HELP TROUBLESHOOTING PLEASE

Hey Guys,

I recently purchased the Intensity Shuttle with USB3 it arrived today - very excited! However I'm only up to Step/ page12 of Video Guide/Manual (titled Getting started) and have already hit a wall ... I've done everything I can think of (troubleshooting and youtubing) alas to no avail... I'm sure the answer is staring me in the face but if I can get an answer to this soon I might actually sleep tonight

Everything seems to be in working order. I'm running the programs using my macOS Sierra. When I run the Media Express program via the HDMI cable ports I was able to capture video with no problem (minus the no audio in playback - but thats a minor issue at this stage) it's when I switch over to transfer media (ie.,miniDV camcorder) using RCA chords supplied that I get nothing...
I'm at a complete loss... I've alternated multiple times between RCA/AV/RV cables - but still no signal in playback in the Media Express program.

If someone can please help me out you'd save the day and my sanity!

Cheers,
Emile

Hey Emile,

Just wanted to see if I can help out with this. Just to be clear, you are saying that HDMI is working fine, but not the other inputs on the Intensity Shuttle?

It could be that you have not changed the input settings in the Blackmagic Design Desktop Video software. I would recommend launching that software on your Mac and then setting the input to the RCA option and giving that a go.

If you have already done that, then let me know if it works for you!

Thanks

Hi John,

Thank you for the reply. Yes have tried that...

The process I've been taking is as follows...

1. RCA cables out from Canon MV530i MiniDV Camcorder
2. Inserted to Video IN and Audio IN L<R on shuttle
3. Connected to iMac 21inch late 2012 model via USB3 as supplied
4. Importing to Media Express using Log and Capture Function
5. Video input channel set to Component settings (and tried composite) in Blackmagic Design Desktop Video software
6. Play tape on camcorder and set Media Express to Capture on

Result = Audio levels registering in Component mode but not in Composite mode and no picture in playback for either setting...

I had thought that perhaps there was a way I could trick the system, albeit not an ideal situation, do u know if it's possible to attach the camcorder to a VCR player using video input and then output the VCR using HDMI?

Open to you suggestions.

Much obliged John,

Emile

Selected the right Pal or NTSC?

I'd advise going through the video input settings in the preferences of Media Express. They will need to be set to the same resolution as your input device. This has tricked me before.

Also NTSC/PAL is a good idea to double check.

From a quick search, it seems that the camera you mentioned will output component video so be sure to use the right cables and set the system up for component. (unless i am mistaken)

Thanks!

Thanks or your replies guys. Much appreciated

Just to update...

I tried all the different settings for Video input in Media Express ... nothing works... I mean I am getting an audio reading in Media Express when in Component mode (which is correct as per your advice John, and yes correct RCA cabling being used) but no picture/Video image in playback.

Yesterday, I called and spoke to a Blackmagic specialist here in Australia and was told that the composite signal from the camcorder is too weak/unstable and that I would need a time based corrector to aid in assisting signal stabilisation... from my research time base correctors (or alternatively I could use a thunderbolt chassis right?) are upward of $600 AUD which is not feasible to me at this moment in time. For unfortunately I am time poor and poor-poor ha! So I really need to find an alternate route if poss!!

Can I get some suggestions from you guys regarding my other idea of running the Canon camcorder aforementioned directly into the Digital VCR using composite inputs and then output it through the VCR to shuttle via HDMI... Can't work out how to manipulate it so that this can work on the VCR? But theoretically it should work right?

Cheers again!

Problem solved... decided I'm going to run all VHS and HI8 composite media through the shuttle via HDMI and use 'thunderbolt to firewire adaptor 800' to digitize and Transfer miniDV to Mac direct using TPA Premiere Pro as capture platform....all working fine now! Phew!

Thanks all the same for your assistance guys

Glad you got it sorted! That was a tricky one!

Best of luck with your digitising!

So what was the resolution exactly? You went with a DIFFERENT hardware device than the Blackmagic?

Reading through the thread there was some confusion on whether you were getting the VHS/HI8 video out of the devices by COMPOSITE (1 yellow) or COMPONENT (3 cables red, green, blue), as all of them use the RCA plug.

When you say your running it through the shuttle via HDMI... using a thunderbolt-to-firewire adaptor to digitize, I'm not following what you are doing. Thunderbolt to firewire only convert a digital signal, they don't digitize video.

Does your camera have HDMI output, which you are using to send the video signla to the Blackmagic Shuttle?

This topic is critical to me as I'm looking to purchase a solution to capture COMPOSITE and S-Video sources from a VHS deck and a Hi8 camcorder, and want to be sure that the Intensity Shuttle will be able to capture those video sources.

Thanks a bunch John!

Stoked that my pre issues are sorted, but now I have a new query related to audio issues in Post...

From what I can gather the Intensity Shuttle does not enable Audio playback in either Media Express or Premier Pro CC ... but is there a way of enabling audio playback function manually?

Obviously for anyone who understands post-production audio cuing is a drag at the best of times let alone having no audio in playback to aid in guiding cuing and or edits...

Can someone please shed some light on this matter!

Cheers again,

Emile

Out of interest, do you get the option to set the Intensity Shuttle as an output sound device on your Mac?

Try alt-clicking on the volume option in the top bar of macOS, you may get Intensity Shuttle as an output option.

Just a thought!

Hi John,

And what a good thought that was too but alas that is not the problem in this instance. Audio is set to internal speakers on my macOS.

I have a watched a few YouTube tutorials and each of them mention there is no audio playback facility which I find extremely hard to comprehend... Surely this doesn't mean that my only option is to import all exported converted files to use in post? This seems like a lot more work and aren't these hubs designed to help minimise the work in post?

Please don't misunderstand my cynicism for sarcasm though people, I am loving the Intensity Shuttle its a neat piece of hardware, I am merely trying to understand its nuances.

Any other ideas are more than welcome?

Much obliged,

Emile

Emile

I've had an Intensity Shuttle (Thunderbolt/MacOS) for five years and I agree it can be a bit confusing. Mine is in use as I type so I've just checked the settings and I recognise your problem. To be fair to Blackmagic, it's not a "Shuttle" problem but one that is related to your hardware set-up. Ideally, you need to take a stereo audio output (twin RCA Phone connectors) out to an external audio monitoring system because using the Mac's internal built-in speakers isn't the best way to monitor audio when using the Blackmagic hardware.

It doesn't matter what the external audio unit is - anything that can take a stereo line input to which you can attach audio cables. Ideally, a pair of "active" audio speakers that have their own built-in power supply but it can also be a stereo amp in a hi-fi system or whatever. With this, select the appropriate line input. You should be able to monitor whatever audio the Intensity Shuttle is passing - both on record and playback. You'll also be able to monitor audio in Premiere Pro when editing, providing that the hardware is set up as it should be. It's advisable to perform a full system restart after doing all this, of course.

Colin,

Thanks a bunch! Greatly appreciate your feedback!

Now I apologise in advance... for any confusion here on out..

You mention an external audio system, well the only system I have at my disposal at this moment is an ancient Panasonic XBS stereo with CD/LINE input ... (I was using this unit to test audio cassettes before converting them for my clients)...will this unit do for now? Before I go scourging local 2nd hand stores in search for active speakers (as this is all I can afford at present), I thought I'd ask...

Alternatively, I have at my disposal both HD & SD monitors to which I could potentially output audio (and video) from the shuttle via HDMI or RCA no? or does your solution only relate to outputting to speakers via twin RCA cables as suggested? Also, are you suggesting I output from the shuttle or from the macOS or both?

Cheers again for your assistance with this matter... feel free to PM me if you feel so inclined...I'm sure we have plenty in common judging by your website

Emile

Your solution has worked via my old tape deck stereo...

ABSOLUTELY THRILLED...THANKS HEAPS COLIN!!!

Hi Emile

I'm glad that you have resolved the problem. For low cost Hi-Fi audio equipment, check out eBay. It's surprising how cheap it can be these days. I recently acquired a Cambridge Audio Hi-Fi stereo amplifier (which I could never afford back in the day!) for GB£12.00 plus postage. It produces a lovely sound.

Colin

Yes I hear you, admittedly I was never an avid online shopper until more recently. I'm really trying to be a little more liberal nowadays... I've been on the hunt for a HI8 8mm Video8 HI 8 Camcorder Camera Player (for Parts/Repair) for weeks now and resorted to eBay just last week for the very first time. It's a gamble but I'm fresh out of ideas as to where to acquire such goods in a better state than used. All I need is for it to play tapes after-all... any ideas?

Thanks again for all your help and support Colin. I owe you one! I'll certainly endeavour to send business your way if any of my friends in the UK are in need of your services

Cheers,

Emile