How are you outputting your 24fps projects to tape?

Question

Hi There,
I am just looking for any input on how everyone is laying down there 24fps projects to tape? We have found a method that seems to be working - but is very tedious and not perfect...
Here is the lowdown:
1080p23.98 ProRes HQ sequence -----> outputting to Kona LHe Card -----> To Sony DVW-A500 D-Beta Deck.
At this point, we are getting the Kona card to add the pulldown because of the dramatic increase in quality over FCP - BUT because we are going from a NDF timecode to a DF format there are the obvious sync and drift issues.
So here is what we did:
- created a sequence with the exact same settings as our normal FCP output sequence (1080p23.98) and dropped in an hour of bars with TC reader.
- Output this sequence to tape.
- The use the deck to go to the all the in and out point timecodes we will need - ON THE DECK ITSELF. Then check the broadcast monitor, to see what the timecode on the bars reads and insert a marker in the timeline for our inpoint and outpoint.
This way, although our output sequence looks a little funny in FCP (say for example, one minute or bars will actually look 2 frames short) by the time it goes to tape with the pull down inserted, it ends up the right length.
Now, the problem we are having is we can only seem to get as close as being a half frame from perfect. Our 1 frame two beep will either enter a half frame early or a half frame late, depending on where it is located in FCP - up until now we have always just accepted this, but it can be frustrating because it makes inserting any changes in an episode not possible. This is the same regardless of whether the tape was pre-striped and episodes inserted OR Assembled to tape.
If anyone has any alternates that are working better for them, it would be greatly appreciated!
NOTE: Outputting a 29.97 NDF tape is NOT a valid option - because aside from commercials, this would never be accepted by a broadcaster.
Thanks again.

Answer 1

No such thing as a "half frame" in video. Audio, yes, video...no. Full frames only.
This is what I used to do:
http://lfhd.blogspot.com/2006/09/online-workflow-overview.html
This is what I do now:
http://lfhd.net/2008/10/22/timecode-calculator/
Figure out what my NDF timing has to be to hit the proper DF timing when outputting. But if I had to meet Discovery/NatGeo specs of needing commercials to hit on 00 frames...then I wouldn't work in 23.98 NDF timelines...nor shooting formats.
Shane