Time Code / Time and Date

PaulJG wrote on 9/8/2004, 7:49 AM
Hello,

I am video taping a wedding in a couple of weeks and I have a question for you all.

I plan to use 2 Canon GL2 camcorders. For the most part the two cameras will be running at the same time. But sometime one camera might be running longer then the other.

When I capture the clips to Vegas, I will have to assemble them in a time sequence to cut back in forth form camera views.

Is there a way to show the time code in Vegas with out have that being part of the final product?
Or can I use time and date that is on the DV tape, but that is not shown, to accomplish this?

I need this to line up the different clips from the two cameras according to the time it was taken.

Thanks

Darren

Comments

jetdv wrote on 9/8/2004, 8:11 AM
Actually, you DON'T need the date/time code in order to align the cameras. In fact, it *may* be more of a hinderance than a help unless you were extremly careful to get both clocks set exactly the same.

Here's my recomendation:

1) Start BOTH cameras at the start of the ceremony
2) Stop BOTH cameras at the end of the ceremony.
3) DO NOT stop and restart either camera during the ceremony.

Net result, you only have to sync ONCE for the entire ceremony. Now, what can you sync on? Use some event you can see such as: a) A sudden volume change or b) a camera flash. You can always fine-tune the sync.

Same with any other sequence on which you use both cameras (i.e. dances???) - just tape the entire dance without stopping in both cameras. For the incidental things like bouquet toss, leaving the church, cutting the cake - I've found I just use the snippets I like best and don't worry about syncing even when taped with multiple cameras.


You may also want to check out Excalibur as it makes editing a multi-cam project much easier and faster.
BrianStanding wrote on 9/8/2004, 8:11 AM
I think you can find the time and date by right clicking the event on the timeline and going to "Properties."

A much easier way to do this is to hook up an external monitor to your DV camera or deck and connect to Vegas via firewire. Most DV devices have an option to display time and date information out the analog video outputs. Turn this on, and you'll get a display of correct time/date info for each clip on the Vegas timeline.
johnmeyer wrote on 9/8/2004, 8:19 AM
jetdv's method works great for me.