View Full Version : No Timecode from FCP


Lance Librandi
February 13th, 2011, 01:56 AM
Hi Dan,
When I record the output of my Final Cut Pro time line via the SDI out of the Black magic extreme card I am not getting embedded time code to the Nanoflash, any idea's.

Many thanks

Dan Keaton
February 13th, 2011, 07:01 AM
Dear Lance,

I will have our lab test that tomorrow.

I do not have an HD-SDI port at my disposal today.

First, please check that you have System|Timecode set to Embedded.

Do you have a monitor that displays timecode and accepts HD-SDI? If so, please check your HD-SDI output.

You could render your timeline then use our File Converter to prepare and copy the rendered file to a CompactFlash card, then play it in the nanoFlash.

All of my phone numbers, including my Skype number are listed here:

Support Contacts | Convergent Design (http://www.convergent-design.com/Support/SupportContacts/tabid/1767/Default.aspx)

Lance Librandi
February 13th, 2011, 07:59 AM
Thank you for your reply Dan, I have connect my SDI monitor and it also is not displaying TC it appears that the problem is with FCP or the ability of Black Magic 3D card to embed TC. I am now using the Nanoflash with internal TC to move finished project's from the FCP time line for archive and to the Tricaster. I have tried many combination's H264 and XDCAM to export the time line but I still get the best quality recording back to the Nanoflash via SDI, it looks like the hardware encoder is far better than all the software flavors.

Many Thanks

Dan Keaton
February 13th, 2011, 08:06 AM
Dear Lance,

I still get the best quality recording back to the Nanoflash via SDI, it looks like the hardware encoder is far better than all the software flavors.

It is very nice to hear you say that.

The Sony XDCam 422 codec, in my opinion, is just amazing!

And recording edited material from a timeline using HD-SDI output to the nanoFlash is an excellent way to get outstanding quality, especially since you can tailor the bit-rate to your needs.

Lance Librandi
February 14th, 2011, 07:37 PM
I have just received the following information from Black Magic Designs
"FCP does not support RP188 output and neither does the card. It is only supported on ingest"

If anyone is looking at doing the same thing the only way out is to set the Nanoflash to internal TC and it will work.

Rafael Amador
February 15th, 2011, 08:08 PM
Hi Lance & Dan,
No way to get the TC out of FC by SDI or even FW.
The only way is through RS-422.
rafael

Lance Librandi
February 15th, 2011, 09:59 PM
Hi Rafael,
I am able to still get SDI out from FCP it's just that the Nanoflash has to be set on internal TC. Interestingly I did inadvertently record a session without any TC movement on the Nanoflash and it recorded and play's back from the Nanoflash. I wonder if in the absence of embedded time code if the Nanoflash reverted to internal TC.
Hey Dan any idea on this works?

Rafael Amador
February 16th, 2011, 03:50 AM
Hi lance,
Yes you get SDI from FC, but no TC embed.
FC can't do it.
The only way of getting the FC's TC out is with an RS-422 interface.
This is the way that video cards (AJA, BM, etc) use for printing to video.
You get the video/audio on the desk through SDI or FW, but the TC only through the RS-422.
NANO needs to put some TC on their files (standard). If its doesn't get it from the SDI, I guess will use his internal TC-Generator.
rafael

Dan Keaton
February 16th, 2011, 07:26 AM
Dear Lance,

As far as I know, the nanoFlash does not switch to internal timecode if Embedded or LTC timecode is absent.

If set for Embedded or LTC (Analog Timecode via our Remote Control Connector and Timecode Cable) and the timecode is not present, the timecode display on the upper left of the nanoFlash should show 00:00:00:00.

If we switched to internal timecode, then this would be misleading to our users, as they would think that their timecode setup was proper and working when actually it was not. Showing 00:00:00:00 is an indication that the nanoFlash is not receiving timecode.

Lance Librandi
February 17th, 2011, 04:48 PM
Hello Dan,
From my testing the Nanoflash is still able to still record and play back without having timecode present.
I have also tested the Nanoflash files Mov & MXF 100Mbps with the Tricaster and Speededit 2 and the files import and playback without any transcoding. I have just completed a quick edit using Speededit 2 working with the media direct from the CF card without importing the media.

Dan Keaton
February 17th, 2011, 05:49 PM
Dear Lance,

Yes, the nanoFlash is perfectly capable of recording normally without timecode.

Lance Librandi
February 18th, 2011, 12:16 AM
Hey Dan just found another use for the Nanoflash, I have a very old SVHS tape that I could not playback to record to DVD because of sync and dropout issues that would cause the DVD recorder to stop recording. I Recorded the SVHS output via a component to SDI converter to the Nanoflash this has allowed me to retrieve the contents of the tape and the Nanoflash did not dropout of record like my DVD recorder. I then played back the Nanoflash recording to the same DVD recorder without having the same sync problems.

Cool

Dan Keaton
February 18th, 2011, 12:34 AM
Dea Lance,

Wow, that is cool.This is great information!

What brand and model number of the Component to SDI converter did you use?

Lance Librandi
February 18th, 2011, 07:27 AM
Hi Dan,
I used a Blackmagic Mini Converter Analog to SDI

Adam Stanislav
February 18th, 2011, 08:40 AM
I agree. The Blackmagic mini converters combined with the nanoFlash are the most revolutionary and most useful tool for video in many many years.