INSTRUCTIONS FOR DIGITIZING FROM THE HDW-F500 HDCAM VTR

Nick Dilello
Product Manager, Sony
HDW-F500

 

As of this moment, (May, 2001), it is not possible to digitize 30-frame per second video from a tape running at
24 (23.98) frames per second, and control the VTR from an editing controller (linear or non-linear) which is
running at 30 (29.97) frames per second.

This capability will be available soon, through a software upgrade (now available). For now, the digitization process for an HDCAM
tape running at 24 frames per second is best done in two steps:

1.) Create a 30-frame"sub-master" tape onto a standard definition format (Digital Betacam gives great picture quality,
and requires no additional equipment).
2.) Connect the Digital Betacam to the editor using the RS 422 remote connector, and digitize the 30- frame sub-master reel.

Please use either the "Generic EDit Deck NTSC" for deck control in the Avid editing systems using the HDW-F500. Or download the renamed template here and add to the "Machine Templates" folder in the "Supporting files" folder found inside the main application folder.

A non-linear editing package created for 24-frame-based material will be able to remove the fields added in the 2-3 pulldown process which produced the 30-frame sub-master, and create an edit list based on the original 24-frame per second pictures.

To create a sub-master with a "burn-in" window which shows BOTH the original 24 frame time code, and the 2-3 pulldown
time code, set the HDW-F500 setup menu items as follows:

  1. Item #626 Display Information to "Time Data & VITC"
  2. Select the TC Menu on the front panel of the HDW-F500. Press ALT
  3. Set F4 (PD DISP) to "ON"
  4. Select F2 (PDTC Preset)
  5. Set DF/NDF (F6) to NDF (This causes the two time code displays to be coincident at the seconds, minutes and hours digits.
    If Drop Frame code is selected, the total times will diverge. This disparity will increase as you get further into the program.)
  6. Set the Digital Betacam's Time Code generator to REGEN and Record Run (switches are behind the front panel). It may also
    be necessary to set the Input Vertical Blanking menu (#723) to "through" for lines 16 and 18. You can also select the "through"
    settings for all lines. This will allow the VITC to pass, and be recorded on the Digital Betacam's time code tracks (LTC and VITC).

The resulting Digital Betacam "sub-master" can be digitized into a Non-Linear system by connecting video, audio and RS 422 remote control, and setting in and out points in the usual way.