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Posted by Derry Argue on 01/31/06 09:25
Brian Boutel <fake@fake> wrote in news:43deb2d2$1@clear.net.nz:
> Derry Argue wrote:
>> I recently purchased a Powermac G5 and Final Cut Pro 4 for video
>> editing.
>>
>> I have a lot of material on composite so was attracted by the Miglia
>> AlchemyTV DVR card which boasts "Watch full screen TV on your
>> Powermac...Capture from your vcr, etc". Just the job, thought I, to
>> save on buying a new TV and also use it to convert all that composite
>> footage to digital so I can edit it on FCP 4! Miglia list the system
>> requirements as "Powermac G4 or G5" etc. which is EXACTLY what I
>> have!!
>>
>> Ha! Poor sweet innocent me!
>>
>> So far I have a very pretty black square on the G5 using the Miglia
>> card. The aerial seems to be orientated OK as I get a good picture
>> with it in the same position through a vcr output to a monitor. But
>> not even a hint of TV reception via Miglia on the G5.
>>
>> Next thing, I try to access FCP. A window comes up saying it won't
>> load. So I re-installed FCP. Same message. Then it occurred to me to
>> take out the Miglia card. Voila! FCP now works!!
>>
>> Has anyone else had this problem? Is there anything out there that
>> will actually work for what I want with my system? I thought I had
>> actually cracked it. Here is a card boasting that it is designed for
>> exactly the system I have to do the job I want. One small detail --
>> IT DOESN'T WORK!!!!
>
> I have both the AlchemyTV DVR card and FCP on a G5 Powermac, and it
> all works.
>
> Let's check a few things. First, exactly which Powermac model do you
> have. If it is very new, it will have a PCI Express bus, and the
> Miglia Card will not work with that. It requires a PCI or PCI-X bus.
The Mac has a PCI bus (read off the machine, the spec is 2.3GHz/DP/512MB
400/250GB/SD/RV351LE). The manual says if there is no "PCI-X" in this
number, it has "PCI".
>
> Second, you talk about the aerial, so I assume you are using the RF
> input on the card. Do you get a picture using the composite or S-video
> inputs, if you connect the a/v output from your vcr, for example?
I haven't tried that. It is all packed up to return and I am reluctant
to unpack it, reinstall, etc. if that is a vague hope and may not prove
much. Anyway, there is the conflict with FCP which kills it for me.
>
> Have you set up the channel list ( Preferences - video Input - Start
> Automatic Tuning)?
Yes - several times. There is not even a flicker. I also tried deleting
the file as recommended in the instructions. (Sorry, can't remember what
that was either, but I tried with and without so that has been covered).
And, yes, I did download the latest driver from the Miglia site.
>
> One other thing: Recent cards have a second RF input, for FM radio,
> although the software doesn't support it yet. Have you plugged your
> aerial cable into the right connector?
I am in the UK. The standard TV aerial connector is quite large, about
3/8 inch diameter. There is no mistake as there is only one connector it
can go into on the card. The retailers suggested I need a "bigger aerial
for a stronger signal". OK, I am using a set top aerial but as I got a
picture through the vcr I would have expected at least some sign of life
on the Mac, but got zilch. Not even a flicker. A set top aerial is
usually OK for TV in this area.
>
> I don't understand the interaction with FCP. What exactly does it
> complain about?
Again, I would have to set it up again to read the exact message but
loading does not even get beyond first base. Just says it cannot load as
I recall.
I sent an email to Miglia Technical Support last week but got no reply.
That indicates to me that they don't much care anyway as they have my
money. :(
I am wondering if the stand alone box would be better? At least it would
be easier to unplug from the G5! I am pretty pissed off after I took
such pains to ensure it was compatible (in the blurb) then got a pretty
dismissive attitude from the retailer and Apple, and not even that from
Miglia. But I appreciate your advice. If I can get it to work, no one
would be more delighted than I.
>
> --brian
>
Derry
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