Apple Final Cut Pro 5 - Manual (Page 1677)

326 Part IV Settings and Preferences
 Time Source: Some tape formats can have more than one kind of timecode track. You
can choose which track you want Final Cut Pro to read timecode from, and in the
case of LTC and VITC, you can let Final Cut Pro read either one depending on what’s
available:
 LTC: Because LTC is audio, it can be interpreted by a timecode reader even when
the tape is fast-forwarding, but it can’t be read when the tape is paused or moving
extremely slowly.
 VITC: VITC can be read at very slow speeds, but it breaks up when fast-forwarding
or rewinding.
 LTC+VITC: This setting is best if your tape has both VITC and LTC. If you choose this
setting, Final Cut Pro looks at both timecodes so that accurate timecode can be
read no matter what speed the tape is playing (LTC is used for normal and high
speed playback; VITC is used for slow motion and pause).
 Timer: A clock-based counter. This option is useful for decks that support device
control but not timecode, such as some VHS decks.
 DV Time: Choose this when capturing or outputting to a DV device.
 Port: Choose the port to which your device control cable is connected. If you’re using
DV timecode, this option is not available, because FireWire is used automatically. If
you’re using serial device control rather than DV device control, choose the port that
you have connected your serial device control. This may be your built-in modem
port, or a USB-to-serial adapter connected to a USB port.
 Frame Rate: Choose the timecode frame rate of the video you’ll be capturing, such as
29.97 fps for NTSC, 25 fps for PAL, 59.94 fps for DVCPRO HD 720p, and so on.
 Default Timecode: This option affects the timecode mode (drop frame or non-drop
frame) of fields in the Log and Capture window when no device is connected, or
before a tape begins playing. Once a tape is playing, Final Cut Pro determines the
timecode mode from the tape, not this pop-up menu.
The timecode mode chosen here is useful when you log clips without a tape in your
VTR. Before you press play on the deck, Final Cut Pro doesn’t know what the
timecode mode is on the tape, so it uses the default timecode.
When no device is connected, you can change the timecode mode of the In and Out
point and Timecode Duration fields by Control-clicking these fields in the Log and
Capture window and choosing a default timecode mode.