Hi,

For the past week I've been trying to make a professionally timecoded Beta tape, starting with colour bars at 00:58:00:00 and starting with video and audio at 01:00:00:00.

I'm using a Sony PVW-2800 Beta SP (with time code in), and also have a brand new Sony HDV deck (with time code out).

I've been trying Final Cut Pro's functions "Edit to Tape" and "Print to Video" to send video and timecode straight to Beta and through the HDV deck to BETA, but without any success.

It should definitely be possible through "Edit to Tape" because edit to tape has a timecode send function. I just don't really know how to get the timecode to register properly with the Beta deck.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[A n d r e w]

Instead of trying to record timecode from an external source (i.e., your editing software, through another deck - way too complicated) you're better off pre-setting the timecode to start at a particular point when you engage record. It's been a few years for me now, but I seem to recall there's a "preset" button next to the timecode display. You'll need to set the timecode mode select switch to INT, and set the timecode to "record run," not "free run." I can't remember the precise sequence of button presses required. I think you might need to press the HOLD and SET buttons to the left of the timecode display, or possibly the HOLD and PRESET buttons at the same time, or even SET and PRESET. In any case, one combination or another gets the timecode display flashing, at which point you're ready to set your starting timecode, which you do with the jog wheel (jogging will change the number, pressing the jog wheel will set the number and move you to the next set of digits). Then press SET (or possibly PRESET - you'll know if you hit the wrong one) when you're done. You can check your preset timecode is there by pressing the record button without pressing play: it should start running from your preset timecode, or possibly statically display the time you preset. Patch in your bars and tone, and when you press play and record, the deck should start from the preset timecode.

At least, I think so . . .

If you really want to go down the slave timecode route, make sure that timecode is set to EXT on the SP deck. But you need a timecode cable running into the back of the deck for this to work.

Thanks a lot. I was able to set the time code using your directions, and I just put colour bars, slate, and black on the Final Cut timeline ahead of the video. Worked like a dream.

I have to make step by step instructions of how to do this for the Winnipeg Film Group members, so I'll post that here when I'm done.