Multicam, getting started...

GerryLeacock wrote on 8/15/2010, 1:13 PM

I made 2 sample clips to use for learning purposes. I made sure that both cameras had their internal clocks matching as close as possible. When I select these clips and go to Tools -->Multicam ---> Lay out tracks using media timecode, I get the following error: "Some media do not have valid timecode and were skipped".

I'm using my Sony HDR-SR11 in HD mode and my wife's Fuji S9000 in movie mode (standard video). Not sure if the variance in equipment made the "not valid timecode" error appear or not, but just to be sure, I took my Sony HD clip, renamed a copy of it, and tried it use, for example, Sonyclip1 and Sonyclip2 (both clips being identical). I still got the error.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Comments

musicvid10 wrote on 8/15/2010, 4:00 PM

Many camcorders do not record valid timecode on the first few frames, so this feature doesn't work in all cases.

Tips for muliticam:

-- Quantize to frames "On." Snapping "On."
-- Line up one frame from each clip by eyeballing.
-- Before creating multicam track copy everything to lower tracks and mute it. You will be glad you have it later.
-- Don't choose "multicam with audio." Use one audio track as a master and lock it. You can bring in the other tracks when you wish (see just above).
-- When syncing audio, Pluraleyes is your best friend.

As far as your project, save early and save often. Again, you'll be glad you did.

GerryLeacock wrote on 8/17/2010, 1:39 PM

Thanks for the info, Musicvid! But I did a bit of googling and found a video on youtube that describes the process nicely for those of us that don't have a timecode generator.

I tried it with those 2 short clips I mentioned earlier and it worked great. I'm posting this incase anyone else is curious on how to do it.

Gerry

warriorking wrote on 8/18/2010, 6:25 AM

I totally agree, pluraleyes is a must have program for multicam projects, it saves countless hours and headaches on your projects, one of the best buys I ever made....

Camcorders: Sony HDR-AX2000, Canon Hg21, Canon Hg10

PeterWright wrote on 8/18/2010, 6:49 AM

I would agree that PluralEyes is impressive, and very helpful if you do multicam all the time.
I do one, maybe two a year and after trying the PluralEyes trial I decided not to buy. For me it saved minutes rather than hours. In fact if you include the analysing/processing time it took, I could do it faster manually - this was on a 90 minute three camera shoot.

musicvid10 wrote on 8/18/2010, 10:51 AM

Just a difference in workflow. If I was using a master track only, or cutting back and forth between camera audio tracks, a quick visual alignment would do the trick.

However, mixing live performances from 5-6 stereo tracks to a clear 5.1 surround program requires near sample-accuracy to eliminate echo and flanging. Pluraleyes does that in 20 minutes as opposed to a couple of days of my time, and does it better.

Byron K wrote on 8/18/2010, 11:58 AM

For simple alignments, the Snap Offset feature is a Great feature when aligning audio and video.