Thauma Operations Manual

Overview

Invariably there will be requirements to change the Master Tape - either because of an error, a change to the episode, a glitch during the tape recording process or simply because the client would like a change to the Colour Grade.

Rather than play out the entire tape again, you should try to make the smallest change possible to the tape - just insert the vision that has changed.

If the insert edit is happening after the audio has been striped, it is crucial that you do not damage the audio tracks on the Master tape. This would mean that the client has to go back to Tracks to get the audio done again.

If there are a large number of changes to a tape, and the changes are scattered across the duration of the whole episode, it could be simpler to repeat the playout and re-create the entire tape.

Please ensure that you have appropriate support the first few times you perform an Insert Edit!

Step by Step Walkthrough

If there is no time code at the error point (maybe the tape suddenly stopped recording part way through your assembly edit or you need to add to the end of the tape) follow all these steps but choose Assemble Edit not Insert edit in the Digital Cut tool.

Patch Decks

Set up the Patching as per the layout in General Patching Setups for Mastering.

Prepare the Tape

Turn off the Write Protect tab on the tape to be inserted
Put the tape in the deck and check the ident, it should match the episode you are preparing for insert

Prepare the Sequence

In AVID, check the sequence to be fixed has had the required fix put in place. This should be cross-referenced with the Episode Status to ensure that the correct fix is being Inserted
Mark an In and Out point around the correction to be inserted. As a good practice, include a clip on either side as well.
Open the Digital Cut window, and set it up for an Insert Edit:
- Device = Decklink
- Deselect all Audio Tracks (A1, A2, etc.)
  If you don't deselect the Audio tracks, the audio on the tape will be destroyed.
- Output Mode = Real Time
- Bit Depth = 10bit
- Entire Sequence = Off
- Digital Cut Safe Mode = On
- Stop on Dropped Frames = On
- LTC out during preroll = Off
- Add Black at Tail = Off
- Deck Control = "Remote"
- Select "Sequence Time"
- Select "Insert Edit"

Perform the Insert Edit

Preview the insert edit using the Yellow Record button.
Make sure the Insert Edit starts at the correct timecode and position on the tape.
By default there will be a 6 second preroll on the deck before the insert commences.
During the Preview, ensure that you can hear the audio coming off the tape (the stickers on the tape cover will indicate if there is sound).
When all checks are complete, perform the Insert Edit using the Red Record button.

Check the Insert Edit

When the Insert is finished, watch it back from the tape. The following checks must be done:
- Audio must stay in sync the entire time
- Check a single edit point on the tape to ensure that the edits are frame accurate
- Check the first and last frame of the insert for duplicate frames - this was an error caused in earlier version of AVID
- Rewind the tape a few seconds before the start, go to the tape room and rewatch the full duration for condition changes on the deck
When all checks are complete, completely rewind the tape, eject and apply a post-it note indicating the fix up performed.

210. Insert Edits to Master Tape for Fix Ups