Hey,

Just looking for a proper workflow recommendation, as we are having some issues capturing DVCPro footage (1080 @ 23.976)

System is a Mac Pro (2008 model), Avid is MC 2.8.4 and we're capturing with the Panasonic AJ-HD1400.

Basically, footage was shot at 23.976 on DVCPro tapes and we are looking to capture out of the AJ-HD1400 using Composite (Super) into the Avid using the Mojo at 14:1 OMF, for our offline edit.

The goal is to have the timecode burned into the footage, while capturing at 23.976. The deck won't do that over composite at that frame rate. It will do it at 59.94 over composite. Is there another setting or output connection that would work?

Is it better to just capture at 59.94? If so, how will that affect the online process later on - since the footage was shot at 23.976 and captured at 59.94?

Another issue is while capture at 23.976 over composite, the video will play then flash to a green frame (like the signal has been lost). Does this process require on HD black burst/synch lock? Currently, there is an SD synch lock (Sigma 2100) connected to the SD Ref on the deck.

I've previously captured about 20 minutes of footage at 59.94 over Composite (Super) with time code burn-in. But, I tried to capture again and several things are occuring:

-The video looks to be skipping to garbled frames (like dropouts) quite often. I'm worried that is ruining the footage, but I didn't want to mess around anymore with it until we have the issues ironed out - in case tapes are getting glitches.

-Audio won't play while capturing but is being captured to disk and I can hear it while playing back the clip.

I realize there are a lot of issues going on here, so any help on any one of these issues would be greatly appreciated! Furthermore, any help figuring out the proper workflow would be even more help.

Also, I'll provide more information about the systems when I am in tomorrow. I'll be researching this in the mean time and will post if I find anything that might help.

Thanks in advance!

Adam

I would experiment with capturing the 23.976 via the firewire path.  I THINK you can get the super on that path.  If not, you could capture in a 23.976 project and have MC take out the 3:2 pull down.

As for the other issues, it does sound like a sync / deck configuration problem.  That deck is very deep and can easily be mis-set.  Get a fresh cup of coffee and the manual and step through all the menus.

I can not offer anything  specific without one in front of me, which I do not have at this time.

Good luck,

Jef

Thanks for taking the time to respond, Jef!

I will take a look at capturing via firewire and our project is set to 23.976 NTSC. The best advice is always to read the @#$@#$ manual :) I just didn't think we had enough time to sort it out, and you're right, it is pretty involved.

We are in contact with our Online facility and should hopefully get some advice. Once I hear back from them, I'll post what info they provide.

A few of the things I've come across in the manual that might help are:

Reference Signals & Frequency Switching(pg 31 of manual):

In 59.94/60 Hz mode:

Playback @ 1080/59.94i and 59.94p
Sync: HD Ref In, SD Ref In, or None.

In 23.98 mode:

Playback @ 23.98p over 59.94i (2:3 mode)
Playback @ 23.98p over 59.94i (2:3:3:2 mode)
Sync: HD Ref In

Based on this, it looks like, in order to capture (playback) at 23.98 we need a HD Ref In sync?

Editing Function/Remote deck control (pg 7):

If using the 9-pin RS-422 connector to control the deck we can only do this in 1080i/59.94?

IEEE1394 digital in/out (page 8)

When set to 23/24 no digital signals will be output from the 1394 digital interface.

-Since we are going out of the deck via remote (9-pin RS-422)  then connecting to the keyspan "remote to firewire" converter  then into  a firewire port on the Mac Pro - I don't know if the deck is being controlled by RS-422 through firewire. And depending on what the deck is being controlled by is it being limited to 1080i/59.94 via rs-422 or limited by the no digital signal when set to 23/24. 

I'll post once I hear back from the online facility - thanks again!

Adam