Need FCP timecode to be on DSR-11 DVCAM tape – QUICKLY!

[Walter Biscardi]

FCP does not run timecode out from a Timeline. You need to manually pre-set the timecode on the deck, pre-black about 10 seconds at the head, then make an assemble edit to match the timecode.

For instance with my Beta / DVCPro HD decks, I’ll pre-black a tape starting at 00:59:00:00 for about 10 seconds. Then set an In Point on the deck for 00:59:10:00 and set the In Point in FCP to 00:59:10:00. Make an Assemble edit and the TC’s match.

I don’t think this is possible with the DSR-11, though I’ve never tried it with mine.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Creative Genius, Biscardi Creative Media
https://www.biscardicreative.com

Now in Production, “The Rough Cut,” https://www.theroughcutmovie.com

“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters

[Paul Ingvarsson]

Are you looking at user bits rather than timecode??

Paul

[Jerry Hofmann]

You can’t do this directly with a DSR-11 (takes a RS-422 controlled machine or an FCP 3 Setup (it will do the job but it doesn’t in 4 or 5), BUT there is a workaround if you don’t have an FCP 3 setup…

This is from Mark Burton in the Apple Discussions:

Get SimpleVideoOut from the Apple (its free):

https://developer.apple.com/samplecode/SimpleVideoOut/SimpleVideoOut.html

Then create a QT Movie in FCP or Xpress Pro from a sequence which has the starting TC you want on the tape. I just tried it with 00:58:00:00. In the timeline, I just put Bars & Tone for 90 seconds and a black slug for 45 (to take me over 01:00:00:00). You could create a sequence with whatever combination you wanted with the TC set to start at whatever timecode you need for your choice. But the Timeline TC MUST be set to your desired starting code. The exported QT file will have this TC in it.

Then load this DV QT movie into SimpleVideoOut (having selecting Firewire / Apple Firewire PAL or NTSC when you open the app).

Now load a fresh DVCAM tape and set your DSR-11 to:

REC MODE = DVCAM
DV IN TC = EXTERNAL

(Have the TC display turned on for this first test so you can verify it has worked.)

Then just hold the REC and PLAY buttons together on the DSR-11 and press play in the SimpleVideoOut app and the new TC will be recorded to your DVCAM tape. Hey presto you are now able to stripe a tape with what ever timecode you want using a DSR-11.

Remember to turn ‘DV IN TC’ back to INTERNAL on the DSR-11 when you come to record your edit to tape.

The problem with the DSR-11 is that it is not the best deck and starting recording at the exact TC, but playing with the pre-rolls should eventually get it spot on. I have had some success with FCP’s ‘Edit to Tape’ and very good results with Avid Xpress Pro after a few tweaks.

Also, if you just had a black QT file, you can change the starting TC to suite the tape; i.e. 00:58:00:00 or 02:58:00:00 etc without going back into FCP or Xpress Pro and rendering out another QT. To do this, just use Sebsky Tools to alter the starting TC of the file.
https://www.dharmafilm.com/sebskytools/

Jerry

[Kenny Powerass]

What are user bits?

[Arnie Schlissel]

[Kenny Powerass] “What are user bits?”

A tasty new snack food! 🙂

Sorry, on a more serious note, you have 2 problems:
1) FCP will not send TC out via Firewire
2) the DSR-11 does not allow you to preset your timecode

The workaround is to find a program called “Simple Video Out” on apple’s website, then export a short ref movie from FCP with the starting TC you want, & use SVO to stripe that to the tape. Then you can layoff your show from FCP to the DSR-11 with an Assemble Edit.

Arnie
https://www.arniepix.com

[Jesse Rosen]

[walter biscardi] “FCP does not run timecode out from a Timeline. “

Generally no, but for some strange reason it does in the DVCPROHD codec. Go figure.

Would be nice if it always did — would save a lot of time editing to tape.

—
Jesse Rosen
Director of Technical Development
Abel Cine Tech, Inc.

[Kenny Powerass]

Thanks for all the advice, guys.
Unfortunately, I ran out of time and wasn’t able to experiment with ‘Simple Video Out’, but I’ll definitely load it up and play with it before I encounter this issue again.
I printed to DVCAM with the deck’s internal timecode and the proper timecode configuration that the TV station needs will be applied when it’s transferred to Beta during the close-captioning process.
Thanks again!
Kenny