Final Cut Pro timecode problem

L

Lithos

Active member
So I just upgraded to FCPro from Express. My first attempt at the wonderous, time-saving batch capture is a horrific disappointment. Half of the clips I'm capturing (or more) show a timecode error (Unable to locate timecode: may not have specified enough room for pre/post roll). I have to cancel the capture and move on to the next clip until I'm through them all. Then I have to go back and re-log the ones that didn't capture and try again. Again only about half will work. So I keep doing this until I have them all captured. it's pretty ridiculous. There is plenty of room at the beginning and end of the clips, so the pre/post roll isn't the problem. I tried changing the settings to NDF rather than DF. If anything, it seems worse...
I'm wasting a lot of time and putting a lot of wear on my tapes this way, so if anyone has any ideas, please let me know.
 
What camera/format exactly did you use to shoot? DV, HDV, 29.97, 24p, 24pA, HD, etc? What are you using as your deck (the camera or an actual VTR)?

Without being there to check the tape over, I guess the one thing I'd recommend is to digitize through any TC problems. Go into your User Preferences and about half way down the right side, make sure On timecode break: is set to Warn After Capture. That might help you along at least getting the footage in there.

FCP is a much more sophisticated tool. So it can be frustrating, but just have some patience. In the long run you'll be way better off having made the step up. Also, you might want to try Googling around for Apple Pro Training Series books for FCP. They are a great way to get you settled into the program. Most Chapters in town carry them as well (but not always in stock so I tend to order online). Good luck.

cheers.
 
The footage was shot on DV tapes on a DVX100A. I'm using a little Samsung for playback and capture. I have the TC break setting right now on "make new clip", but it hasn't been doing that. It just gives the error, and I have to cancel the capture. I'll try the Warn after Capture setting.
I am very excited about having Pro, even if the batch capture never works. But it would be really great if I didn't have to take so long capturing everything.
Thanks.
 
It might be a problem with the Samsung "deck" then. I think a few DVX folks around here have talked about issues capturing stuff shot with the DVX and using other cameras as the decks. Seemed like using the DVX itself helped the situation (at least sometimes). So that would be one thing to try out (even just a few clips for test sake).

Also, you might want to check out Noah's DVD for DVX/FCP. It could be quite a valuable tool to have in hand (especially for the 29.97 vs 24p vs 24pA issues). The only place I know for it is from Call Box. But Noah is a regular contributor on this forum so you could ask him directly if that doesn't work for you.

cheers.
 
So I tested it with the DVX and it captures alright. I guess this means the cheap samsung we bought to save our DVX wear and tear was a waste of time and money. And now we're back to where we were, with the disappointing prospect of capturing 27 hours of footage with our DVX...
No other suggestions???
Have other people had this problem?
 
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