Launching FCP checklist
- Attach camera with 4-6pin firewire cable. Take care to ensure the 6pin end is correctly oriented before inserting into firewire port on the computer. Turn camera on and set to playback or VTR mode
- Launch FCP - either from dock, or from “Applications” folder
- If your camera is NOT connected, or not connected correctly, you will get a message that looks like this:
Check your camera is correctly on (etc) then select “Check Again”). If you want to edit in FCP without a camera connected then just select “Continue” - Check FCP setup. Although it’s very unlikely that these settings will have been changed from the previous use, it’s good practice (particularly if using machines that are shared at University). Check by Going to Final Cut Pro Menu > Easy Setup. (Shortcut = Ctrl+Q)
- Choose DV-PAL, and then single click on “Setup”:
- Check Audio/Video settings by going to Final Cut Pro>Audio/Video settings… (Option-Apple-Q). Your settings should look like this:
- Set the Scratch Disk for your session/work by going to Final Cut Pro Menu>System Settings… (shift-Q)
Click on “Set…” on the top line and then navigate to Storage>YourName - ie find the folder on the Storage Hard drive that has your name on it! Note that when this has been set the part of the screen that I have circled will look different from yours. Instead of Data:FCP yours should say something like “Storage:Tom:Video” (for example). It is worth making a note of what directory/folder was selected when you opened FCP becuase you will need to return the System settings to that folder at the end of your session - Save your file (if it is a new project). Choose Final Cut Pro>Save Project As… (Shift-Apple-S). Navigate to your folder on the storage drive, and just for convenience save this PROJECT FILE one level above where you set the Scratch Disk (e.g. Storage:Tom:TomVideoProject1.fcp)
- You are now ready to Log & Capture media (Apple-8). Remember you need to select the timeline before being able to Log media.
