Yes i am aware of that sticky above, but that does not address my initial concern.

Even that sticky does not seem very clear though. Is it stating the following about how to edit on a 24p timeline with footage shot in 24pa?:

Click on "Audio/Video Settings" > select "DV NTSC 48 kHz" for the Sequence Preset > then select "DV NTSC 48 kHz" for the Capture Preset? As opposed to selecting "DV NTSC 48 kHz Advanced (2:3:3:2) Pulldown Removal?"

Thanks,

Mike

[bigbossbmb]

the sequence preset has nothing to do how you are capturing footage... the reason you are left with very little HD space after the crash is that FCP allocates enough HD space for capturing the entire tape.

yes, you should be using the DV NTSC with 2:3:3:2 pulldown as your capture preset and DV NTSC 23.98

[MikeQuill]

Bigboss,

Could you go into a little more detail as to why FCP keeps creating huge files that wipe out my external HD? I know its not a good thing.

[gunleik]

In your system settings, you can set how much space FCP pre-occupies for capture. Your problem was pretty common in FCP 4, what are you using?

It is generally adviced against capturing to your system and apps disk....

Gunleik

[Shane Ross]

Could this be it?

#10 Capture now makes large file, Beachball

Shane's Stock Answer #10: ALLOCATING DISKSPACE

1) Set a limit on Capture Now. Never have that box unchecked. Set it to 60 min if you want the whole tape.

2) Do not under any circumstances run any anti-virus/filesaver software. Including Norton and Virex. Sure, Apple doles out Virex for free, but FCP doesn't cooperate with it very well.

If you absolutely feel you must keep Virex installed on your system then use Kevin's script to shut it off before you use FCP:
http://discussions.info.apple.com/webx?13@85.zPgDaaNeQzT.323013@.68a85d17

3) Do not capture to your main system drive.

4) Check the format of the drive you are capturing to. It should be Mas OS Extended, jornalling off. If it isn't, copy your files from it and re-initialize it. If it is any other format, you will encounter problems. If not at first, then eventually.

[MikeQuill]

Thanks gun and Shane. ill try these ideas out.

mike