Timecode Accurate Downconversion of HDCAM to DV

	Timecode Accurate Downconversion of HDCAM to DV by Eric Hansen on Sep 9, 2005 at 7:49:59 pm hey HD Cow! Currently, we downconvert all of our HDV footage to timecode accurate DV for logging on multiple cheap FCP stations with miniDV decks. we are looking to go up to the HDCAM realm and continue doing the same thing - logging on downconverted miniDVs. For HDV, i just connect firewire from HDV to the DSR-1500A DVCAM deck and select "iLink Dub" and it goes. Is there a similar process available for HDCAM? i have not purchased an HDCAM deck yet - is there a specific model that could do this? does timecode run through the SDI out on the HDCAM deck? or perhaps, is there a firewire card available for an HDCAM deck? the HDCAM decks have an XLR out for timecode and the DSR-1500A has a BNC in for timecode. is this the same system? if they are, would a XLR to BNC converter do the trick? any help would be greatly appreciated. as you can imagine, we dont want to waste time logging off of a single HDCAM deck when we already have 5 miniDV stations to do the trick. Thanks much! eric Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Timecode Accurate Downconversion of HDCAM to DV by john sharaf on Sep 9, 2005 at 7:58:57 pm Eric, You're in luck! Sony makes a HDCAM "feeder" deck known as the JH3 which has an otional iLink card that accompishes just what you wish! Here's link to brochure: http://bssc.sel.sony.com/BroadcastandBusiness/docs/brochures/jh3%20brochure... It's gonna' cost you though! JS Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Timecode Accurate Downconversion of HDCAM to DV by Eric Hansen on Sep 9, 2005 at 9:01:50 pm thanks for the info. not really the most ideal solution because we are looking to dub DigiBeta tapes as well. and its difficult to justfy $20k on a deck thats only used for downconverting to miniDV. i am looking at purchasing the M2000/1 which will play HDCAM, DigiBeta, Beta SP, etc. i did find a Digital interface card for the DSR-1500A that will allow the SDI and AES outputs of the HDCAM deck to feed the 1500A. the only thing now is: will the XLR timecode out on the HDCAM deck interface with the BNC timecode in on the 1500A? does anyone know if this will work? thanks much eric Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Timecode Accurate Downconversion of HDCAM to DV by john sharaf on Sep 9, 2005 at 9:25:01 pm Eric, Of course the XLR TC output of the M2000 can plug into the BNC input of the DV deck (with a simple mechanical adapter) but will the TC be in sync, that's the question? It probably will be several frames out, but will be consistant so that a common offset can be applied. A simple test with a picture and sound of a conventional motion picture type slate will reveal all! Also be aware that there are sometimes problems with non-high-end decks chasing TC over breaks in code, such as when recording in free run at each camera start and stop. JS Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Timecode Accurate Downconversion of HDCAM to DV by Eric Hansen on Sep 9, 2005 at 9:45:49 pm i could definitely see the frame offset biting us in the ass somewhere down the line. thanks for the info though. i was reading into the SDTI option on the 1500A. it says that if 2 1500A decks are linked together through SDTI, then video, audio and TC are all transferred realtime in their native compression (this being DVCAM). i also noticed that an SDTI board can be purchased for the HDCAM deck. what i can't figure out though, is what will be spit out of the HDCAM SDTI output - an HDCAM bitstream or downconverted DVCAM or is SDTI data universal? perhaps this is a setting in the HDCAM deck menu. eric Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Timecode Accurate Downconversion of HDCAM to DV by Mads Nybo Jorgensen on Sep 9, 2005 at 10:01:11 pm Hey Eric and John. No, the SDTI between the DSR and HDW VTR's will not 'shake hands'. In theory, we are talking MXF-ish packages, but the DSR just can't handle the size of HD. There is no problem in going down the route of using the SDI out of the HD to the DSR. And the Timecode will come across fine (Certainly in 25fps - don't know about 30fps). John is correct in pointing out that your down converted timecode can be out - we frequently deal with a 1 frame diference in picture and TC lock (A known Sony Bug). This you can sort out in the HD OnLine by split checking your offline against the OnLine. BTW: as always make sure you are using the same length cables - i.e. do not use a 3 meter for SDI and a 100 meter for the Timecode... All the Best Mads London Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index

	Re: Timecode Accurate Downconversion of HDCAM to DV by Eric Hansen on Sep 9, 2005 at 10:36:27 pm thanks much for the info. i guess i will get the SDI card for the 1500A deck ($1000) and just output SD SDI from the HDCAM deck and sync the TC. much cheaper than dropping an additional $3500 on the SDTI card for the HDCAM deck. thanks for all the advice guys! eric Respond to this post   •   Return to posts index