Confused about Df vs NDF

M

mike bloebaum

New member
I'm a new dvx100b owner - and I'm currently shooting in 30 fps progressive - and I'm a techno-boob. The manual is very confusing regarding whether I should set the camera record mode at DF or NDF when shooting at 30 fps progressive. I've done both - and plan to edit on FCP 5.1.1. What should I do and what problems will occur if I use the incorrect camera setting.


Sorry - this is probably real basic stuff.
 
i have no idea was DF is. where in the manual does it talk about it? NDF is neutral density filter and cuts down the amount of light that reaches the sensor.

sry i can't be of much help
 
Do you not have Barry's book? I would highly recommend getting it if you don't. I assume you mean drop-frame vs. non-drop-frame timecode? Barry discuses this in the book, unfortunately I'm not at home right now and can't remember what he said, lol. IIRC 24P is always NDF regardless of menu setting, can't remember what he said about 30P though.

Oh well, I'll check when I get home.
 
It's a way of keeping timecode consistent.

NDF numbers every frame sequentially.

DF drops a number -- not a frame, but a number in the sequence -- every so often to keep the timecode accurate to actual elapsed time.

You don't need to worry about it too much; the thing you SHOULD remember is that no actual frames are ever dropped. It's a numbering method only.
 
anchoryanker said:
Do you not have Barry's book? I would highly recommend getting it if you don't. I assume you mean drop-frame vs. non-drop-frame timecode? Barry discuses this in the book, unfortunately I'm not at home right now and can't remember what he said, lol. IIRC 24P is always NDF regardless of menu setting, can't remember what he said about 30P though.

Oh well, I'll check when I get home.
Click to expand...

This is the usual reply in _every thread_. I think you should ban this answer in the forum rules. :zombie_smiley:
 
It's drop frame and non drop frame. If you want to make your life easier, use NDF all the time when you edit and when you record. If your piece is going to be bradcast, it will need to be in DF time code but that can easily be done later, all that is needed is to make a dub from your NDF to DF.
 
Thanks for the helpful information. I'm only shooting in 30fps because I will be using some brief cut in material from a camera that doesn't shoot in 24P. I will take your advice and always shoot in NDF and convert it to DF for broadcast if and when that occurs. However, if I know I am shooting strictly for broadcast and am shooting 24p should I just shoot in DF?

And - finally, what problems will I encounter when I try to edit this stuff in FCP since I've shot in both DF and NDF?

Thanks again - sorry for the basic lack of knowledge. I've been away from the business for years - am an ex-emmy winning doc producer pursuing my real passion after retirement from an unhappy career in academia.
 
If you are going to convert to Drop-Frame later on for broadcast keep in mind that the running time for your show is going to change.
 
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