How do you set a time code when Printing to Tape?

RedShoe wrote on 11/20/2008, 6:39 PM
I edit for DVD's and everytime I print to tape the authors complain that my time code is all broken up, and not at all consistent. I edit for HD, so I use the Sony HVR-M15U as my HD deck and I print to DVCAM 184 tapes.

I don't see an option ANYWHERE that allows me to set the timecode, AND keep it from breaking. Also, they are requesting that I start the timecode so that the first USEABLE frame starts at exactly 1:00:00.00 So basically they are telling me to put the color bars and tones starting at 0:59:40.00 then 20 seconds of color bars and tones and at hour 1 they can start recording.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Comments

TheHappyFriar wrote on 11/20/2008, 7:02 PM
don't believe vidcap can do that, starts all at 00:00:00:00.
rs170a wrote on 11/20/2008, 7:18 PM
...the authors complain that my time code is all broken up...

Unless you're using a tape that was previously recorded on (even then this would be a real stretch), there's no reason I can think of that this would happen.

...they are telling me to put the color bars and tones starting at 0:59:40.00...

The only people I know who do that were or are in broadcasting.

I don't see an option ANYWHERE that allows me to set the timecode...

I used to this in my analog days but the tape had to be prestriped (i.e. blacked) first with the proper timecode followed by an "insert edit".
I have no idea if your HVR-M15U is capable of doing this or not.
Your other problem would be getting VidCap to do an insert edit and I don't think that's possible,

Mike
farss wrote on 11/20/2008, 11:54 PM
Pretty certain you can do this.
You need to switch the M15U into DVCAM. Sony do not support much if anything timecode wise in DV, only DVCAM.

You then preset timecode in the VCR to start at say 0:59:00:00.
Timecode should be set to Record Run. Then record black for a while, say a few minutes, using the record buttons on the VCR. Rewind the tape.

Now Vidcap will enable the "Start Recording At option" and will play the tape until it finds the point at which you want to start recording from, then it'll switch the VCR into record and off you go.

You can in Vegas also set an offset for the time the project TC starts from. That might give you the ability to have program start on a DV tape from 1:00:00:00 but you'd need to add T&B onto your T/L I think.

Bob.
RedShoe wrote on 11/21/2008, 12:41 AM
I went back and watched the footage myself. Here is what is happening...

On the timeline, say I have clip A, then I cut to Clip B. For whatever reason the timecode falls apart. On the DVCAM deck on playback you can see it go from (for exaplme)1:09:34.23, then cuts to 1:03:10.18

It's not consistent.

So I quickly learned that the DECK needs to be set to INTERNAL time. As opposed to trying to let Vegas set the timecode, which is external time.

Trying a test right now. We'll see if this works.
[r]Evolution wrote on 11/26/2008, 3:11 PM
Sounds like you're delivering your final product, correct?
You're NOT talking about a Timecode Window Burn, right?

Yep... if your DECK is set to INTERNAL time it will generate the Timecode as it Records video to tape. It will start at whatever you tell it to be the starting timecode.

Don't rely on Vegas to set your Timecode for a Print to Tape if you need it to start at a specific time.
If you set your DECK's Starting Timecode and let it control the Timecode that's printed to the tape you'll have the desired Timecode embedded to tape.