Just to share with those suffering nervous breakdowns from trying to digitize HDV footage from a Sony HVR-M15, M25 or M35 or similar deck into Media Composer. Don't even waste your time trying. Mojo, Aja, Matrox, they can't help you here. Video overruns, file size limits, dropped frames, etc. These problems have nothing to do with drive speed or system specs. The problem occurs when the Avid capture tries to convert HDV Long GOP format on the fly to MXF while digitizing. I've never seen this work on any real world Avid.
This method works perfect every time (well, for me anyway, hopefully for you too).
Use Adobe Premiere CS 4 or 5 etc. (you probably already own it, otherwise hit the eBay) or later (or other cheapo software like Vegas or Liquid) to capture the MPEG M2T data from the deck via ordinary firewire 400 to a new folder outside of the Avid editor. (I label my capture folder "M2T_Files" to avoid confusion). Then File-Import as DNxHD-TR 145 MXF into the Avid MC. Fast import will suck up a 2 hr. clip in less than 20 minutes and leave you with a new clip in your Avid Media Files / MXF / 1 folder. Once you've verifed the MXF you can delete the MPEG files. Now edit in MXF the way Avids are supposed to and smile more...
This is the ONLY method I've found to get HDV off a tape into a DNxHD145 edit workflow that actually works. Hope this helps.
BTW, We also work in FCP 7 which also stinks at HDV capture. Why the cheapo stuff can handle this and the Big Rigs can't is beyond me.
Horse
Whitehorse:This is the ONLY method I've found to get HDV off a tape into a DNxHD145 edit workflow that actually works.
HDV via firewire crash recorded without TC has worked consistently with both Mac and PC here. (From Z1's and HVR1500). Crash record with TC about 65% of the time.
Whitehorse:Just to share with those suffering nervous breakdowns from trying to digitize HDV footage from a Sony HVR-M15, M25 or M35 or similar deck into Media Composer. Don't even waste your time trying
Well that may be how you see it.
I do not share your opinion.
I have been digitising HDV tapes since they appeared on the market in late 2003.
I have never had any trouble, using Sony decks, digitising my tapes.
Regards,Douglas
marianna.montague@avid.com
MC has always been -let's not say problematic- but touchy when it comes to capturing from certain
sources. It likes mostly Sony but not always and everything.
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3 Heads Digital Films
I have been capturing from a Sony GVHD 700 deck for several years and it works just fine once the settings have been tweaked for it.
Denny
I've been ok with my AMD box and Canon XH-A1, others with certified systems, not so fortunate...go figure.
Using MC 23.12. Win 22H2 Avid FX6.4, Vegas Pro 20/ DVD Architect 6pro, DVDit6.4proHD, CCE Basic, TmpGe Express4, TmpGe Authoring Works 4, DVDLab-Studio. Sony EX-1R, Canon XH-A1, GL2, GL1, Canon EOS 60D
I too have had big problems cpaturing HDV but as I have to use a camera as the deck, i always blamed this in the past.Then i tried HDVsplit. I find this (free) software captures with stability from the Sony hdv camera i have to an mts file(i think) and this file fast imports to avd. Thats my workaround.
Peter
Peter Groom
Dubbing Mixer
Yes firewire capture can sometimes be an issue on a new system but ensuring the firewire card is the right one and the drivers correct normally brings it good.
But we go the HD-SDI route which is best. You do lose the HDV scene extraction though.
Broadcast & Post Production Consultant / Trainer Avid Certified Instructor VET (Retired Early 2022)
Still offering training and support for: QC/QAR Training - Understanding Digital Media - Advanced Files * Compression - Avid Ingest - PSE fixing courses and more.
Mainly delivered remotely via zoom but onsite possible.
T 07581 201248 | E pat@vet-training.co.uk
Hi Pat
where might i find details about which firewire card is the "right one"
I never gave that link a moments thought. Its just a cheapy £15 pci slot card from ebay. Im willing to try a replacement.
What do you have if i can pry?
Although the following workflow may sound clunky, it works for me. I shoot mostly with an EX1. I also have a Z1u that I use for 2nd camera, and a GV-HD700 HDV deck. When I do have to use HDV, I send it from the deck or the Z1u via firewire to the EX1 and record it (SQ Mode) to SxS card. I then import or AMA that footage as I do the rest. The BPAV files are archived as well.
Ronn Kilby
San Diego
As I said in another post, I use AJA IO Express. When I try to bring in HDV footage shot on a Z1U (tape) using a HDV to HDSDI converter, the capture has been stopping every 6 or so minutes when capturing timecode. This method goes through the AJA. I do not use firewire in my workflow (except into the converter obviously).
Just a follow up. I was looking at the system requirements for MC6 and was suprised to see that my Dell T3400 while still certified has a new annotation saying HD Capture not supported!?!
Huh?
This system has been certified for the last several releases and this is the first mention of not capturing HD. Perhaps this is why I have trouble with the HDVcapture within MC5? Although this system was fully certified for MC5???
ADS Pyro 64 is the Avid certified adapter, works great with Mojo analog.
Hi
does that mean that hdv capture isnt supported on avid mc6 at all??? or just your machine
Peterdubbingmixer: does that mean that hdv capture isnt supported on avid mc6 at all???
does that mean that hdv capture isnt supported on avid mc6 at all???
A strange question, of course it is supported, I am doing it all the time
Tomas
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