Timecode problem with new PD-170 at DVinfo.net

Dan Shallenberger · May 21st, 2005, 08:03 PM

I just got my PD-170 last Thursday and I love it! So far, it has exceeded my expectations. But... I did have a goofy problem today.

I was shooting 3rd cam at a wedding, and after shooting some b, I checked the timecode to see the total footage length I shot so far, and it was just under 8 minutes. Then, setting up for the processional, I started shooting the band, and I noticed the timecode was at 1 minute. Weird. I knew I was at 8 minutes before. So, I had some time before the processional was starting, and I rewound the tape and found a 1 second break in footage at 7:59:18, and after that, the timecode started over at 00:00:00:00. I did not remove the tape from the camcorder, and I don't think I even turned it off. But, I do remember accidentally hitting a button or two under the handle while moving around.

So, when I got home, I tried to duplicate the problem. I dropped in a tape, and started recording. I turned the camcorder off, and back on and recorded more... no break. I even ejected the tape and put it back in and recorded more... no break. I pressed the "edit" buttons under the handle at different times... nothing.

Any suggestions on what happened?

Thanks,
Dan

Mike Rehmus · May 21st, 2005, 11:55 PM

It is reletively easy to do what happened to you. Moving the tape via the tape transport controls is the easiest unless you pre-stripe the tape (not recommended) or you use a tape cassette with the chip which will allow you to control the tape more accurately.

The easy way to insure a no-gap tape is to end every shot with a few seconds of additional footage. That way you can play around with the tape and stop it in the middle of the extra recording without having to find the very end.

BTW, bad idea to evaluate the tape during the wedding. If something happens and you need to turn on the ole tape recorder, you cannot unless you want to sacrifice footage. I also had someone review footage on the second camera, stop the tape when they 'felt good' about the footage. Then later, pick the camera up and record new footage over the ceremony.

I make it a habit never to review the tape in those run and gun situations just for that reason.

Advil Dremali · May 22nd, 2005, 05:12 PM

Why is prestriping your tapes not reccomended?

Mike Rehmus · May 22nd, 2005, 05:27 PM

Because it causes unneeded wear on your transport for very little, if any gain. It was a good idea when using analog recording technology but it just isn't necessary with digital.

I stopped prestripping when I stopped using Hi-8 and went to DV and DVCAM. I've never run into a situation since then where I would have benefited from a prestripped tape.

Tyge Floyd · May 28th, 2005, 06:11 PM

I've read and I've read the threads pertaining to time code issues and I'm still not sure what is causing my problem. My PD170 is not shooting a continuous time code all of the time. I never remove a tape from the carriage until I'm finished with it, don't review footage that often and if I do I start over with a new tape. I striped all my tapes before my last assignment but now it seems that shore was a huge waste of time and effort.

This issue is very frustrating to me and is causing some major problems during the log and batch capture process. I spent most of the afternoon today "cloning" tapes so I would have one time code, major pain in the butt.

Mike Rehmus · May 28th, 2005, 10:25 PM

Is your camera time code settings set at Regen or what?

James Connors · May 29th, 2005, 05:35 AM

After doing a cam reset on my pd150, I found it was restarting timecode when a new piece of footage was recorded.. after a bit of wear back in, it seemed to pick it back up fine again tho.

Tyge Floyd · May 29th, 2005, 06:50 AM

First, excuse me for high jacking your thread, Dan. Thanks for posting your TC problem and getting some feedback.

Mike, after spending some time on Alan Barker's site (kudos to Alan for the info) last night reading up on his suggested settings for a PD150, I made some changes to my TC settings that I hope will result in one TC for the duration of the tape.

My current TC/UB SET settings are:
TC FORMAT - NDF (formally set at AUTO)
TC RUN - REC RUN
TC MAKE - REGEN (formally set at PRESET)

May 21st, 2005, 08:03 PM	#1
Dan Shallenberger Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 253	Timecode problem with new PD-170 I just got my PD-170 last Thursday and I love it! So far, it has exceeded my expectations. But... I did have a goofy problem today. I was shooting 3rd cam at a wedding, and after shooting some b, I checked the timecode to see the total footage length I shot so far, and it was just under 8 minutes. Then, setting up for the processional, I started shooting the band, and I noticed the timecode was at 1 minute. Weird. I knew I was at 8 minutes before. So, I had some time before the processional was starting, and I rewound the tape and found a 1 second break in footage at 7:59:18, and after that, the timecode started over at 00:00:00:00. I did not remove the tape from the camcorder, and I don't think I even turned it off. But, I do remember accidentally hitting a button or two under the handle while moving around. So, when I got home, I tried to duplicate the problem. I dropped in a tape, and started recording. I turned the camcorder off, and back on and recorded more... no break. I even ejected the tape and put it back in and recorded more... no break. I pressed the "edit" buttons under the handle at different times... nothing. Any suggestions on what happened? Thanks, Dan

May 21st, 2005, 11:55 PM	#2
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	It is reletively easy to do what happened to you. Moving the tape via the tape transport controls is the easiest unless you pre-stripe the tape (not recommended) or you use a tape cassette with the chip which will allow you to control the tape more accurately. The easy way to insure a no-gap tape is to end every shot with a few seconds of additional footage. That way you can play around with the tape and stop it in the middle of the extra recording without having to find the very end. BTW, bad idea to evaluate the tape during the wedding. If something happens and you need to turn on the ole tape recorder, you cannot unless you want to sacrifice footage. I also had someone review footage on the second camera, stop the tape when they 'felt good' about the footage. Then later, pick the camera up and record new footage over the ceremony. I make it a habit never to review the tape in those run and gun situations just for that reason. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

May 22nd, 2005, 05:27 PM	#4
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Because it causes unneeded wear on your transport for very little, if any gain. It was a good idea when using analog recording technology but it just isn't necessary with digital. I stopped prestripping when I stopped using Hi-8 and went to DV and DVCAM. I've never run into a situation since then where I would have benefited from a prestripped tape. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

May 28th, 2005, 06:11 PM	#5
Tyge Floyd Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas Posts: 287	I've read and I've read the threads pertaining to time code issues and I'm still not sure what is causing my problem. My PD170 is not shooting a continuous time code all of the time. I never remove a tape from the carriage until I'm finished with it, don't review footage that often and if I do I start over with a new tape. I striped all my tapes before my last assignment but now it seems that shore was a huge waste of time and effort. This issue is very frustrating to me and is causing some major problems during the log and batch capture process. I spent most of the afternoon today "cloning" tapes so I would have one time code, major pain in the butt. __________________ At full draw, Tyge Floyd

May 28th, 2005, 10:25 PM	#6
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	Is your camera time code settings set at Regen or what? __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

May 22nd, 2005, 05:12 PM	#3
Advil Dremali New Boot Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 70	Why is prestriping your tapes not reccomended?

May 29th, 2005, 05:35 AM	#7
James Connors Major Player Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Cardiff, UK Posts: 223	After doing a cam reset on my pd150, I found it was restarting timecode when a new piece of footage was recorded.. after a bit of wear back in, it seemed to pick it back up fine again tho.

May 29th, 2005, 06:50 AM	#8
Tyge Floyd Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Ft. Worth, Texas Posts: 287	First, excuse me for high jacking your thread, Dan. Thanks for posting your TC problem and getting some feedback. Mike, after spending some time on Alan Barker's site (kudos to Alan for the info) last night reading up on his suggested settings for a PD150, I made some changes to my TC settings that I hope will result in one TC for the duration of the tape. My current TC/UB SET settings are: TC FORMAT - NDF (formally set at AUTO) TC RUN - REC RUN TC MAKE - REGEN (formally set at PRESET) __________________ At full draw, Tyge Floyd