Time code question

S

Stas_Tagios

Well-known member
Just noticed this after 2 1/2 years of using the DVX100... I know the 100 records only non-drop frame time code in the 24p and 24pa modes.

What I never noticed, however, is that when you go into the "recording setup" menu while in 24p or 24pa, the only visible TC setting is "DF" rather than NDF. Why is that? You'd think that since it only records NDF while in the 24p modes, it would say only NDF, rather than DF.
 
yeah, i wonder about that too sometimes, i get a message in Avid that will say, non drop tape is inserted, please insert the correct drop frame tape, because i assumed it was drop frame, but i guess its ndf eh... well i think that solved my 24p problem. what are you editing on?

aaron.
info@aaronleyland.com
 
I cut on FCP and I've never had an issue with time code, but I do find it strange that the menu screen says DF when the manual says the camera only records NDF in the 24p modes (and the resulting time code on the tape is NDF). Maybe it was just a software oversight.
 
I assume that someone will correct me if I'm wrong - but this is what is happening (I think): 24p is NDF, and the camera will record it in this way when you set it to do so (Like with your using F5 or F6). However, the menu does not update the change from DF to NDF. The menu will turn that feature blue, which means that you cannot change it. The actual recording is in NDF and the camera forces it to record this way that's why you cannot go in and change it (ie it is blued out). Why it does not change in the menu is beyond me. I think it just stays on the last selection that you had. But you can rest assused that if your in 24p it is recording in NDF.

If you really want it to reflect in the menu here is what you do- turn to any other scene files setting (F1 - F4) that will let you adjust the DF or NDF. Go in and change it to NDF. Now go back to F5 or F6. In the menu you should now see NDF blued out. (I did this just to be sure it was recording NDF when I first got the camera. It wasn't until later that I learded that the camera forces it to this mode when in 24p)

Anyway, if I have this all mixed up someone will correct it. But I believe this is what is going on.
 
In Avid, go to the Deck settings and set up as NDF as default for logging. What happens is that you give it a tape name before it has been played defaulting to DF, you play into your 24p and 24pA footage and it is now NDF which conflicts with the original flag of the logged tape.

What I do is never give a tape a name (click ignore) until I am actually laying the tape into footage I want to capture. Then I give it a tape name. This assures correct DF/NDF and timecode for recaptre, EDL's, etc.

Michael
 
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