Edius Settings & Sony Z1

[adspencer]

We often run two Sony Z1 camcorders to capture same event that can be two hours long. The recording is continuous. --- When we load the tapes to EDIUS, the tape from one camera loads perfectly without dropped frames. The tape from the second Z1 loads but with at least one dropped frame after about 1 hour time. This is a consistent experience and it is always the same Z1 that has the dropped frame.

We have the latest version of EDIUS and the Sony Z1 are both set with timecode at NDF.

Any clues here.

Thanks.

Al

[pjsssss]

Have you cleaned the heads lately on the "bad" camera?

[adspencer]

Yes, heads were cleaned before each shoot. Pretty routine on head cleaning.

[GrassValley_MD]

When you say a dropped frame do you mean a frame number or a actual dropped frame while capturing?

Also, why are you set to Non Drop Frame on the cameras?


Mike

[Rusty]

Uh oh...

We had a Z1u puke its tape transport mechanism over the summer. There would be no indication while shooting. Frame drops were few in May, but by July they were like crazy! and random.

Makes the EX1 look mighty tempting...

[adspencer]

Mike, you asked Why set at NDF? --- Reason: The choices are DF, NDF, and "automatic". The training DVD for the Z1 suggests NDF for the type of filming we do (non-broadcast). Also, the length of the events are usually greater than 1 hour and sometimes up to 2 hours.

Would you recommend something different for the Z1?

[Blast1]

If you are taping for video uses whether for broadcast or not you should use DropFrame.

[SRsupport]

Yes always use drop frame.

Non dropframe does not get adjusted and over the duration is gets further away from real time. It has been the cause of some nle issues in the past.

There is a setting in the project setting which way it should count.
You have the abillity to chose so that the "handling" of the timecode is done proper.

So drop frame source dropframe project selection.

Non drop frame source dropframe project selection.


I am not 100% sure on this.
But I think that this selection also relates to the capture.
And if I am right It can produce errors.

(Before anyone starts screaming the 24 of the z1 still goes over 60i so dropframe still applies)

Steve

[Blast1]

Also if for computer use NDF can be used, if the taping is going to be transfered to film its best to contact the people doing it to find out what they prefer.

I am not 100% sure on this.
But I think that this selection also relates to the capture.
And if I am right It can produce errors.

most NLEs have a auto-detect selection for capture, but rarely it doesn't work right, I think a bit gets dropped so it may have to be set manually.

[adspencer]

Thanks. I will change my Z1 timecode setting to automatic and see what happens. If this does not correct the issue I will have the camera examined for problems. EDIUS seems to be doing what it is supposed to do at this moment, so no changes in settings there.

Again, thanks.

Al

[Blast1]

That was auto for the editor not the cam, like mentioned before the cam should be in dropframe for video,
To get back to your original problem

We often run two Sony Z1 camcorders to capture same event that can be two hours long. The recording is continuous.....The tape from the second Z1 loads but with at least one dropped frame after about 1 hour time

Are you recording DV or HDV
When you say the recording is continuous, do you mean the cams are being run consecutively for one hour each, or two hours concurently for both??

Are these premium grade tapes?
It is not a good idea to run the first minute or so of a tape and the same at the end, most dropouts occur in the very begining or the tail of the tape.

heads were cleaned before each shoot. Pretty routine on head cleaning.

also its not a good idea to clean heads particularly with a cleaning tape more than every 30 hours, unless there are major problems