Apple Final Cut Express 4 - Manual (Page 202)

202 Part IV Capturing and Importing
Worse, during logging and capturing, neither Final Cut Express nor the VTR will
necessarily navigate to the proper timecode 00:00:00:00, because there are two. Device
control uses timecode for positioning information, and always assumes that timecode
numbers increase as the tape progresses. If the timecode starts over somewhere in the
middle of the tape, you have to manually navigate to the correct area of the tape.
Logging Tapes with Duplicate Timecode Numbers
If you have to log tapes that have duplicate timecode numbers, make sure that you
account for any timecode breaks by assigning separate reel numbers for each section
of tape where the timecode reset to 00:00:00:00.
For example, suppose you have a DV tape with footage from 00:00:00:00 to 00:30:00:00,
followed by a timecode break. You could name the first half of the tape reel 4-A, and
the second half of the tape (which goes from 00:30:00:00 through the end of the tape
reel), 4-B. Clips from both reel 4-A and 4-B actually come from one physical tape
labeled reel 4, but for ease of media management and clip recapturing, it helps to have
a unique reel number for each section of continuous timecode, so you are never
confused about where on the tape a particular timecode number is located.
Avoiding Multiple Occurrences of the Same Timecode
Number on a Single Tape
Duplicate timecode numbers on a single tape can be one of the most frustrating
experiences during logging and capturing. Make sure the camera operator is aware of
these pitfalls before shooting, especially when using a consumer camcorder.
Note: A camcorder may automatically shut off after sitting idle for several minutes to
conserve battery power. One solution is to use AC power with the camcorder, though
this isn’t always practical.