Making a copy of digital tape.

This article assumes that you are using a digital camera and a Macintosh computer.

Follow these simple steps when making a copy of a digital tape, assuming you have access to a Macintosh computer.

Part 1) Digitize the game film

1. During this process we move game film from your digital camera to a Macintosh computer using a Firewire connection and the application program iMovie.
2. If you are already a Coach's Video Assistant user, skip this step as you are already doing this part.
3. Attach your digital camera to your Macintosh computer via Firewire.
4. Launch iMovie and type the name of the game.
5. Click once on the Camera button (below the video window, above the time line.)
6. Click on the play button (bluish triangle) and adjust the tape in the camera to the kickoff.
7. Once the kicker begins his run up, click on Import.
8. Let it run for the twenty - thirty minutes that it needs to completely digitize.
9. When finished, click once on FILE and drag down to SAVE.
10. Click once on the scissors to move into the Edit mode.

Part 2) Organize the game film.

During this process we move the game film clips down from the clip pane and onto the timeline. If you are already a Coach's Video Assistant user, make sure you are doing this part. Coach's Video Assistant does not care if the clips are on the timeline, but to make a copy of a digital tape, all the clips must be there.

1. Click on any game film clip. From the menu bar click on EDIT and drag down to SELECT ALL.
2. All the clips will be selected. (You can tell as the white on each clip, above and below the clips 'thumbnail', will turn blue.)
3. Click on any clip, hold the mouse down and drag the clips to the timeline. All the clips will follow. All the clips will be in order.
4. Use the horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of the window and check quickly to make sure all the clips are in order. Re-arrange any clip if necessary. This seldom occurs.
5. When finished, click once on FILE and drag down to SAVE.

Part 3) Make a backup tape.

During this process we will make a PERFECT copy of our game film. Not only will this copy include all of the video and audio from the original tape, it will also include the TIME CODE. Time code allows the computer to know when one clip ends and another begins.

1. Attach your digital camera to your Macintosh via a Firewire cable.
2. Find the file representing your game film - and double click to launch.
3. Check to make sure that ALL the clips are on the timeline at the bottom of the window.
4. Check to make sure you have a brand new tape in your camera, rewound to the start. Make sure your camera is in VCR mode and turned on.
5. In iMovie click on FILE and drag down to SHARE.
6. A group of pictures will appear at the top of dropdown window. Click once on Video Camera.
7. You will be asked to add time to the beginning and ending of each tape. Add at least five seconds to the beginning. (Note: This "black" or empty video will become a clip. In order to use this tape with most digital editors you will want to start your import when you see the kicker approach the ball on the kick-off.)
8. Click once on SHARE.

 

That's it. This process operates in real-time. It will take exactly the length of the game.