Time Code on DV Tape

Dwuane wrote on 7/2/2003, 1:36 PM
A question for all of my tech helpmates: Should I run a no video time code on all of my
DV tapes before I record Audio/Video on them? In other words, before I place a DV
tape into my XL1's or VX-2000, should I have already placed a time code on the entire
tape so as to be sure of no time code breaks in it, or does it really matter since the camera will replace it with new time code? Thanks in advance.

Dwuane

Comments

jetdv wrote on 7/2/2003, 1:44 PM
I consider it a waste of time. If you stop the tape, just make sure it starts in the previous recorded section and the timecode will always be fine. If you DO stripe the tape, recording the real footing re-records the timecode anyway. This gives the "possibility" of the timecode getting out of sync anyway. If that happens, it's a whole lot easier to see it jump to zero than to try to find a 5 frame jump! Just be careful and you don't have to worry about it anyway.
Dwuane wrote on 7/2/2003, 1:48 PM
That's kind of what I was thinking. Thanks so much for your help, Jetdv.

Dwuane
Erk wrote on 7/3/2003, 9:47 AM
I've learned to appreciate keeping a consistent timecode with no breaks. And to get that, the hardest thing for me was to resist the urge to "rewind it, let's see it! it's so cool! let's see it again!" Invariably, at some point during the shoot I'll forget to run it up to the end of the timecode, and record over valuable footage or blow the timecode.

G
BrianStanding wrote on 7/3/2003, 9:50 AM
Many DV cameras have an "End-Search" button to help you find the last recorded frame. If you switch tapes or rewind to preview, hit this, back it up a few frames, and you'll still have continuous timecode.
wcoxe1 wrote on 7/3/2003, 11:42 AM
End Search only works on camcorders which can use CM Cassette Memory (Chip) in CM type tapes. If the camcorder allows it, and you have the chip in your tape, then End Search is a real blessing. Problem is that only higher end machines and most Sony machines can actually USE the CM. And, of course, CM tape costs a bit more.

For those of us who do switch tapes in and out, whether we play them and rewind them or not, End Search is a real blessing. You don't have to worry about the tape moving or about chopping off a split second of your previous scene to insure you have no timecode gaps.

I learned the value of End Search a few years ago when my then 2 year old daughter learned that Daddy could instantly replay her image for her to see. The Sony camcorder with CM tape saved the day MANY times. Now, at 4 years old, it is unusual for her NOT to ask to see the "movie" at least a few times during the day. Not a problem any longer.
jaegersing wrote on 7/3/2003, 8:59 PM
The end search implementation depends on the camcorder. My Sony VX2000 end search works with normal tapes or MD tapes until the tape is removed and reinserted. Then it can't find the end unless it is a CM tape.

However my Panasonic NV DX100 works OK with normal tapes, and can find the end portion even if the tape has been taken out and put back. I expect it is just scanning for time code so does not need any memory function to work.

Probably Sony have done it this way to "encourage" people to buy their CM tapes rather than for any technical reason.

Richard Hunter
Chienworks wrote on 7/4/2003, 5:38 AM
A lot of this is made much easier if you always tape a few extra seconds at the end of each scene. This gives you plenty of room after reviewing to pause the camcorder in this extra section at the end so that you can easily preserve constant timecode without having to worry about overwriting previous scenes.
PAW wrote on 7/4/2003, 4:19 PM

A good option is to capture with scenalyzer, it manages the timecode issue so you don't need to worry about recording a blank tape first.

It will index the tape and allow you to pull individual scenes from the tape

PAW
Dwuane wrote on 7/4/2003, 4:56 PM
Are you guys talking only if I take out the tape and then replace it, or will it be okay
to pause or turn off the camera and then back on...will it remember where it's suppose to be? In other words, if I leave the tape in the camera, don't remove it, will there be
slits in the time code by pausing or turning the camera off and then back on to go to another scene? Thanks in advance for your responses and help.

Dwuane
Chienworks wrote on 7/4/2003, 5:12 PM
Well, that's heavily dependant on the camera itself. However, even without turning the camera off, if you are paused or idle for a few minutes the tape will probably be de-threaded to allow the head to spin down. When the tape is re-threaded there's no guarantee it will be in the same spot. So, you don't even have to turn the camera off or remove the tape to have this problem.