Color Bars necessary? at DVinfo.net

Arturo Glass · November 19th, 2007, 12:01 PM

Is there a need for me to record color bars onto each minidv tape if they're all being recorded on the same camera? Under what circumstances would I need this, other than after doing my final export from my NLE?

Benjamin Hill · November 19th, 2007, 04:57 PM

I like to put them for 30 seconds at the front of the tape before I record any material, just as a buffer; I also use them if I have different scenes or separate days on one tape, it helps keep them separate.

John Miller · November 19th, 2007, 05:02 PM

The section of color bars also helps protect the real footage from damage by ensuring that it isn't at the very start of the tape (a common problem with all video tape formats).

Glenn Chan · November 19th, 2007, 09:52 PM

1- Sometimes you can spot problems with camera settings through the color bars. Controls that affect digital levels will usually affect the color bars too (though not always).

2- They can be helpful when editing, since it's difficult to grab material from the very first few seconds of a tape.

3- It might be helpful to record some room tone/ambience onto the very beginning of the tape.

4- You don't really need to record color bars onto the beginning of a tape. But it can generally be helpful.

Rick L. Allen · December 29th, 2007, 10:13 AM

Here's why we put color bars on tape.

1. 90% of tape dropouts occur in the first and last minute of a tape (more stress and tape threading abuse at these points).
2. Even though most people are non linear bars provide a reference to calibrate your monitor, edit system, audio mixer (assuming you put a 1Khz tone with the bars) and provide a reference for QC.
3. If you need the first second/frame of the first shot on your tape you already have 30 sec. of bars to provide a preroll for your edit system.
4. You can verify that your camera is working properly before your run and gun producer shoves you into the fray.

There is no good reason not to put bars on your tape given the above.

Mike Barber · January 4th, 2008, 10:34 PM

I make it my religion to put 30 seconds of bars at the head of any shoot tapes, as well as master tapes. I tend to also stick at least 10 seconds of either bars or black at the tail of my shoot tapes (unless I am scrambling to get a new tape in and can't spare the 10 seconds. Also, master tapes always get at least 30 seconds of black at the tail). All for the same reasons given above. It's one of those small disciplines that will eventually save your butt sometime down the road when you least expect it.

November 19th, 2007, 12:01 PM	#1
Arturo Glass Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 29	Color Bars necessary? Is there a need for me to record color bars onto each minidv tape if they're all being recorded on the same camera? Under what circumstances would I need this, other than after doing my final export from my NLE?

November 19th, 2007, 04:57 PM	#2
Benjamin Hill Major Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Iowa City, Iowa Posts: 670	I like to put them for 30 seconds at the front of the tape before I record any material, just as a buffer; I also use them if I have different scenes or separate days on one tape, it helps keep them separate. __________________ youtube.com/benhillmedia linkedin.com/in/benhillmedia

January 4th, 2008, 10:34 PM	#6
Mike Barber Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Toronto ON Canada Posts: 731	I make it my religion to put 30 seconds of bars at the head of any shoot tapes, as well as master tapes. I tend to also stick at least 10 seconds of either bars or black at the tail of my shoot tapes (unless I am scrambling to get a new tape in and can't spare the 10 seconds. Also, master tapes always get at least 30 seconds of black at the tail). All for the same reasons given above. It's one of those small disciplines that will eventually save your butt sometime down the road when you least expect it. __________________ Mike Barber "I'm laughing to stop myself from screaming."

November 19th, 2007, 05:02 PM	#3
John Miller Major Player Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hillsborough, NC, USA Posts: 968	The section of color bars also helps protect the real footage from damage by ensuring that it isn't at the very start of the tape (a common problem with all video tape formats).

November 19th, 2007, 09:52 PM	#4
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	1- Sometimes you can spot problems with camera settings through the color bars. Controls that affect digital levels will usually affect the color bars too (though not always). 2- They can be helpful when editing, since it's difficult to grab material from the very first few seconds of a tape. 3- It might be helpful to record some room tone/ambience onto the very beginning of the tape. 4- You don't really need to record color bars onto the beginning of a tape. But it can generally be helpful.

December 29th, 2007, 10:13 AM	#5
Rick L. Allen Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 536	Here's why we put color bars on tape. 1. 90% of tape dropouts occur in the first and last minute of a tape (more stress and tape threading abuse at these points). 2. Even though most people are non linear bars provide a reference to calibrate your monitor, edit system, audio mixer (assuming you put a 1Khz tone with the bars) and provide a reference for QC. 3. If you need the first second/frame of the first shot on your tape you already have 30 sec. of bars to provide a preroll for your edit system. 4. You can verify that your camera is working properly before your run and gun producer shoves you into the fray. There is no good reason not to put bars on your tape given the above.