FCP problems

F

filming

Active member
I recorded using a mini DVD 1.4GB Sony camcorder. I extract the files using VirtualDub and save it as an uncompressed AVI file which can be 39GB in size. I import it to FCP and edit it. The first one I did was on a mac book Pro and it was fine. No problem in importing or editing.

The second one I did was on a iMac with 2GB of RAM. However, when I opened the file in quicktime there was just a white blank screen. There would be some sound but it would not be clear and sometimes there would be no sound. I installed all the plugins necessary Divx, Xvid, flip4mac etc... The problem is still the same. So I converted the video clips using VisualHub for the mac and they work great but when I import them into FCP the sound skips. I also keep getting this error message

picfq9.png


I don't know what to do anymore? Any help?




Thanks
 
DVD cameras are the worst for using fcp with. The WORST!!

Stick with iMovie or get yourself a camera that matches your editing platform and not just some consumer K-mart camera. Not sure why you'd spend 1200 on an editing platform and have no basic knowledge of video formats... unless you downloaded the program...

That said - you need to de-mux the files off the dvd like you tried. But stay away from anything that says AVI... you want to use the QuickTime wrapper. Too many variables in AVI world.

Use something like MPEGStreamclip and set the capture to 720x480 DV/NTSC 48k/16bit

Then come back (after you buy a legitimate copy of FCP)

CaptM
 
No we did not download the program. Our budget does not allow us for a camcorder. We had a choice between a camcorder and an editing suite. We chose the suite. It's more logical we have an editing suite then a camcorder and a low end editing program. The new budget comes in this may which we will then buy a new camcorder.


Back to the problem;

What you're saying is PC likes AVI while MAC likes MOV? I edited AVI on a mac book pro before and had no problems. But when I tried the same thing on the iMac, the problems started. Both macs have the same software and plugins. I extracted the a DVD before on VirtualDub with no problems.


How do I de-mux the dvd on a mac. Remember its a mini dvd not a full size one.
 
Good enough... I take your word for it and apologize for my comments.

What I'm saying is that both AVI and Quicktime are wrappers for video compession (codecs). Windows uses AVI better than macs do. Macs have Quicktime at the CORE of the operating system, so it is best to use that. Yes, you can get a mac to play AVIs but think of it as an emulation -- stripping the wrapper and forcing the original codec back to quicktime.

So - yes, .mov (Quicktime) is far better for mac usage.

(get a new camera!!)

The extra step of transcoding off the DVD is a huge time bust. You are going from mpeg2, a VERY LOSSY compression to DV. Every time you step one direction or another from the original you'll have quality loss issues.

What is actually on the DVD? Does it have TOS folders? I'd try and see if Mpegstreamclip doesn't help.

CaptM
 
did you try mpegstreamclip? I have the quicktime mpeg II decoder ($9.95 from apple store) and use that with mpeg streamclip to get all my footage off of DVDs.
 
It's cool about the camcorder thing, you did not know :)

On the mini dvd it has folders like a normal dvd. VIDEO_TS and AUDIO_TS. I rip the VIDEO_TS using virtualdub and save it as AVI. I used to do it when I was at university using Premier Pro because virtualdub has does not support quicktime.
It worked great and I edited it flawlessly.

However, working on a mac I can see I need to use quicktime format but how do I rip the mini dvd using a mac since it does not accept a mini dvd into the slot. I have an external dvd drive that takes mini dvds but will the mac be able to read them? What software should I use to rip them?


So much problems, really need help.
 
Actually I don't apologize for my camcorder comments... but I do for the download comment - (wink) however...

Ugh - never thought about the miniDVD issue... however I do think they'd fit in my tray... what computer are you using? Slot loading? Won't work?

Hmmm -- let me google around.

CaptM
 
I have a Mac OS X 10.4.11 Intel Core 2 Duo with 2GB RAM. You cannot insert a mini dvd as apple has said slot loading dvd drives do not take mini dvd only normal size dvd.
 
Laptop or iMac?

Oops... iMac (forgot you said that).

Still looking for options for you. What is the exact camera you have?

Captm
 
ultimately you will have less headaches by getting a dv cam. i would sell the dvd cam and buy a used mini dv cam. i happen to have a panasonic one i am going to sell soon. never used the cam part. only used to capture tapes from my dvx. i only ran maybe 20 tapes thru it before i got my hvx. let me know if you are interested.
 
Hey guys. Im really lazy and have not been bothered to read past post 3, so i apologies if this has been said.

Guys i would do this. Import the video into Imovie, then from in Imovie export the footage to full quicktime quality. That should work. I have had a few problems with DVD cameras my self and this is the way i found a way round.

Cheers,
Nathaniel
 
Some times FCP accepts AVI files and other times it doesnt. From now on I am not going to be working with AVI files in FCP. Too many problems.

I am trying to extract files from a mini dvd to convert to .mov or mpeg4 so they can be edited on FCP. But MPEG streamclip only sees some of the VOB files and shows 10 seconds of the clip. With virtualdub I could extract the whole dvd.

How can I do that with streamclip?
 
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