Are dropped frames unavoidable?

Bill Busby · April 16th, 2008, 05:53 AM

I'm beginning to think that a majority of what some think are dropouts are more from using an A1, HV10, HV20, etc. for capture because of the transport of these cameras. The A1 is just a tad bit more responsive than an HV10, but not by much. I downconvert during capture because my edit rig would probably choke plus my current Avid software is ancient. But while capturing sometimes I may happen to catch no audio and/or see video freeze for 1/2 a sec or a little longer & either elect to stop the capture, keeping what had been ok up to that point, or let it carry on. More often than not, I can go back a few seconds before many of these "dropout" events occur & then successfully re-capture what's needed to do a match frame in the edit & it's seamless.

I don't hear much of anyone here with using something like a Sony HVR-M15U for capture, probably because a lot shoot with 24f or 30f modes. But I'm betting anyone who shoots 60i & uses that deck has much better luck. I also have a DSR-11 & it's very responsive for DV/DVCAM work. Using the A1 or HV10 takes me nearly a 1/3 longer or more to capture because of the sluggish response and/or occasional pseudo dropouts that may occur. Plus I don't even bother trying to batch capture several segments on the Canons. It's just not gonna happen. Avid is finicky regarding deck responsiveness & I think it should be for less error prone operation.

Nathan Nazeck · April 16th, 2008, 07:49 AM

I've been using the red/black Sony Premiums since day one on 3 different A1's using Hv20 for capture. I generally have one dropout every 12-15 tapes. Pretty much one per project that I'm working on. If I have one its normally right around a spot where the camera was stopped, turned off, turned on a minute later and recorded again... The premiums are so much cheaper than the HD tapes I just can't justify switching.

FCP 6.0.2 Intel Xeon Mac Quad

April 16th, 2008, 05:53 AM	#16
Bill Busby Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 959	I'm beginning to think that a majority of what some think are dropouts are more from using an A1, HV10, HV20, etc. for capture because of the transport of these cameras. The A1 is just a tad bit more responsive than an HV10, but not by much. I downconvert during capture because my edit rig would probably choke plus my current Avid software is ancient. But while capturing sometimes I may happen to catch no audio and/or see video freeze for 1/2 a sec or a little longer & either elect to stop the capture, keeping what had been ok up to that point, or let it carry on. More often than not, I can go back a few seconds before many of these "dropout" events occur & then successfully re-capture what's needed to do a match frame in the edit & it's seamless. I don't hear much of anyone here with using something like a Sony HVR-M15U for capture, probably because a lot shoot with 24f or 30f modes. But I'm betting anyone who shoots 60i & uses that deck has much better luck. I also have a DSR-11 & it's very responsive for DV/DVCAM work. Using the A1 or HV10 takes me nearly a 1/3 longer or more to capture because of the sluggish response and/or occasional pseudo dropouts that may occur. Plus I don't even bother trying to batch capture several segments on the Canons. It's just not gonna happen. Avid is finicky regarding deck responsiveness & I think it should be for less error prone operation. Last edited by Bill Busby; April 16th, 2008 at 12:05 PM.

April 16th, 2008, 07:49 AM	#17
Nathan Nazeck Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 80	dropouts I've been using the red/black Sony Premiums since day one on 3 different A1's using Hv20 for capture. I generally have one dropout every 12-15 tapes. Pretty much one per project that I'm working on. If I have one its normally right around a spot where the camera was stopped, turned off, turned on a minute later and recorded again... The premiums are so much cheaper than the HD tapes I just can't justify switching. FCP 6.0.2 Intel Xeon Mac Quad __________________ I'm watching television... in color http://www.prodigyvideo.com