Instruction manual
Version: 100505 VTC-4000 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Page 26 of 27
hold HOME and tap F-keys until the green LED flashes above these VTRs’ F-keys). Press STOP, PLAY,
this causes the VTRs to roll in 4 field lock (8 field lock for PAL). Double-tap the MARK key, this captures all
10 VTRs’ timecode at the same instant. Now tap the F-key for each of these VTRs and check that the
captured IN points (MENU DISPLAY) have the same odd/even relationship. In PAL, the timecode numbers
should relate to each other in multiples of 4 frames. Park the VTRs on the same timecode before tapping
STOP, PLAY. Then check that the IN points are 4, 8 or maybe 12 frames apart. You can’t use the synching
feature to check the tapes because the VTC-4000 turns off the VTRs’ color framers when synching or they
would interfere with the synching process.
2. Color bars should be recorded for at least one minute at the head of the tape so that tapes can be matched
during playback for post production or air. If color bars from the production switcher does not closely match
router color bars, the switcher bars should be recorded instead to compensate for the switcher’s inaccuracy.
This assumes that the camera feeds through the switcher are similarly inaccurate. If this is the case, it is a
good idea to ask to see camera color bars through the switcher to check if they match what you’re recording
as reference on the VTRs! Although color bars theoretically aren’t necessary when making digital recordings
from digital feeds, it is commonly done anyway to improve confidence that signals indeed match accurately.
3. When using the VTC-4000 system to record multiple camera shoots, it is not necessary to route timecode to
the record VTRs and operate them in external regen mode. The VTC-4000 performs frame accurate edits,
and if the IN points are the same, timecode will match. If using Black & Coded tapes, set the record modes
for all record VTRs to OPEN ENDED INSERT; if using blank tapes, use the OPEN ENDED ASSEMBLE
mode. Make sure that playback VTRs are set to RECORD INHIBIT. Tap HOME, SETUP, the F-key of a
record VTR, UP/DOWN until you see OPEN END INSRT (or OPEN END ASSEM), ENTER. Repeat for the
other record VTRs by tapping their F-keys and tapping ENTER. Then tap the playback VTR’s F-key,
UP/DOWN until you see RECORD INHIBIT, ENTER.
4. If using INSERT, you must enable VIDEO and any AUDIO channels for insert: when you see OEI on the top
MENU DISPLAY line, tap numeric keypad keys until you see OEI V12. If you are recording four channels,
you want OEI V1234. You do not want to see TC as timecode is already recorded on the tapes. NOTE:
Many analog recording formats have superior audio quality only on audio 3 & 4 due to AFM recording, and
these channels can’t be insert edited. In these cases, it is best to use only assemble editing, and there is no
advantage to Black & Coding the tapes, although you should still make a short recording at the head of the
tape as discussed in step 1.
5. When assemble editing, you must set each record VTR’s timecode generator to INTERNAL REGEN. This
causes the timecode to remain contiguous during the editing process.
6. AUTO TAG usually is not used for production, so tap HOME, SETUP, UP/DOWN until you see SET AUTO
TAG, ENTER, UP, ENTER, HOME to disable AUTO TAGGING.
7. See EXAMPLE #1 - INSERT AND ASSEMBLE EDITING for instructions on preparing record tapes.
* Color framing is irrelevant if the camera feeds are purely component and component recordings are being made.
If any source material is from a composite source, or had ever been in composite, then color framing is important,
even if component recordings are being made. The reason for this is that when composite signals are converted
into component, a small amount of residual subcarrier remains in the luminance channel that eventually is added
back into the composite signal when subsequent re-encoding is done for transmission. If edits are made without
regard to color framing, this residual subcarrier is sometimes added and other times subtracted causing a random
chrominance saturation shift that is not seen until it is re-encoded.
RECORDING
1. Load tapes with matching timecode into each record VTR and roll each into its recording, at least 10
seconds before the end. Tap STOP, PLAY at the VTC-4000. The VTC-4000 turns on the internal color
framer on the VTRs and rolls tape. Timecode is compared with reference video and the relationship is
remembered.
2. Designate a record VTR as the master and tap it’s F-key. Tap the IN (UP arrow) key, enter the timecode
number where recording is to begin (usually at an even hour) and tap ENTER. Tap HOME.
3. Hold the ENTER key and tap the F-key of the other record VTRs. This copies the IN point to the others.
4. Double-tap the master’s F-key, then hold HOME and tap other F-keys until green LEDs flash only above all
the record VTRs’ F-keys. This is the record gang.
5. Press PLAY, STOP. This should bring up the scanners on all record VTRs. The red (right hand) LEDs
should flash rapidly above all the record VTRs’ F-keys indicating they are enabled for record. The red LED
above the playback VTR should be lit without flashing, indicating it is RECORD INHIBITED (if any red LED is