Final Cut Pro 5: Items to note when working with HDV

When working with HDV (high-definition video) in Final Cut Pro 5, here are some special considerations that you should keep in mind.

Print to Video limitations using HDV formats

On computers that meet the minimum system requirements for HDV playback⁽¹⁾, the Print to Video command cannot be used if the Mirror to Desktop option is enabled. To turn off the Mirror to Desktop option:

1. Choose Final Cut Pro > Audio/Video Settings, then click the A/V Devices tab.
2. Deselect the Mirror to Desktop checkbox.
3. Click OK.

HDV Log and Capture Preview is disabled when a PCI graphics card is installed

If your computer has a PCI graphics card installed and you are logging or capturing HDV, Final Cut Pro does not preview video or audio in the Log and Capture window. You can still log and capture, but you'll need to use your HDV camcorder display to preview video.

Sony native MPEG-2 media must be exported for use in DVD Studio Pro

Sony HDV media records MPEG-2 media using an open GOP (Group of Pictures) structure, which means that B-frames in the MPEG stream may be reliant on frames in adjacent GOPs.

In some cases, using open GOP media in DVD Studio Pro can cause DVD decoder issues, particularly at the start and end frames of media files. To properly transfer open GOP MPEG-2 HDV media to DVD Studio Pro after capturing it in Final Cut Pro, export the media from Final Cut Pro using the Export QuickTime Movie option (File > Export). This command conforms the beginning of the MPEG-2 media to a closed GOP structure, which is compatible with DVD decoders.

HDV footage with timecode breaks may report a stream error during capture

In User Preferences, if you choose Abort Capture from the On timecode break pop-up menu, capturing is aborted when a timecode break is detected. Depending on the signal on tape, you may see one of two messages if the capture is aborted:

• A "stream error" message
• A "timecode break error" message

Related Document

301402 "Final Cut Pro 5: Computer and Camera show different points in time while capturing HDV"

Notes

1. 1 GHz processor, 1 GB of RAM, and 167 MHz bus speed required for HDV playback.

Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only, and does not constitute Apple's recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.