A question for the group. Are there any stations that are successfully using Apple’s Final Cut Pro to cut their entire newscast? We’re experimenting with a few systems at our facility and have had nothing but difficulties thus far.
We’re trying out two types of configurations, one a dual G5, the other a G4 Powerbook, both top-of-the line systems in configuration. The G5 system is connected to a AJA Kona transcoder that carries over all time code information and component video from a Panasonic AG-D450 DVCPro Deck. The other is using a Canopus transcoder that just converts the composite signals from a playback camera or DVCPro laptop editor (yes, redundant, but just for testing purposes) to the G4—it doesn’t carry over the timecode.
With the G5, we get multiple tape transport errors on the computer; you cannot capture items of any significant length without some sort of tape transport error causing the system to stop capturing. The VTR checks out OK
The G4 Powerbook is just a mess. It hangs and /or completely locks up to the point that the system must be forced off. When it does “work,†if you’re scrubbing audio it will loop the last ¼ second of audio and won’t allow you to do anything else for several seconds. Additionally, when you playout video through the Canopus transcoder, the croma either strobes between black & white and color, or the color is completely off altogether.
Needless to say I am not happy at all with our initial tries. These are just basic hardware and system operations and it cannot perform to meet basic news needs. Not to mention, the other obvious issues of networking to a main video server and interfacing/integrating the edit systems with our ENPS news system. I haven’t even approached in finding a solution on how to get video in from our affiliate news servers (Pathfire/Bitcentral). And, there is still the issue of the extra time it will take to ingest, and then playout to tape the stories edited on the systems.
I would like to hear from, if there are any Chief’s or Ops Managers that have done it, how they have overcome the basic and the advanced issues on editing on a FCP system for all the elements for their newscasts. I am having a hard time seeing through the problems and viewing this solution as a viable option for a busy news environment. Don’t get me wrong, I can see FCP as a great production tool… but not stable enough, and overkill for producing 5 1/2 hours of local news each day over two very active and vibrant television stations.
As always, thanks for your help and opinions!
Thomas E. Morales
Chief ENG Videographer
KCOY & KKFX Television
Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, CA
thomasmorales@clearchannel.com
We’re trying out two types of configurations, one a dual G5, the other a G4 Powerbook, both top-of-the line systems in configuration. The G5 system is connected to a AJA Kona transcoder that carries over all time code information and component video from a Panasonic AG-D450 DVCPro Deck. The other is using a Canopus transcoder that just converts the composite signals from a playback camera or DVCPro laptop editor (yes, redundant, but just for testing purposes) to the G4—it doesn’t carry over the timecode.
With the G5, we get multiple tape transport errors on the computer; you cannot capture items of any significant length without some sort of tape transport error causing the system to stop capturing. The VTR checks out OK
The G4 Powerbook is just a mess. It hangs and /or completely locks up to the point that the system must be forced off. When it does “work,†if you’re scrubbing audio it will loop the last ¼ second of audio and won’t allow you to do anything else for several seconds. Additionally, when you playout video through the Canopus transcoder, the croma either strobes between black & white and color, or the color is completely off altogether.
Needless to say I am not happy at all with our initial tries. These are just basic hardware and system operations and it cannot perform to meet basic news needs. Not to mention, the other obvious issues of networking to a main video server and interfacing/integrating the edit systems with our ENPS news system. I haven’t even approached in finding a solution on how to get video in from our affiliate news servers (Pathfire/Bitcentral). And, there is still the issue of the extra time it will take to ingest, and then playout to tape the stories edited on the systems.
I would like to hear from, if there are any Chief’s or Ops Managers that have done it, how they have overcome the basic and the advanced issues on editing on a FCP system for all the elements for their newscasts. I am having a hard time seeing through the problems and viewing this solution as a viable option for a busy news environment. Don’t get me wrong, I can see FCP as a great production tool… but not stable enough, and overkill for producing 5 1/2 hours of local news each day over two very active and vibrant television stations.
As always, thanks for your help and opinions!
Thomas E. Morales
Chief ENG Videographer
KCOY & KKFX Television
Santa Maria, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, CA
thomasmorales@clearchannel.com