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Hi everyone,

Currently working on a project with footage covering 30+ years, so I'm combining a lot of different formats (but no HD). I'm editing on the S4000. After I complete my edit, I archive to miniDV tape in addition to burning DVDs. When exporting to miniDv tape, I notice a LOT of dropped frames or glitches as it transfers. Hard to say which exactly. In some cases, it's so frequent it makes little sense to even export. So my question is this due to the different formats used (analog) or perhaps to the unit being 95% full or is it a firewire issue or a problem w/ the cam used (Canon HV40)? It could be the miniDV tapes but I naturally tried different tapes and still had issues, so that cause is unlikley. As I also shoot a lot of new HD footage with that Canon HV40, I want to make sure it isn't a cam issue where I've been dropping frames and not even knowing it. I have taken a look at some of the stuff shot and while it seems ok, I have not sat thru and watched the hours and hours of footage required for me to be 100% sure (which I could do, I just want to see if there's an easier solution first). I do realize this question could easily go beyond the scope of the S4000, but I'm throwing it out there anyway to get some perspective and thoughts. Thanks all for your help.

And on another note, is it normal to expect occassional dropped frames when I shoot HD footage on the Canon HV40 using standard (non HD) miniDV tapes? If not, how can I remedy this? Any other course of action I can take to ensue footage I shoot now (but don't get around to editing until years later) isn't crap? Thanks again.

And just as a follow-up to my post, while the exported tapes are glitchy/dropped frames, the DVD burn is fine.

Sorry, last follow-up- I'm also curious if dropped frames are more likley with HD cams vs SD cams. Because I shot for YEARS on my XL-1 and never - NEVER - had a single dropped frame that I can recall. And if it IS more likley due to HD format, is this combatted by using HD tapes or just a better camera? Or are there issues regardless? Dropped frames are incredibly annoying and problematic, especially for filming purposes (non-recreational use).

It is 'my' experience that HDV does offer more than it's fair share of dropped frames.
This situation is improved (for once) by the use of better tapes - i.e. the HDV versions.

Chip (solid state) camera's don't appear (as yet) to suffer from this . . .

I have two comments here. The first is that I always transcode analog footage to digital by going through a camcorder and then loading the footage via firewire. I've never had a problem with audio drift doing this whereas others who enter longer segments have commented on this problem (this applies to generation 2 editors, I'm not sure about Generation 3).

The second is that running a computer - any computer - with the hard drive at 95% full is not a good idea. I would have suggested making a scene of your entire storyboard, but with the drive almost full I don't know if that's possible, in fact it could create more problems as the hard drive would have even less free space. Perhaps you could try deleting original footage that you have used, unless it will delete your edited clips along with it. I don't edit with Bogart so you'll need a more qualified opinion here. Let us know how you make out.

That is strange, I have been running into that same situation. I shot a belly dancing show for two hours using my VX2100's and always use the same camera I shoot with, to load on my S4000 Pro. It has been happening a lot through out the editing procedure. I would re-enter the same footage with the same camera I shot with and the clitch would go away or appear in another spot. I thought it was because I was using Sony 80 minute tapes and the tape was not properly tracking on the heads. It was shot 16x9 SD footage, so I wasn't using HD footage, tape or camera.

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

I laughed at your second comment Craig, as I agree 100% - not 95%, but 100% with your comment!

The reason I mentioned computer is 95% full is because I suspected it may be causing an issue. This is a comprehensive video project and I am trying to storyboard a LOT of footage and it just worked out that I've got this much footage on the drive. And yes, I already made some sacrafices by cutting footage that I'll now have to re-load later. So I'm amused, because you called me out on everything I've been kicking myself for doing... not that I had much of a choice. So anyway, it seems at least possible that some issues are caused by the drive being stuffed to the hilt. By why wouldnt that also affect DVD quality?

And on the dropped frames issue with the cam itself, it seems like what you were saying michael is either get a higher quality HD cam, use HD tapes or live with teh occassional dropout, is that right?

Ronald,

I didn't mention this specifically, but yes, I also have noticed the issue that a "glitch" on the tape will be there but upon re-loading is NOT there... but may occur elsewhere. This tells me it cannot be truly on the tape. Although, in the instance I stated here in my original post, the glitches/drop outs that are noted when I export to tape are always in the same spot so they most definetly are real.

Again, my primary concern is that a) original footage I shoot is as glitch-free and drop-out free as possible and how to go about ensuring this and b) there are no glitches/drop outs to exported projetcs on tape as I am using these for archival purposes. The annoyances of having to re-load because a glitch/drop out appears but can be fixed by reloading I can live with.

Someone mention it could be cause by the hard drive being 95% full. I forgot to mention that my tyra bite hard drive is only 1/3 full, so I don't think that would be the problem.

This is for Ronald

I have had No succes when using any Bogart 3 . something. I had dropped frames scenes splitting in strange places and cuts in long scenes.
Spend alot of time trying to work it out and ended up reloading 2.4 and have had no dropped frames or issues with it at all.