2 XH-a1's FreeRun TimeCode + Capturing
 

If I used 2 xh-a1s in Freerun to keep their time code synced (as close as I can anyway) will there be problems capturing in FCP (or PP CS3) with all of the time code breaks?

I just finish a wedding using PPCS3 and worked fine. On the cS2 versionn I had a lot of issues capturing using this method with the A1. So far in this new version at least for this project, the Free run worked perfect.

We will see later

That is good to hear as I will probably go the CS3 route once I can afford to build my editing station.

I am wondering if anyone has done this with FCP and then used the clips to make an "instant multicam" clip.

Once I get my cameras I will try a test run at work and see how FCP handles it.

If you're talking about time code starting and stopping and then picking up at a different time code because the clock is running, FCP won't have a problem with that. Time code breaks, however, are a different story. Those are when you take a tape out, reinsert it and then don't pick up where there is already a video signal. There's no good excuse to do that, but people do it all the time, and FCP definitely does not like that.

Every so often when we review footage in the field and cue the tape up with the return function, FCP will freak out in capture.

It appears that the actual Time Code numbers don't matter as long as there is a continuous video signal.

What happens there is that when you recue you are going past the end of the last shot and there is a gap in the video signal, and FCP (as well as Avid in my experience) really doesn't like that one bit. If you use the end search button the camera should recue automatically and stay in the video. However, I always make sure there is 5-10 seconds of rundown at the end of a scene before I watch any footage so I can recue manually without cutting into the take. Also, if you take the tape out and reinsert it, the auto recue won't work anymore, so you need rundown.

I got you. Thanks for your help, Bill.