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Burning HD video to Blu-ray with Toast 10

16 Jan

Below are the details of burning HD video content from Final Cut Pro to a standard DVD, using the Blu-ray format using Toast and the Toast Blu-ray plugin.  It is not necessary to have a Blu-ray burner for this procedure – a standard DVD and DVD burner are fine.  However, playback can only occur from a Blu-ray player, because the format of the disc is Blu-ray.

Basically:

  1. Output sequence from FCP via EXPORT with Current Settings and DVD Studio Pro Markers to .MOV
  2. Using COMPRESSOR with Blu-ray settings make .264 and .ac3
  3. Using TOAST on the Video>Blu-Ray setting

 

PREPPING IN FCP

I used to do some of the final assembly in DVD Studio Pro.  But since it really only (directly) allows the building of standard DVDs, I’ve changed some of my procedures.  I realize that DVD Studio Pro allows for HD-DVD output, but I’ve never figured out a way to use the defunct format to make Blu-rays.  And honestly, this is an easier way to do it anyway.

Once I’ve completed my editing, a make a new sequence using the same settings as my editing format (i.e. Apple Pro-Res, etc.).  I use this sequence to build each track (not chapters) that is used on the disc.  In most cases, I’m building the entire disc complete with the exact timing I want.   I then place any compression markers I think are needed.  And I put in chapter markers with Titles, as these will flow through the entire process.

When everything is set, I use the FILE>EXPORT>QUICKTIME MOVIE command in final cut to output a “self-contained” .MOV at the “Current Setttings.”  It is important that “Include DVD Studio Pro Markers” is selected.  Otherwise, Compressor will not read the chapter markers (even though you may have selected ALL MARKERS).

I know it possible to output straight from Final Cut here to a Blu-ray format.  But because I may have mulitple outputs (DVD, Blu-Ray, YouTube, iPhone, etc.), I prefer to have a self-contained file of the rendered sequence at the resulation of the sequence settings.   So, I Export from FCP to a file and then use COMPRESSOR to encode.

 

COMPRESSOR

Once I have the final cut .MOV, I use Apple’s Compressor to make the various formats.  The defaults work pretty good.  If you want to do new HD on YouTube, you’ll have to tweak that preset…but otherwise, the defaults work well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TOAST

After Compressor finishes, open Toast to VIDEO>BLU-RAY VIDEO.  If you leave the default file-names from compressor, you’ll need to manually match audio ac3 file to the .264 video file.  Otherwise, name the files the same, leaving their extension.  Is long as the files are in the same directory, you’ll only need to drag the video file into Toast – Toast will do the rest.

Next, name the disc (or leave defaulted to MY VIDEO).  Then select burn.  NOTE:  It is not necessary to select DVD for media when burning Blu-ray to standard DVD.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That’s it.  Got to love HD!

 
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Posted in Pro-Video

 

Final Cut Pro Media Manager Not Working

14 Jan

I’ve been using Final Cut Pro since v2.0. Now at FCP 7, I’ve always had a lack of confidence in FCP’s Media Manager.

First, it seems to have a mind of its own, like spell check in MS Word And in similar fashion to spell check, while very helpful at times…while very frustrating in others.

And second, projects restored from previous versions are sometimes unusable. I do a lot of Sports, and projects saved in earlier versions of Media Manager often have vari-sped clips completely screwed. Sometimes to an unrepairable point.

So in an attempt to try and figure out why a relativity small project with 20 years of source footage wasn’t going to shrink in archiving, I discovered why.

NOTE:  While this is probably in the manual somewhere…here it is in case anyone else is experiencing the same issue..

RESOLUTION:

Media Manager will ignore the selection “Delete Unused Media from Clip” unless there is a Reel number on the clip.  Also note, that if you have clips in your timeline that are not “ENABLED,” then your output project will not reconnect properly.  It will likely give you an “unknown error” trying to reconnect.

 
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Posted in Pro-Video

 

Dell iDRAC 6 not responding

11 Jan

For our Dell R610 servers, we apply firmware, Bios, and hardware patches using the Unified Server Configurator and an SUU Bundle created from Dell’s Repository Manager software.

During a recent update, one of the servers returned the following error:
“Alert! iDRAC6 not responding. Power required may exceed PSU wattage.”

CAUSE:
This produced a somewhat erroneous error that required F1 to continue. The problem appears to come from the server not fully power cycling properly during the update. There are also some buggy versions of the USC that can cause an issue as well.

TO RESOLVE:
Completely disconnect power from the server, and hold the power button in for 10 seconds to dump any residual in the iDRAC module or PSU capacitors.

 
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Posted in IT

 

iTunes Option to Sync WI-FI not working.

30 Oct

I recently upgraded to iOS 5 on both my iPhone 3GS and iPAD 2. I selected the option in iTunes to sync wireless over Wi-Fi for both devices. However, only my iPhone would do this. The steps below resolved and fixed my issue:

** THIS ASSUMES you have verified any network issues to ensure the iTunes system and iOS device are on the same subnet.

1) Make sure the WI-FI sync is enabled via iTunes
2) Power Off the iPad by holding the sleep button for 3 secs and sliding the power bar.
3) Open iTunes (let it stablize if sync is taking place with other iOS devices).
4) Power iPad on.

If the problem is corrected…the iOS device will appear automatically in iTUNES.

The are several articles stating that the mobile device needs to be plugged into power. This is NOT NECESSARY or TRUE. As the statement above the SYNC NOW button on the device indicates, you must be plugged into “AUTOMATICALLY” sync. Manual sync from either the device or iTunes is possible while not cable in any way.

 
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Posted in IT

 

VirtualCenter Server will not start

01 Jun

Was working one minute…now its not! Welcome to the wonderful world of Windows Updates. I’m assuming this was broken by the unattended installation of Server 2008 R2 SP1 through our environment or some KB update prior.

It all started with this error when I tried to log into VCenter Server:

“vSphere Client could not connect to ‘{machine name}’ A connection failure occurred (Unable to connect to the remote server)”

After investigating this, I determined the VMware VirtualCenter Server Service was not running. However, trying to start it produced an Event 7000, Service Control Manager “The VMware VirtualCenter Server service failed to start due to the following error: The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion.”

After contacting VMware support, their suggestion was to uninstall and reinstall. Which frankly, is their answer to 90% of any issues – very frustrating for what has to be one of the most expensive OS support contracts out there. While this didn’t directly fix the problem, uninstalling and reinstalling produced this error:

The following port numbers are either invalid or already in use.
VMware VirtualCenter HTTPS Port: 443

As it turned out, Routing and Remote Services now employs SSTP protocol. That feature produces a listener on 80 and/or 443. I’m not sure if this was introduced when we did the Service Pack or when. But nevertheless, selecting RRAS>PORTS>WAN Miniport (SSTP) Configure, and disabling “Remote access connections (inbound only)”

For reference, here is the knowledge bulletin I eventually used to troubleshoot:
http://kb.vmware.com/selfservice/microsites/search.do?language=en_US&cmd=displayKC&externalId=1003926

 
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Posted in IT

 

Irish Goodbye to Mike Murphy

17 Mar

“Hey Pal!”

It’s a simple phrase.  Not Irish, per se.  Just a hallway greeting that will forever remind me of one of Kansas City’s greatest Talk Show hosts – Mike Murphy. 

I was fortunate early in my career to work with true “radio” professionals.  Defiantly something you don’t see much anymore.  But in the early 80′s, News Talk 81 – KCMO was full of them.  Mike Murphy was unique in his manner.  But his popularity left little doubt to his ability. 

By 1985 my path diverged, and I only saw Mike on occasion.  But not a single St. Patrick’s Day has gone by since then without churning memories of that time.  Today, like each of the past 25 years, I was reminded.  But unlike those, there wasn’t a thought of calling.  And for the first time, the “Mike Murphy Saint Patrick’s Day Parade” was held without its founder.

Mike - So long Pal!  May the wind be always at your Back! 

P.S.  Don’t let the Grigs talk you in to a game of Hearts.

 
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Posted in In the Studio

 
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