[Brian Cutts]

OK, looks like we’re starting to win… thanks for your help so far.

Mixing down the audio seems to have fixed the problem. We had a three playouts yesterday and they all worked if we mixed down the audio. Incidentally the edits are simple single video layer (with some dissolves) and two tracks of audio.

I can certainly confirm that there are no frame rate mismatches or material stored on the internal drive.

So I guess I’m correct in thinking that the issue is down to system performance – maybe drive throughput – and the system is actually dropping frames. Is it possible for frames to be dropped but not reported?

If it’s down to performance then I guess we’re right on the edge and if we create sequences with more complexity we could have the problem re-occur. Is it fair to expect our system to be able to work in ProRes HD?

Brian

[Brian Cutts]

[Jeremy Garchow] “Sounds almost like a reference issue. Is it in the acutal file or just on output? Open the captured file in QT to check.”

I’ve tried it without the reference connected and we get the same issue. If we export the file and bring it back into FCP as a single clip then it’s fine. Also when playing the problem sequence in FCP the issue does not seem to be present in the desktop window although it’s pretty subtle so it would be difficult to see anyway.

If it’s any help, we get the same issue when working Stateside at 1080i/60 and also in Europe at 1080i/50.

Also the hop is not always in the same place so I don’t think it’s a problem with the actual file. We can play the sequence and it hops at T/C a… play it again and it no longer hops there but hops at point b.

Brian

[Brian Cutts]

Hi Jeremy,

Went through the complete uninstall / reinstall / update firmware process yesterday evening. Initially it looked like it may have fixed the issue but on closer inspection it seems not.

The best way to describe the issue is that it seems that the image hops sideways.

Any more ideas… perhaps we have a faulty io box?

Brian

[Brian Cutts]

Haven’t tried an uninstall/reinstall. We’re is busy cutting a news package at the moment but should be able to try that in a couple of hours. With luck we will not be tight for time on this package and will have time to export the sequence.

I’ll get onto the AJA site and make sure we have the latest software. I’ll get back to you with the results.

Brian

[Brian Cutts]

Thanks for the response to my question.

Format of the material is all encoded using Apple ProRes 422 1080i/60. Actually 29.97. Media is delivered from an EVS also running Apple ProRes via XTAccess.

There are no graphics imported, no progressive material and no strange frame rates. The stutter happens around once or twice a minute.

I’ve also checked to make sure it’s not a reference problem – ref is tristate – by removing it and also using a SD ref.

I’ve also got a MacPro on site with a BlackMagic card, attaching the media drive to that, opening the project and playing the sequence is fine on that system so I’m pretty sure it’s not an issue with the media.

Brian

[Brian Cutts]

Although not qualified, it will work on XP Home but you need to perform a few ‘tweak’ om the operating system to make sure it i OK. Evene after that, I seem to remember that you can have problems with different users and trying to move projects. One thing for certain is that you MUSt turn off Simple File Sharing.

Brian

[Brian Cutts]

Cracked it!!

It turned out that the reason the superimpose switch wasn’t working was not due to an internal switch setting at all… it was the fact that the switch has gone duff. Just managed to get it working and hey presto… timecode in vision!!!

Thanks for your help, making me look closely at the problem shed some light!!!

[Brian Cutts]

Let me take another look on Monday… Maybe I have missed something.

[Brian Cutts]

It’s just being used as an office player so the quality is not really important. According to specs I have found about it, there is the ability to super the timecode over the video. I’m wondering if maybe it’s not on the normal composite out and controlled by a switch but on the other connector on the back of the machine which is one of those horrible 6 or 8 pin connectors you get on old broadcast kit.

[Brian Cutts]

You’re right about most Sonys but this has no seperate Super out on the back or a characters on switch (it was a very basic office player so there are no menus). I’m pretty sure it was done with an internal switch but I’m not sure… hence the post