• Apple Final Cut Pro Legacy

  Timecode slipping?

  Posted by Chad Greene on May 11, 2007 at 4:31 pm

  I have heard that capturing footage via Firewire can be inaccurate. More specifically that the timecode (on recapturing) can slip or be off by up to 7 frames. Let me give you an example of my understanding. If I were to capture three hour via firewire, cut a few spots (offline), then capture only the footage I used (online), I could find some clips not starting at my chosen in-point.

  Has anyone ever heard of this?

  I am forced to capture some new footage via firewire for an offline, and will later have to capture it again to do the online, then a third time when converting everything to HD (please don’t ask why… I would have to write a book to explain it).

  Ultimately, I am wondering how big of a problem I am creating. If the timecode is off by even ONE frame will be VERY PROBLEMATIC.

  Any information will be much appreciated.

  Chad Greene
  Mahoney Media Group
  Minneapolis, Minnesota

  Dual 2GHz G5, 2GB Ram, OS 10.3.9
  FCP 5.0.4, Kona-HL

  Jerry Hofmann replied 19 years ago 2 Members · 3 Replies
• 3 Replies

• 

  Jerry Hofmann

  May 11, 2007 at 4:55 pm

  DV captured via firewire will often be off by a frame or so… never seen 7 though.

  That said, you can capture via firewire, but take the timecode from a deck with RS-422 control, and I’ll bet you can be dead on.

  Jerry
• 

  Chad Greene

  May 11, 2007 at 6:17 pm

  If the timecode can be off by 1-2 frames, can you tell me at what stage this happens? Does it happen at the initial capture or the second capture?

  Right now I can only capture from a Canon XL-H1 (no RS-422), but when it is time for the next round, there might be an RS-422 option.

  If the slipping can happen during the first capture, then it won’t mater if the second capture uses RS-422 or not correct?

  Chad Greene
  Mahoney Media Group
  Minneapolis, Minnesota

  Dual 2GHz G5, 2GB Ram, OS 10.3.9
  FCP 5.0.4, Kona-HL
• 

  Jerry Hofmann

  May 12, 2007 at 5:54 pm

  It can slip any time you capture… i.e. not be correct at first, then not be correct again during the recapture. Depending on the project, it may not matter much, but I’d be capturing with a 30 frame handle if it’s a recapture so you can slip shots if need be.

  Jerry

  Apple Certified Trainer

  Author: “Jerry Hofmann on Final Cut Pro 4” Click here

  Dual 2 gig G5, AJA Kona SD, AJA Kona 2, Huge Systems Array UL3D

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