JVC HDV Video into Final Cut Pro 6
Apr 12th, 2009 by admin
I use a JVC HD111E camera for a lot of my everyday work. Normally I use the Quicktime files recorded to the onboard Firestore DR-HD100, every now again however I need to import from the videotape into Final Cut Pro 6.
Bringing the files in as Apple ProRes via firewire works very smoothly, retaining the original camera timecode and the loss of only 6 frames of video between each camera start stop.
Here’s a video of the workflow I use.
JVC HDV video into Final Cut Pro from Phil Balsdon on Vimeo.
Phil,
Thank you so much for posting this video. It’s perfect for the problems I had with my JVC. One question: do these settings work with a BRHD50 deck? Or only with the camera?
Thanks again,
Peter Baker
Hi Peter,
I don’t own a BRHD50, but the firewire import procedure is the same so I assume it will work.
Perhaps you could try it and post back the results here.
I only have to do the tape import from the camera occasionally, if I’m re-cutting a previously edited story (love the convenience of having the original tapes as an archive) or if I’ve shot with 2 cameras and been unable to locate a second DR-HD100.
Phil,
Your post has answered questions I have had for almost two years and stopped me from using my JVC camera on all of my shoots. Thank you again I am really excited about future projects. I also own a BRHD50 and will give it a try very soon.
Bob
Hi Phil!
I have a one question about JVC HZ-CA13U
my camera JVC GY-HD201E
I wish to have a picture as in a film!
its real?
Hi Sasha,
I have tested the HZ-CA13U on my camera. Yes it works, you will need 16 mm PL mount lenses to achieve the results. These lens are commonly available second hand now due to the demise (sadly) of 16mm film as it gets replaced by HD.
The system is different to other adaptors available in that it does not use an intermediate focusing screen, it is achieved purely with optics. Care needs to be taken setting up the system though.
Tim Dashwood has some great information and extensive test results here
http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/jvc-gy-hd-series-camera-systems/92460-hz-ca13u-cine-optical-pl-adapter-review.html
There’s also plenty more info about JVC HD cameras on that site and Tim also has a great DVD on how to get the best results out of your camera.
Buy online here; http://www.dvinfo.net/prohd/Buy_Now.html
Holy Crap!
I have been banging my head against the wall for a very long time trying to figure out how to get a wedding done that was shot run and gun style. There was so much material lost on the start/stop problem the project sat unfinished for way too long as I agonized over this.
Thank you so very much for this video! If could FedEx you a cold one I would.
All the Best!!
Jeremy
Hi Phil,
First thank you so much for the great tutorial on this. I have been having problems with capturing some footage from a JVC camera. I followed all the steps, but for some reason my frame size is coming out to 853×480 instead of 1280×720. My sequence settings are fine, but the finished captured footage is not. And I get a green rectangle on the right side of the framing. Am I missing something here? I’ve tried everything, but can’t seem to get around. Maybe other have come across this problem, would love the help. Thank you so much.
Is it possible the footage was shot as HDV-SD60P rather than HDV-HD30P? This is setting option for the camera that shoots standard definition images at 60fps in progressive scan also known as 480p.
Thank you so much for this video. It was just what we needed!
Hiya Philm. I am up on the sunny Gold Coast and am about to purchase a GY HD200U, which I am told is PAL/NTSC switchable.
My big choice factor here is based on what great help you seem to have given the world of ProHD/FCP users. A friend has a HD110, and just shoots in DV cos he can’t capture into FCP.
My big question is, and please respond when you can: Will I be able to capture 720/50p into ProRes. I have 6.0.4, will I need to back-date? Will it work? 95% success rate I read recently about the JVC/FCP affair!
That is just not good enough. Could it really just be because you have discovered the correct procedure.
Any readers who know for certain that buying a hd200 is not a risk, pls tell me. My email is timflix@hotmail.com. Thanks
Your video seems to be exactly what I am looking for, however, I am using FCP 5.0.1 and when I go into my A/V settings, I don’t have all the preset options that you picked from in the video.
Is this because I’m using 5.0.1? Can I add the presets?
The camera I am trying to pull video off of is a JVC GY-HD110.
thank you
Hi James, This process requires FCP 6 (part of FCS2) as that is the first version with ProRes codecs. I don’t know if you can still find a FCS2 upgrade as FCS(3) has just been released and that requires an Intel Mac.
This should work as long as you have FCP6 +. You need to make the appropriate selections for 720 50p in place of my selection for 720 25p.
Phil,
Thank you so much for such a clear and easy tutorial to follow.
I followed your steps and thank the lord my computer finally saw the camera (JVC GY_HD261).
All was going well when 30mins into the capture the screen freezes. I’ve tried this a couple of times and the same thing happens – not in the same spot, but near it.
I stop the capture, but no clips are in the project. I check the capture folder, and they are there. I import them into the bin in my project and a warning comes up saying the audio is not compatible, but the item properties are all the same. The clips then run fine in FCP, but I can’t capture a whole tape.
Have you had this happen before?
so i have the jvc hd 111e and final cut pro version 6.06. To this day i cannot import footage and even after doing step by step on this video it still does not work. Footage when importing is jumpy and when i stop the import my footage has been split into tiny shots, a five second shot will have about 20 sequences. Is there anything else you can suggest, this is driving me crazy and i have an entire doco sitting on tape from last year that i can still not edit. Apple actually refunded our money on the sale of final cut pro as they could not answer our questions on how to import. Im confused, angry and in need of some much needed help. Would love to here suggestions, thank you,
Macca
In Final Cut Pro you may have the “Limit Capture Now” set to 30 mins. You’ll find this setting in Final Cut Pro > System Settings > Scratch Disks.
At the bottom of the scratch disks screen uncheck the “Limit Capture Now” option
This is probably not a Final Cut Pro problem. Try importing into iMovie.
The most likely cause is timecode drop outs, this could be a problem with tape stock, what stock are you using? Try recording something on a new tape and see if the same problem happens. Try another firewire cable. How is your Final Cut Pro system set up? Have you checked the firewire cable to your Media Scratch disc? If testing all these options fail you may have a problem with the camera itself, try running a head cleaning tape through it.
You are a jewel. Others have tried to explain this, but none with such clarity as you have. Thanks for being sooo professional….!
You are still a jewel, but………….
It did not work! I shot footage in HDV-SD60P. I tried the following when trying to capture from my JVC GY-HD110U:
—————————
Sequence Preset: Apple ProRes 422 1280 x 720 60p 48khz
Apple ProRes 422 1280 x 720 30p 48khz
Capture Preset: HDV-Apple ProRes 422
Device Control Preset: HDV-FireWire
[ Any help you can provide would be highly appreciated]
HDV-SD60P is standard definition. (hence the SD60).
You’ll need to change your frame size to the NTSC standard definition pixel size to import it.
Sorry the HD110U only shoots high def resolution at 24p or 30p.
Hello,
Thanks so much for that tutorial!
The problem i have though is that everything I capture comes out faster, in 50p instead of 25p.
I tried to apply your technique but my fcp 6 doesn’t have the HDV-Apple ProRes 422 preset…
Is there anyway one could send the file to me so i add it to my preferences?
That would be WONDERFUL…
Thanks in advance,
Ojitos
Perfect. Thank you so much for helping me out with this so clear and easy to understand clip
Ojitos,
You can create a set up in audio / video settings. Open it and choose the settings in the image.
Then follow the procedure to create an easy set up.
Thanks Adam, I pleased it helped.
Chant,
Change each of the settings I used to the same format but with an adjusted frame rate, ie 60p or 60fps
Hi Philm, do you know if your capture method works with the JVC GY-HD100e ?
Thanks,
Gavin Great video by the way
Replying to post number 2. I own a BR-HD50E and the procedure is exactly the same. Thanks Phil, you settings saved my life.
Philm,
Thanks a million for putting up this video! It helped me immensely and I’ll be sure to forward it on to anyone I know who has this problem again. Also, this method works just as well with my Canon XHA1. Thank you again!
cheers,
Chris
Hi Phil,
I’m trying to import footage from my new JVC HD GY 111e. It was shot in 720p @ 50fps. I imported using the pro res as you suggested but once capture has completed the footage breaks up into many small clips. durations vary from 4 sec to 7 mins, even on continuous shots. I filmed a music concert and need full clips in order to sync. worse, is that there are dropped frames between each clip which makes it impossible to edit with.
Also when I drop the clips to the timeline, they require rendering before they will even play.
Any help you may have would be very much appreciated. I’m using FCP ver 6.0.6.
Many thanks
Ed
Hi Ed,
First the 111e doesn’t shoot 50p in 720, is this a typo or did you shoot HDV-SD50p which is actually Standard Definition at 50p which is an option.
Its very confusing as it looks similar to HDV-HD25P in the menu. This maybe the cause of your problem, the import is possibly trying to up-res the standard definition during import. I’m afraid I’ve never shot HDV-SD50P to tape only the hard drive. Let me know if this is what has happened and find the fix for you, if you are outputting to DVD you’re safe with the SD quality.