Solutions for XL2/FCE Capture issue

spioraid

spioraid

New member
All,

I'm having tons of issues with capturing footage from my XL2. I've tried every (cheap) possible solution that I can come across and nothing is working. I'm afraid I'm getting to close to having to switch NLE's just to get to my footage. Which is neither fun nor cheap.

I've got a Canon XL2 (new, mine) running at 16:9 at 60i. My machine is a current generation iMac 24" 3.06Ghz Intel (new, mine) using Final Cut Express HD 3.0, and Quicktime Pro 7.5.5. I also have an iBook G4 1.33Ghz PowerPC with the same version of FCE, but have the same problem.

I've tried using external hard drives, not using external hard drives, firewire hubs, making sure both internal and external hard drives are formatted correctly, I've made sure FCE was capturing the footage with FireWire Basic, etc. I get to about 5 minutes of capturing and FCE locks up (spinning pinwheel of death) and has no DV control. I end up having to stop the tape on my XL2 and restart the computer since FCE won't force quit properly.

Obviously I have iMovie and similar small time video software but none of them capture the video uncompressed. The hi quality setting on iMovie still is taking down the footage somewhat.

Suggestions? Ideas? Rotten Tomatoes?
 
Yeah... first things first: what format did you shoot in? what are your capture settings in FCE? how are you capturing (capture now, batch capture, from the XL2, from another camera)?

You're obviously just messing up one of the steps, but we need more info.
 
I've tried all three methods of capturing, all to no avail. It's coming from the same XL2 that recorded to tape.

I've tried all the applicable (DV-NTSC) settings for the capture as well. I shot in 16:9, 60i. No extra bells or whistles to my rig.

If this is just a user error I would be more than happy to fix my mistake and get things working but I can't help but feel I've exhausted the easier options.
 
How much space do you have on your drive? double check where everything is setup, including all your cache setups and autosave vault. Make sure your "capture now" isn't set to a limit.

Have you tried capturing from another camera?

Download FCP rescue to trash your prefs. (you'll have to setup FCP again after this)

Work?
 
I've got more than enough space on both drives, and I've made sure I don't have any limits set.

I don't have another miniDV camera/deck on hand but I'll try to procure one to borrow and try out. Any suggestions?

I'll let you know if FCP rescue works. Thanks for the help thus far!
 
Well... if the tape can play back on the XL2 without issue's, then I doubt it's the camera. If your firewire port is good, which I think we've established it is, then it's got to be a computer/setup issue.

Try FCP rescue first.
 
Tried FCP rescue and it couldn't find the folders. Of course...it'll be looking for FCP folders and not FCE. *face slap* I'll look for the folder and trash the prefs myself and see if that does any good.

I'm really not sure what else I could be messing up on. I highly doubt it's the computer though because I got it new. Will keep trying though, thanks for the link on FCP capture however!
 
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