Final Cut Pro + HDV export = Stressful Day

Equipments:
* MacBook Pro 2.16 GHz, 2GB Ram, 120GB Hard Drive, OSX, Final Cut Pro 5.1.4, Sorenson Squeeze 4.5, DVDSP 4, Compressor 2 and many other softwares.
* Sony HVR-V1U, connected to through FW800.
* Project: 80 Hours of Footage on 2 USB External Hard Drives. 500 GB MyBook and 750GB SeaGate. 30 Minutes Final Product 1080i60. Captured and edited on Native HDV instead of AIC. 1440x1080 frame size.
* Problem: Export Project. It was succesful before on 3 minute trailer. However, the same method doesn't work on 30 minute project.

Methods:
DV50 Method > To keep 16:9 ratio, higher DV quality:
1> Make a DV50 Timeline on FCP.
2> Drag HDV timeline to DV 50 (need rendered) but I didn't. Don't need to. It's just for export.
3> File>Export>Quicktime Movies - Make Movie Self Content
4> Re-Compress on Sorenson Squeeze.

Result: 1.5 Hours. Color are off. Video are choppy and keep skipping. No good.

HDV Method > Export as a current setting:
1> On HDV Timeline
2> File>Export>Quicktime Movies - Current Setting > Make Move Self Content

Result: 2 Hours. Color are right. Video keep dropping and skipping. No good.

Uncompressed 8/10 bit Method > Best way to export for DVD, so the title won't pixelated:
1> On HDV Timeline
2> File>Export>Quicktime Movies - Uncompressed 8 bit NTSC> Make Move Self Content

Result: Test Field 2 Minute. Color are right. Video works for the Test Field of 3 minutes. However, it's 3:4 ratio instead of 16:9 ratio.

Modified Uncompressed 8 Bit Method > I have control of what I want:
1> On HDV Timeline
2> File>Export>Quicktime Movies - Custom Setting
3> Frame size: 960 x 540 (Whatever I want, it's custom and it's 16:9)
4> Pixel Aspect Ratio: NTSC - CCIR 601/DV (720x480)
5> UN-check Anamorphic (I already set frame size to 16:9)
6> Field Dominance: None
7> Editing Timebaes: 29.97 (I know it's 60i, but 29.97 seems to work best for me)
8> Timecode Rate: 30 Non-Drop Frame (It seems to work best for me, instead Same As Editing Timebase)
9> Compressor: Uncompressed 8 Bit NTSC - at 80% Quality. You don't need the 100%. I don't think. It's going to be on SD-DVD or on the web.
10> Make Movie Self Contained and Save.

Result: 6 Hours. I can't wait. The Director were leaving in 3 Hours. Will update on next project.

HDV Tape Method> It's an old method when DV tape just came out. Print it back to the tape and capture it in DV mode.
1> On HDV Timeline
2> Render All (⌘ + R)
3> Print to Tape (FCP 5.1.4 Can't Edit to Tape. I can't even playback HDV Timeline on HDV mode camera)
4> 30 Color Bar - 10 Black Front/End - Automatically Start Recording
4.5> Audio/Video Setting
4.6> A/V Devices Tab
4.7> On Different Output for Edit to Tape/Print to Video - check it
4.8> Uncheck on "Mirror on desktop" (I read this somewhere, and it helps a lot. If not, the video is going to stop after your color bar, and you wasted 1 hour of waiting till the video is ready, and have to start all over again) and Save.
5> Click OK
-
6> After 1 Hour preparing for Video and 22 Minutes to Print to Video, Change the camera mode to DV convert.
7> Capture on DV mode anamorphic.
8> Compress it for DVD and web.

Result: During the Print to Video, there were 3 spots it was skipped and Timecode Break. I have to find a better way to Print to Video, cause this is the best method so far. Good color. Not choppy. Take the same amount then export it straight from FCP or Compressor.

Camera Settings:
Before Export HDV on Sony V1U:
1> In/Out Rec
2> VCR HDV/DV mode make it HDV not AUTO
3> i.Link Conv is OFF

I did differently, and it just doesn't work.

Before Capturing back to FCP on DV moe:
1> In/OUt Rec
2> VCR HDV/DV mode make DV
3> i.Link Conv is ON
4> Down Convert is Letter Box
5> DV Rec Mode is DV SP, it's because I used regular mini-DV tape.

I just did this cause this is the setup I want.

I would like to hear any other way. Better or Faster.

iPhone - No Thank You.

June 29, 2007 is a big deal to a lot of people. Ratatouille is coming out. My credit card bills are due. And... yes, at 6 PM the iPhone is coming out. People are starting to lined up to get the iPhone (mini computer). With the re-invention of the mobile phone, I started to realize, I like my ordinary phone, my laptop and my digital camera, separate. So, this June 29, I will wait to get my iPhone. So here it is my consideration why or why not to get it:

Why would I get it:
For all the reasons Steve Jobs says what the iPhone can do.
- Internet/Safari - not like your Blackberry or Treo. It's what you see on your computer.
- Maps - on your phone by Google.
- Mail - POP or IMAP? Up to you, it's Mail by Mac. I can download pictures. Yei.
- Visual Voicemail - I can check my voicemail like I check my email.
- iPod - I have 1=80Gb ipod, 1=20Gb ipod, 1=1Gb ishuffle and 1=512Mb ishuffle at the house. You see, I really like iPod.
- Sync with your iTunes and address book and iPhoto and iMarpaung :P
- For the first time, the US will have the best phone out in the World. YES! Asia and Europe have to wait this time.
- It includes GSM. So, I would be able to bring it to outside the US and actually use it.
- SMS just like using iChat/aim.
- Yahoo has some cool feature that they are going to work with Mail. I forgot what was it. Don't really care.
- iPhone is ALL in ONE gadget.

Here is why I would wait. As I said before, I have a lot of iPods and I have a MacBook Pro. And I do have a cellphone. Here is a spec of what I have:
MacBook Pro - 2.16 - 2GB RAM - OSX 10.?.? 120GB Hard Drive.
iPod - Mostly I use the 80GB Video iPod. I put my music, movies, TV shows, and pictures.
Sony Ericsson K750i. 64Mb memory card, Bluetooth, all the standard Cell Phone features, video, music, picture, calendar, CALCULATOR, phonebook, camera '2MP' on T-Mobile service.

Here are the problems:
- iPhone uses Wifi to connect to the Internet. I know it comes with unlimited AT&T Data (email/web), but is that mean I have to go to Coffee Bean, or does it work like Blackberry and Treo, where you can get the Internet wherever you can the network on the cellphone, or only WiFi? What is "unlimited data" means?

Problem: I have a MacBook Pro, if I have to look for WiFi to connect to the Internet, I rather use my MBP. IF NOT, if it work like Blackberry, SWEET, more power to iPhone.

- Maps by Google. I have to put the address of the destination AND origin. I thought it would work like a GPS. The device can locate where am I and just point to the direction I want. I guess this one of the features why Apple approached Verizon first. Verizon's has a better navigation system. Also, do I need Wi-Fi again? I would rather spend another $200 for a cheap navigation system.

Problem: Mentions above.

- Mail. Not much negative. Same issue as the Internet mostly.

- Visual Voicemail: How much Voicemail do I get everyday? Top are 4. It's alright, I can hit # to skip. Also, go to Callwave.com, and get a widget for your Mac, for a Visual Voicemail. I still have a voicemail from Otigh since New Orleans on my Callwave, which I can play it anytime, without listening to other messages. Thank You Callwave. You're Awesome.

Problem: I don't really need visual voicemail. I call you back if I see a miss called anyway. And, I don't get that much voicemail.

- iPod. Well, I have 80Gb iPod. I don't really need a 4-6Gb iPod, do I? I don't like touch screen on my iPod. I like clean screen. That's why I have so many covers for my iPod. And they make a lot of covers for iPod, would they do the same for iPhone? Would it work with the touchscreen? It's not just the scratch that I'm afraid of, I don't like fingerprints on my iPod. I have to wear a glove before touching my phone.

- Sync to iTunes. I HATE iTunes.

- #1 Phone in the world. Everybody would have it? but, I wanna be different *whisper*

- Work for GSM? Well, that's nice. No comment.

- SMS like chatting. The only problem is, I need to spend an extra $20, cause I'm gonna be chatting. The unlimited TXT messaging cost $20. USE EMAIL. IT'S FREE.

- Yahoo's email feature? What happen to this? Why they never mention it on the commercials.

- ALL in ONE. No thank you. I like to browse the web, while talking on the phone and listening to music through my iPod.

BIGGEST Problem of them all, THE PRICE:
$500-$600 with 2 year contract with AT&T. NO! I like T-Mobile. I'll wait till 2008 till they ship iPhone to Asia and Europe, which are unlock. But, How much is this going to cost me? I have spent $350 and $2000 on Apple's gadgets, which can do most of the things iPhone would do. I think I can wait. The $600 phone would have a bill about $100/month for a single user. So, I would spend almost $1000 including Tax.

No Thank you.