Apple Final Cut Express 4 - Manual (Page 203)

Chapter 14 Capturing Your Footage to Disk 203
IV
Here are some techniques for avoiding reset timecode counters when shooting with
consumer DV camcorders:
Prerecord a video signal (preferably black) on each tape before production to create
a continuous timecode signal on the entire tape.
This is called blacking a tape. You can do this in any camcorder by pressing Record with
the lens cap on and the microphone disconnected (to avoid recording any audio
signals). The more professional solution is to use a DV deck and its internal black
generator. Some DV decks also allow you to choose what timecode number your
tape starts with.
Dub your tapes so that you copy the video and audio information, but not
the timecode.
The dubbed tapes become your new source tapes, and you can capture from these.
During production, pay attention to the position of your tape.
Camcorders attempt to create continuous timecode by quickly reading the last
timecode number written on tape. The process of generating new timecode based on
the last stored timecode number is referred to as jam syncing timecode. However, if the
camcorder doesn’t see a timecode or video signal on the tape (for example, at the
beginning of a blank tape), the timecode counter is reset to zero.
DV camcorders tend to be fairly good at finding the last timecode number on tape as
long as the camcorder has not been turned off. If the camcorder is turned off, the best
solution is to rewind the tape by a second or two so that the camcorder can jam sync
the timecode already written on tape when you start recording again. In theory, this
technique can remedy most potential timecode problems. In practice, however, it can
be difficult to always remember to rewind, or you may rewind too far and then spend
time cueing your tape to make sure you don’t record over part of the previous shot.
One helpful tip when using this technique is to record several additional seconds well
past the end of each shot. If your camcorder is turned off and on, you can rewind a few
seconds into the previous shot without worrying that you are going to record over
important footage.