flunky.fcp

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flunky.fcp

Archive/Restore to uncompressed videotape

What follows is a method for archiving media from Final Cut Pro to videotape, a feature Discreet and Jaleo editors have enjoyed for years. Most folks might not feel the need to archive to videotape, but for shows with 50 clips from 50 tapes, this sort of thing is certainly helpful. It would be easy if it weren't for FCP's method of embedding TC in the movies themselves. You'll need to install QTTimecode PPC for the scripts to work. You will also want to load the text files described below and plunk them into Applescript application files. That way you just click and go.

ARCHIVING:

Grab the clips from your "Capture Scratch" directory and throw them in a new sequence with the start time matching where the clips will end up in the archive reel.
Burn the sequence to tape EXACTLY matching the timecode on the timeline. Check the cut points afterward to make sure there weren't any errors.
Export your sequence as an XML file. Name it "ARCHIVE_001.xml" for convenience.
Run the Make_restoreXML script
- You'll be asked to locate the ARCHIVE_001.xml file you made earlier.
- This script takes a few minutes to run since it also burns off .bmp thumbnails of every clip (using the center frame to get the best aproximation)
- The full version loads the clips to the company DB and pushes the archive reel/tc and source reel/tc info to the database, a hands-off process.
Dump your media and archive your project data as you normally would.

RESTORING:

It's months later now and all the media is gone. With the project open, make a new bin for archive stuff and import your RESTORE xml file into it.

Select the new sequence, select "Batch Capture" and grab the archive clips off the archive reel

Notice that all the TCs now refer to the archive reel which is no good at all. So, run the Revert_TCs script.

It will ask you to find your original ARCHIVE xml file.

Wait a minute or two for the reversion process to complete. This is what we need Apple's QTTimecodePPC for.

Open the project and reconnect the media (you should only have to reconnect one clip and the rest will follow)

Marvel at how your TCs and Reel numbers have magically returned. Note: please do not burn your G5 at the stake for witchcraft as it is a very expensive practice and accomplishes nothing.

Enjoy.