Apple Final Cut Pro 7 - Manual (Page 317)

If someone asks you to capture media from timecode 00:00:00:00 to 00:01:00:00 on reel
1, you assume that you should capture the first minute of the tape. But if the camcorder
was powered off and back on at some point during the shoot, the timecode counter may
have reset somewhere in the middle of the tape. This tape has two occurrences of
timecode 00:00:00:00, so which occurrence should you capture?
Worse, during logging and capturing, neither Final Cut Pro nor the VTR will necessarily
navigate to the proper timecode 00:00:00:00, because there are two. Device control uses
timecode for positioning information, and always assumes that timecode numbers increase
as the tape progresses. If the timecode starts over somewhere in the middle of the tape,
you have to manually navigate to the correct area of the tape.
Logging Tapes with Duplicate Timecode Numbers
If you have to log tapes that have duplicate timecode numbers, make sure that you
account for any timecode breaks by assigning separate reel numbers for each section of
tape where the timecode reset to 00:00:00:00.
For example, suppose you have a DV tape with footage from 00:00:00:00 to 00:30:00:00,
followed by a timecode break. You could name the first half of the tape reel 4-A, and the
second half of the tape (which goes from 00:30:00:00 through the end of the tape reel),
4-B. Clips from both reel 4-A and 4-B actually come from one physical tape labeled reel
4, but for ease of media management and clip recapturing, it helps to have a unique reel
number for each section of continuous timecode, so you are never confused about where
on the tape a particular timecode number is located.
How to Avoid Multiple Occurrences of the Same Timecode Number
Duplicate timecode numbers on a single tape can be one of the most frustrating
experiences during logging and capturing. Make sure the camera operator is aware of
these pitfalls before shooting, especially when using a consumer camcorder.
Note: A camcorder may automatically shut off after sitting idle for several minutes to
conserve battery power. One solution is to use AC power with the camcorder, though
this isn’t always practical.
Here are some techniques for avoiding reset timecode counters when shooting with
consumer DV camcorders:
• Prerecord a video signal (preferably black) on each tape before production to create a
continuous timecode signal on the entire tape: This is called blacking a tape. You can do
this in any camcorder by pressing Record with the lens cap on and the microphone
disconnected (to avoid recording any audio signals). The more professional solution is
to use a DV deck and its internal black generator. Some DV decks also allow you to
choose what timecode number your tape starts with.
• Dub your tapes so that you copy the video and audio information, but not the timecode: The
dubbed tapes become your new source tapes, and you can capture from these.
317 Chapter 20 Advanced Topics in Capturing Tape-Based Media