Lack of Communication with FireWire Deck or Camera

Symptom #1: Insert Editing Is Unavailable with Current Device

"In the Edit to Tape window, I can perform Assemble edits but not Insert edits."

Background

FireWire DV support Insert edits and can perform Assemble edits only with the Edit to Tape functions. The difference between Insert and Assemble edits is that Assemble edits overwrite all tracks on the tape as content is recorded. Although you have to give FCP an In point on the tape to start recording from, it simply records all video and audio tracks from that In point on the tape, recording over anything that was already on the tape.

An Insert edit, on the other hand, allows the user to edit any of the content in your project onto select tracks of the recording device. For example, you might want to record only video on the tape and leave the previously recorded audio tracks intact. Because of the accuracy required when recording individual tracks to tape, serial device control is required for Insert editing in Edit to Tape.

Solution

Although serial device control is mostly limited to expensive professional decks, certain higher-end DV decks have RS-422 and other serial interfaces. If your DV deck has such a serial interface, and you use it as your device control, you may very well have access to Insert editing via your DV deck. To do so, you will need to address your Device Control preset in Audio/Video Settings, changing its protocol from FireWire to your choice of serial interface.

Symptom #2: Log and Capture Reports No Communication with Connected Device

"I have my DV deck or camera connected to the Macintosh, but Log and Capture reports no communication. I also get no audio or video output from the Canvas and Viewer."

Background

Although all DV cameras have different menus and setup procedures, they all have two main modes: Camera and VTR. Camera mode, obviously, is for shooting and recording video through the lens. VTR (Video Tape Recorder) mode is for playbackand, with some cameras, recordingof video using the available video and audio inputs. But with only one exception, FCP can't access a DV camera unless it is in VTR mode.

Solution

If your Macintosh is hooked up to a DV camera, and the camera isn't recognized, make sure you don't have the camera set to Camera mode.

If you are using an HDV camcorder or deck, make sure you are in the correct setting. A camcorder set to DV will not be recognized as an HDV camcorder.

There is one exception. If you are using the camera as the microphone input in the Voice Over tool, you must set the camera to Camera mode. Then set the Source pop-up menu in the Voice Over tool to DV Audio to make the incoming audio stream available.

Symptom #3: Can't Communicate with AJ-HD1200A Deck

"I connected to the 1200A deck, and set up my FCP Capture and Sequence presets, but I can't get a signal to or from the deck."

Background

With DVCPRO HD and HDV, high-resolution HD content can be captured directly through a FireWire cable. This is revolutionary, because previously, capturing HD content required a PCI capture card and a very fast drive solution. With the implementation of these two products, HD content can be captured with the simplicity and flexibility of standard-definition DV FireWire capture. And because the HD content is digitally compressed during shooting, the throughput and storage requirements are quite minimal by comparisonnot much higher than the minimums for FireWire DV capture.

Although FireWire capture of HD content is seamless and simple, you have to get it set up properly, or it won't deliver the results you are looking for. The AJ-HD1200A's menu settings are very specific, and if you don't get them exactly correct for your footage, you may get garbled video or no video at all.

Solution

Make sure that you read the deck's documentation thoroughly and get all the settings just right.

Because the 1200A deck is capable of performing HD and SD standards conversions internally, you have to set it for the desired output format.