StriderNou
Member
I'm trying to transfer some footage from the Tape to the Mac ... I have the 1394 Firewire cable ... but its not picking up on the Mac ... any ideas? Thank you!
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New To Hvx200 ...
- Thread starter StriderNou
- Start date
andy_starbuck
Well-known member
If I understand correctly, you have recorded in standard definition mode (SD) to miniDV tape and you want to capture the video back to your Mac using Final Cut as your non-linear editor (NLE).
The HVX200 works like any other miniDV camera when you are just recording and playing back from miniDV tape. All of the high-definition (HD) functions record only to P2 memory cards or to an external device such as a computer.
In any case, here is the procedure that I use.
#1) Start with the camera OFF and disconnected.
#2) Launch Final Cut. As FCP comes up it looks for a video camera. Make sure that Final Cut is looking for a standard definition (720x480) video camera and not a high definition (1280x720) video camera. If it is looking for an HD camera, you will have to tell it to ignore the fact that no camera is connected, and then use Final Cut's "Easy Setup" to tell Final Cut that you will be working in Standard Definition. It will then look for the right format of camera.
#3) Connect the firewire to the camera and to the computer.
#4) Before turning on the camera, look at the slider switch in pack and make sure that it is set to "Tape" and not to "P2".
#5) Turn the camera power on. Wait a little while for the camera to load its software.
#6) Press the button on the back of the camera. This will put the camera into playback mode. Note that pressing the button alternates between tape record mode and tape playback mode. Don't hold the button. If you hold the button for two seconds while it is in playback mode the camera will enter "dubbing mode". Dubbing mode lets you copy HD clips from your P2 card over to your miniDV tape, converting them to SD as they are copied.
#7) Now tell Final Cut Pro to "check again" for the camera. It should find the camera.
#8) You should now be able to capture using FCP just as you would with any other video camera.
The most common problems with capturing from miniDV tape are:
* Not having FCP in the right setup mode. (#2 above)
* Starting the camera in P2 mode rather than in tape mode (#4 above)
* Not pushing the button to move from record mode to playback mode (#6)
* Holding the button too long and going into DUB mode (#6 above)
Hope this helps.
The HVX200 works like any other miniDV camera when you are just recording and playing back from miniDV tape. All of the high-definition (HD) functions record only to P2 memory cards or to an external device such as a computer.
In any case, here is the procedure that I use.
#1) Start with the camera OFF and disconnected.
#2) Launch Final Cut. As FCP comes up it looks for a video camera. Make sure that Final Cut is looking for a standard definition (720x480) video camera and not a high definition (1280x720) video camera. If it is looking for an HD camera, you will have to tell it to ignore the fact that no camera is connected, and then use Final Cut's "Easy Setup" to tell Final Cut that you will be working in Standard Definition. It will then look for the right format of camera.
#3) Connect the firewire to the camera and to the computer.
#4) Before turning on the camera, look at the slider switch in pack and make sure that it is set to "Tape" and not to "P2".
#5) Turn the camera power on. Wait a little while for the camera to load its software.
#6) Press the button on the back of the camera. This will put the camera into playback mode. Note that pressing the button alternates between tape record mode and tape playback mode. Don't hold the button. If you hold the button for two seconds while it is in playback mode the camera will enter "dubbing mode". Dubbing mode lets you copy HD clips from your P2 card over to your miniDV tape, converting them to SD as they are copied.
#7) Now tell Final Cut Pro to "check again" for the camera. It should find the camera.
#8) You should now be able to capture using FCP just as you would with any other video camera.
The most common problems with capturing from miniDV tape are:
* Not having FCP in the right setup mode. (#2 above)
* Starting the camera in P2 mode rather than in tape mode (#4 above)
* Not pushing the button to move from record mode to playback mode (#6)
* Holding the button too long and going into DUB mode (#6 above)
Hope this helps.
StriderNou
Member
Thanks Andy
Thanks Andy
Hey Andy I appreciate it! Thanks a bunch! It works now and I can only capture 30 mins max at one time. Which is fine. 30 mins of footage is a lot to work with anyways. So you are saying I can record HD to my computer? Wow ... better get a bigger HD then. I was looking at the CitiDisk Pro storage of 80 gbs, but also at a P2 card, which one is a better buy?
Thanks Andy
Hey Andy I appreciate it! Thanks a bunch! It works now and I can only capture 30 mins max at one time. Which is fine. 30 mins of footage is a lot to work with anyways. So you are saying I can record HD to my computer? Wow ... better get a bigger HD then. I was looking at the CitiDisk Pro storage of 80 gbs, but also at a P2 card, which one is a better buy?
andy_starbuck
Well-known member
I don't have any of the direct-to-disk recorder, like the Firestore or CitiDisk Pro, so I can't comment on them. You should search the user forums for more information and experience.
The HVX200 records in 13 different formats. Many of these formats can be streamed over the firewire while the camera is recording or even paused, and can be captured by Final Cut Pro. A few of the formats, such as 720p24pN cannot be streamed and must be captured to a P2 card. Recording direct to a computer can be handy sometimes, but you are limited to the length of firewire (about 3 meters) and you have to bring your computer with you and move it with the camera and operate the capture on the computer. So it is not an ideal solution for a lot of situations.
I don't know how you mount the direct-to-disk recorder or provide power to it.
I prefer to be able to pick up my camera and walk someplace and shoot. And the P2 card makes that easy. No extra cables or wires. And it records in all the supported formats.
I believe that working with the P2 card changes the way you think about video and about video production. If the main reason you are considering a direct-to-disk recorder is because it records longer and will be more like recording to tape; then I'd investigate a little more before you decide. You need to consider what modes you will be shooting in and what you will be shooting. If you are shooting a documentary or an event then I'd probably shoot DV to tape. If it had to be in HD then I'd look at the direct-to-disk solutions.
For learning to use the camera, for flexibility and freedom of motion, and for being able to use all the camera features, I think the P2 is best.
Good luck!
The HVX200 records in 13 different formats. Many of these formats can be streamed over the firewire while the camera is recording or even paused, and can be captured by Final Cut Pro. A few of the formats, such as 720p24pN cannot be streamed and must be captured to a P2 card. Recording direct to a computer can be handy sometimes, but you are limited to the length of firewire (about 3 meters) and you have to bring your computer with you and move it with the camera and operate the capture on the computer. So it is not an ideal solution for a lot of situations.
I don't know how you mount the direct-to-disk recorder or provide power to it.
I prefer to be able to pick up my camera and walk someplace and shoot. And the P2 card makes that easy. No extra cables or wires. And it records in all the supported formats.
I believe that working with the P2 card changes the way you think about video and about video production. If the main reason you are considering a direct-to-disk recorder is because it records longer and will be more like recording to tape; then I'd investigate a little more before you decide. You need to consider what modes you will be shooting in and what you will be shooting. If you are shooting a documentary or an event then I'd probably shoot DV to tape. If it had to be in HD then I'd look at the direct-to-disk solutions.
For learning to use the camera, for flexibility and freedom of motion, and for being able to use all the camera features, I think the P2 is best.
Good luck!