Rick Meyer
Veteran
Okay guys...I stumbled across this thread on a Cinematography site. Apparently someone was having issues with his DECK reading TIMECODE. In one of the responses, a man suggested he charge up his BUTTON BATTERY? What the hell is that? That is the absolute first time I have ever heard of it. Also, I don't like the idea of plugging an AC adapter to my camera. For any reason. Can someone who knows what the heck he is talking about please enlighten me?
Thanks! Rick
Read on:
>when playing back the same tape - on the DVX - timecode shows and >advances normally. a tape recorded a few months ago on the SAME >camera DOES show timecode when being played back on BOTH the >deck AND the camera, however.
I had tons of TC issues with my first DVX100 and they continued with my DVX100A...until I learned a few things however.
One is you MUST have the button battery charged in order for any kind to TC memory. That button battery gets charged by plugging in the AC adaptor/charger, without a batter and the camera off. Do this for about 5 hours and that guy will be hot for months and months.
Next, you must have your camera in Regen if you want TC to be accurate.
The thing to do is to pre-strip (30 seconds a tape is fine) about as many tapes as you might use for the day in the time code preset mode and once that's complete, set the camera for Regen. Now alls you have to do is pop a tape in and the camera will pick up the last TC on the tape so you don't have to fumble with the menu in between tapes.
But the main reason for this system to ensure accurate time code and believe me it works!
Thanks! Rick
Read on:
>when playing back the same tape - on the DVX - timecode shows and >advances normally. a tape recorded a few months ago on the SAME >camera DOES show timecode when being played back on BOTH the >deck AND the camera, however.
I had tons of TC issues with my first DVX100 and they continued with my DVX100A...until I learned a few things however.
One is you MUST have the button battery charged in order for any kind to TC memory. That button battery gets charged by plugging in the AC adaptor/charger, without a batter and the camera off. Do this for about 5 hours and that guy will be hot for months and months.
Next, you must have your camera in Regen if you want TC to be accurate.
The thing to do is to pre-strip (30 seconds a tape is fine) about as many tapes as you might use for the day in the time code preset mode and once that's complete, set the camera for Regen. Now alls you have to do is pop a tape in and the camera will pick up the last TC on the tape so you don't have to fumble with the menu in between tapes.
But the main reason for this system to ensure accurate time code and believe me it works!
