Hi all, I'm trying to digitize a bunch of DVCPro 50 tapes shot using time-of-day timecode. I can't seem to get my Xpress Pro system to digitize across timecode breaks, it gets hung up looking for a pre-roll point. When it doesn't find it, I get an error message "Can't find pre-roll point" and it stops the whole system. I have tried checking "digitize across timecode breaks" in the settings menu, and have tried every variation of "best available control track" Best available timecode, etc in that pulldown menu. No dice on any of it. I'm running XPress pro 5.7.5, QT 7.2.0, Mac OS 10.4.10 and using a Panasonic AJ-SD 930 deck. Digitizing at DV50 MXF. Any advice? I am seriously trying to avoid logging every single clip, and don't mind at all if it cuts into each clip by a second... Thanks in advance... Brian

We thought it was just us.  We are challenged with the same digitizing across time code breaks at our facility as well - both on Nitris and MCA systems.  We've tried all types of different settings (Sony HVR-1500 deck) and the same crash out and start making a new clip.  Ours crashes out on a camera start/stop button push.  Timecode is continuous you can step through it and all 30 frames are there.  We are going from HDCam to DNxHD 145 capture to ISIS.  Looking forward to hearing a reply for you (us).

AFETA:

(Sony HVR-1500 deck) edit   We are going from HDCam to DNxHD 145 capture to ISIS

HDCam or HDV?  I am confused HVR1500 is HDV.

If HDV and you know your TC is continuous capture without TC and then modify clips TC to the tapes TC after capture and check both ends of the capture.  Pain in the rear end but only adds a few minutes per tape.  

Personally I think there is something out of spec with the TC signal on the RS 422 from the HVR 1500. Capturing from the 1500 via firewire control works here.  

"and using a Panasonic AJ-SD 930 deck."  does it have a TC out? If so how about capturing without TC, bringing the Decks TC out to an Avid audio channel and using that as AUX TC?

Hi Brian,

Try marking an in at the beginning of the tape and an out at the end and see if the system will capture it that way.  If it works like I think it should, it will capture until it hits a timecode break, at which point it will save whatever it's already captured to the bin, and then continue on at the next available point (after prerolling).  It should keep doing this until it reaches the out point.

AFETA, your situation is a little different because your timecode is continuous, so it might be a bigger issue than Brian's, but I'd still try the same thing.

good luck,
Carl

 

Thanks Carl, Unfortunately no luck with the marking in and out points. If there is a timecode break inside the marks, it stops and aborts the whole batch capture. I'm seriously hoping there is a way to do this on Avid, I have a lot of tapes and at this rate I'll be here until next week on tape 1...:) How do people batch dig using cameras with TOD TC? I'm wondering why there is a 'dig across timecode breaks' if it won't do it...or what am I missing? Thanks, B

Hi Brian,

I'm sorry that didn't work.  Just to make sure all the bases are covered, have you also tried putting in the tape and pressing capture with no in or out marks at all?

If that doesn't work either, it might be worth deleting your MCState file, or trying to capture with a different user to see if somehow one of the settings are causing a problem.

good luck,
Carl