I am sorry for the next question but I just would like to know this which is probably quite obvious to guys as I am thinking of buying Media Composer...

NOW:

You go to settings regarding your timeline and change the timecode to start at 09:57:30:00

You edit your sequence putting 2 min of bars & 30 second contdown. The actual programme starts 10:00:00:00. Now, I want to lay my sequence to DVCAM tape and instead of timecode starting at 00:00:00:00 in my DVCAM deck I want it to start 09:57:30:00 as my timecode starts at the timeline. How do I tell AVID to use timecode from the timeline when recording timecode to DVCAM tape?

Hi,

Take a look at the Digital Cut tool in your manual or online help for all the options available.  It is explained there in much greater detail than I could explain it here.

good luck,
Carl

Thank you for your answer... I have been editing with FCP as our company desided to dump Avid ppretty much because of the price tag & as I asked the same question at their forum people said that I have to use separate software to make this happen. I wouldn't be that interested if I would not be going freelance & thinking of setting my own company.

The truth is that I started to cut with Avid Xpress DV 3.5 and moved to old Xpress system as I took a job in the company I currently work for. Since our boss decided to go to FCP 1-2 years ago I have been complaining about media management, keyboard short cuts, colour correction (you can't override them all in FCP) etc.... but it is (FCP) a great tool for short promos etc... not as stable as Avid as the poor old Xpress was cutting the sequences for days and rendering nights for 3 months non-stop without a crash while FCP isn't that stable from my subjective point of view.

So, I have been thinking of going for Media Composer this time as most of my work would be HDV/HD which you should be able to preview through DVI port if I have understood right.

Could you shed some light to this Avid DNxHD codec as well as I have been out of the loop for a while...

A little Google search for you !

http://www.avid.com/dnxhd/index.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNxHD_codec

http://www.studiodaily.com/main/technique/casestudies/8063.html

http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070415/20070415005065.html?.v=1

HTH

In brief, to get the timecode spread you want, first record black for about 15 seconds on your DVCAM deck with record run timecode set to start at 9:57:20:00.  Then, recue the tape to about 9:57:25:00 and set your digital cut tool for assemble edit, sequence time, and highlight "entire sequence".  Launch the digital cut and you'll be good to go.

Press ctrl + i when the record monitor is highlighted and type in the new timecode for your sequence to start at. I think you could probably crash record that to tape with the tc from your sequence with your decks tc set to ext.

I tend to use tapes that are striped and use record run on the deck.

Thanx for the shortcut mate. ctrl + i and set the deck relative 20seconds before to the timecode, record 15sec of blsck and bob's your uncle!

Thanks also for the ctrl + i shortcut.

John