Help Please.. Quick!

Justin Marx

Justin Marx

Well-known member
Running FCP 5.0.4 and have never had a problem.. Not the case now!

Just did a job.. Used a Lacie 300 GB HD hooked up to my PC..

Took P2 cards, copied them to the DRIVE with the .txt file and contents folder, to individual directories for each card (txt and contents stayed with the P2 card it came from)

After copying to the Lacie Drive, I would select all the files, and make sure the P2 files (size and amount of files) would match the ones copied to the Lacie Drive.. I would then open the P2 Viewer software and make sure it worked as well.. I didnt watch EVERY CLIP! I didnt have the time..

It now seems that even though the files matched, I cant seem to open all of the files..
When importing to FCP it will import the smaller files (under 4 gigs) then give me an import or corrupt file error for the larger ones..

Why are none of the files over 4gb? If you record constant on an 8gb card till it runs out without cutting, the file should be around 6 or 7 gigs??

Is it a Fat32 thing? But then why would the same amount of files be on the P2 card as the copies on the Lacie HD??

Whats wrong here?? PLEASE HELP!


These were all 8GB cards


Thank you!!

- - Justin

P.S. Here's what I have tried and have been still unsuccessful:
1 - Putting files back on P2 card, and trying that way (even though I can view the files on the P2 card)
2 - Making a seperate bin as a "logging bin" and trying to import in a brand new project.
3- copying the contents of a P2 card to my desktop and trying to import from there.. Nope!
 
Last edited:
There's nothing wrong regarding the 4GB file size. It is a FAT32 thing. The P2 card is a FAT32 device; the camera automatically segments long clips into multiple files if the file size exceeds 4GB.
 
Will the P2 Viewer open the larger files?

This info should help define where the answer is. At Panasonic or Apple if you know what I mean.

Thanks,

Jan
 
Yes the P2 viewer will open the larger files.. Actually the odd thing is that the P2 Viewer will open files that I cant import, and FCP will import a few files that I cant view with P2 Viewer.. AHHH!!!!

In the next few hours I will try another MAC with FCP.. Hopefully that will solve the problem.. Sounds like a software thing..

ONE MORE THING...

I just copied the CONTENTS and .TXT file back to one of the P2 Cards and It's really odd.. There are 4 clips on this card (I know there are) but only three are coming up on the P2 card when I put it in my camera. One of the clips that is missing when I copy the P2 files back is on that will actually import into FCP.

Now I am completely lost..
- - Justin
 
OK,

This is just a thought. You have both Mac and PC stuff. Based on what you are saying I am thinking that the LaCie is formatted for the PC; since both your Mac and PC can see it.

So try these two things. First make sure your capture scratch file is going to a Mac formatted volume (even if it is only for a test) and try capturing the large files. The Mac will let you have .mov or native quicktime files on HFS or Mac formatted volumes in excess of 4GB. So I am guessing that you are trying to capture to a FAT32 limited PC volume. If that works then you know your answer.

The next test would be similar. Create a Capture Cache folder on your local drive and place a copy of your 8GB P2 folder on the same volume. Repeat test. I think one of these 2 options will resolve the problem.

Back to what Barry was saying, The HVX is creating two clips when the file size exceeds 4GB (even though it is on the same 8GB card). I think Final Cut only sees the header and doesn't know to connect both parts because of the FAT 32 thing. (I may be very wrong on this, since I do not have a PC myseff.)

If I had an 8 GB card, I would test it.

Hopefully something like this will resolve it or Barry will have a 1 button solution.

Good Luck,

Rob
 
It Works!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Rob!!!!!!!

It Works!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Rob!!!!!!!

dvInsight said:
So try these two things. First make sure your capture scratch file is going to a Mac formatted volume (even if it is only for a test) and try capturing the large files. The Mac will let you have .mov or native quicktime files on HFS or Mac formatted volumes in excess of 4GB. So I am guessing that you are trying to capture to a FAT32 limited PC volume. If that works then you know your answer.

The next test would be similar. Create a Capture Cache folder on your local drive and place a copy of your 8GB P2 folder on the same volume. Repeat test. I think one of these 2 options will resolve the problem.


Rob
Click to expand...


Rob, that was it!
Grrr! I was up till 4am yesterday trying just about everything.. But the whole thing is that FCP creates a .mov file that is larger than the original file on the P2 card (adds audio, etc...) So then you get a file over 4 GB.. AHHHHH!!!!

Well I did what you said.. I put a copy of the 8gb P2 card onto my destop on my mac PB G4, then changed my capture scratch to a directory on my mac internal HD, and then did my import.. WHAM, it worked...

I will use my FAT32 Formatted HD on my PC on set to copy the P2 cards and verify them in P2 Viewer, then import them into FCP using an additional EXT. HD formated for MAC and use that one as the capture scratch drive.. OYE!!!

Thank you all very much for your help.. I hope we all learned something.. I know I sure as hell did.. I will post some footage soon of some interesting projects I have been working on with my P2 confusion camera aka HVX 200 :-)

:dankk2:

- - Justin
 
Wooohoo!

Glad it worked for you. Every once in a while my 20+ years of being a Mac guy pays off.
Hope to see your stuff soon.

--
Rob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top