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Activity Forums AJA Video Systems inconsistent timecode on layback to tape from FCP

  • inconsistent timecode on layback to tape from FCP

    Posted by Richard O on July 13, 2007 at 2:11 pm

    Hello
    I’m hoping that someone will shed some light on a frustrating problem. I’m laying back my 10-minute programmes to tape – some to HDCam, some to Digibeta, all 25fps/50i. However, it has a tendency to lay it one frame late. ie. the clock is laid onto the striped tape at 09.59.30.01 And here’s the tricky bit: it sometimes gets it right. Approximately 2/3 of the time it will lay it back accurately, and 1/3 of the time – WITHOUT CHANGING ANYTHING AT ALL – it will be one frame late! As its only a frame out I can’t detect it until checking the playout (which means that approximately every third tape needs to be relaid). Does anyone have any clues to what could cause this inaccuracy?
    Here’s the setup:
    Final Cut Pro 5 latest revison
    AJA Kona 2
    Sony HDWM2000 and Sony DVWA500P decks (same prob with both)
    Using RS422 control through the Kona breakout card.

    I’ve run out of settings to tweak. None of them stop the apparently random occurence of the 1f inaccuracy. And the guys that supply the kit are also at a loss, because its not a consistent and repeatable inaccuracy.

    Enormous thanks to someone who could suggest ANY new things I could try!
    regards
    Richard Overall
    London

    Richard O replied 19 years, 2 months ago 2 Members · 4 Replies
  • 4 Replies
  • Jeremy Garchow

    July 13, 2007 at 2:45 pm

    Are you down converting an HD sequence to SD tape? That could account for the latency.

  • Richard O

    July 13, 2007 at 2:49 pm

    Hello there
    I’m doing both straight HD version and downconverts. There is a latency with the downconvert, but a +1 frame offset in the device settings takes care of that – but I still then get the 2/3 success rate! And its exactly the same when I go straight HD – I don’t have to put an offset in then, but I still get a 2/3 ish success rate.
    thanks for your interest!
    Richard.

  • Jeremy Garchow

    July 13, 2007 at 2:53 pm

    Yeah, that’s funky.

    I’d try an email/phone call (they should be around in about 10 minutes or so) to AJA support and see what they say.

    support@aja.com

    Jeremy

  • Richard O

    July 13, 2007 at 3:04 pm

    Thanks – I’ll try them shortly
    regards
    Richard

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