Hi Gang
Never expereinced loosing time code before. Have noticed it's becoming problematic, (during capture), when tape was stopped-started as it was being recorded. Never had this problem before. Have tried two different Panasonic Camcorders, (both are in great shape), cleaned heads in both units, problem continues. Wondering if trashing preferences would help?
Thanx
Mike
Does the timecode on the tape read properly when playing back in the camera's display?
-DH
Hi David - thank you for your reply
Yes I believe it does.
The digits on the FC6 Log & Capture Window read:
12:19:02;04
The digits on the camcorder read:
2h:19m:02s;04f
Do you have another comment?
BTW - I trashed preferences, and tried a different cable, and different FW400 Port, (Rear). Same problem.
Are there any noticible timecode breaks when playing the tape in-camera?
-DH
Hi David
No - no time code breaks during playback
BTW - I'm now trying a 3rd Panasonic camcorder: My DVX100B
Tried all 3 Camcorders - same problem
Anything suspicious here?
http://www.locationstudio.net/Time-Code-1.jpg
If it's NTSC Drop Frame, the frame rate shown in the second photo should be 29.97
-DH
All the time codes are Non-Drop > Rate 30 - there are no other drop down options
Yes, a non-drop frame rate would be 30. But the second photo you posted shows DROP frame at 30 - change to non-drop frame if that's what you recorded.
Also, is this problem just exhibiting itself with this one tape, or does it do the same thing with other tapes?
-DH
Hello again David
I appreciate your replies.
The problem seems to continue on other tapes intermittently. I'd like to get some clarification; as long as I'm willing to tolerate the break in time code during capture, (which seems to occur ONLY when the machine record mode is turned on/off), I'm hoping I can continue to capture more tape. And that this will not affect render or the burning of a scene on disc.
Thanx
Mike
It is a mystery that this should appear after hundreds of hours of capture, and does so on 3 different Panasonic camcorders? As I stated, it's intermittent now and ONLY occurs in those places where the camera mode switched from record to stop. As long as there's no STOP RECORD, I can capture continuously without break in time code. I can work around this, just hitting escape each time. In editing, I never choose/leave a stop-start camera edit anyway.
MIke
Would someone like to confirm, or comment on my comments above?
That I hopefully should not have a problem with editing, and render.
First, do you have abort capture on dropped frame and create new clip on timecode break enabled in user prefernces? You should. This is the only way to ensure that your capture will have audio in synch with the video and that you will be able to recapture with frame accuracy if necessary.
Now if the time code resets on the record stops, that's either cause you have a short break in the recording (could just be a couple of frames) or if the internal battery on the camera is dead. If that's the case, you're just gonna have to manually set up each capture after each timecode reset.
And if fcp stops and starts capture at each record break, that's usually cause although the camera in an ideal world should create continous timecode, in reality, it ain't happening and it's a camera problem rather than an fcp problem.
"do you have abort capture on dropped frame?"
Yes
http://www.locationstudio.net/TimeCode.jpg
"or the internal battery on the camera is dead". You can obviously rule out weak or dead batteries - we're talkin about THREE DIFFERENT Panasonic Cameras, as I've stated.
"you're just gonna have to manually set up each capture after each timecode reset." I believe this is the answer I was hoping to get. I'm sure you can understand my frustration. I'd like to be re-assured that I'm not possibly capturing ALL this tape for NAUGHT. That's a lot of scratch disk.
Please, to be sure here; so then I'll just deal with the broken time code, and just "manually set up each capture after each timecode reset." Which means: 'hit escape', go on to capture the next piece, and so on, and so on....
Yes? Correct?
Thank you
Was it all SHOT on the same camera (not played back on different cameras)? That's where the dead battery would be.
Does the timecode reset to Zero between takes? If so, it's either the dead battery or discontinuous signal on the tape. Always record a few extra seconds at the end of each take and rewind a little bit, play til you get past what you need and then pause and then hit record. I'd do some tests to make sure you've got this down to make sure you're not going to erase anything. If you've got continuous signal and the timecode always ascends, fcp should be able to stop the capture when it hits the timecode break, keep playing for sufficient preroll and then start capturing again. that's the way it works on my system. I had to beat my cameraman up a few times before he stopped checking tape and then letting there be a gap between takes.
Hey Mike
Please understand I do appreciate your help here. "Does the timecode reset to Zero between takes?" I'm working on that ....
I may be dealing with a weak internal calendar battery in ONE particular camcorder: my Panasonic PV-GS250. I'm doing some tests with a different tape recorded on my DVX, and it seems to STAY in capture mode, (no TC breaks), even during stop/starts. I think you may have something here. 😉
But in the meantime:
"To be sure: so then I'll just deal with the broken time code, and just "manually set up each capture after each timecode reset." Which means: 'hit escape', go on to capture the next piece, and so on, and so on....this will work as 'a work around' Yes Mike? Correct Mike?
Thank you Mike - your a patient gentleman
Mike
Loosing Time Code FC6 - Mini DV
