Sony Buyer

Hi there,
I recently shot some stuff on the sony Z1 but have not used it before.
Every time I try and import it using Final Cut HD Express, the "capture" screen remains blank and nothing is imported even though the camera starts to play the footage.
I also noticed that although the footage was shot in HD, the DV mode indicator lights up where the firewire cable is inserted instead of the HDV mode light.
Can anybody help?
your help is much appreciated.

cheers

You did not tell us which version of FinalCut Express you are using.

Have you set the preferences in FinalCut?

In the Audio/Vidoe Settings, mine shows:
Sequence Preset: Apple Intermediate Codec 1080i60
Capture Preset: HDV-Apple Intermediate Codec 1080i60
Device Control: FireWire NTSC
The playback settings are not important at this point.

If there is no selection of the Apple Intermediate Code in the Capture and Sequence presets, you need to install it… manually.

Using the OSX system discs, you need to do a Custom Install. The AIC is a QuickTime Component.

NEVER insert or remove the firewire cable at the camcorder connection when the camcorder is powered up. This is the fastest way to burn-out/kill/short the firewire port on the camera. With the camera OFF, plug in the firewire cable and the AC power… THEN power the Z1 up and put it in VCR mode.

It is also possible that a menu selection on the camcorder needs to be corrected to send HDV out the firewire port rather than downsampling to DV – but check that after ensuring the AIC is correctly installed and selected in FinalCut, first.