[ This article was first published in the March, 2009, issue of
Larry’s Final Cut Pro Newsletter. Click here to subscribe. ]
German sent me a question that is all too frequent:
Last december I bought a Sony HVR DR60 hard disk recording unit and I can’t make it work right with FCP.
I can’t transfer videos from the DR60 to Final Cut Pro using “Log and Transfer”. I have Final cut version 6.0.4 and already downloaded the Plugin from this Sony web page. I also updated quick time but I cant get it to work right.
This is very frustrating. I’ve spent days trying to find out how to make it work right with no success.
Larry replies: German, thanks for writing, but you are not going to like the answer. The reason you can’t get it to work is that Final Cut does not support the unit.
This brings up a REALLY important point: Before buying any new video gear, be sure it works with your system.
You can find out what equipment is supported by visiting the Resources page for Final Cut Studio: www.apple.com/finalcutstudio/resources
UPDATE – April 2, 2009
Jason Boyette sent in this update:
The HDR-DR60 works very well with FCP 6.0.5. Here’s what I do to get it to work:
- Connect hard drive (HDR-DR60). Do not turn it on
- Open FCP
- Shift+Command+ 8 (Opens Log & Transfer)
- Turn on the HDR-DR60 (slide to the computer side…not video)
- Wait patiently for about 30 sec to a minute
- You will then see a thumbnail of each clip
- You can’t preview them but you can import them and then edit away
I hope this helps, I use these steps every morning at my school doing a daily newscast!
Thanks for the great newsletter every month and the tutorials on Lynda.com.
My students always ask how I know the things I do…I always tell them “Larry Jordan taught me everything I know”
Larry adds: Thanks, Jason, for sending this in.
UPDATE – April 3, 2009
Andy Mees adds:
Quick bit of info regarding your reader German’s request for help using his Sony HVR DR60 recording unit with FCP.
You note that it is not supported and whilst thats absolutely correct, inasmuch as it is not on the official support list, it has actually been supported since version FCP 6.0.3 when used in conjunction with the correct Sony Log and Transfer plugin (BPE-SS-038D): www.sony.com.au/objects/Other/HVRDR60/html/soft.html#A2
German notes that he already has the correct software but is having trouble getting it to work right … maybe the workflow guidelines at the link above can help him.
Larry replies: Andy, thanks for this.
