How to transffer Digibeta to FCP via AJA express

Hello.
I tried each and every format but FCP wouldn't detect the digibeta..
When I click on log and capture it says no communication.. Are there any other steps I need to know to grab the footage from Digibeta to FCP via AJA?

Please help

vihang

Drivers installed? And yeah...Deck control, very important.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

You need a cable for Deck Control. RS-422 cable. 9-pin thing that connects to the AJA IO EXPRESS and the deck.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

Do you have machine control setup?

Chris Tompkins
Video Atlanta LLC

Dude....OK, let me explain....

When you capture footage via firewire from a camera, or deck...be it HDV, DV or DVCPRO HD...the Firewire cable gives you audio, video, and DECK CONTROL...the ability to control the deck with FCP. And capture timecode that exists on the tape.

SDI only does Audio and Video...NO DECK CONTROL. So, in order to control the deck, you need ANOTHER cable...a different cable, called an RS-422 cable. This is a 9-pin cable that you connect SEPARATELY from the SDI cable. Look here:

http://www.aja.com/products/io/io-express.php

In the CONNECTIVITY picture...the top right. RS-422 Machine Control. You need a cable to connect there, and to the back of the Digibeta deck. This:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/93399-REG/Comprehensive_CVC_5G_6_RS_4...

Without that, you will not get deck control.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

If you choose the proper Easy Setup for NTSC (not HD)...and you have deck control turned to UNCONTROLLED DEVICE, and the AJA Control Panel shows that you are getting a signal from SDI...then you should see a picture in the Log and Capture interface. If you don't, then something isn't right.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

SDI isn't like Firewire. Deck Control and video signal are all in one with Firewire. SDI is audio and video only. For deck control, you need an RS-422 cable. You can see a connection for it on the IO Express, and the deck.

If you don't want deck control, or timecode for the footage, you can switch Deck Control to UNCONTROLLED DEVICE, and manually control the deck. But I highly advise against it. Timecode is VERY important.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

Well, as I said, I highly recommend NOT doing it this way...NOT doing it as Uncontrolled Device. Because if you do that, you don't capture the TIMECODE. And if you lose the footage for any reason...erased, hard drive crashes...then you need to re-edit everything from scratch. Delete the media and want to go back at a later date and make changes? Nope, gotta re-edit everything. With timecode, you can simply recapture the tapes and it will remember what was where due to TIMECODE. And your sequence will be rebuilt.

If you want to do this, in the CAPTURE window, click on the CAPTURE SETTINGS tab. That's where you'll see DEVICE CONTROL. Switch that to UNCONTROLLED DEVICE. Again, at your own risk....I advise against it.

Your Easy Setup should be "AJA IO Express NTSC 29.97 Apple ProRes 422".

If this is complicated, you need to get educated quick. This is all basic stuff editors should know.

Shane
Little Frog Post
Read my blog, Little Frog in High Def

[vihang walve] "so where can i find the Uncontrolled device option.. its certainly not on the deck.."

Listen to Shane. DO NOT USE UNCONTROLLABLE DEVICE. If you really want to find it, read the $@#*&! Manual. That would be under the Help Tab.

Make sure your settings are for NTSC and not the 1080 23.98 you think you want. You are just asking for trouble.

All this information is also in the manual. Read, read, read. Like Shane said, this is basic stuff.

Steve Eisen
Eisen Video Productions
Vice President
Chicago Final Cut Pro Users Group