Poss Problem Capturing Z1 footage with A1

PeterWright wrote on 11/16/2006, 9:00 PM

One of the "other" advantages of buying an A1 as second HDV cam, I thought, was to use it as a capture "deck" - but on a current project I've noticed some black frames - two frames at a time, so far there have been four instances of this! No dropped frames - in fact I believe if a frame is dropped we'd get at least 15 frames of black because of the GOP.

First thought was possible tape problem? - I'm using "normal" Sony Mini DV Red tapes.

Anyway, I scurried back to the tape, put it in the Z1 and was relieved to see there were no black frames on the camera tape - so I'm wondering if this could be caused by some difference in head alignment or other set up features between the A1 and the Z1.

I should stress that I've never had this problem capturing from the Z1, and this was the first time I'd used the A1 for capture.

Has anyone else had such an experience?

Comments

jrazz wrote on 11/16/2006, 9:15 PM

I've had issue with playing a tape captured on the A1 through the HC1. Sometimes it will not pick up the signal and only displays blue. I think I posted that a while back. It is not consistent but once it decides it does not want to read a tape, it won't. Now, the A1 can read the HC1 tapes. I only use 83 minute panasonic pro tapes.

j razz

bruceo wrote on 11/16/2006, 9:24 PM

Yes. I get the 1 or 2 black frames issue and occaisional drops not related to HDV drops. Even sometimes I will get audio drops but no video....? With Z1 & FX1 footage captured using a1u as a capture deck on 2 different machines.

PeterWright wrote on 11/16/2006, 10:10 PM

Thanks Bruce - just caught up with your other black frame thread.

Yes, the exact same clip pasted into a new instance of Vegas is free of the black frames!
I always thought Vegas was capable of the almost impossible, but I didn't mean this!

Back in the problem project, Ram render has the black frames, but Render to new track is ok.

- and now, after I've rendered to new track the original is ok again!!! This is weird - but at least there's a simple solution ....

Edit - Just repeated this - found a new pair of black frames, rendered to new track, deleted the render and the original clip was healed!!

Sorry for suspecting the A1 !!