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Auxiliary timecode ?
Is is just me or is there anyone else out there who can’t seem to make and/or figure out how to make the Aux timecode in FCP work properly? I’ve been using Aux TC in Avid for years.. music videos, syncing multicam shoots when the timecode isn’t jammed… and it works flawlessly in Avid. But in FCP it just never seems to work right. It won’t take the assignments I give it, it changes sporadically….. and other frustrating things. Aux timecode is not discussed much on the forum so I’m starting a topic.
Any thoughts??
Life is linear. Edit life.
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3 Replies
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Auxiliary timecode works in FCP but only partially. The major problem, and I’ve complained about it for years, is that you can’t assign unique auxiliary timecode to each subclip without rippling the entire reel. This makes it completely a pain in the butt when dealing with music videos where several takes will be in a row on the same tape. Sure if you are editing a live concert where each camera is never turned off auxiliary timecode and multicam work fine.
The only solution is to digitize every take as a master clip, but we all know that the fastest and most efficient way to edit is to digitize an entire tape first and THEN subclip/sync afterward. No one want to shuttle a tape and log it before capturing especially a facility where machine time is scarce. I’ve resorted to syncing all of my subclips and then exporting quicktimes and reimporting them back into the project and THEN assigning unique AUX TC to each new “master clip.” As a proud FCP user I got to say shame on Apple for ignoring the pro users. We have been requesting they fix this for years. This will remain one of the many amateur flaws in FCP that they need to fix if they are ever to take on AVID. Lets just hope that some day they don’t kill FCP like they did shake. <-- burned shake user as well.
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[filmasart] “The major problem, and I’ve complained about it for years, is that you can’t assign unique auxiliary timecode to each subclip without rippling the entire reel. “
Sorry, then stop working in subclips- they have to link back to the originial footage, so yes changing a one does create a cascade effect. Subclips are nothing other than an alias to a small part of a larger file. IF you change the location for a master file alias on your desktop the alias no longer works- the same happens when you change the subclip info – it changes everything else.
If you need to aux TC on clips they do need to be independent master clips- so why not just Log and Capture the footage that way to begin with.
gary adcock
Studio37
HD & Film Consultation
Post and Production Workflows -
Auxiliary timecode should be unique at the subclip level. Because in a busy post production environment you don’t always have time to tie up a machine so you can shuttle 200 takes of a music video in order to capture “master clips” that you can then properly sync. Trust me this is a big deal in the music video business (and choreographed commercials) and its not an issue with Avid. Its much more efficient to capture film transfer tapes as one batch rather than spending the time logging it before capture, that’s just stupid. Everyone on Avid works this way because its the most logical. It just happens this is a major flaw in FCP media management. I think its something the Apple developers aren’t aware of (hopefully.)
This guy among others has talked about it:
https://www.scottsimmons.tv/blog/2006/09/13/bottom-10-final-cut-pro-tips/
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