Problem with onne of my V4HD units
by David Smith
on
Sep 16, 2009 at 1:41:28 am
First off, it's been awhile since I logged onto the Cow, and I'm thrilled to find a V4HD forum here, and with the most helpful MOTU V4 tech hosting. Dave Roberts has been a terrific help via phone support in the past when I was integrating several V3's and then V4s into my business.
Dave,
Setting up for a recording session today (thankfully a set up day only) I couldn't get one of my V4s to get video onto my Mac. The signal is coming in via HD-SDI, and all I get in MOTU Video Setup preview mode is a full raster of hash. Within Final Cut, nothing. The log and capture record mode reports 'No Video'.
I do see the embedded audio on the V4's meters, but not in Final Cut. Timecode is coming via another route, not embedded.
The V4 does correctly report 1080, 29.97, and the genlock light is solid, both on the unit, and in the software.
I swapped video feeds with the one unit that was working.
I swapped laptops.
I tried new Firewire 800 cables.
I went through settings over and over again.
I restored the 1.04 Firmware.
I reset to Factory Default.
With all combinations, that one V4 unit was always in the combination that did not work, the other unit always worked. I think I've done my due diligence and narrowed the problem to that box.
I did not get to try with other types of input feeds, only HD-SDI.
Thankfully, I have a loaner unit arriving tomorrow morning (Thank you Sandor!) but would love to know if you have any thoughts of something else to try before I have to send the unit in for service. I have a job next week out of town that requires both of my record chains, so don't really have time to have it serviced.
Re: Problem with one of my V4HD units - additional info by David Smith on Sep 16, 2009 at 1:46:36 am
Sorry Dave, I should have included:
both macs running OSX 10.5.8
both V4s running the latest software and drivers (package 3.3 if I recall, not in front of them right now)
both V4s running the 1.04 firmware
Re: Problem with onne of my V4HD units by Dave Roberts on Sep 16, 2009 at 5:27:14 pm
David,
Feel free to call MOTU direct at 617 576 2760 during business hours. There will always be a technician ready to work with you.
Things to check:
Do you get patch through on the V4HD? Regardless of connection to the computer, a live, selected video input will always patch through to all video outputs on the V4HD.
Check with more than one input source. If you're not getting a picture with HD SDI for example, do you get a picture with any other input?
In the computer, quit FCP and check just the MOTU Video Setup software. Incoming picture will not display in the MOTU Video Setup software and FCP Capture window at the same time. With just the MOTU Video Setup software running, can you get a live picture in the preview window?
If you change input sources from the MOTU Video Setup, do you see that change reflected on the front panel of the V4HD?
Run FCP. Play back some video that was previously captured through the V4HD. Do you get output from the V4HD to monitor?
If no luck on the above, give us a call, or email me direct at magicd@motu.com
Re: Problem with onne of my V4HD units by David Smith on Sep 17, 2009 at 4:47:34 am
Dave,
Thanks for your reply. It was after hours when I had the time to post yesterday and wanted to get a jump on a possible solution. It's hard to get time to call when I'm on location sometimes.
I got a loaner this morning and it worked right away with the feeds and laptop already there.
I've done a bunch of testing as you suggested, and will contact you as soon as I get time.
