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Technical
Hi everyone;
I’m trying to sort out a host of problems that I’m encountering with outputting a tv show from FCP HD to BetacamSP.
Now, I know that I’m dealing with less-than-ideal equipment — I’m trying to find the cleanest solutions, and I’d welcome any advice.
I’m running a standard G4 with FCP HD out to an older BetacamSP deck. Machine control is via a USB to RS-422 convertor, which appears to be working well enough in that the deck responds to commands. I’m running the image out via firewire to an AJA I/O Pro box, then a component signal to the deck. There is a black generator feeding the Beta that appears to be functioning, because the deck is satisfied with the ref.
The deck is performing sloppy insert edits. The exit point is frame-precise, but the insert point appears to have a few hold frames at the top. Do you think this is a FCP issue or a crappy machine-control interface, and I should look into a video expansion card rather than the USB connection?
The color correct facility rejected my timecode as illegal. Unfortunately, I don’t have a means of check the black generator myself, so I’m limited with an amount of trial & error or guesswork. I figure the black box is probably a piece of garbage. Anybody had issues with
imperfect TC generation?I’d love to present my producer with a “buy a $600 decklink card and a new black box generator” solution, but I don’t want to present this and then still have the problems… so I’m wondering if anybody has any suggestion of other possible culprits to my TC woes.
thank you as always,
-karim -
4 Replies
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[Karim Zouak] “Machine control is via a USB to RS-422 convertor, which appears to be working well enough in that the deck responds to commands. I’m running the image out via firewire to an AJA I/O Pro box”
Your Io has an RS-422 port, why not use that for deck control? If that still doesn’t work, then look into replacing the synch generator.
Arnie
https://www.arniepix.com -
Illegal TC?
Does the color correct facility want DF (Drop Frame) or NDF (Non-Drop Frame)?
Do they want LTC (Longitudinal Time Code) or VITC (Vertical Interval Timecode) or both?In the older days of tape based linear editing if you didn’t regen or step on the VITC the TC from your original source reel tapes would show up in the VITC.
The manual has setup procedures to calibrate timecode offsets between FCP and you VTR.
When I master I alway seed the tape from the control panel of the VTR with a timecode like 00;58;50;00 (note the ; designation which is DF TC) so I have some preroll room to do an assemble edit. I then do an assemble edit with the usual bars, tone and slate starting at 00;59;00;00 with the program sequence nested in my bars, tone and slate sequence so it rolls over to program start at 01;00;00;00 (a minute–00;01;00;00–of bars, tone, slate and countdown).
I would check to see if you VTR is setup correctly and then check the frame offset as per the manual.
HTH,
BryceDon’t worry Mr. B. I have a cunning plan…
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Motion -
No need for more hardware if you don’t have a person who understand how to deal and operate the gear correctly. The AJA IO box is broadcast quality so there should be no need for another card such as the decklink.
Please invest in hiring a qualified video engineer to assist and consult you with your problems.
Most likely your timecode problems have to do with LTC and VITC non matching tc. An easy solution is to turn off the VITC record switch on the vtr which means your master will only have LTC tc recorded. This is a down and dirty way to avoid non matching VITC code but it may not comply with a broadcasters standards to have VITC TC on all masters delivered.
In order to have matching VITC and LTC code you must have the vtr tc regen switch on since the VITC will jam sync the tc again as you reinsert video. VITC is embedded as part of the video signal.
What betacam sp deck model are you using?
What black burst generator brand and model are you using? Is the IO locked to the black burst generator too?Where is your vtr capstan lock switch set to 2fld, 2/4fld, 4 fld? Did you black and code the tapes in advance if so where was the capstan lock switch set to when you black and coded the tapes?
Have you tried do a crash record or assemble edit? Your vtr may not be able to perform accurate insert edits depending on which model it is.
Tony Salgado
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Also, depending on the model of the deck, it will have an edit delay setting in the menu. Adjust this setting if your inderts are consistantly off by the same amount. I believe this is set to a 6 frame delay at the factory. Try adjusting it until the offset is zero frames.
Since you refer to your deck as an older SP model, it’s probably a BVW-70 or BVW-75? There is an edit delay setting on this machine, although you might have to enable the service level menus to get to it. There is a small, fairly well hidden switch to turn on the enhanced menu selection. It is accessable at the lower right the fromt panel(going from memory here), but not easy to get at. Check your manual and it will have a diagram of just how to get at the switch. Try changing the setting and see if it makes a difference.
Just a few random engineering-type thoughts…
Tom
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