Logging/capturing tapes.

[DVX100Shooter]

So far, for the last 4 projects I worked on, I just cued up my footage on camera 5 seconds before I wanted to import it then clicked Capture Now.

How do I go about having the computer import the timecodes that I put in? When I do the Capture Now, I sometimes end up with some footage that I didn't want to import.

[svilay]

I was using capture now also, but I've started to use the mark-in and mark-out points to set what I want to capture, and use the <clip> button to capture the marked footage. It's very nice and easy to use.

[toddmcm]

learn JKL plus i o

j=backwards play, tap twice to move faster backwards, three times for full speed backwards,
k=STOP
l=forwards play, tap twice... same as j but forwards, three times... you get the picture

i sets the IN
o sets the OUT

The workflow I've adopted (which probably isn't the MOST efficient way) is to start at the beginning of the tape and hit L to start playing the tape, and hit "i" when I want my in point then "k" to stop it at my end point, then hit the "o" to set the outpoint where I stopped.

The reason to actually stop the tape is so I can click "log clip" which then logs that clip and gives you the option to name it and set all the other pertinent info for that clip. Once it's logged, I hit "l" to start playing and repeat the process.

The cool thing is that once you've done all this for all your clips you simply run a batch capture and walk away while the computer and camera do all the work.

EVEN better is the fact that you can simply delete all those clips after you have finished your project. If you ever need to back into that project, the clip info is still there and recapturing exactly what you had before is as simple as a few clicks.

This techniqe has been a lifesaver for me, as I really only have enough drive space to do one project at a time so saving all my clips just wasn't possible.

I hope this makes sense.

Good Luck

[DVX100Shooter]

Okay, I might have to try that on my next project. Now one other question after you do a batch capture are you able to set your Logging Bins or do you set your Bins before hand?

[toddmcm]

I always set my bins before hand...

For a few reasons.... I end up with multiple "reels" for the same tape because well I'll shoot surfing this morning before work, then go to the skatepark on my lunch break, and pull over on the side of the road for that sunset on my way home.

I would break it down into those three catagories (if they were to be used in the same project) and only capture to one bin at a time. This method really seems to work for me, as once again, I have pretty limited disk space and am constantly reformatting for new projects, and on occassion having to go back into an older project for whatever reason. A real good example of this that I'm sure a lot of people can relate with is "my masterpiece" that I constantly have to delete and recapture so I can work on something else that is more important, or more current... ect... ect...

On that note... I just ordered a LaCie 500GB external drive to allow me to keep at least one or two or ten previous projects online without having to go through this every time.

[DVX100Shooter]

Yea I was about to say, I know that is getting old for you to keep deleting and recapturing your project. I need to do the same thing. I am in between right now whether to spend the money on a deck so I won't have to keep using my camera or get a external hard drive to save my finished projects on. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! LOL! Eventually I will have both.

[toddmcm]

Well, for me that was an easy one as I only have a single 80G drive and it's only got about 40G free, and honestly only works well with about 20G of captured material. So the drive was a big priority,

but yes, a deck is my next purchase as well.

Good Luck to ya....