audio synch printing to tape on fcp

[Rayne]

Hi all,
My broadcaster has just told me that a tape he recieved has the audio
consistently out by about 20 frames for the whole peice. The edit was
checked and captured fine to MiniDV from final cut pro, with no errors
reported. Is it possible that the print to tape would throw the audio
out of sync consistently that much and then not report dropped frames
or anything? Is this possible? Im more inclined to believe that the
problem is on the capture on their end.

Thanks

M

[Martin Heffels]

Post by Rayne
Im more inclined to believe that the
problem is on the capture on their end.

Have you checked your Master-tape before you sent it out?
And I don't mean a brief scan, but the whole tape?
It sounds more like the editor moved some of the sound.

cheers

-martin-

[Rayne]

Checked a brief section, however we exported 2 copies and the other one
is fine! I was there as well so can confirm that the editor made no
more changes.

Post by Martin Heffels

Post by Rayne
Im more inclined to believe that the
problem is on the capture on their end.

Have you checked your Master-tape before you sent it out?
And I don't mean a brief scan, but the whole tape?
It sounds more like the editor moved some of the sound.
cheers
-martin-
--
"If he can he'll smile 'cos he's a Royal Crocodile."
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[Martin Heffels]

Post by Rayne
Checked a brief section, however we exported 2 copies and the other one
is fine! I was there as well so can confirm that the editor made no
more changes.

OK, but still it's a bit risky to not fully check the tape you sent out.
There might have gone something wrong. I would imeediatly sent them the
proper copy of which you know it is fine, and ask them to return the tape
and check it. Or if the place is not to far away, make some time and go
their personally and hand-deliver the tape and sort things out.

cheers

-martin-

[Rayne]

Post by Martin Heffels

Post by Rayne
Checked a brief section, however we exported 2 copies and the other one
is fine! I was there as well so can confirm that the editor made no
more changes.

OK, but still it's a bit risky to not fully check the tape you sent out.

Ok, thats interesting. I have quite a tiny dept. (1 editor at the mo)
putting together bi weekly programmes, do you think that it would be
worthwhile then, to dedicate some of that time to revieweing the
entirety of their tapes? or should i maybe get a third party person to
do so?

M

[Martin Heffels]

Post by Rayne
Ok, thats interesting. I have quite a tiny dept. (1 editor at the mo)
putting together bi weekly programmes, do you think that it would be
worthwhile then, to dedicate some of that time to revieweing the
entirety of their tapes? or should i maybe get a third party person to
do so?

It is definetly worthwile to check the masters which go out. It is better
to make sure that your product is faultless, because if something goes
wrong at the station/client-side, you are the first one they will blame. It
is never themselves :-) This will be bad for your name.
Whoever goes there, check what they have captured, and have a look at the
masters you send them at the same timecode, to compare both. Also see if
they can retrieve the capture-log. Maybe if you offer this to them, and it
turns out to be their fault, they will decline ;-) It is of course very
possible that they have deleted their original capture so there is nothing
to compare.
Of course it is not said that it is your fault either. What also could
happen is that their deck has some problems with your tapes, causing
drop-outs, causing audio/video synch-problems at capture.

But again, break the chain-of-blame, and take the initiative in sorting it
out, if the client is worth it. Whoever checks the material, make sure they
can spot drop-outs and hear funny things in sound. It requires a good pair
of ears and eyes and endurance (and not a weak bladder ;-) ).

cheers

-martin-

[Pat Horridge]

Post by Rayne

Post by Martin Heffels

Post by Rayne
Checked a brief section, however we exported 2 copies and the other one
is fine! I was there as well so can confirm that the editor made no
more changes.

OK, but still it's a bit risky to not fully check the tape you sent out.

Ok, thats interesting. I have quite a tiny dept. (1 editor at the mo)
putting together bi weekly programmes, do you think that it would be
worthwhile then, to dedicate some of that time to revieweing the
entirety of their tapes? or should i maybe get a third party person to
do so?
M

We have a independant staff member check all client masters before they are
allowed to leave our facility.
It shouldn't ever be the editor as they often miss things or make
assumptions based on experience of the piece.
Our QC person watches the whole tape making notes against timecode as
viewed. They look for title safe picture and audio issues as well as tape
condition. They then compare their notes against the record report made by
the editor and discuss any differences with the editor. They also check
various technicl things are correct like clocks and bars etc.
We can then hand on heart verify that all delivered tapes only have issues
we know about and have been accepted by the producer.