capturing “free run” recorded tapes

[Bouncing Account needs new email address]

The best method is to make a FireWire copy of the tape to another camcorder or deck which will generate a new continuous TC. (You said you can’t do this but did not say why.)
This will give you a new solid TC which will allow for accurate batch capture and will allow all recorded frames to be used in the edit.

Another method is to Capture into FCP with the setting for Non-Controllable Device (which IGNORES any TC on the tape).
You can edit from this capture at your own risk, as you will not be able to RE-capture accurately if needed.
BUT, if you do this capture and THEN just turn around and copy it back OUT to the camcorder on a new tape, the camcorder will then generate new continuos TC on the new tape.
You’d then get rid of the captured (non-TC) footage in FCP and RE-capture only from the new copy with the capture settings returned to DV “controlled” this time. (The only reason to use this method is if you don’t have two DV camcorders with which to make a direct tape-to-tape FW copy.)

There will be no generation-loss with either method because during the FW transfer, the DV files are unaltered.

[Annaël Beauchemin]

[Matte] “The best method is to make a FireWire copy of the tape to another camcorder or deck which will generate a new continuous TC. (You said you can’t do this but did not say why.)

Simply because I do not have another deck. Oh, I do have an canon elura10, but with broken tape mechanism (surprise?).

Another method is to Capture into FCP with the setting for Non-Controllable Device (which IGNORES any TC on the tape).
You can edit from this capture at your own risk, as you will not be able to RE-capture accurately if needed.

ahh, that’s what I should have used… I decided to capture it making new clips nonetheless, since time was running up, but i’ll remember that one. In fact, if I have time i’ll give it a try to see if speed changes are reliable using this method.

thanx