Unable to locate timecode in batch capture

Hi there, I have been working on this problem for a while and would really appreciate some help.
I have a documentary project I have been working on for some time and have completed the EDL. I am now trying to batch capture the footage again in full res and am having problems with a couple of the tapes.
First the specs:
The video was shot on a Sony HDR-HC1 in HDV(1080) mode.
I am using this camera to capture the footage.
I am trying to recapture the footage in a sequence with the easy setting on HDV1080i50.
I had originally captured the footage in SD on an older version of final cut pro (I am now working with FCP6) and didn't realise that my 16:9 footage was actually all 4:3 letterboxed. To fix this problem I used the media manager to export and then in the new project batch capture all the footage again from the tape. The project uses 18 tapes, 16 of which were batch digitised with only minor troubleshooting required. However 2 of the tapes are proving to be very problematic. It seems that whatever clip I select on the tape it gives me a message saying "unable to locate timecode".
I have tried setting the tape to the exact location of the clip before selecting the batch capture, but the computer always seems to look for a spot which is 2-3 mins out of sync with the clip. For example, if the in point is 00:10:00:00 the computer will roll the tape to around the 00:12:00:00 mark and start jogging around there for about 30 seconds until eventually giving me the "unable to locate timecode" message. Looking in the information in the bins, the in and out points are accurate, its just that when I try to capture, the computer rolls the tape to the wrong position.
If anyone knows a workaround for this that will help me avoid having to edit the footage all over again I will be extremely grateful.
Thanks
Liam

HI I have the same problem, the capture window says: Waiting for time code, the device must set in vcr mode and then This operation could not be complete as there is no video, the F!#!%$$ problem is very illogical ,at this mooring I do batch capture without a problem but since the second tape this problem starting, I update to FCP 6.0.4 and,. @@#%#@%#$ the first tape capture but the second not capture and the problem starting againd, note that IMOVIE capture the tape and work very well, iI replace fire wire, camera VCR and , I trayu with Canon, Sony, JVC and the problem persist , I have quicktime 7.4.5, FCO 6.0.4, note that I have two Macs with the same problem in both macs IMOVIE work like a PRO edition Software but FCP is very bad, I have with this problem a long time, I formated Mac, reinstall FCS2 many timers and the problem persist. IS not a problem whit easy setup or wherever , I download the FireWire SDK from Apple and test all connection with the applications of sdk and in all case , the camera and the fire wire are OK, the problem is with quicktime and FCP, If any one is working OK with FCP and DV NTSC devices and JVC PRO HD devices, please tell us HOW DO. I'm working with FCP since 2000 and in this month FCP makes me very UNHAPPY.

Similar Messages

'Locating Timecode Break' while capturing

I got the software update that claimed it would fix the time code break error while capturing using Final Cut Pro. I'm using an AV Converter to do this. These are the setting I have it on, as recommended by the directions on the box the converter came in.
Device Control: Firewire NTSC
Capture.input: DV NTSC 48 kHz
Time code break usually occurs at around one minute, sometimes much later, other times almost instantly. I've got a legit copy of Final Cut Studio 2, and my converter always worked fine when I used it with Final Cut Express. Tried cleaning tape heads, but that didn't seem to have any effect. I'm open to any suggestions at this point, and I'm hoping it's just something simple that I might be overlooking.

check the following:
you are capturing to an external drive and not the sytem drive
capture settings for non-controllable device
correct version of Quick Time for your combination of FC Pro and Mac OS
the analogue to Firewire box settings (if any) are set to NTSC, for Firewire output and analogue input and set to composite or Y/C as appropriate

BATCH CAPTURE TAPELESS workflow still FCP is looking for a capture device when going ONLINE

Hi,
I am working on a documentary and about to go online with my edit.
I used Sony FS100. Tapeless. I did Log and Transfer to ProRes 422 in FCP 7.
Later when I run out of space I used Media Manager to RECOMPRESS everything to ProRes Proxi. Worked well.
But now when I try to batch capture to ProRes 422 FCP is looking for a capture device thinking I am working with tapes.
How do I make FCP undrerstand I am tapeless? Does the recompress kill the possibility of bach capturing back to online full quality 422?
Thanks for the support!
Gabor

I have read through some more forums and I only found one mention of the Media Manager 'Recomress' function.
It said:
"Transcoding with MM (recompress). It preserves timecode/reel name, file names, etc... Except the clip ID, which is used along with reel name and timecode to batch capture from source files (at least for P2)."
Clip ID is the metadata relyable for the work of batch capture. It seems without it it is impossible to batch capture.
I wonder why they designed Recompress like that, if it is true?

Premiere CS5 Will not Batch Capture!!!!!!!!!!!!

I recently upgraded to CS5 and I have been unable to get Premiere to batch capture. I have tried all the usual fixes. Premiere appears to control the deck normally. It seeks the tape for the in-point and then rolls the deck. Now normally when it begins recording a counter appears telling you the recording duration and amount of space remaining on disk. That never appears, it just plays the tape and does not stop when it reaches the out-point. I have checked device control and everything is correct.
So, I tried batch capturing the same footage in CS3 and had no problems! Therefore I have to believe it is an issue with CS5. This is all very disappointing, logging hours worth of video and then not being able to capture it; huge waste of time.
Rob

I think I may have figured out why my Premiere is not batch capturing! When I log a clip, it logs the video size at 1440 X 1080! The project however was created as 720p; it's what the sequence resolution is set to. Why would Premiere arbitrarily chose the wrong resolution? I have checked all the settings, they all say 720p, is there something I am missing?
Rob

Help with Batch Capturing, Timecode Issues?

Hi Final Cut Pro Pro's. I've just come over from Avid.
I have a problem with capturing - I have a lot of tapes to capture and there is no way I will make deadline doing it by individual capture - I need to batch capture. My tape shows no timecode breaks and I have already spent hours logging all the various clips. It shows it has registered all of the media start/end timecodes, but when I click on batch capture, it says
BATCH CAPTURE: TIMECODE ERROR: UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SPECIFIED TIMECODE. YOU MAY HAVE SPECIFIED A TIMECODE WITH INSUFFICIENT ROOM FOR A PRE/POST ROLL OPERATION.
I don't understand as there is clearly a functioning timecode? This is going to break my balls if I have to go through this individually, no time! Anyone? Any ideas?
Thank you.

I'm capturing from the camera directly, a Sony DSR-250...
It turns out that yes, if you have marked the in/out point too close to the head or the tail of the tape, or even if you have marked it okay and are currently at the start/end of tape when pressing on batch capture it cannot send the command to the device. If you move forward or backward accordingly by five or six seconds it doesn't come up anymore.
Thanks for all the responses, I'm going to make deadline now. Apple forums are my hot hot S€X.

Batch Capture : Timecode Error?

So I am attempting to capture my first video onto FCP from my Canon XL. I have about 5 minutes of video and I have logged the info for each clip. They are all in my "Bin 1" and it is set as a "logging bin." The first logged clip that i want it to capture i have marked the "In Point" at 00:00:00;00 and the "Out Point" at around 00:01:09;24. The rest of my 11 clips just go in order (i.e. 2nd clip: In = 00:01:09;25 etc...). After doing all of this I click on "Batch" under the "Capture" option, a big black screen pops up over my FCP with the capture info underneath the black screen in a gray strip. My camera then rewinds to the beginning and STOPS. I then have to sit and wait for anythin to happen, my camera still saying "STOP," and then a message pops up reading the following:
Batch Capture: Timecode Error: Unable to locate the specified timecode. You may have specified a timecode with insufficient room for a pre/post roll operation.
I have no idea what this means and I am beginning to get impatient with capturing my video. In the Log and Capture window, the tab that says Logging, i did not mess with the "Markers." I don't know if this matters.
Any help would be GREATLY appreciated so that I can start editing my project with this wonderful software otherwise.
God bless,
|-(|:^D
`

In standard trim, FCP needs at least 5 seconds preroll before capturing. The preroll is so the tape can get up to speed, the heads read timecode accurately and so on. You have discovered what happens when you give it no oppertunity to sort itself out.
The simple answer for your current situation is to set your first in point 10 seconds after the start of the time code. Be sure to make sure your last clip's OUT point is 10 seconds or more before the end of time code or you can have problems at that end of the capture as well.
The long term answer is next time let the camera run for a minute or two before you start recording anything you will want to keep. The same is true for the end of the tape - let it run for another half minute or so.
Cheers,
x

Timecode error in batch capture

I've searched this problem but still haven't found an answer. When I batch capture, I get a "Timecode error" and on about half the clips I logged I have to cancel out of the capture. some work,some don't. It's not a problem with the pre-roll at the beginning of the tape; I left plenty of room when I set the in/out, and the first clip is now captured anyway so it can't be the start of the tape. But every time I try to capture the rest of the clips, I get this error with some if not most of them. I've changed the setting to NDF and it doesn't seem to make a difference. I'm only capturing in the middle of the tape now, so the beginning and end have lots of space. Please someone tell me how to stop this! I just upgraded to Pro and it's my first attempt at batch capture, so I'm pretty disappointed that it's such a waste of time.
Thanks, smart people!

Great, now you made Studio go and have some fun on the weekend.
X is right eliminate things one at a time.
You didn't let us know what drive you are capturing to.
If capturing from the camera doesn't work, it may be that you are experiencing the "multiple FW devices on one FW bus issue" in which case you might try looping the camera or deck through the drive, works for some, but more likely you will need to install another FW bus via the card slot on the laptop.
By the way, this really doesn't sound like a drop/non drop issue, but look at the timecode display of the footage on tape. If the last 2 numbers are preceded by a semicolon,,, it's drop frame.
Now, I believe someone mentioned the US Open!
rh

Failed Batch Capture - Broken Timecode

Hello,
I'm attempting to capture some old footage from a project I had done in Premiere about a year ago.
There is clip in particular I'm trying to capture where the timecode was broken - premiere attempts to capture the first 8 minutes of my clip and then stops and gives me an error stating that the timecode was broken.
Is there anyway to force premiere to capture this clip all the way through and ignore the broken timecode point?
It's not a big deal to capture the clip "manually" but the problem is that I had split up and edited this clip so much, I'd rather batch capture it so that it will automatically appear on my sequence and I won't have to re-edit the whole thing.
Thanks!
FOO

I also have a Canopus card (in a system with Premiere 6.5) and broken timecode ("timecode hell" as I call it) was really only an issue when the tape pre-rolled over the break point during batch capture.
Do you still have the old Canopus .avi? You could use their util for CDVC <-> DVSD conversions:
http://download.videohelp.com/download/Canopus_DV_File_Converter.exe

Timecode changes when batch capturing

I am capturing betacam sp footage into FCP 5.1 on a dual G5 2.3 box, and using a Kona LSe card. Timecode is running through the 422. For the most part, things are going smoothly, but I am now running into an issue where when I batch capture my logged clips, the last 10 to 15 sec. is chopped off. I generally can just enter the time code again manually to fix the issue, but some of my clips are 8 to 10 min long (interviews), and my client is getting irritated that we are having to capture them again. I also tend to batch capture the majority of these long bites overnight for next morning's session, and they are now consistently coming in with the ends lopped off. FCP is actually changing the timecode on the clip, making me question whether or not I entered it correctly the first time. To prove that I'm not crazy, I monitored the capture on the first couple of clips, and sure enough, FCP decides that I don't need the last 15 sec of my clip, and changes the timecode accordingly during the capture.
What's going on? Is it the Kona card or its software? Thanks.

Well I recently had a similar problem that is really driving me crazy.
While capturing 720p 59.94 from the D5
In FCP when I log a clip at:
01:20:00:00 in
01:20:30:00 out
After Batch Capture is complete the clip shows up in the browser as:
01:19:55:05 in
01:20:25:05 out
FCP is effectively changing the logged timecode of the clip.
In all my experience with FCP I have never encountered this issue and I am completely puzzled. I've contacted AJA and they have said that they do not know of this issue and were puzzled also. The only thing about my current configuration that is not completely right is that I am not using a Tri-Level Sync at the moment. We get ours tomorrow. AJA suggests using the Tri-Level Sync with the Kona 3 card, but would that cause a glitch of this nature? I will try again tomorrow of course and update, but does having bad 720p reference effect how FCP logs and handles TC? To my knowledge it shouldn't and makes me think that there may be some sort of FCP error occurring. There is no reason why FCP should be changing my logged clip settings. Also, I tried a test where I made the clip that came in with the bad timecode offline, and then ran a Bath Capture again, and it changes the logged timecode even further. I've tried a variety of Device Control settings playing with frame offset etc with all having the exact same numeric result (see TC above).
Anyone who has any insight or similar experience your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks for the help
Ted - Editor, NYC

Batch capturing free run timecode.

Hi,
I have just been through and logged 3 hour tape which was recorded on free run timecode. I have just tried to batch capture it all and it isnt working because of the timecode discontinuity.
Is their a way I can override this? Any help would be appreciated as this is a nightmare for me.
Thanks very much,
Simon.

Won't recording in capture now make each timecode break it's own clip?
Yes. As it should be. If it didn't, then the timecode would be right for the first clip, but then all the others, the timecode would be wrong.
Or is there a way to set it up so that it makes it one clip?
Yes...if you turn off deck control. Switch it to UNCONTROLLABLE DEVICE. But then you lose any and ALL reference to timecode, and timecode is GOLD to an editor. Why? Because if the drive with the media dies, all you need to do is recapture the footage and your edit will be rebuilt. Or, if you deleted the media and needed to recapture it at a later date, then you could. If you capture with NO reference timecode, and you lose the media....your edit is gone, and you'll have to rebuild the cut from scratch.
But, do that if you want. Just know what the consequences might be.
Shane

Logged Timecode Changes after Batch Capture

I'm working with the Kona 3 and the Panasonic D5 (HD3700B)
I'm having a problem with FCP changing my logged clip TC after Batch Capture in 720p 59.94. This problem only occurs in 720p mode, 1080i is just fine.
While capturing 720p 59.94 from the D5
In FCP when I log a clip at:
01:20:00:00 in
01:20:30:00 out
After Batch Capture is complete the clip shows up in the browser as:
01:19:55:05 in
01:20:25:05 out
FCP is effectively changing the logged timecode of the clip. I'm capturing with burned in TC and the Burned in TC is Frame accurate, but why is FCP changing the clip's TC?
In all my experience with FCP I have never encountered this issue and I am completely puzzled. I've contacted AJA and they have said that they do not know of this issue and were puzzled also. I am using a Tri-Level Sync and everything seems to be getting proper reference.
There is no reason why FCP should be changing my logged clip settings. (right?) Also, I tried a test where I made the clip that came in with the bad timecode offline, and then ran a Batch Capture again, and it changes the logged timecode even further. I've tried a variety of Device Control settings playing with frame offset etc with all having the exact same numeric result (see TC above).
Anyone who has any insight or similar experience your thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks for the help
Ted - Editor, NYC

The BITC matches the original Logged TC (even though the logged TC changes after capture)
Logged TC (Media Start/End in FCP)
01:20:00:00, 01:20:30:00
Captured TC (Media Start/End in FCP)
01:19:25:05, 01:20:25:05
Burned in TC Captured (Viewable on Video File)
01:20:00:00, 01:20:00:00
I'm very curious about what yourlooking at on the deck manual. Page 145??? I don't see a page 145. It's been my understanding that the Monitor HD-SDI does produce the 720p 59.94 signal, and that's what all my monitors and Kona say that their getting.
Also, could you clarify your last sentence.
*"Forgive my guessing but this deck looks like it really wants to work in 1080 and 720 is kind of there to step up from 8 bit DVCPro HD."*
I dont think that its a 23.98 issue and our source tape is not 23.98, even still if it was, it shouldn't effect the logged TC.... but I'll try it in the morning, could'nt hurt.
Update: A person over the phone at Apple "didn't" (did) say over the phone that upgrading to 5.1 (universal) would improve 720p capabilities.
So the next step will be giving more money to Apple for Universal and installing the new Kona drivers released yesterday.....and then let the testing fun begin again.
Thanks so much for your help, please let me know where to find that info in the D5 (3700B) manual. Cheers.

Batch Capture and Timecodes

I am trying to batch capture a selection of 25 clips from a logging bin in FCP 5.1 and while connected to the camera, the program will not allow me to do so as it says that it cannot find a timecode. I'm new to this and do not know how to remedy the situation. How do I proceed or put in a timecode?

AH...OK then.
Timecode is written to the tape when you shoot. It isn't that time of day thing you see, but when you shuttle the tape back and forth, in the Capture window you see 1:00:00:00...or 1:11:34:20 or 00:34:45:19...stuff like that. THAT is the timecode.
Now...FCP needs to get a run at the footage before it can capture. Like a track athlete needs a running start to do the Long Jump. He needs to back up...run and then LEAP. Similarly, FCP (and every other editing software) needs to do that with tape. The reason is they need the tape to reach a constant speed. When you first press play, the speed might waver for a few seconds, then settle. FCP needs that footage to settle, so it needs 3-5 seconds (default is 5 seconds) of what is called PRE-ROLL (length of track) to get a running start with the footage. If you don't give FCP this 5 seconds, it will try to back up and hit the beginning of the tape...literally a fence. It doesn't have enough room..so it will say "hey, there isn't any timecode here for me to get a running start. There is this big chain fence in my way." So it won't capture.
You need to make sure you log the first clip at least 6 seconds from the head of the tape. This is one reason professionals record 30 seconds of color bars, or black, at the head of each tape.
And if you have timecode breaks, where the timecode restarts again at 00:00:00:00...you need to log the shot 6 seconds AFTER that too...and then manually move the tape to After that break, then capture. Other wise FCP might not see it, and will capture again from the first section of video.
Video is complex stuff...
Shane

Batch Capture problems - can't read timecode

I want to log all my clips before capture and then just batch capture it all. Problem is, I get a message that the timecode can't be found.
How can I correct this problem?

I forgot nothing. My list is what is required to begin to log and batch capture. He didn't say it "started to capture but aborted midway through the first clip". He couldn't get started. We could go into a long list of tape based "do's and don'ts" but it didn't seem appropriate until we had some basic information.
We still don't know if the material was originally recorded on the playback cam and/or if he has ever successfully captured using this cam.
Don't you like playing 20 questions too? lol.
x

Capturing issues-audio sample rate & locating timecode break

I am a first time FCP user.
I am working on an educational video with hours of DV source tapes.
The source tapes are from a 2R50MC Cannon mini DV camcorder also used as the deck I am capturing from via firewire. My scratch disk is Maxtor III 500GB external drive hooked up via a firewire (I'm realizing the firewire is years old could that be a problem?)
In my first capture test I captured 1 minute of tape by setting in and out points and after completeing the capture I received an error message—"The audio sample rate of one or more of your captured media files does not match the sample rate on your source tape. This may cause the video and audio of these media files to be out of sync. Make sure the audio sample rate of your capture preset matches the sample rate of your tape."
For the past day I have been scouring the user manual, this discussion group and training tapes from Lynda.com and can not resolve this issue. I have determined that the source tape is 12 bit or 32 kHz and yet can not find a way to set up capture preferences to 32 kHz. Is this the problem/resolution? Page 320 of the user manual shows the QuickTime Audio Settings dialog box but I can't find it in FCP or Quicktime. Is this where I make the change to 32kHz?
After doing the first test, I tried again and ran into a new problem—it stopped capturing with the message: Locating timecode break [press esc to abort]. It never seemed to resume capturing and I pressed escape to abort. If I'm reading FCP time code window correctly I received this time code break message within a section I had already captured previously (with the audio sync warning).
I have done several capture tests at different points in the tape and on different tapes all with the same results. I've used the capture clip and capture now buttons. I've tested with drop frame turned on and off. Confirmed my setting of: At timecode break "Make New Clip." Confirmed my Easy Setup as DV-NTSC. My capture preset is DV NTSC 48 kHz. I've turned off and on FCP. Restarted my computer. Restarted my computer with the shift key down and ran permissions.
Any ideas are GREATLY appreciated, T.

I am concerned about available memory when capturing to my hard drive and the babysitting and extra steps involved considering the amount of tape I want to capture...but it does work that's GREAT!
This is always a concern, but in your case I think having the camera and external on the same bus was causing your problem. You may have to capture a little and then transfer, rinse and repeat. Just don't try to do too much at once and let your System Drive get too full, you'll run into other problems there. Slow and steady is the pace!
I shouldn't have stacked my questions since you answered one and Chris answered the other. Don't know how to apply the answered question and who gets the points.
No problem, just mark it answered and divide up the solved and helpful points as you wish. All in all we really don't care too much about the points, but they do make us feel good! Thanks for your desire to use the forums properly.
K

Unable to batch capture with Premiere Pro CC via Kona LHi

AJA's web site claims Premiere Pro CC is compatible with the Kona LHi card, but I can't get the two to work together properly. After repeated tries, I uninstalled and reinstalled everything AJA, but still no luck.
I need to batch capture DV clips from some mini-DV tapes on my Sony MVR035U tape deck. But I also need to upconvert them from 480i to 720p60 using my Kona Lhi card. I should be able to do this with Premiere Pro CC. But the PPCC Capture window won't give me any audio feedback when I select "AJA Movie Capture" in the Capture Settings pull down menu. I only get audio feedback when I enable "DV capture" but then I'm no longer able to upconvert.
Looking forward to any feedback on this issue. Been tying all day to trouble shoot this problem.
[Text formatting removed. Please type your posts here, rather than pasting.]
Message was edited by: Jim Simon

And now with CC June 2014 you can't even capture from HDV, I need to go back to Premiere CC 2013 for that....Adobe might think tape capture is over... but it isn't totally yet...

Unable to locate timecode in batch capture

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for