Outputting to Beta SP

Im having a settings issue with outputting to Beta SP tape. I work on a Mac OS X version 10.4.11 and a memory of 2.5 GB DDR SDRAM with Final Cut Pro version 5.1.4. We have a Blackmagic card and a BetaSP PVW-2800 deck. I have output to tape before using the 8 bit (720 x 486) setting. I know its a setting issue because when I play back the output tape, the audio is there but there is no picture...its just black. This could be something very easy Im just missing. Someone get back to me please....it would be greatly appreciated.

Kate

Beta SP machines have multiple format inputs. Make sure the front panel switch is set to select the one you are plugged into.

-Vance

Did you set your decklink preferences to component outs?

Can you tell me how to do that exactly?

Kate

click system preferences, click decklink, click set system outputs. One option should be "SDI and ntsc/pal (Y out)"- that is composite NOT the one you should use. The other option should be "SDI and Y, R-Y, B-Y"- that's component. Then check your patchbay. It should be patched properly.

Thanks, but thats set correctly. Here's the thing, when I flip the Input Select switch on the betacam deck to Y-R-B insted of composite, we get video. I don't know if thats correct because I thought it was set to Composite previously. Also, now with the input on Y-R-B, I can't get the closed captioning (Mac Cap) thats on the video to show up when I re-output. Any advice on that?

The setting seems right. You should be out putting in component, as it's of much higher quality than composite.

Component splits the signal and carries color information separately. Composite squeezes everything into one signal, lowering the quality.

I haven't worked off a CC machine before, so I've no idea how that works.