Timecode reset on powerdown?

[TOUCH]

I'm about to start a project (on my own dime) and I'm pretty sure that from time to time, I'm going to need to power-down the XL2 (to change lenses, etc.), but I'm unable to find anywhere in the documentation whether or not the timecode re-sets to 0 when I turn the camera off. Sure it'd be easy to swap tape, but hey - $15 a tape is nothing to sneeze at. Thanks in advance if you can shed some light on this for me. And if I've overlooked my answer in the manual or here - I'll take my box on the ears without whining.

[jaegersing]

The timecode is recorded on the tape, so it doesn't reset. If you remove the tape and put it back in, you might cause the head to be after the end of the recorded section, in which case the timecode would start at zero on your next shot. Solution is to use the End Search function after inserting a partially used tape. This will cue it up for the next shot and you will not get a break in the timecode.

Richard Hunter

[Rick_Rock]

A better idea would be to "black" or "stripe" your tape like many professionals do. All this entails is popping in a blank tape and either recording no-signal/input in VTR mode or simply recording while in camera mode with the lens cap on for the length of the tape.

What this does is stripe your entire tape with timecode so you do not have any drop outs when you power-off your camera or swap tapes. Some might argue this puts more wear and tear on your camera, but it sure beats the headaches you get from drops and resets in timecode, not to mention all the wear from fast forwarding and rewinding anyway.

Also, paying $15 for a standard Mini-DV tape is way too much. You should really look into either online retailers or bulk suppliers such as these:

http://www.tapeandmedia.com
http://www.evsonline.com
http://www.bhphotovideo.com

[TOUCH]

thanks guys!

[jaegersing]

I've tried striping tapes a couple of times, but it takes a lot of preparation time (i.e. 1 hour per tape) and I found it not really worthwhile.

What I try to practice now is to record a few seconds of black before removing the tape from the camera. This is quite easy to find when cueing the same tape up after reinsertion. One advantage of NOT striping tapes is that I can use the End Search function if I've been playing back an earlier section of the tape. If the tape has been pre-striped, End Search isn't very useful as it just takes you to the end of the tape.

Richard Hunter

[Rush]

Yeah Ollie, $15 sounds kinda silly, check this out:
http://www.evsonline.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=AYDVM63MQ

You get the 50+ price at any quantity ;D

[TOUCH]

Sweet.
Thanks, Rush. I'll contact you to place an order.

[Rush]

Thanks Ollie I will be in the office on Thursday (Off on Wednesday) ;D