[Lane Wyrick]

From what I’m getting, the .pek files are what generates the visual indications (ups and downs) of the audio waveforms in the timeline. They are small files, 15 MB at the most and usually much smaller, and are created when you go to Preferences>>Audio and select “Automatic Audio Waveform Generation”.

Since the files are so small, I leave this option checked at all times. When unchecked, what happens is that you drag a clip to the timeline and the audio looks blank visually. When you play the audio it will create a waveform just in that vicinity. It’s really annoying when you’d like to see the full track, but only can see what’s just immediately in front of you. So I’d leave “Automatic Audio Waveform Generation” checked always.

What I’m trying to figure out is the .cfa file issue, since these files can be huge. I shoot on a Panasonic AC-160 camera, and when I import the files, the .cfa files (which are conformed audio files) can be bigger than the video file itself. While I’ve relegated these files to a separate hard drive, I’m just wondering if it is possible to import this AVCCam footage without having the .cfa files automatically render, or if this is always going to happen with these files (there is a setting on the camera for uncompressed audio and AAC audio, but I haven’t noticed a difference, but I’ll repost if I discover a change).

Thanks,

Lane Wyrick

[Lane Wyrick]

I’ve edited a huge amount of wedding ceremonies with two cameras with live operators.

The key is this:
Run both cameras throughout the entire ceremony without stopping. Digitize the tapes from Camera A and B.
To sync, make markers on your clips for both A and B camera where the cameras flash (photographer and guests) when the bride is coming down the aisle. If you only do one flash and there are many, sometimes you may select the wrong one, but if you have 5-10 camera flashes marked on both the A and B camera, it is very easy to sync them up in the timeline. Always check the sync by playing camera A with B’s audio and vice versa to make sure.

I also do sync at the end of the ceremony to make sure that everything is still in sync. I use 2 DVX-100s, and they are never off by more than 1 frame by the end.

No need to run audio to both cameras, just mix the audio on the timeline, using only the best audio channels on one or the other camera (assuming you are using a non-linear edit system).

Not as fancy as matching timecode, but it works every time.

Hope this helps,

Lane Wyrick

[Lane Wyrick]

Thanks again. I’ll check out the Best Buy option for AA rechargeable batteries.

After my last post, I realized I have a portable Toshiba DVD player with a 7″ screen with a rechargeable battery built in. It’s a little bit more cumbersome to hold during an interview, but now I guess I can have two options, depending on if I need small size or a larger picture.

All the best,

Lane Wyrick

[Lane Wyrick]

Thanks Mitch!

I checked out both websites, and they both seem to offer about the same item, a convertor for Panasonic (and other) camcorder batteries (specifically the 7.2 volt ones we use) to DC power.

Now my question is, I already have this Citizen 3″ LCD monitor and it has a “DC in 9V” on the side, which is a thin plug. Will this kind of adapter work with an LCD that needs a 9 Volt input, and is it possible to get an adapter to the plug to convert it to this thin size so it will fit?

Thanks again,

Lane Wyrick