Camcorder Masterclass - Index
Simple Camcorder to VCR Editing

Whilst there are drawbacks to this type of editing set-up, in some instances there is no alternative. We are assuming here that the VCR to be used has no editing facilities. Editing requiring no additional equipment, will be limited to omitting some visuals and rearranging others to produce the desired order. This process is known as assemby editing. Because there is no audio mixer, and to keep things simple, the original sound will remain untouched.

Connecting up for Editing

The linkage between the camcorder and the record VCR should be covered in the instruction book and, hopefully the correct leads should have been supplied. Connections are quite straighforward. The camcorder should have video and ausio output sockets - these may be separate or combined.

Separate Output Sockets:
Connect the video output by the appropriate cable to the video-in socket of the record VCR. The audio out from the camcorder should likewise be connected to the audio-in of the VCR.

Combined Camcorder Output Sockets
A special connector which divides into video and audio leads has to be used, connecting the VCR end as described above. Where both units are Hi-8 or S-VHS then use an S lead for the video; this will retain best picture quality - in this event separate audio leads will be needed.

A word of warning. Don't connect a RF cable (normally with a domestic VCR and the TV) between the camcorder and VCR. It will give a poorer picture quality.

The VCR should also be connected to a TV or monitor, but this time an RF lead may be the only means. If your TV offers additional input sockets then use them. Obviously before any picture can be viewed the TV be tuned in to the video channel. it may also be necessary to press a button, or to use a remote control on the VCR, to allow it to receive the signals from the camcorder. These points should be covered in the VCR instructions.

Provided the connections, tuning and any necessary switching has been properly done, you should now be able to transfer, listen and watch, the material played from the camcorder. When the VCR is not in the play or play-pause mode the picture and from the camcorder will be seen. Alternatively if you switch the VCR into either of those two modes the display comes from the VCR tape.

Camcorder Masterclass - Index
Pre-edit procedure

Except where very few shots are involved, a considerable amount of preparatory work is needed before any buttons are pressed. Some of it is rather boring, but it will save unnecessary shuttling of the tape/s backwards and forwards. Furthermore, it will probably avoid shots being wrongly sequenced, a situation requiring decisions as to whether to go re-edit from that point. Get the preliminaries right and the end result will probably become better structured than would have been the case.

The first task is to rule up a log or register which will show the running order, and other details, of all shots on the tape. In the (generally) unlikely event of the shots, having been registered at the shooting stage then that log could probably be utilised instead. If such logging is intended then think ahead and design the shooting register for use at the editing stage.

The next step is to play the tape, shot by shot, and enter the details plus any comments which will assist editing. We suggest that the original tape should be copied the copy used for logging and scrutiny purposes. It will help protect the valuable original.

Having completed logging the next step is to decide, and enter on the log, the running order of selected shots. You are almost ready to commence editing but there is one more vital piece of information needed; the extent of back-roll which occurs when the VCR is transferring shots.

How much picture does your VCR lose?

To eliminate disturbance (glitches) between each shot a record VCR tape backspaces after the pause/record button is released. The backspaced tape then rolls forward (pre-roll) so that the signals from the camcorder (or play VCR) can lock on to the control track just before the actual recording commences. The effect is that the first few seconds of the incoming picture is lost. There is also a loss of a few frames at the end of the previously recorded shot, the incoming recording having overlapped them. The extent of the loss varies from machine to machine but it is necessary to allow for it, leastways the backspace one, otherwise you may lose that all-important bit of footage.

Given that a non-editing featured VCR may not have a frame advance control it is difficult with this to calculate the extent of the lost material. But you can get near enough, as follows:

1. Shoot a big close-up of a clock face with a large moving second hand.
2. Stop after 15 seconds, rewind, play and pause that tape at say five seconds.
3. Now set the VCR at record/pause and then release the pauses on both machines so that recording can commence.
4. Stop recording after about five seconds, rewind the VCR to the first frame of the clock face and note the time. If, say, it showed seven seconds then the backspace loss was two seconds. For future shots you should set the tape on the play machine two seconds in front of the required starting point

We doubt whether it is worth calculating the loss due to overlap, but if you are bothered, then on the VCR tape add a few frames beyond the required entry point. You can always adjust if necessary.