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Using User Bits
Have been searching Final Cut Pro to find out how to use User Bits.
We have some 50 hours of footage that needs to be sync and on the tapes only the User Bits has the time of day code.
I can get Time Code in no problem, but why won’t User Bits work?
Is there an easy way to cheat it?
Any Tips?
Will save hours of work to sync three cameras if I can use User Bits time of day.
Everything was shot on DSR-PD170s where time of day can only be recorded in User Bits.
Have been digitizing DVCAM vision into Final Cut Pro 5 from a Sony DSR-1500P, using the iLink. -
1 Reply
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Chopper,
As far as I know, there is no easy way to display “user bits” within FCP. As I understand it, “user bits” are NOT an auxilary TC, but a “user changeable” data bank that can hold words like “Cam 10” or “Team B” or 9/25/05″. This “word” is then available on every frame of video via the main timecode stream. The word does not change once you set it. So, I don’t know how you would use this feature in lieu of regular Timecode.I think you may be confusing the two different types of code with “user bits”. There are two types of timecode: record run and “time of day”. With record run, you set the number where it starts (typically hour one) and it will add uninterrupted timecode until the end of the tape. “Time of day” is set literally to the clock on the wall, and then updates each new start point according to that time. This results in many “breaks” in the code. Many NLE’s choke on this kind of code, and so most people hate it. Others (as in your case), use it as a convenient way of syncing multiple cameras. This choice is made at the source (camera) and once set, can NOT easily be changed.
In your case, unless you have a slate or “Common marker” on all three tapes, you’re going to have to sync by “in point”. Good luck.
Mark
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