Corrupted mini DV tape files

Question

Corrupted mini DV tape files

I am wondering how to deal with a problem that has surfaced in importing video files into Final Cut Pro from my Sony V1U. The V1U records on Mini DV tapes and I've been using pro grade Sony tapes. I clean the head of my camera regularly (every ten hours of recording time, or so). The last recordings I made resulted in clips that were had gaps that showed up as solid green thumbnail images when imported into my event folders. Upon playing the clips I get the dreaded beachball and FCP stops responding. I took the opportunity to copy the clips into a project and then transfer the clips to compressor. I successfully compressed the video into Pro Res 422 HQ file which seemed to work. the entirety of the clips was restored. I am admittedly a novice when it comes to processing video and creating the appropriate formats for editing. My question is #1: what's going on here? #2: is this fPro Res 422 format

Acceptable for editing? I know DV tape is no longer the preferred method of capturing video. I have used this camera for years with really wonderful results. I'd hate to have to give it up. FYI I am running FCP 10.4.3 (OS 10.13.5). Any insights or advice on these issues? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Steve

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), iOS 5.1

Posted on Jul 17, 2018 5:23 AM

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Answer 1

Alchroma

Level 7

23,918 points

Jul 18, 2018 3:50 PM in response to Stephen Hunt1

If you can, open the tape protective lid and inspect the tape for damage to its edges.

At least we can put the issue down to a bad tape.

Al

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Answer 2

Jul 17, 2018 8:23 AM in response to Stephen Hunt1

I don't have any tapes or tape based cameras to test. FCP X is still supposed to handle those, but I guess they are being used less and less. I expect someone with direct experience using tape based cameras may speak up on their experience.

The source being DV, you are probably not getting any benefit from ProRes HQ; probably you would not notice much or any difference if you had used ProRes 422 or even ProRes 422 LT, and could save a lot of space.

The ProRes codecs are very indicated for editing.

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Answer 3

Alchroma

Level 7

23,918 points

Jul 17, 2018 3:44 PM in response to Stephen Hunt1

Hello fellow V1 user. That was quit a few cameras ago though. 😁

There have been a few DV/HDV discussions recently.

See if this sheds any light:

Re: FCPX 10.4.2 "not responding"

I would also ask: How many times have the tapes been recorded/used then wiped or re-recorded?

Also, how do you insert/eject tapes?

Al

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Answer 4

Jul 17, 2018 9:54 AM in response to Luis Sequeira1

Thanks for your reply Luis. It’s very helpful. Until this weekend I have never had any issue in editing using the native video files. I’m just trying to figure out the source of the problem. I’m glad that I’m ok using Pro Rez 422 files to commence with editing. Thanks again,

Steve

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Answer 5

Jul 17, 2018 4:08 PM in response to Alchroma

Hey Alchroma, i never record over previously recoded tapes. Upon import there was no indication of any problems as the video played both on the camera screen and in FCP. As you may surmise I don’t have any other way of importing video other than using the camera. The fact is that the native video appears to be corrupted in FCP. What’s puzzling to me is how this imported video can be moved into a project then sent to compressor for processing and converted to a pro res 422 file which appears to be alright. Maybe I’m wrong but maybe it’s a problem w/ FCP. I get FCP not responding if I try to play the native video as an event or as a project. This is a brand new development. It doesn’t happen with the GoPro or SD imports. Like I said, I love the V1U despite the added expense of tapes. I just can’t risk losing important video to corruption. Thanks for replying to my post. The input is invaluable. Re: the tapes, I just put them in and remove the only way you can, by op ning and closing the door release button. Because it’s mechanical, I always take great care I’d inserting and removing tapes. S

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Answer 6

Jul 18, 2018 5:24 AM in response to Alchroma

hi Al,

here is a screen shot of the corrupted file in the events browser. All of the footage I recorded on tape is compromised. I can't play any of the footage in FC that was recorded on the V1U, while go pro and sd card footage remains unaffected. I just realized that the problem is only showing up on 1 of the tapes i used on this shoot. A second tape that i recorded on appears ok. a bad tape seems to be the culprit. thanks for your observations and assistance. Fingers crossed that no other tapes are bad.

Steve

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Answer 7

Alchroma

Level 7

23,918 points

Jul 17, 2018 8:38 PM in response to Stephen Hunt1

I have recently tested both DV and HDV tape regarding FCP X capture and not have experienced the issue you have.

Over the years various users have had differing issues but in my experience it all seems to relate to unstable timecode written on the tape.

Why I ask about tape eject/insert procedure is; that damage to the tape can occur at the point of insertion/ejection due to threading/unthreading around the tape path causing dropouts.

Ejecting or inserting is best performed at the very start or end of a tape, that way the precious timecode is not damaged or footage for that matter.

Cue and Review is another area that needs to be carefully monitored to maintain contiguous TC.

Using tape I would always stripe the tape with TC before an actual recording to avoid these issues.

Another potential pitfall is the firewire connection.

Cables and adapters need to be in tip-top condition to efficiently carry the TC in a contiguous manner.

The V1 will have a menu for outputting DV or HDV or an Auto setting. Check if a dedicated output setting works better than the Auto setting.

Can you post a screen shot of the "green" footage please?

Al

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Corrupted mini DV tape files

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