Tape TimeCode Information?

[r]Evolution wrote on 4/17/2006, 1:44 PM
Does VEGAS store the Tape's TimeCode Info with your captured file?

I ask this because we run 2 AVID systems and we always seem to build something or look for media based on the Tapes TimeCode.

Also, when I Right Click and 'Open In Trimmer'... is this the same as AVIDs 'MatchBack/MatchFrame' feature?

Since being here, I'm getting 'Rusty' w/ my VEGAS knowledge. My hope is to make sure I know how to do the things we do everyday in AVID... on VEGAS. That way when my Boss is looking over my shoulder and asking me... "But, can it do this?" I can show/prove it to him.

-It's hard convincing a guy that has over $50,000 invested in a SD system that we can be doing HD for uner $10,000 so I have to pick my battles, words, and tactics wisely.

I'm d@mngood with VEGAS... but AVID pays the rent. Although I wouldn't want to totally get rid of AVID... I would like to sneak VEGAS in. --Who am I kidding? We all know I'd rather be on VEGAS.

Comments

Nat wrote on 4/17/2006, 1:47 PM
If you're shooting DV I know it does. You can verify this by dropping the timecode filter at the media level (not event or track level).

Edit: You can also recapture clips that were deleted and vegas will use the timecode embeded in the AVI to find the good sections on the tape.
filmy wrote on 4/18/2006, 7:09 AM
>>>Also, when I Right Click and 'Open In Trimmer'... is this the same as AVIDs 'MatchBack/MatchFrame' feature?<<<

Those terms are mostly used for Film > Video > Film. You shoot on film, telecine the dailies, import it into an NLE, do a cut, dump out an EDL and than do a matchback - meaning that translates the timecode numbers back to edge numbers. The neg cutter will use that to conrom the negative.

Short answer is that No, "Open in trimmer" is not the same as doing a matchback. Not even close to the same thing. Vegas has no ability for Film matchback and limited EDL ability.
[r]Evolution wrote on 4/27/2006, 5:18 PM
'MatchFrame' in Avid:
I can place my Timeline Marker over a clip... hit the 'MatchFrame' button and that clip will load into the Source Window and the Marker will be on the EXACT Frame in the Source Window as it is on the Timeline.

The 'Source Window' in Avid has the same function as the 'Trimmer' in Vegas. You can set In & Out points then add that selected media to the timeline. (FCP, Premiere, Edius, and most other NLE's have this same 'Source Window' functionality. I think Vegas was the first to do away with it... instead they gave us the 'Trimmer'.)

The 'MatchFrame' function in Avid is a true time saver when it comes to locating media and getting directly to your edit point or desired frame.

-Right Click- 'Load in Trimmer... loads your clip into the Trimmer... but how do I get it to the EXACT In Point or to a Specific Frame?
Do I just have to 'eyeball' it?
Is there timecode/info I can watch to be sure I'm on the EXACT frame?
(comes in handy when dealing with a Script/EDL)
DJPadre wrote on 4/27/2006, 6:01 PM
Does VEGAS store the Tape's TimeCode Info with your captured file?

I ask this because we run 2 AVID systems and we always seem to build something or look for media based on the Tapes TimeCode.

(yes and much more..
not only does it store teh timecode, but it also stroes the shooting data (if the camera supports it) for eg, i use DVX100's and Z1's, and capture the DVX footg on an MX500. when i capture i can see my aperture, shutter and whether i have stabilisationon or off, if i capture with the dvx, it will also show me focal range audio peaks etc etc etc
on teh Veg timeline, if i play that BACK to the camera as a preview, without runnning filters or making any changes or overlays, that data is STILL visible.
but trow on some CC or curves or do ANYTHIG to the media and that timecode will be reset to 0.
Now if u render, the rendered file itself will have a different timecode altogether. and that timecode is diretly taken from the date/month info from your pc. That is then embeded within the media.
Another thing to note about timecode, is that it is used as a structural element to Vegas splitting/trimming. Like most NLES the difference here though is that vegas (to me anywway) has never had issues when rebuilding projects with lost media, unless its HDV, then in that case, i woudl capture teh tape as a whole, convert to cineform, then use the new avis as replacements tot eh old ones. Vegas will retain each cut to the frame.. i cant say any other NLE has been THIS tight or accurate with media replacement.

With regard to frame accurate trimmming.. as in fast frame accurate trimming.. this can easily be done on teh timeline itself without the need of the trimmer... IMO, the single preview workflow is a hellofalot more efficient than the old skool, twin panels. Not only that, bu u can literally zoom in to the frame within the timeline much faster than it would be to right click and open in trimmer.. get a decent scrollmouse and a wek or so of getting used to it, and youll know what i mean.. i dont even use thr trimmer anymore.

one thing to remember, is that avid was and always will be a cutter. If cutting is all you want to do, dont bother with vegas, as there will be so many features which youd want to take advantage of which go far beyond basic cutting, that you wont know what to do with yourself.. Avid is good no doubt, the only real benefit of teh program compared to afew others out there is that it has a huge professional user base (albeit slightly stuck up) and it has a market penetrations which will be a tough one to beat. Their larger NLE systems are really the ones to only consider as the smaler bundles really dont do all that much that Vegas cant.
For me and what i do, ive ditched avid altogether.. im only reconsidering it for the HVX200, but even then, id be loathe to go back to avid..