timecode question for multi camera shoot

S

sol

Member
Hi All,
I have 2 questions regarding multi cam shoots.

1- what is the best timecode option / workflow to use when multi camera shooting with 2 cameras?

2- if one camera will be used while the other is turned off for say 50% of the time (compared to the main camera), is there a way to keep the 2 timecodes aligned?

Thanks
Sol
 
Don't turn the second camera off. Leave it on all the time.
Use the remote control to set the exact TC on both cameras. Assuming you are using two DVX's.
Set the TC to free-run so the TC will roll all the time on both cameras, even while tape is paused.
Another trick I use to help "sync" up the tapes if you are shooting something where you can't use a slate is just carry a camera flash with you. Fire it off whenever appropriate and you can "sync" the tapes to the flash.

Depending on your NLE - this can be handy as well
http://www.unitedmediainc.com/products/
 
thanks for the reply Sirius Doggy.
Yes it is with 2 DVX's
yes I agree the flash is a good idea.
Unfortunately it is not possible to keep the second camera on the entire time. We are shooting over 2 weeks and generally away from power sources to recharge batteries, of which we will have 10-12 and plan to shoot upwards of 40 hours of tape. Doco style shooting on the fly.
I guess we will need to reset timecodes on a location by location basis.

What is the best procedure or workflow for setting TC each time I prepare to shoot 2 cameras?
Should I be resetting the TC each time I use 2 cameras. Say to 00:59:30:00. Shoot colour bars and then should I leave the TC on preset or regen? I assume I should have the TCG on free run the entire time or only after I have colour bar the first 30 seconds of both tapes?
I hope this isn't too confusing!

Thanks
Sol
 
I'd use Time Of Day for your TC setting. Use Preset/FreeRun
You'll have to reset the TC when you add camera 2. Just roll some bars and set them both using the remote so they match. Also, record drop-frame, not Non-drop. Not an issue if recorded 24p though since that's your only option.

Also - I'd suggest using the UBit code to record camera number/date, ie 01:07:07:05 = camera 1 with today's date. It will help to keep track of tapes if you forget to label them.
Hope that helps.
 
lets talk about difficult multicam editing here. So it was my first on the set interview for an entertainment behind the scenes show (an amateur start up show). Two camcorders, not synced to anything. Both turned on randomly before each interview and turned off randomly after. I kid you not, i had to find the frame where the interviewer opened his mouth on both clips then skip back 60 frames to have an OK handle. Sometimes the video would be ever so slightly off and I would have to go back and have one clip start earlier or later by a couple frames.

Nightmare.
 
If your NLE has the ability to decode LTC timecode recorded to an audio channel, you can use an LTC generator on each camera jammed from a common master clock. Check out Horita.

The downside is of you are using the other channel for actual audio, the automatic level control will lower the volumn when loud noises occur reducing your LTC track. The above method works great with a DAT or BWF recorder jammed to the same timecode.

Michael
 
HMG said:
lets talk about difficult multicam editing here. So it was my first on the set interview for an entertainment behind the scenes show (an amateur start up show). Two camcorders, not synced to anything. Both turned on randomly before each interview and turned off randomly after. I kid you not, i had to find the frame where the interviewer opened his mouth on both clips then skip back 60 frames to have an OK handle. Sometimes the video would be ever so slightly off and I would have to go back and have one clip start earlier or later by a couple frames.

Nightmare.
Click to expand...

been there, done that - with 3 cameras!
 
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