DV capture offset allows you to offset the incoming DV stream against the timecode assigned to each frame during capturing. This offset is only used in a transcoder configuration or in configurations where the DV stream does not encode timecode into the incoming DV frames. DV capture offset was primarily designed for configurations where an RS-422 controller is used to control a DV device and the DV stream is captured over a FireWire cable. See RS-422 Controls a DV Device Configuration.

The DV capture offset can also be used in a configuration where the DV stream is captured over a FireWire cable, but the timecode of the master clip is not received through an RS-422 controller. When you adjust the DV capture offset in this configuration, results could vary, depending on the number of devices involved. See FireWire Configuration Without Timecode.

The range of DV capture offset in the Avid application is from –6 to 24 frames with the default value set to 0. To use DV capture offset, perform several captures with the DV capture offset set to 0. Note the first frame of the master clip for each clip. If the first frame of the master clip is not as expected, the DV capture offset should be adjusted to account for this variation.

For example, Capture with No Offset represents an RS-422-controlled capture where the timecode for capture comes in through an RS-422 controller. The first frame of the master clip is the sixth frame from the IN point on the tape.

To adjust for this device behavior, set the DV capture offset to –6 frames. The result should be a frame-accurate capture. However, the results are dependent on device behavior. If the device behavior for sending streams across a FireWire cable is inconsistent, frame-accurate results on capture will also be inconsistent. See Capturing with Offset.