Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
If there is no hand clap, slate or clapperboard to work with then finding a
common audio sync point is the simplest way forward.
Syncing without Sound
The DV and HDV cameras of today are much more sophisticated than the first
generation of DV cameras which appeared in 1996.
Very few early DV cameras had XLR inputs; you couldn't set the Timecode; no
fold-out screens; sloppy zooms; slow response when hitting the record button;
these machines were battery-eaters. Things have come a long way.
With sophistication comes complexity. As the DV cameras evolved many new
features were added. To get at these features requires one to work through
many menus. Some of these cameras are so menu-laden one virtually needs to
be a computer programmer to get at the manual controls which are buried
away like unreachable treasures.
I've seen cameramen swear at menu setups when all they want to do is switch
over from camera mic to external mic. The one plugged into the XLR. The one
with the good sound.
So screw-ups happen.
Perhaps the worst case scenario is no sound at all. When putting together a
Multicam sequence, the key to success is getting your Multiclip right. If you get
everything synced up correctly the battle is won. This is a lot harder to do if
you've got no sound to work with.
In this situation the only way to sort out the problem is by use of a visual cue.
You need to find a reference point where something happens. This could be
easy or incredibly difficult.
If you were filming a rocket taking off with eight different cameras it would not
be a difficult process. Simply line up each take of the rocket blasting off and
mark an 'in' point using a common visual cue. For example, the ignition of the
engines.
