Apple Cinema Tools 3 - Manual (Page 22)

22 Chapter 1 Before You Begin Your Project
Scene-and-Take Transfers
Scene-and-take transfers are a bit more expensive than camera-roll transfers, but they
offer significant advantages:
 Scene-and-take transfers make it easier to synchronize audio during the transfer.
 Since the telecine log contains one record per take, it establishes a solid database
when imported into Cinema Tools.
 With an established database, Cinema Tools can export a batch capture list. With this
list (and appropriate device control), Final Cut Pro can capture and digitize the
appropriate takes with minimum effort on your part.
Maintaining an accurate film log and using a timecode slate can help speed the
transfer process and reduce costs.
Frame Rate Basics
When transferring film to video, you need to take into account the differences in film
and video frame rates. Film is shot almost exclusively at 24 frames per second (fps).
Video can have either a 29.97 fps rate (NTSC), a 25 fps rate (PAL), or a 24 fps rate (24P)
depending on your video standard.
The frame rate of your video (whether you sync the audio during the telecine transfer
or not) and the frame rate you want to edit at, can determine what you need to do to
prepare your clips for editing. You may find it useful to read “
Determining How to
Prepare Source Clips for Editing ” on page 109 before you make any decisions about
frame rates.
Working With NTSC Video
The original frame rate of NTSC video was exactly 30 fps. When color was added, the
rate had to be changed slightly, to the rate of 29.97 fps. The field rate of NTSC video is
59.94. NTSC video is often referred to as having a frame rate of 30, and while the
difference is not large, it cannot be ignored when transferring film to video (due to its
impact on audio synchronization, explained in “
Synchronizing the Audio With the
Video ” on page 30).
Another issue is how to distribute film’s 24 fps among NTSC video’s 30 fps. You have
two options:
 perform a 3:2 pull-down
 run the film at 30 fps
UP01101.Book Page 22 Thursday, March 10, 2005 3:16 PM