Visual QuickStart Guide [Electronic resources] : Final Cut Express HD for Mac OS X

Lisa Brenneis

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  • Anatomy of the Capture Window

    Use the Capture window to capture video and audio media in Final Cut Express. This window supports a range of capture options, from live video capture on the fly to automated project recapture with full device control.

    To open the Capture window:

    • Choose File > Capture (Figure 5.1 ); or press Command-8.

      Figure 5.1. To open the Capture window, choose File > Capture.

    Tips

    • The size of your Capture window is determined by the zoom level of the Canvas and Viewer windows in your workspace arrangement. If you're using a high zoom level for the Canvas and the Viewer, your Capture window will be large as well. Small Canvas and Viewer windows will result in a small Capture window. If you're using different sizes in the Viewer and Canvas windows, the Capture window appears at the size of the smaller one.

    • When you open the Capture window for the first time after launching FCE, the screen reads "Preview Disabled." Don't freak out. That's standard operating procedurethe warning disappears when you click Play.

    • For best performance, the Capture window should be completely visible on your computer monitor, with nothing overlapping the window, not even the cursor.

    • If you have been capturing clips, FCE will not play back clips in your external monitor until you close the Capture window.

    DV Timecode vs. FCE Timecode: What's the Difference?

    On your original DV tape, each frame of the tape is assigned a unique number, called a timecode number . This system of timecode numbers has been the basis of video editing systems for over 30 years. In Final Cut Express, all captured clips are assigned the same starting timecode: 00:00:00:00. Each FCE clip, however, preserves the original DV tape timecode start and end numbers with the clip's media file. FCE accesses the original timecode numbers when you go back to the original DV tapes and recapture a project. If you open an FCE project in Final Cut Pro (FCE's big brother application), you'll have full access to the original DV timecode. In FCE, that DV timecode information is hidden.

    Preview section

    Anatomy of the Viewer" in Chapter 8.

    Figure 5.2 shows an overview of the Capture window.

    Figure 5.2. An overview of the Capture window.

    Chapter 8, "Working with Clips in the Viewer."

  • Deck status display: This display shows the status of communication between your deck or camcorder and Final Cut Express.

  • Go to In Point button: Click to shuttle tape to the currently marked clip's In point.

  • Clip In Point field: This field displays the timecode location of the currently marked clip's In point.

  • Mark In button: Click to mark an In point for your capture.

  • Mark Out button: Click to mark an Out point for your capture.

  • Clip Out Point field: This field displays the timecode location of the currently marked clip's Out point.

  • Go to Out Point button: Click to shuttle tape to the currently marked clip's Out point.

    • Tip

    • Not only can you copy and paste timecodes from one field to another; you can Option-click and then drag and drop a timecode to copy it into another timecode fielda useful procedure while you're logging.

    Capture controls

    The Capture control buttons appear below the tabbed portion of the window. Each of the three buttons performs a different kind of capture operation.

    • Capture Clip button: Click this button to capture a single clip immediately. Capture Clip requires that you enter identifying information on the Capture tab and set In and Out points before capturing the clip. For more information, see "Capture Clip: Capturing Video with Device Control" later in this chapter.

    • Capture Now button: Click this button to capture without setting In or Out points. Capture Now is useful if your camcorder or deck doesn't have device control, or if you want to capture long clips without setting the Out point in advance. For more information, see "Capture Now: Capturing Video without Device Control" later in this chapter.

    • Capture Project button: Click this button to batch recapture multiple DV clips in your project. For more information on batch recapturing, see "Capture Project: Batch Recapturing" later in this chapter.

    Capture tab

    The Capture tab (Figure 5.3 ) contains fields and shortcut tools you use to enter the information you need to log a clip. Try to get into the habit of recording log informationyou'll thank yourself when you need to sort through hundreds of clips to find a frame or short sequence.

    Figure 5.3. The Capture window's Capture tab.

    Using Markers" in Chapter 8.

  • Set Marker In field: Click to set a Marker In point, or enter a timecode in the field.

  • Set Marker Out field: Click to set a Marker Out point, or enter a timecode in the field.

  • Set Marker button: Click to log the marker.

  • Update button: Click to modify a previously entered marker.

  • Marker Comment window: This window displays marker information for the current clip.