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RS-422 problems, random error messages
Hi Everyone and thanks in advance…
I have an 8-core MacPro that I use a Blackmagic Decklink HD Pro capture card with. It’s been running fairly stable for a while and I’ve had capture and edit to tape frame accuracy with all of our decks (HDCAM, D5, DigiBeta, HDCAM SR, DVCAM, etc.).
Every once in a while I would get random error messages while capturing or editing to tape that would say “New Tape inserted, you may want to change the reel name” (or something along those lines) when there hadn’t been a tape change. But this only happened here and there and I would just click OK and go along capturing like it never happened.
Yesterday I started a batch capture from offline clips using a Sony HDCAM SR deck in 4:4:4 dual link. (The problem also occurs when doing a 4:2:2 capture using the frame convert). My system had always been rock solid with the SR decks before, but suddenly it’s capturing at about 50% accuracy with 50% of the captures being between 1 and 20 frames off. I’m also getting that “new tape inserted” error message a lot, as well as several other error messages
-“tape unthreaded” (it’s not, and I can see the deck shuttle while it says this, I have to close my capture window and re-open it to stop the deck from shuttling)
-“deck in local” (it’s not)
-“timecode break” (there is none)
-“time code change from non-drop to drop frame detected” (nope, not there)
I pulled the plug and let the computer sit over night. I did my recaptures today and got through it, the error messages were not as often but they were still there, and capture accuracy was still at about 50%, so I capture with a bunch of handle and eye matched everything.
I have the newest drivers installed for the decklink card, and I did a reinstall anyway, I tried trashing the FCP preferences, I re-seated the RS-422 cord on the back of the card, and I tried multiple different decks. I’m thinking about doing a complete reinstall of Final Cut. But before I do that I’d love to know of any suggestions. Thanks,
MattTech Specs –
8-core Intel MacPro
5GB RAM
OSX 10.4.11
FCP 6.0.2
Decklink Drivers 6.6.2
X-Serve RAID -
10 Replies
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Just a quick one but have you tried a different RS cable or in fact i imagine you have several different ones for each deck?
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Yes, each deck is running off of it’s own cable and is accessed through a patch bay. Thanks.
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Are you outputing the correct rs422 code? if you are frame converting from 23.98 to 59.94 etc you have to set the rs422 to out put 24f or 30f code.. i have also had serious control issues on some macs with the current 6.6x decklink driver’s yet 6.4 works fine.
del
you cant hear my inner voice scream… can you..?
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I was not converting timecode in my tests. Downgraded to 6.4 and everything seems to me back in working order. Thanks Del.
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its nice to know my pain now has a purpose.. 🙂
d
you cant hear my inner voice scream… can you..?
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I have had the same problem with remote control. To solve the problem I used a Keyspan USB to serial converter and ran the remote through that instead. Works OK!
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I received an email from Blackmagic stating that they have fixed the problem on their end and have placed new drivers on their website. https://www.decklink.com/support/software/ Decklink version 6.6.3 released on Feb 29.
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I’m so glad I found this post. I thought I was going crazy. I work in a large facility, so I assumed that the RS422 cable running through the walls, or one of the many patch panels and switchers was wrong. I tried different decks. Luckily I was able to rule all those out and realized it was a software issue.
-Rick
Editor
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as i always say, if everything just worked we wouldn’t have jobs….
del
you cant hear my inner voice scream… can you..?
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Del, you are absolutely right.
FYI 6.6.3 drivers work well for me. My system also seems to be more stable when using a D5 deck then ever before (knock on wood).
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