Timecode issue

[Columbus]

Hi all
Been testing the red camera for over two weeks now, last weekend we were shooting a lot of 75fps footage. When looking through some of the 2k 75fps footage we realised some clips on the same reel have the same timecode. The timecode at the end of one clip overlaps with the timecode of the next clip. I always assumed timecode would never be the repeated on the same reel. Has anyone else come across this?

[Deanan]

Edge code or Absolute/Ext TC?

[Columbus]

Hi Deanan
The timecode overlap occurs on the cameras internal timecode.

[Deanan]

Can you give some examples listing clip name and timecode?

[Michael Morlan]

Read the RED One Ops Guide build 12, pg 16:

"When in Varispeed or Timelapse recording modes, the timecode counters are updated at the same frame rate as the recording. This means valid SMPTE timecode is created without count jumps that would affect clip playback or editing. If using an external timecode source with Jam Sync enabled, the clip’s master time reference point is the first frame of the recorded clip."

Since, according to the operations guide, time code (as opposed to edge code) starts with frame one equal to the master clock then updates at the frame rate rather than real time, it is conceivable that shots following an overcranked shot can start with a time that the previous shot passed during its recording.

Michael

[Columbus]

Since, according to the operations guide, time code (as opposed to edge code) starts with frame one equal to the master clock then updates at the frame rate rather than real time, it is conceivable that shots following an overcranked shot can start with a time that the previous shot passed during its recording.

Michael[/QUOTE]

Cheers Michael
I read this in the manual and thought this could be the reason for this happening, when I conform from an edl I can have two clips with the same reel number and timecode. This does happen quite frequently when shooting overcranked. Would it be possible for red to make sure clips timecodes don't overlap when shooting slow motion.
I will look through the clips again tomorrow and show an example.

[Deanan]

It's an inherent problem with there being a limited number of fps formats for timecode. A workaround would be complex and cumbersome.

Conforming using the full clipname plus timecode would be one workaround and also the recommended workflow. The second alternative is to use edgecode instead of TOD/EXT TC.

We are putting the full clip name into the reel. This will be in the next version of RedAlert and an upcoming firmware build. This means conforming to the full clip name rather than just the roll.

[Columbus]

Thanks Deanan
Most of the time the editor will change the red clip names in order to describe the shot better, so when you conform it will not match original. They primarily conform using reel and timecode.
By putting clip name and reel name together would solve the issue.
Cheers

[Stuart English]

Thanks Deanan
Most of the time the editor will change the red clip names in order to describe the shot better, so when you conform it will not match original. They primarily conform using reel and timecode.
By putting clip name and reel name together would solve the issue.
Cheers

That may be so, but to be brutally honest that is also pretty lame of the clip management tools if you can't add an easily viewable shot descriptor field in addition to retaining the original Clip Name - which in the case of RED-ONE is a combination of Reel Number, Clip Number and Date e.g A002_C019_012508 and in future potentially A002_C019_012508_S019_T005 (Scene 19 Take 5)