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Digitized Clip’s TC different from what’s on tape
This is a problem we just discovered, so this is going to be a hoepfully short/quick post so I can go back to troubleshooting.
We’re using Final Cut Pro 5.1.2, a DVCPro50 deck. The deck’s RS-422 is connected to a KeySpan USA 28X (maybe a 28XG) transcorder that is plugged into a USB port on the back of a G4. The deck’s video signals is hooked up to a Canopus transcorder. Not sure of model, it’s small and white. RCA inputs to RCA and FireWire outputs. The FireWire output is then connected to the G4. This is how the tapes are being digitized.
So the issue is that if we digitize a tape with timecode display on and we view it afterwards within FCP, the display’s TC is different from what FCP is showing as timecode. For one clip it was off by more than 2 minutes, for other clips it’s dead on, for other clips it’s 1-4 frames.
The tapes are being recorded using Time Of Day timecode. As a test, we digitized one entire tape that had ~8 timecode breaks in it. Some clips had timecode matching the display, others were off by only one frame.
Any idea what’s going on?
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4 Replies
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You can’t capture across TC breaks… you need to log each section as a separate clip, then batch the clips.
Also you can test the accuracy of the TC and adjust it a frame or two in the device control setting. Capture the analog out with a window burn, and adjust the TC offset until it is accurate. Needs to be done for each video tape machine you use… then use a capture preset made for each deck.
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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Yes, in fact, you can digitize across TC breaks and it’s really the only logical way to deal with TOD timecode when you’ve got, say, 100 breaks on a tape.
Make sure, of course, you’ve got FCP set to create a new clip at TC breaks and it will perform like a champ. I recently did a show with three cameras running matching TOD for probably 30 tapes in total. The TC matched perfectly and the multiclips were bang on. Just make sure no two tapes have the same name with same TC, obviously.
On the other hand, I’ve worked on some machines (a G5 single proc, for example) that can’t seem capable of coping with recent versions of FCP, so they’ve had TC problems (meaning, not matching the source). I tested this when I noticed the problem and the results were very similar to what you’re saying: various, inconsistent offsets. The only solution was to log smaller chunks to minimize drift, match your clips to the source ALWAYS and modify any mistakes to match the tape. More annoying, though, sometimes clips had drift. There isn’t anything you can do about that, as far as I know, except maybe modify your TC somewhere in the middle so the beginning and end are only slightly off. Annoying.
Another important note: make sure you’re not multitasking while capturing, that FCP is the only thing open and it’s only being used for digitizing at that time. Start the Mac fresh before capturing and reboot every couple of hours.
What kind of hardware are you using?
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Let me amend my comment… you can capture across tc breaks, but the tc past the break will not match what’s on the source tape… your solution is NOT capturing across tc breaks, you’re making separate clips instead, which does result in proper tc… however it will not capture the material 3 seconds or so past the break…
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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Walter, this isn’t true (unless I’m misunderstanding you).
I’ve captured about 30 tapes this way, all with TOD broken timecode. FCP did it without a hitch. It actually captures every frame of stuff, that you wouldn’t get with roll times.
And it simply reads the new TC and starts it on the new clip.
It couldn’t be easier. Which is why I love FCP. Actually, ugly old Avid Xpress Pro can do it too.
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