HELP PLEASE! hvx200 workflow in FCP! AAAHH!!!!

[jonezilla]

Hi, i haven't seen any related topics, so i'll start a new post...

So basically, i'm not sure if this problem only occurs in FCP with hvx200 footage, but I've never experienced it before...

So i'm pretty sure my timeline settings are all right... they match the camera settings. Basically, a majority of the edited clips in the timeline play perfectly. However, there are roughly 10 clips in my 15 minute project which are extremely laggy, as if i tried to slow down the clip (though i didn't). They preview fine in the viewer, but after i cut them into the timeline they become extremely jumpy in the canvas.

The strange this is, other clips from the same original sequences play fine. It's not like the laggy clips all come from the same sequences. They're dispursed among clips that cut fine into the timeline.

I've tried all sorts of things, like re-importing, using a deinterlace/ flicker filter... i just can't get them to play right. i even tried reversing the footage, and this resulted in a Still image (for as long as the clip was) of another part of the reel.

For a few of the clips, speeding up to 120% actually minimized the problem. However, for most of the clips, when i try to speed them up, they'll just turn into a still image of another part of the sequence.

If anyone has any ideas please help me. i'd very much appreciate it. thank you very much.

 

[nsoltz]

Could you describe your FCP system. It's a little difficult to see from here.

Ned Soltz

 

[jonezilla]

Yes... sorry. I had shot my footage on the hvx200 in 720p at 24 fps, so i used the easy setup "DVCPRO HD 720p24".

for the sequence settings i just loaded the sequence presets, and this is what they defaulted to:
Frame Size: 960x720 (HD 960x720 16:9)
Pixel Aspect Ratio: HD (960x720)
Editing timebase: 23.98
Quicktime Video Settings :
Compressor: DVCPRO HD 720p60
Advanced: Custom 23.976

I assumed it didn't have something to do with the settings because only some of the footage was affected. any ideas?

 

[nsoltz]

No. What computer? How much ram? Which OS? WHich version of FCP?

Did you check the remove pulldown option?

Was this footage shot to P2 cards or to Firestore?

Those are the system specs that are relevant.

Ned

 

[Justyn]

I've had similar problems with clips.. especially the still frame bizness. What kind of harddrives do you have your clips on? Are they also kind of full? Sounds like you could have issues on that area...

 

[jonezilla]

Thanks for taking your time on this...

I have an imac g5 1.83 ghz intel core duo
2 gb 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
Running Mac OS X 10.4.10
FCP version 5.1.4

I shot the clips onto the 100gb firestore drive but transfered them to my computer harddrive before importing them into final cut. My harddrive is not full at all.

I just tried selecting the remove advanced pulldown in the browser, and got an error saying "file does not contain DVCPRO, DVCPRO-HD, or DVCPRO-50 NTSC video"....

sorry for my ignorance on the subject, but your help is very much appreciated. thank you.

 

[mainstreetprod]

Your problem possibly could be the internal HD speed in the Imac. It is not
exactly designed from the ground up for editing. An external FW800 drive
would be best, and more likely to keep up with the demands of editing HD
than the internal drive. Of course, during setup you need to designate the
external drive as your scratch disc.

I have had some success with some external USB drives also, when not using
demanding programs like Motion. They are great for file storage and simple editing.

Another thing to try is to open a new project. Triple check the EZ setup
settings, then drop the problem clips in and see what happens.

 

[cuseo]

I've had problems with real time playback of 720 and 1080 scratch from an external GW800 drive as well. (on a dual-core G5 sith fcp 5.0.4). I think that part is all system performance/graphics card issues.

Is your footage in 24p (2:3:2:3 pulldown cadence), 24pA (2:3:3:2 pulldown) or 24pN (already at 23.98 fps, does not require "Advanced Pulldown Removal").

Find that out and you will be halfway there. It's important to understand the different 24p options. If your footage is in 24p with the standard 2:3 pulldown it will look sketchy on a 23.98fps timeline I'm sure.

If you are doing a project from start to finish at 24 fps timebase, then utilize the HVX200's awesome Native recording format (24pN), save p2 space and also utilize the Variable Frame Rates. Totally sweet camera. I've had zero problems with HVX200 or p2, love the workflow.