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Displaying Source TimeCode from Tape
Good morning,
First time poster, long time reader! Have a perplexing question that I’m hoping someone on here can help me with.
I’m responsible for taking launch footage after an Atlas launch and producing a “stringout” for engineering review. There are 30+ views, each on its own DVCPro tape, each with identical timecode (GMT).
When I create copies of my DVCPro stringout, the timecode must match the original timecode of the view we’re looking at. So, for instance, I show T-20 seconds to T+30 seconds and the launch occurs at 00:31:00:00 GMT (on the timecode), each view will run and show 00:30:40:00 to 00:31:30:00.
Now, there are also slates laid in ahead of each view. The timecode on these slates doesn’t matter and is usually just runtime from my export from FCP to tape.
To make all of this happen, I use an Edit Controller with a source and record DVCPro deck. This ensures that the source timecode is transferred to the record deck as required.
Here is my issue:
I want to be able to utilize this timecode data within Final Cut.
I would love to be able to import all of my footage into the system. Trim & add Slates, then print back to tape with the correct timecode. Being that I’m repeating the same timecode over and over makes me think this might not be possible, though.
I would be happy just to have the original timecode in a video overlay for my DVD Export. As it is now, I have to do 2 captures — one with a SUPER display from the deck to display timecode, the other without it. I know the Video Overlay in FCP will show me the timeline timecode — is there any way for it to utilize the original clip timecode?
I have Final Cut Studio 2, a Mac Pro Dual Quad Core 3.0GHz with 9GB of RAM and an AJA IO. Decks are controlled via 422 from the AJA.
Please let me know if you need any other information. Thanks in advance!
-Chris -
5 Replies
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Use the “Timecode Reader” from your – video filters/video – effect folder and place this filter on each clip. It will read the source TC imported with your media.
Josh
Digital Media, Thought Equity Motion
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I swear I’ve tried that in the past and it hasn’t worked, but I just ran a test and it worked perfectly. I’m wondering if during past attempts I just ran a batch without 422 so TC was not transferred…
In any event, having that reader window is exactly what I’m looking for! Thanks, Josh.
Now, any way I can get the print to video to utilize this timecode?
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Sorry, I should have been more clear.
I’m looking to print the timeline to video with the timecode actually being written to the tc track of the tape — not necessarily with the video overlays (though that will come in handy as well).
Thanks again,
Chris -
Hey Chris,
As long as you’re using the sequence with the filters you just applied, the print to video should pick up the TC overlay. If you only want to print certain sections of the Timeline, set in and out points around the section you need and that is what will be sent out to the deck. If you’re just using the imported media (not the sequence with the overlay) the source TC won’t be displayed.
Good luck!
Josh
Digital Media, Thought Equity Motion
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you’ll have to stripe code on the tape then assemble edit. hopefully you have a 1400 deck which can edit via 422 and not the 1200 which will not.
Being I don’t own an I/O HD i don’t know if the ltc out is currently functional, FCP itself does not output TCDoug Beal
Editor / Engineer
Rock Creative Images
Nashville TN
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