VITC

[Rafael Amador]

Bcam use two different TCs. The LTC (longitudinal Time Code) is a digital signal that get recorded in a separate track the same than the audio. VITC (Vertical Interval Time Code) is a similar signal that get recorded in some of the first line of the image that have not picture information (this is why some times we can see small white dots moving in the top of the picture).
Normally they are use toghether. They should have the same time information (although some times it doesn’t happen and make the editor crazy).
The LTC is easier to read in Play or FFW & REW and the VITC normally is readed when the tape run slow or is stoped (In that momment the LTC can not be readed because need certain tape speed). Usually the two of them are enabled and the desk use the one that can read esylly, but you can give prioriti or disable bouth.
Two download BCam footage to a Mac you must do it through a videocard, and to record the original TC of that footage, the videocard has to allow you to do that. I guess that the VITC of the Bcam became just a part of the image (white dots) when the image is captured, but it doesn’t as as a TC any more.
To put footage back to Bcam we got the same issue with the TC (LTC or VITC). The video desk can record a TC that generate it self or can record an externall TC if you provide it. When you print to video in DV, the TC signal goes thrugh the FireWire but, How to rout this TC signal to your Bcam desk? No idea.
In the end is a matter of send the TC (LTC or VITC) to the computer and back. I think is a matter of video cards.
I hope I didn’t confused more.
salud,
Rafael

[David Bogie]

> I need to connect Betacams with titling software that reads only VITC. < You'll need to tell us more about that, never heard of such a thing. do you mean subtitling? > 1. I need to have VITC out on both of my Betacams. How can I do that? < At the same time? You can only bring one at a time into FCP so just rig one machine and put the tapes in it. > 2. As I understand I can capture footage with VITC to FCP. Can I output it too?< Yes and no. It's complicated by the sequence settings you will be using and the capture/output options at your disposal. That you are asking this question at all implies you have no hardware yet so I'd find a good video equipment seller and stat asking these same questions. > 3. Can I put VITC on footage captured from DV and output it to Betacam? < The answer is yes but you need the right gear. DV's timecode is not necessarily transfered when you output from FCP. Do you need timecode from the individual clips that are in a sequence? You can't do that as VITC but you can do it with FCP's timecode insertion filter that prints the t/c on the clip as characters. When you output, depending on your hardware and sequence settings, you only get the t/c of the sequence. It's all quite confusing and you need to talk to someone who knows Betacam, FCP and your titling software. Even if you find the right hardware, it might not work with your titling tools. FCP may not be the application in which you need to work. bogiesan This is my standard sigfile so do not take it personally: “For crying out loud, read the freakin’ manual.”