Recording 107
Pre-format cards. Format all available cards in the camera before the
shoot starts. This reduces downtime during production caused by the
need to format. Cards do not receive a reel counter before the first clip
is recorded to them, so there is no need to record the cards in a
certain order. Formatting a 32 GB card usually takes less than 10
seconds.
Limit card recording time. Codecs with lower data rates like ProRes
422 (Proxy) can be recorded for quite a duration onto SxS cards with
high capacities. Users should consider limiting the recording time per
card to a maximum of 30 minutes of material as it is easier to handle
and reduces the impact on the production in case of a problem.
Immediately copy the data after a card change. The data should be in
a single instance for the shortest time possible.
Switch on write protection when a card has been recorded and is sent
to the copy instance.
Switch off write protection when data has been copied and backed up,
then format the card.
Metadata
Metadata is stored in the index.xml file as well as the quicktime file header.
Most important for the post production workflow is the tape name, as it will
be one of the main image identifiers in an EDL. Even though tape name is
not quite a good name for nonlinear media, it is used due to post production
naming conventions. Alternatively, reel name is used sometimes.
The tape name of ALEXA files is limited to 8 letters to match the CMX 3600
EDL standard. It consists of the Camera Index, reel counter and the Camera
ID.
The tape name of the clip from the previous example would then be:
A004R1JL.
Even if the user forgets to assign different camera indices to two cameras on
one shoot, the Camera ID guarantees unique tape names.
Currently one time code track is recorded in the Quicktime file.
Dual recording
Dual recording allows to record in parallel to two SxS PRO cards to create
an instant backup at the time of recording. To enable dual recording, go to
MENU>Recording>SxS CARDS and set "Dual recording" to "On".
Take care of the following points to ensure successfull dual recording:
SxS PRO cards must be of identical size
For a new reel, both cards must be formatted
Cards must have an identical file structure
The best way to ensure this is to follow the rules for regular recording, but
with sets of two cards. After recording, one card can be used for the backup
process, and the other card for the copy process.
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