HDConnectLE - problems with JVC HD111E -> FCP Workflow
by Chrome
on
Sep 1, 2006 at 5:18:50 pm
Hi, Just got an HD-Connect LE for my FCP system, to enable me to capture from JVC GY-HD111E (PAL) and hoping to capture via my Blackmagic Extreme. I am hoping to do uprezzing as well as just capture to DVCPRoHD
at 720p. However I'm havong a bit of trouble configuring FCP to work with it. I have managed to create a RS422 preset to control the JVC connected via HDV firewire, so that's fine, but I simply cannot get the capture to work. I have tried to create my own capture presets for DVCPRO 720p at 25fps, but it simply doesn't work.
Any ideas where I would get a regular set of settings from?
I have connected;
JVC HDV via firewire to the HD Connect LE's 1394 (HDV)
Blackmagic RS422 to RS-422
Blackmagic SDI-In to HD/SD-SDI
Blackmagic R-Y IN to Pr
Blackmagic B-Y IN to Pb
Blackmagic Y IN to Y
But have nothing else to connect except the Blackmagic's Genlock IN
Re: HDConnectLE - problems with JVC HD111E -> FCP Workflow by Mike Schell on Sep 1, 2006 at 5:36:35 pm
Hi Chrome-
Do you want to capture your video via HD-SDI or analog component (Y, R-Y, B-Y)? I ask because there is no need to connect both types of output. I would recommend using the HD-SDI output as this will provide the best quality. That said, you'll need to be sure and select that type of input in FCP.
Also, double check that the LE box is set in PAL mode (50 Hz), otherwise the Blackmagic card won't lock to the HD-SDI signal.
If you have an HD-SDI monitor you can also connect the second HD/SD-SDI output from the LE box and monitor it.
Re: HDConnectLE - problems with JVC HD111E -> FCP Workflow by Chrome on Sep 1, 2006 at 6:22:17 pm
Hi thanks for your help, yes I want to capture via SDI, but I simply cannot seem to get it to work in FCP even with the correct inputs.
I have checked The HDCLE is set to PAL and HD and 720p, but simply can't work out how to set it up. I will see if I can borrow an SDI monitor to monitor the output; does it have to be an HD one?
Re: HDConnectLE - problems with JVC HD111E -> FCP Workflow by Mike Schell on Sep 1, 2006 at 7:40:53 pm
Hi Chrome-
You can use an SDI monitor to check out the basic operation, but you need to set the box to SD mode. Hopefully you'll at least see an image. Be sure to switch the LE box back to HD mode before trying to capture into FCP.
Re: HDConnectLE - problems with JVC HD111E -> FCP Workflow by chrome on Sep 1, 2006 at 10:37:48 pm
Well looking on the Blackmagic site the Decklink Extreme (which has been in my G5 for nearly 2 years) is only SD, so that is the problem. I'm sure I spcified an HD capable card when I had the system built, and always thought it was. I am sure it said HD ready or something on the original box. :(
Re: HDConnectLE - problems with JVC HD111E -> FCP Workflow by Chrome on Sep 14, 2006 at 8:40:02 pm
I can't get that link to work mactrix...
I'm still having problems though... after spending another wedge I now have a Decklink HD Pro card in my Mac, so I am able to connect via HD/SDI at last.
I can see the input signal, and the signal from the box to the apple, but simply cannot get the settings right in FCP for either an 720p25 or 1080i50 capture :(
Any help appreciated...
Re: HDConnectLE - problems with JVC HD111E -> FCP Workflow by mactrix on Sep 14, 2006 at 8:50:50 pm
You mean the link doesn't work or the description from the article?
Did you read the PDF?
1080i should work by standard as it is a preset provided by BMD.
There must be an issue in your wiring or JVC camera setup.
For 720p25 you have to create your own capture and sequence
presets. As 720p25 is not supported over HD-SDI you have to
create a 720p50 capture preset - the signal is provided by the
cross-converter ... also RS-422 should be converted to and from
HDV timecode.
Re: HDConnectLE - problems with JVC HD111E -> FCP Workflow by Chrome on Sep 14, 2006 at 10:26:57 pm
As far as I can see there is no problem with the JVC or wiring... I get a moving picture during log and capture AND I have full control over the camera with the Sony 422 so thats working fine.
Yes, I have created capture presets for 720p, and managed to capture very short clips, but it seems to find many timecode breaks (usually after 20 frames or so).
I have created
Sequence Preset, Frame size 1280 x 720 (HDTV 720p), Editing Timebase 25fps, Timecode rate 25, Uncompressed 10-bit 4:2:2
Capture Preset to suit... yet it will only capture short clips now.
Re: HDConnectLE - problems with JVC HD111E -> FCP Workflow by Chrome on Sep 15, 2006 at 9:31:37 am
No that didn't work - the capture stops with a message each time as before "Dropped frames were detected..." if I do manage to capture anything it is about 2 seconds or less. In the main capture logging window the playback runs fine, but when I hit capture now, the capture window shows the video very slow or stuttering as it attempts to capture. At this time the camera is playing back fine as the video on the flip out screen looks perfect.
Re: HDConnectLE - problems with JVC HD111E -> FCP Workflow by Chrome on Sep 15, 2006 at 9:49:09 am
Should be, it's a G-RAID 500 Gb. Running the BM Speed test gives 78.4MB/s Read and 28.5MB/s Write.
For 8-bit YUV 4:2:2 at HDTV 720 it gives 44fps read and 16fps write.
But doesn't it buffer whilst writing anyway?
Re: HDConnectLE - problems with JVC HD111E -> FCP Workflow by Chrome on Sep 15, 2006 at 8:47:21 pm
Crumbs!... Ok going to try the lower settings... will I not see a sharp reduction in quality though? Is it only going to be possible to have a workflow in 'true HD' if you can afford to spend big bucks?
Whilst I will be looking into Xserver Raid solutions with some haste (it was always in my longer-term ambitions), I had thought this HDV/HD transition time could possibly have bought me some 'breathing space', however that is not to be... After spending around
Re: HDConnectLE - problems with JVC HD111E -> FCP Workflow by mactrix on Sep 15, 2006 at 9:14:26 pm
There are four possibilities for you:
1. Wait up to 30 days to update to FCP 5.1.2 that supports native 720p25.
2. Use Photo-JPEG with 75% quality to capture without visible reduction of image quality.
It's better than DVCPRO HD compression and you can't see any difference to uncompressed.
However you have no realtime effects and you shouldn't create to many generations as it
is a strong compression that will be visible after two or three recompressions.
3. Buy an Apple Xserve RAID (but wait for a while till the current generation will be updated
as it's on the market now for a longer time) and work uncompressed.
Re: HDConnectLE - problems with JVC HD111E -> FCP Workflow by Chrome on Sep 15, 2006 at 10:14:11 pm
I tried the PhotoJPG and that has certainlsy gone some way to solving the problem, and I managed to capture nearly a whole minute without a problem until a scene change and then it seemed to recognise it as a timecode break!
I suppose I will just have to wait for the Apple update :( never mind... 30 days is not too long.
Thank you very much for your speedy help, it is very much appreciated.
