Why do we need "Enable Separate SMPTE View Offset"?

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Level 2

273 points

Why do we need "Enable Separate SMPTE View Offset"?

I'm confused as to why there should be a need to have an "Enable Separate SMPTE View Offset" command in the SMPTE view offset window. As the Transport window allows/requires you toggle "use SMPTE View Offset" on to use the offset facility, why do you actually have to enable it in the offset window? as it would be automatically disabled if "use SMPTE View Offset" is disabled in the transport window... or am I missing something??

Julian

G52.5/6.5GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.4.3), Dual 250Gb SATA, 30" Cinema x 2, Metric Halo A-D D-A

Posted on Nov 26, 2005 3:20 AM

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Answer 1

Mac512

Level 1

45 points

Nov 26, 2005 8:17 AM in response to Julian Scott

Hello, Julian,

I'm confused as to why there should be a need to have an "Enable Separate SMPTE View Offset" command in the SMPTE view offset window. As the Transport window allows/requires you toggle "use SMPTE View Offset" on to use the offset facility, why do you actually have to enable it in the offset window? as it would be automatically disabled if "use SMPTE View Offset" is disabled in the transport window... or am I missing something??

This feature is handy specially when working with film synchronization.
If you are not a film composer/scorer, then there is no need to burn your brain cells on the subject. However I do a lot of working in this area, and I find Logic quite resourceful - perhaps the best tool in the market. That's why I've been sticking with it since version 3.0. 🙂
If you need examples on how to use it, let me know.

Regards,

Mac512

PB G4 1.33 Mhz Mac OS X (10.4.3)

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Answer 2

Nov 26, 2005 10:10 AM in response to Julian Scott

Sometimes its usefull to work on a film cue while seeing its timeing from the start of the cue itself. At other times you may want to check the films running time from the top of the movie instead.

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Answer 3

Julian Scott Author

Level 2

273 points

Nov 27, 2005 6:10 AM in response to Data Stream Studio

Hi Guy's

Thanks for the offer of assistance.

I've been scoring professionally for film (on Logic) since ..ooh C-Lab Notator on an Atari!

I think you mis-understood my question. I understand and use SMPTE offsets all the time all I am saying is the Enable SMPTE offset tick box is really redundant ad the transport window has the option to enable/disable SMPTE offset (as long as the Enable SMPTE offset tick box is ticked) therefore the question why do we need the "Enable SMPTE offset tick box"

Julian

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Answer 4

Julian Scott Author

Level 2

273 points

Nov 27, 2005 6:12 AM in response to Data Stream Studio

Hi Guy's

Thanks for the offer of assistance.

I've been scoring professionally for film (on Logic) since ..ooh C-Lab Notator on an Atari!

I think you mis-understood my question. I understand and use SMPTE offsets all the time all I am saying is the Enable SMPTE offset tick box is really redundant ad the transport window has the option to enable/disable SMPTE offset (as long as the Enable SMPTE offset tick box is ticked) therefore the question why do we need the "Enable SMPTE offset tick box"

Julian

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Answer 5

Julian Scott Author

Level 2

273 points

Nov 27, 2005 8:04 AM in response to Data Stream Studio

Hi Guy's

Thanks for the offer of assistance.

I've been scoring professionally for film (on Logic) since ..ooh C-Lab Notator on an Atari!

I think you mis-understood my question. I understand and use SMPTE offsets all the time all I am saying is the Enable SMPTE offset tick box is really redundant ad the transport window has the option to enable/disable SMPTE offset (as long as the Enable SMPTE offset tick box is ticked) therefore the question why do we need the "Enable SMPTE offset tick box"

Julian

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Answer 6

Nov 27, 2005 10:48 AM in response to Julian Scott

yes i agree julian, i think enable smpte view offset is redundant in the day of QT video. i think it is a legacy feature, something from the days of LTC on vhs. if the LTC on the tape was at odds with the BITC (because they were created sepeartely or whatever) then this was a way for compensating for it.

nowdays there is no need to set a smpte offsets, they just get really confusing.

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Answer 7

Julian Scott Author

Level 2

273 points

Nov 27, 2005 2:44 PM in response to Rohan Stevenson1

The requirement for SPMTE offsets is still very much with us, and will continue to be QuickTime notwithstanding. I use SMPTE offsets all the time in my productions.. hence the Question why do I have to enable 2 similar things to make it operative!!

Julian

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Answer 8

Nov 27, 2005 2:56 PM in response to Julian Scott

Hi,

There's a difference between "start time" of a cue and "offset". Offset generally refers to the difference in start times between 2 machines. For example syncing a tape that's been striped with SMPTE beginning at 1:00:00:00 with a film that starts at, let's say, 3:00:00:00. The offset from the tape's point of view would be -2:00:00:00. I suppose there might be some use for this in LP but since most of us now sync directly to film or QT without tape machines it's largely unnecessary.

RW

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Answer 9

Nov 27, 2005 3:02 PM in response to Julian Scott

rick is exactly right. if you like you set your "offset" when you set your movie start. for example, if you have captured your QT from vhs and it comes in a second and a few frames before 10:00:00:00, you set the movie start the correct number of seconds and frames early to make the BITC and logics TC match. there is no need for a seperate offset. at least i have not needed one for at least 6 years or so, since i started using QT video.

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Answer 10

Julian Scott Author

Level 2

273 points

Nov 27, 2005 6:53 PM in response to Rohan Stevenson1

Maybe I'm not expressing myself clearly as everyone seems to be responding about offsets and why they might or might not be required.

My question...and I'll have another go at this ... is ?? why does Logic have 2 buttons. or select positions if you like, for the same function?? USE SMPTE OFFSET in the transport pull down menu and ENABLE SEPARATE SMPTE VIEW OFFSET in the Song settings "General" pane.

Ta

Juliamn

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Answer 11

Julian Scott Author

Level 2

273 points

Nov 27, 2005 6:54 PM in response to Rohan Stevenson1

Maybe I'm not expressing myself clearly as everyone seems to be responding about offsets and why they might or might not be required.

My question...and I'll have another go at this ... is ?? why does Logic have 2 buttons. or select positions if you like, for the same function?? USE SMPTE OFFSET in the transport pull down menu and ENABLE SEPARATE SMPTE VIEW OFFSET in the Song settings "General" pane.

Ta

Julian

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Answer 12

Julian Scott Author

Level 2

273 points

Nov 27, 2005 6:56 PM in response to Julian Scott

Excuse the repeated posts - this evening when I press "post message" nothing seems to happen so I'm pressing it again....

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Answer 13

Nov 28, 2005 12:46 AM in response to Julian Scott

why does Logic have 2 buttons. or select positions if you like, for the same function?

i think these are legacy functions. one or other was incorporated for additional convenience way back at logic 3 or so.

apple don't (and shouldn't) chuck out features because they don't know who out there might be relying on them. i suspect its days are numbered though.

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Answer 14

Nov 28, 2005 1:11 AM in response to Julian Scott

By way of interest, has anyone noticed this parameter turning itself on all by itself recently?
I can't quite work out if it's me or Logic that's on drugs, but I keep opening up songs and the sync is all way out - only for me to find that the SMPTE Offset View is enabled!
I'm sure I never had this with versions before 7.1.1...

Best wishes,
Pants.

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Answer 15

Nov 28, 2005 5:45 AM in response to MoisiePants

it is probably that the function can be activated with a key or midi command. therefore, it could a key you touch or "send midi messages when opening a song" that inadvertantly activates it. check your key commands - it might be that.

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