Free-Run Timecode & Timecode Breaks?

[Bischofftep]

Hey all:

Considering using two cameras "in synch" using free-run timecode. I know that FCP doesn't like timecode breaks which will be inevitable in this situation. Is there anything I should be aware of about capturing, or does FCP handle this more gracefully by, say, breaking up chunks between timecode changes into their own clips automatically?

Many thanks,

 

[dashwood]

Re: Free-Run Timecode & Timecode Breaks?

I've done this a few times on multi-camera shoots. You can sync the cameras using 1 remote control. Here's a document I prepared for my last multi-cam shoot that might be helpful. http://homepage.mac.com/timdashwood/.Public/DVX100_Setup_Guide.doc

The TC breaks won't cause too many problems as long as you log everything, and keep the in points at least 3 seconds from the TC break.

If you are shooting for long periods ( a documentary over 1 day) make sure you change the tape before the TC flips from 23:59:59:29 to 00:00:00:00.

Tim

 

[Mitch_Ives]

Re: Free-Run Timecode & Timecode Breaks?

[quote author=Bischofftep link=board=FCP;num=1088706838;start=0#0 date=07/01/04 at 11:33:57]Hey all:

Considering using two cameras "in synch" using free-run timecode. I know that FCP doesn't like timecode breaks which will be inevitable in this situation. Is there anything I should be aware of about capturing, or does FCP handle this more gracefully by, say, breaking up chunks between timecode changes into their own clips automatically?

Many thanks,
[/quote]

We use free-run all the time when using multiple cameras. FWIW, FCP 4.0 and above has no problem with TC breaks, and in fact it deals with them better than any of the NLE's we've ever owned...

 

[Slapdragon]

Re: Free-Run Timecode & Timecode Breaks?

Now days, FCP will only get confused with wandering time code. This means setting a time code run, changing the time code up, then down, then up, then down. Only happens when a camera is battery off and resets timecode, then the tape heads are put into a position that it cannot backspace and pickup the previous code. So basically, you have to be really sloppy to mess up even batch capture in FCP4+.