HDV Capture problems in FCP

[birdfeeder]

Newbie here:
I am having capture problems with new camera.

FYI: Canon XHA-1s
HDV-1080I footage
FCP 6.06 editing system
2010 Mac pro 2.66 GHZ Quad-core Intel Xeon----6 GB 1066 MHz DDR3 Memory
NVIDA GeForce GT 120 512MB graphics Card

I have tried to find a similar problem for help here and elsewhere to no avail. I have looked in FCP help section and followed directions as best I can under "working with HDV".
This is what I have tried;
I click the "easy setup"--HDV format then I choose (All Rates) on that pop-up menu as instructed in the FCP help section.
I then have tried a couple of different choices in the "use" pop-up (HDV -1080I60 and HDV - 1080I firewire basic) I create a new sequence each time and open "item properties" to see if it has registered and get a "codec not found" pop-up and then it will use "animation" instead. I have used the Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC) and was able to transfer the entire footage that came with all of the "start stop" detection clips available in the Browser. I have read that working with the "native-HD is the best process but it is not working (at least for me). I have dumped all trials (or errors) in the trash and started over many times.
When I check, I see the description of the settings that video output is labeled "none" is this normal?
I have re-started the computer, unplugged and replugged cables, shut off and on the camera and -no difference.
I have an 800 port cable to a 6-pin for the camera, could this be a problem?

Am I missing a step somewhere?
Can someone help me with the correct workflow to download/log and capture this HDV footage while being able to view it on the capture window?

For now I will continue to try different things but thanks in advance for any help---- Feeder.

[aedipuss]

did you buy the mpeg-2 codec? i believe it's needed as HDV is mpeg-2. otherwise maybe use aic or buy the prores codec.

[rumplestiltskin]

If the codec used in the camcorder is MPEG2 then you'll need the MPEG2 decoder from Apple but that's included in your FCP install (if you did an "easy" install and didn't specifically exclude it).

Stay away from the 60fps modes (at least the "p") as that may be what is causing some of the problem. Try shooting at 30fps and see if something good happens when you import that.

[rumplestiltskin]

" have used the Apple Intermediate Codec (AIC) and was able to transfer the entire footage that came with all of the "start stop" detection clips available in the Browser"

So what did that footage look like?

Also might want to check out this thread:
https://discussions.apple.com/thread/2169036?start=0&tstart=0

[birdfeeder]

Wow! aedipuss, I just took it for granted that if I could choose the 108060I codec in the drop down, that it would be installed as Rumplestiltskin suggested.

I will try and shoot in the 30fps and see what happens with the capture. Why is this better?

The footage looked great using the AIC. But I find that I have to install the entire shoot (unless there is a different way to log the parts I need, I guess I will look into that).

I have read the manual for the camera and can't think of where they mentioned what codec it may be. I will look again.

Still trying to figure things out though.---FEEDER

[aedipuss]

HDV can only be mpeg-2 with mpeg audio. the "normal" spec is 1080 30i but some folks now call that 60i (frames vs. fields terminology).

[rumplestiltskin]

...{snip}The footage looked great using the AIC. But I find that I have to install the entire shoot (unless there is a different way to log the parts I need, I guess I will look into that)...{snip}

If the footage that came in as AIC plays in FCP properly, you shouldn't have to change -anything- in the camcorder. The problem may just be that you need to RTM a bit more to decipher the process of Log & Capture. FCP isn't as transparent as the alpha geeks at Apple suggest.

[birdfeeder]

Thanks for the comeback Rummplestiltskin. Yes it is a tough program and for sure in my case because i'm a cabinet maker by trade. I have produced a DVD a couple of years ago with the help from a young friend. It is woodworking related and the sales have been steady. I have been reading and practicing with FCP since then. I'm about to start a new large project and want to learn the ropes but find the rope very thick (or maybe it is me that is thick) Anyway after buying this new camera I find it a bit different to download the clips in HD. I just finished a timeline youtube clip today but boy did it take me a long time. I ended up using the AIC format ( because it was the only one that would work) and the problem is that I have limited device control. I have to manually Que. everything up on the camera and run it back and forth to get the clips I need. After reading in the book, Final cut pro 7 (even though I only have fcp 6) I find that with this transcode format (AIC) it is normal. If there is another way to do it I do not know of the method. Perhaps I really do need to buy a Mpeg-2 codec and install it. (not that I know how to do that yet for all I know it is probably already on the program). The HD camera takes amazing video. The close up shots of my hands tell me that I best start using some lotion. They look like meat hooks--HA I'll keep muddling along.-FEEDER

[aedipuss]

you might try installing perian. it includes the mpeg-2 audio codec. the apple one that comes with fcp may only be the video component.

[birdfeeder]

Thanks for the link on Perian aedipuss.

If I download this perian to my hard drive will FCP automaticity link to it to run a Mpeg-2 HD format when I try to capture from my camera? If not how would I use it in your opinion?--feeder

[aedipuss]

i'm not a mac user but i assume you install perian and the codecs become available to other programs like on a pc. maybe some kind mac user will chip in here?

[rumplestiltskin]

i'm not a mac user but i assume you install perian and the codecs become available to other programs like on a pc. maybe some kind mac user will chip in here?

Bingo.

[birdfeeder]

Thanks for the help guys, I will give it a try and see if it helps on the capture. I will let you know how it goes later this afternoon.--FEEDER

[Herve]

If I download this perian to my hard drive will FCP automaticity link to it to run a Mpeg-2 HD format when I try to capture from my camera?

no
(Perian does not handle mpeg2 codec)

bye

[birdfeeder]

I thought I would check back in and let folks know what is a happinin. First thanks for the latest advice on things and I did look into all suggestions. But I decided to go to apple and purchase the mpeg-2 play back component that they offer. It seems as though that is what I am missing after looking over several other sites like aedipuss pointed out in the beginning. I did not want to get the free mpeg down loads listed on several sites because it is hard to tell just what I'm really downloading. So off to the apple store i went. I went through the typical jargon with passwords and ID'S and found that they still have my credit card on file (I don't like that) when I clicked on purchase now I was taken to a page with the amount that they charged (sort of a receipt) At the top of the page is states - "you can download the software instantly by clicking on the down load now button. I click on it and am taken to a page with computer jargon stating in a one line sentence that says "check out" and "thank you" among other things. After a 45 minute call to apple (or where ever the call took me) the guy doesn't even know what a mpeg-2 playback component is. I tell him that when i try to download the plug-in it takes me to a goofy page. He tells me that I should wait a while to see what happens because they are getting so many people downloading "lion". ---Unbelievable--- I checked my e-mail and apple confirms my order. Now I wait until it shows up (hopefully) in the mail. I will report back when it shows up and try to see if the HD footage will play/capture on the computer (the main problem i'm having). After looking around I find many others have had the same problem over the years. If and when I do figure it out I will let everyone know so the next guy can get up and running faster. thanks--FEEDER

[aedipuss]

bummer. apple strikes again. is the codec still like a $20 purchase, or have they jacked up the price?

[birdfeeder]

Yep, 20 bucks. I was on one mac site today looking into things about it and saw 90% of the people that bought it, complaining about how it does not support audio. Most of them are miss informed as the Mpeg-2 is a video codec and not an audio program. The folks that are in the know explained this very thing to them but complain, complain, complain they did. I would say I hate stupid people but sometimes I are one. HA