[drissa]

Hi

I'm baffled. I'm trying to print my F/C/Express footage back onto DV. In iMovie, this was the simplest thing in the world - the software and DV camera synchronised.

But now, refering to all the documentation and books I have, I'm told to 'press record' on my DV camera. What?? How?? I'm in VCR mode!

There really doesn't seem to be any way to get my footage back onto tape. I know I must be missing something...

And while I'm moaning, there doesn't seem to be anything I do in F/C/Express that doesn't demand rendering. Simply moving a clip grinds everything to a halt. I still don't understand how you can work through a project, adding fades and slowed-footage as you need it, without constantly waiting for rendering.

Why is this 'fantastic' software so frustrating? Tell me it gets better with experience!

[zigzag]

Your camcorder should be able to record in VCR mode. That's what allows it to record from analog VHS tapes, for example. Check your camcorder manual for instructions on how to record from a VHS deck or from another camcorder, then apply that when you print from FCE.

On my Canon Elura, there's a button labeled "REC/PAUSE (LINE IN)." You want to look for a button like that. When you press it while in VCR mode, it puts the camcorder into a paused record mode. You then have to hit the play/pause button to record via the line input.

At least I assume that'll do it. I haven't yet printed from FCE myself.

I'm just now learning FCE myself. As for rendering, yeah, it's not as user friendly as iMovie. You're trading off user-friendliness for versatility.

[drissa]

Thanks for replying zigzag. Nothing has worked so far.

"You're trading off user-friendliness for versatility."

True, but this feels like more of a productivity issue. I would expect the workflow to be smoother in more professional software, once you know what you're doing. Versatility shouldn't impose restraints, in my opinion - this seems like a contradiction.

I'm still hoping this is a bad dream, since without the ability to print back to the camera via firewire, this software is all but useless to me. It just seems like such a huge oversight.

Thanks. Any thoughts from others?

[Axo1ot1]

The record button for VTR mode is almost never the same as the record button when you are filming something. Look around your playback controls.