Problem with FCP 4.5/QuickTime 7.x/MacOS 10.4.11

First time poster...

I've had a problem with FCP 4.5 on my Powerbook G4 12" 1.0 GHz, 512 MB RAM.

I guess I upgraded QuickTime too far (v7.4) and entered the realm of incompatibility with FCP 4.5 and got the dreaded 'Preview Disabled' problems when capturing from a Sony DSR-1800 deck. No video coming through FireWire.

I read as much as I could here and elsewhere about the problem and resolved to roll back QT versions to 7.0 or even earlier using Pacifist...to no avail.

Next, I decided to erase the disk and reinstall MacOS 10.4 off my install DVDs, reinstall FCP 4.0 (and not adding the 4.5 upgrade to the mix) thereby using QT 7.0. Again, no dice.

I'm running out of ideas as to what my problem is...I'm going to try a different FireWire cable tomorrow but beyond that...geez, I dunno. As with all of these types of things I always have the sneaking suspicion that I've missed a step or something along the way.

And advice/help would be much appreciated!

Please give your full system specifications, what computer, what drives, what camera or deck, how everything's connected, what settings are on the media, what settings you're using in Final Cut, and finally what version of the software, of the OS, and of QT are you using?

You've changed specs at least three times within this message. What exactly are you running at the moment?

Tom,

Thanks for the reply. The computer in question is a Powerbook G4 12" 1 GHz, 512 MB RAM. After a reinstall, I am running MacOS 10.4, QT 7.0 and Final Cut Pro 4. The drive is a 5400 RPM, 160 GB Hitachi ATA drive that I upgraded the Powerbook with. The deck in question is a Sony DSR-1800 which is interfaced with the Powerbook via FireWire (6 to 6 pin cable).

I have been using the DV-NTSC easy setup within FCP, with default settings and preferences.

This configuration had worked for me in the past, before I foolishly upgraded to QT 7.4.

Does anything run on 512 MB RAM anymore?!?! I would max out the RAM for sure.

When life gives you dilemmas...make dilemmanade.

Not to be argumentative, but FCP 4 and 4.5 ran fine for simple cutting with 512 MB of RAM before I screwed myself with QuickTime.

Is it possible you could go to OS 10.3.9, QT 6.5.2?
Your FCP should be 4.5 as 4.0.x had MAJOR problems.

I'd be concerned about running software combinations created well past compatibility. I wouldn't be too sure about where to stop the OS upgrade using 10.4.x and QT 7.1.x

I don't have a copy of 10.3.9, but I can certainly downgrade to QT 6.5.2. I am using FCP 4.5...I'll try to install QT 6.5.2 and see if it solves my problem...

Thanks for the suggestions.