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Frame Accuracy
Hi,
Still debating moving over to FCP, but I am worried with a lot of people (both FCP users and Avid Users) complaining about frame accuracy when laying off to tape.
Can someone summarise whether FCP should be considered frame accurate when doing insert edits into Digibeta and HDCAM.
Although I don’t have the kit yet – I would expect to get a dual 2.7 G5 with a Kona 2 Card. I’m undecided on storage as yet – is this a big issue (assuming the storage meets the uncompressed SD/HD Specs)
Paul
Freelance DS/Symphony
London -
3 Replies
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Hi Paul,
I’ve been onlining for six months with FCP and havent had any problems with accuracy. Just need to check all the settings are correct. There are almost too many options which all need to be right for correct edit to tape! It is more to do with the hardware than the software really. I believe theKona is excellent, check with their forum. I am using the AJA IO, so no problems with the company.
cheersNick
London -
I work for a network cutting promos. Using the Kona i/o to a digi deck. I have never had it slip a frame./knock on wood/ I have done inserts less than 15 frames and not a glitch. Take the plunge you won’t regret it. I have used them all *edit, avid,m100, liquid, and all the ones that didn’t last that long……. I was skeptical when put in front of the fcp but now…. I have seen the light.
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Paul,
We have an installation with over 45 FCP systems networked together with x_San. There are three on-line rooms doing upres and color correction. Everyday we output more than an hour’s worth of longform, primetime reality TV. Do we have frame accuracy issues? Yes. But I’ll tell you why.
There are two issues here. The accuracy of the lay off, and the accuracy of the “upres”. First, the “upres”.
FCP has the ability to “dial in” your configuration… meaning you can test the accuracy and set frame offsets for your specific combination of deck and controller device. If you do that, you can expect reliable, accurate results. If you don’t you can expect to see an inaccuracy of a few frames either way. Honestly, we’ve never calibrated anything. (40 rooms, decks moving around, yikes!) We just run with the defaults and double check the upres against a QT movie of the offline.We usually find a frame or two slippage in about 40% of the shots. We double check the master anyway, so when we digitize we include ten frame handles and that gives us enough room to slip it around.
Now, the “lay off” or “insert edit accuracy”.
With three on-line rooms doing this everyday of the week, it does occasionally pop up. We output to digibeta. If you read the Sony manual, you will see that they do not guarantee that their “TC Window” is 100% frame accurate. (I believe their tolerance is + or – 1 frame) So, if you’re checking accuracy based on the “window burn”, that can often lead you to believe that you’re a frame off. Other than that, we’ve been OK.
Conclusion: Don’t fear the frame slippage. Take the time to calibrate your system, use RS-422 rather than firewire, use higher quality decks and you’ll be OK. For the record, we’ve had our share of frame slippage on Symphonies as well. There’s well documented threads on that topic over on the Avid-L.
Mark
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