Creating timecode on a blank miniDV

Blacking and coding is the process of recording black video and timecode onto new tapes. This helps ensure consistent timecode throughout the entire tape, thus avoiding potential timecode breaks.

You don't need special equipment to black and code new camcorder tapes. All you need is a lens cap.

Place the lens cap on the camcorder and start recording from the start of the tape all the way to the end. You should do this in a quiet, darkened room in case the lens cap leaks a little light.

As the black video is recorded onto the tape, consistent timecode is also recorded on the entire tape from start to finish. If consistent timecode is recorded on the entire tape, timecode breaks are not likely to occur when you use the tape later to record real video.

There are many opinions on this but I can't see how blacking a tape before using it in your camera helps you much. First you lay down all that nice clean code, then you rewind and start recording again.... with completely different code. You can still get code breaks, especially if you shut down and power up the camera. And if your new code is a lower number than your old code and you have a break, FCP can get confused as to where the footage you logged really is.

Not to mention that you're putting all those extra hours on your camera heads.

Black a tape if you're going to use it for insert editing. To do that, you need clean continuous code, but for shooting, I think you're better off if you follow good shooting practice. (always roll 5 or 10 seconds before your scene starts and after it ends) and be careful to properly re-que your tapes after viewing takes or after camera power downs.

JMO

Have fun
rh

Not to mention having an extra pass on the previously virgin tape.

I'm on the NO blacking side of this practice. Blacking a tape was for the analog tape days when you needed to insert edit and required an uninterrupted timecode track or control track.

-DH

I am with Randy. I have never ever heard of blacking a tape for shooting before DV came along. And then it was something that people thought would help with broken timecode issues. It doesn't. What causes a broken code is when you shoot, then review your footage and then don't press stop before the camera cuts to static...then the code starts over.

Actually, I guess it helps in this manner, prevents timecode from resetting to 00:00:00...which is a hassle. But it won't prevent a Timecode break. For when you shoot, it is performing an Assemble edit, much like if you record over a VHS tape in your VCR. When you press stop, the part of the tape after you stopped still incurs a TC break.

All blacking a tape does is introduce wear and tear, and increase the chances of dropout occurances. Don't do it...tell others about this myth. Do what Randy said and give yourself plenty of Post roll.

Shane

AsaTheresa,

I think I remember Kevan Holdsworth also being against blackening digital tape, but I think he did recommend taking the slack out of the tape: Fast forwarding it to the end and then rewinding, quickly, I suppose.

I think Kevan is gone for the Fourth holiday and cannot remark upon this. Perhaps some one else will comment.

I am but an aspiring newbie, so do not take my word for it.

LM

Here's a list of shooting techniques that could help avoid timecode problems, aside from the Canon/FW bus issue...

-Turning the camera on/off can reset timecode
-'stretch' tape prior to shooting (FF to end then RW)
-Roll 30 minutes of black/bars at head of tape, then roll back into it prior to recording to pick up contigous timecode
-Try to roll 5-10 seconds of bars or black between shot setups, (helds identify new shots when using log and capture), then roll back into pre-recorded tape to pick up contigous timecode.
-Try to roll at least 5 seconds prior to 'action' and after 'action ends' for pre-post roll
-Really try to avoid 'Free-Run or Time of Day' timecode
-Try to avoid re-using tapes...they can also cause problems with the camera possibly picking up 'other pre-recorded TC'

Just my opinion....others may feel differently.

; ]

-Roll 30 minutes of black/bars at head of tape, then
roll back into it prior to recording to pick up
contigous timecode

30 minutes of bars? minutes??

all good advice, but minutes??

to the original poster, here's what i do:

on my dvx100 i roll two minutes of bars. i preset timecode according to reel number for what i'm doing. reel 1 will be 01:00:00;00 reel 2 will be 02:00:00;00 and everyone gets the picture.

then i make sure my camera is set to regenerate timecode and then i follow kevan's and randy's excellent advice. i rarely encounter timecode breaks.

My bad, that should be 30 seconds...or at least enough to establish TC, that you can roll back in to.

Thanks for catching that Zeb...and great advice from you as well.

K