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Firewire timecode problems with tiny timecode breaks
When we digitise (to Avid Express Pro on a PC) DVCAM footage with small timecode breaks via firewire (either Mojo or direct), the timecode breaks are not picked up and teh tape keeps being captured. The result is that by the end of the tape the timecode of the digitised footage is a few seconds out from the master material. Nightmare when it comes to the conform.
By the way, out FCP system does not have a problem picking up the timecode breaks when digitising a tape.
Does anyone have any idea of how we could remedy this?
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8 Replies
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Turn off “capture across timebreaks” it will stop at break and bring it in as a clip. It should be in the project windows under the “settings” tab. Capture is the setting you need to change.
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Have tried that (and virtually every other capture setting).
It only happens on particular rushes where there are moments when picture goes to grey for less than a second and the timecode jumps back by a few frames as the proper picture kicks in again. The Avid doesn’t notice the break, nor does it adjust the timecode as has happened on the tape. Therefore the result is that the piece of media continues to be captured and the timecode is out by a few frames.
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Try a shorter firewire cable. It should be no longer then 6 ft. Your safe with 3 ft.
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Still no luck!
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I’ve read numerous times that firewire can have inconsistencies in timecode and the Avid won’t recognize it if it’s only 1, 2, maybe 3 frames. Doesn’t seem like a problem except when you try to batch capture and realize the last half your tape has suffered timecode drift and you now have to fix a handful of edits.
How are you controlling your deck? Through the firewire? If you have the option to use RS422, do that. It seems to be a lot more stable with Avid and I’ve never had problems with it. Also, you might want to consider capturing in chunks–it sounds like you’re capturing the whole tape at once. Instead, log the first 5 or 10 minutes, then the next, etc…and do a batch capture. Might solve your problem.
Mike.
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There is an answer, to edit the deck preferences to check every frame for TC. Will get back when i get to work when i can read the settings u need to look at every frame of TC.
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That would be great!
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Had a look at the Deck Preference settings (of which there were very few options) and couldn’t see anything that would allow checking of every frame for T/C.
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