How to copy a video tape (page 3)

It's a good idea to limit the number of video effects devices you use in your productions. Processors, mixers, and titlers all have their magic--and all require that the video signal travel that extra set of circuitry.

Try and cut down the number of devices you run your video signal through. If you need to add titles to a specific part of the tape, run the video through the titler only at that point instead of running the entire tape signal through until you reach that point.

Some videographers bemoan nonlinear digital video editing; others can't stop praising it. How about being able to go to that piece of captured and digitized tape in an instant? Or how about re-cutting a few select portions of a program without shuttling through all those tapes to re-edit?

Though it does have many advantages, nonlinear editing does not completely eliminate generation loss problems. When you pass your signals through the video capture card's circuitry, you'll get added noise, just as you would when using any other type of circuitry. Also, though it isn't technically correct to call it generation loss, digitized video suffers from its own special kind of loss that results from compressing the video data down to a usable size. In general, the more you compress the video, the worse the image looks.

One way to insure a clean signal recording is to plot out all the elements your video signal will pass through to make your image. Because unforeseen events do occur and things pop up that you didn't think of, it helps to write everything down from the first shot to the last edit.

Before you shoot, visualize the final outcome of the taped footage. In so doing, you may save a few generations--and end up a winner in the generation loss game.

Larry Burke-Weiner is a photo illustrator and video producer.

How do you score in the generation loss game? Write to In Box, Videomaker Magazine, P.O. Box 4591, Chico CA 95927 or send e-mail to editor@videomaker.com.

1. Select a game piece for each player (up to 6).
2. The magazine's subscriber goes first. If more than one player is a subscriber, roll the die to determine who goes first.
3. Roll a single die on each turn.
4. Advance the number of spaces indicated by the number on the die.
5. Take the action specified by the square on which your piece lands.
6. The game ends when all players reach the finish.
7. The winner is the player with the lowest number of generation loss points.

1-3 Looking fabulous!
4-6 Not too bad.
7-9 I've seen better.

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