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Date Time Stamp
Hello all, I am having a terrible time getting the date and time stamp off the mini dvc tape in my Canon ZR950 to transfer to the iMac using Final Cut Express 4. I am conected by fire wire, the video imports just fine from the camera to the Mac but the date and time stamp will not and I can’t find anyone with Apple that can help. I started with iMovie and after a 2.5 hour phone call with AppleCare I was told I needed Final Cut so I got it and I am having the same problem. Can some one let me know if they know how to get the Date and Time (Data Code) to transfer. I can be reached at dhjohnson@acsalaska.net or by cell phone at 907-351-6046. Thanks ——– Dennis
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3 Replies
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The date/time stamp is not available in the pro apps.
All the best,
Tom
Class on Demand DVDs “Complete Training for FCP6,” “Basic Training for FCS2” and “Final Cut Express Made Easy”
Author: “Final Cut Pro 5 Editing Essentials” and “Final Cut Express 4 Editing Workshop” -
In Final Cut you can turn on a time code overlay, it is in preferences I think. You can also set a user preference to “burn-in” a time code window in the master output, for copies. DigitalHEaven makes a plug-in called “Big Time” that lets you make a big floating time code window as well.
If you are trying to get the same display going in Final Cut that is exactly the same as seen by a user of the camera’s viewfinder, I think you’ll have to set the import up as an uncontrolled composite video source thru a video card like the IO or Kona, or an outboard box like the ADVC 100 from Canopus then DV in from there, and then use user menus in the camera to turn on the display overlay and feed your FCP system and attached interface/converter a composite video output from the camcorder, not a DV firewire signal.
(Edit) To make that clearer, it’s 1: camcorder you shot this on, attach the composite video cable that lets you play right from camera onto a TV. 2: Use the camcorder menu controls to turn on the on-screen display, called an overlay. 3: Plug that composite video into the video input card or box that your computer uses, and if you don’t have one of those boxes, 4: you’ll need an analog to DV converter box, like those made by Canopus and others. 5: That box then connects to your FCP editing system via the firewire cable. However, you will not have computer control of the camcorder for digitizing, you’ll set up the digitizing window in FCP for “uncontrolled device”, hit “capture now” and roll the camera playback controls manually.
Maybe you can get the actual data off the camcorder thru the firewire connection, but if not, try the analog method outlined above. You’ll have to run the camcorder playback functions manually, is my guess. But there will be no question that the time display is original and not altered if you grab it that way.
Best of luck, let us know how you made out.
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Hi – I had the same problem a year ago. I have 10 years of family video on DVC and wanted to impor these with the date stamps to catalogue / index them. I’d just bought (this here) G5 tower, newest software – and couldn’t get iMovie to import the date and time info from the tape.
Apple support advised me to buy Final Cut Express, and I did so in good faith, but still couldn’t get time and date from tape.
Apple then advised me to buy Final Cut Pro (thankfully they refunded teh Final Cut Express software) – and I did so ….. but STILL couldn’t get FCP to do the job.
After many many hours fiddling and on the phone to support I gave up but felt very abused by the whole thing. Final Cut Pro also doesnt output .flv files or windows files – so much for the “open timeline” – all in all I felt mis-sold.
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