Every edited master tape should have a standard Leader Sequence at the head of the tape before the beginning of a program. This standard leader serves a number of purposes. First, it provides protection for the beginning of the program.
Remember, the first part of the videotape is the part grabbed by the mechanical arm in the VCR and wrapped around the head drum. This part of the tape is therefore subjected to considerable stress, and is occasionally damaged.
Try to avoid using the first minute or so of tape for critical information-such as the beginning of your program. By placing identifying leader at the head of the tape, the beginning of your program will be protected from the machine's mechanical maw.
Editing for Broadcasting
The other reason for using standard leader are to identify the program on the tape and to give your engineering staff a way of checking the audio and video signal levels before the program starts. Finally, the leader provides a way to cue up a tape so that the beginning of a program can easily be found. There is nothing frustrating than watching someone try to find a 30-second program that was recorded somewhere on a 60-minute tape without any identifying leader before it.
Unfortunately, there is no standard videotape leader. Producers, broadcasters all use somewhat different leaders.
I have found the following leader sequence to be extremely useful:
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Video Black
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10 seconds
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Bars and Tone
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30 seconds
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Slate (program identification)
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10 seconds
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Countdown leader
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8 seconds
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Black
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2 seconds
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Program start
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This leader sequence provides all the necessary advantages. It provides a 60 second buffer between the beginning of the videotape and the beginning of the program; it gives the engineering staff video and audio reference levels; and its countdown allows the tape to be accurately cued up for palyback. No edited tape should be produced without this or other similar leader.
