Help! Capturing DVCPro 50 tapes into FCP7 on a current-gen Macbook Pro (FW800 only)

[vivarey]

Help guys!

I have 54 (yes, fifty-four) DVCPro 50 tapes shot on the SDX900 that I need to capture on my Macbook Pro. What's the most economical way to do this that won't cost me a fortune in rentals? My MBP has FW800 only.

• Do I absolutely need a tape deck like the AJ-HD1200A?
• Do I need a SDI converter box for the Macbook Pro? If yes, what's my most economical option?

Thank you in advance!

 

[NoahK]

Rent a DVCPRO50 Firewire deck like an AJSD-93 and capture over Firewire. You do not need SDI. Not sure what a fortune is in your mind but a week is typically charged as 3-day so it should not cost you more than $500. Nothin's free :costumed-smiley-047

Noah

 

[vivarey]

Rent a DVCPRO50 Firewire deck like an AJSD-93 and capture over Firewire. You do not need SDI. Not sure what a fortune is in your mind but a week is typically charged as 3-day so it should not cost you more than $500. Nothin's free :costumed-smiley-047

Noah

Thanks Noah- I'm looking at renting the AJSD-93 deck. Do you think a FW400->FW800 adapter will work? The unit appears to be FW400 only (according to the specs I read online).

 

[NoahK]

If you only have FW800 on your computer a FW400> 800 cable should work ok, no guarantees though. I'd take your computer to the rental place and confirm you can capture before you leave with it.

Noah

 

[vivarey]

If you only have FW800 on your computer a FW400> 800 cable should work ok, no guarantees though. I'd take your computer to the rental place and confirm you can capture before you leave with it.

Noah

Really appreciate your help. I'm in the process of renting the AJSD-93 deck. I'll definitely make sure I can capture before I walk out of the store.

Because I've never worked with this deck (or tape, for that matter) are there any special capture settings I should know about before diving in? It's a multicam shoot.

 

[NoahK]

It's been forever but basically you would use the Firewire NTSC Easy Setup for 24p Advanced- assuming this is 24pA footage. Switch the codec from DV to DVCPRO50. Make sure the frame rate is set to 29.97 and you have remove advanced pulldown checked- footage should come in as 23.98.

Noah