Help Help! The problem is that I cannot capture DV into Final Cut. The minute I hit CAPTURE NOW, Final Cut will freeze. Then after I power off and on, that particular capture file will be something like 10G. . .although it didn't really capture anything. Obviously, I trash this. I have been told that this is a memory leak somewhere.
Now. . .given my system and the RAM situation I outlined above. . .it has been suggested to me to get that RAM to at LEAST 2gig. So. . ..can I buy a 2 gig stick and just replace the 128MB? Or do I have to buy matched pairs?
Do you think this is the problem?
Interestingly, I can import DV into iMovie (which I would not even think of using), so I know it's not a firewire problem or anything like that. I've even tried importing the .dv files (captured in iMovie) into Final Cut, but FCP doesn't like it. . .needs to render audio, then it's really clunky getting through the timeline.
Would upgrading to 10.4 help?
Actually this problem has gone on for the better part of a year, but after a few tries, I always got it to work. Now it won't. And I can't do a batch capture, because the sound on the logged/captured clips is way out of sync.
I can supply more information if you need. . .I have a major project I need to start on this weekend and, needless to say, I need to import DV. It's a must!
Re: Is it the RAM? by Dave LaRonde on Jul 18, 2008 at 5:19:48 pm
There was a bug in FCP 4.5: if you allowed Capture Now to capture clips longer a certain duration, it freaked out. I THINK it was 5 minutes. What is the limit on YOUR Capture Now?
In any case, you're running on the ragged edge with only 640MB RAM... how the heck do you ever get anything done?
I have engineers to tend to the care & feeding of my Mac. I don't know beans about the proper remedy for more RAM on a G4, but you'd be much better off with a LOT more.
Got an Apple Store nearby? Yeah, the fix may be pricey through those guys, but at least you'd have it in time....
Dave LaRonde
Sr. Promotion Producer
KCRG-TV (ABC) Cedar Rapids, IA
Re: Is it the RAM? by Glenn Pniewski on Jul 18, 2008 at 5:51:31 pm
Hi,
I know I'm living on the edge with that little RAM, and I am going to get a 2gig stick tomorrow. And that was kind of the reason for the post, too. I didn't know if I could just get a 2gig stick, or if I had to buy two 1gigs.
Oh, yeah, it's sluggish alright. Lots of burps when you play stuff back on the timeline, especially a project that is render-heavy. I've been meaning to add on, it's just, as long as I was getting by, it dropped off the radar.
Yes, right now I had the capture now setting for 30 minutes, but obviously that's not working. I haven't tried capturing in five minute increments, simply because that would be sooo much match editing that should be unnecessary.
So, yeah, I believe you are saying get off of 4.5 and get to 5, which necessitates an upgrade to OSX 10.4. . .?
Re: Is it the RAM? by Dave LaRonde on Jul 18, 2008 at 6:13:09 pm
You might want to reconsider how you capture video.
If you shot something single-camera style, just capture individual clips. That way you can weed out the bad takes while you're at it. Of course, you may actually enjoy weeding through all those crappy, useless shots over and over again, for all I know...
If you shot your daughter's piano recital in one long take, just find the beginning and mark an in point. Go to the end and mark an end point. Either log the clip and do a batch capture, or do a Capture Clip.
Dave LaRonde
Sr. Promotion Producer
KCRG-TV (ABC) Cedar Rapids, IA
Re: Is it the RAM? by Glenn Pniewski on Jul 18, 2008 at 6:43:12 pm
I have tried that and the sound gets WAY OFF sync, whether it's a five minute clip or a twenty-minute clip.
I phoned my partner and read him your reply about the RAM (or lack thereof) and he got a good laugh out of that. Yes, I am way behind the times, and subsquently, the eight-ball!
Re: Is it the RAM? by Zane Barker on Jul 19, 2008 at 5:21:28 am
More info on your machine please.
Honestly I would be suppressed it it will even take a 2 gb chip of ram, I would be surprised if any G4 machine could take more then a 1 gb chip in any one slot.
There are no "technical solutions" to your "artistic problems".
Don't let technology get in the way of your creativity!
