TOD Timecode madness! I need to REGEN some time codes...

King Cole

King Cole

Active member
Hello All,
I've been asked to edit a feature length documentary which was shot on two DVX100a's. They were both shooting 24pa. One's tapes a perfect, no problems. The others, however, were recored in Time of Day timecode, meaning that there are gaps in between every start and stop of the camera. This is quite problematic as Final Cut Pro will not import this seemingly broken time code footage. I've done a little research (aka manual reading) about REGEN timecode functions and understand the basics. However, I'd rather not run the DVX100 through regenerating/importing ~150 miniDV tapes. We have a Sony DSR-11 deck, but I can't find any REGEN function in the manual. Anyone have any ideas how to get around this?

Thanks,
JC
 
Even Regen wont' help you, as it only works wehn you are recording footage.

In fact (with DV) Timecode is ALWAYS recorded with the video signal.

You have only one solution:
You have to dub the tapes over firewire to another DV deck (Don't use your DVX!) This will record new, clean, timecode on the tape.
Yes it sucks, no there's no other way to get continuous TC.

Not sure how about FCP thoguh, are you sure there isn't a way to have it ignore DV TC and capture anyway?

- Mikko ... notes again why he always stripes tapes.
 
Thanks for the response. We have one deck and 2 DVX100's. I have a pathetic DV camera I could offer too. To do what you suggest wouldn't we need either two decks or a deck and a camera (like my pathetic one)? I had REGEN suggested to me in playback by another use, so I thought it might be an option...

BTW, FCP does have a Capture Now feature which ignores time code, but we'd like to avoid capturing now 150 hours worth of footage- we'd rather log and capture.

Thanks again for your help,
JC
 
FCP Can Do It!!

FCP Can Do It!!

Cole,

If you set FCP's capture settings to "Non-controllable device" you will be able to digitize without timecode (Final Cut will assign new timecode to the footage.) To do this properly you need to digitize off a deck other than the DVX camera as it may hitch on the timecode breaks and is in general terrible digitizing deck (but a super camera!)

Cheers,
BMcD
 
BMcD said:
Cole,

If you set FCP's capture settings to "Non-controllable device" you will be able to digitize without timecode (Final Cut will assign new timecode to the footage.) To do this properly you need to digitize off a deck other than the DVX camera as it may hitch on the timecode breaks and is in general terrible digitizing deck (but a super camera!)

Cheers,
BMcD
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestion BMcD. I'd actually considered that, only here's the problem:
I'm only the editor. I was not involved in the shooting process at all. This means the "director" knows all the footage (all 300 hours worth.) Our current setup allows for him to make a spreadsheet of timecodes, email that to me, and then I capture the footage at my computer. This allows for him to continue going through the footage while someone else is capturing. So, unless FCP prints that timecode when it is considered a noncontrollable device (Does it?), it would be difficult to do what we are currently set up to do. Would the timecode always be the same if it is set as a non-controllable device? I know this is all hard to follow and appreciate everyone's help.

Also, I hadn't realized the DVX was so bad at digitizing (I'd always thought everyone stayed away from that simply to lengthen the lifespan), but that is certainly good to know!

Thanks again to everyone for making this such a great resource!

JC
 
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