Apple M8728Z/A User Manual - Page 107

Setting Up Your Hardware to Capture Accurate Timecode, Genlocking the Deck and Video Capture Interface

Page 107 highlights

Setting Up Your Hardware to Capture Accurate Timecode The ability of Final Cut Pro to capture frame-accurate timecode for each clip is also dependent upon the proper setup of your capture hardware. When using DV decks, this is easy. In Final Cut Pro 3 and later, capturing video with a DV deck using FireWire for both device control and video and audio input results in 100 percent accurate timecode. If you are instead capturing from a deck using serial device control-for example, a Digital Betacam or Beta SP deck-there are a couple of important steps you need to take during setup to ensure timecode accuracy. What Is Device Control? Device control makes it possible for Final Cut Pro to control your video camera or video deck. If your video camera or deck uses a protocol supported by Final Cut Pro, Final Cut Pro can exchange timecode and device control data with the camera or deck. If you have device control, you can cue and capture several source clips at once (called batch capturing). If you do not have device control, you need to capture source clips individually. See the Final Cut Pro documentation for supported device control protocols. Before you capture from a deck using serial device control, you need to take these steps to ensure all-important timecode accuracy: • Genlock your deck with your video capture interface. • Calibrate the timecode offset. Genlocking the Deck and Video Capture Interface In addition to connecting the serial device control cable from your deck to your computer (using a recommended serial interface adapter) and connecting the necessary video and audio connectors, you must also make sure that your deck is genlocked with your video capture interface. Genlocking refers to locking two video devices together using a blackburst generator. If your deck and video capture device support genlock (also called external sync), connect them to a common signal generator (usually a blackburst generator, which outputs a continuous black video signal). This is done using the genlock connectors found on your video deck and video capture interface (these may also be labeled reference video). Genlocking your deck with your video capture interface synchronizes these devices, ensuring timecode accuracy. Important: If you are capturing from a deck using serial device control and your video capture interface cannot be genlocked with the deck, the accuracy of the timecode captured with your clips cannot be guaranteed. Chapter 7 Capturing Source Clips and Connecting Them to the Database 107

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Setting Up Your Hardware to Capture Accurate Timecode
The ability of Final Cut Pro to capture frame-accurate timecode for each clip is also
dependent upon the proper setup of your capture hardware. When using DV decks, this
is easy. In Final Cut Pro 3 and later, capturing video with a DV deck using FireWire for
both device control and video and audio input results in 100 percent accurate timecode.
If you are instead capturing from a deck using serial device control—for example, a Digital
Betacam or Beta SP deck—there are a couple of important steps you need to take during
setup to ensure timecode accuracy.
What Is Device Control?
Device control makes it possible for Final Cut Pro to control your video camera or video
deck. If your video camera or deck uses a protocol supported by Final Cut Pro,
Final Cut Pro can exchange timecode and device control data with the camera or deck.
If you have device control, you can cue and capture several source clips at once (called
batch capturing
). If you do not have device control, you need to capture source clips
individually. See the Final Cut Pro documentation for supported device control protocols.
Before you capture from a deck using serial device control, you need to take these steps
to ensure all-important timecode accuracy:
• Genlock your deck with your video capture interface.
• Calibrate the timecode offset.
Genlocking the Deck and Video Capture Interface
In addition to connecting the serial device control cable from your deck to your computer
(using a recommended serial interface adapter) and connecting the necessary video and
audio connectors, you must also make sure that your deck is genlocked with your video
capture interface.
Genlocking
refers to locking two video devices together using a
blackburst generator.
If your deck and video capture device support genlock (also called
external sync
), connect
them to a common signal generator (usually a blackburst generator, which outputs a
continuous black video signal). This is done using the genlock connectors found on your
video deck and video capture interface (these may also be labeled
reference video
).
Genlocking your deck with your video capture interface synchronizes these devices,
ensuring timecode accuracy.
Important:
If you are capturing from a deck using serial device control and your video
capture interface cannot be genlocked with the deck, the accuracy of the timecode
captured with your clips cannot be guaranteed.
107
Chapter 7
Capturing Source Clips and Connecting Them to the Database