SMPTE timecode in the 5D Mark II at DVinfo.net

Tramm Hudson · September 13th, 2009, 10:09 AM

Magic Lantern - SMPTE timecode into the Canon 5D Mark II

This is a short preview of a new feature that I'm cooking up for the Magic Lantern firmware for the 5D Mark II. Currently it is a proof-of-concept; it's long way from being useful on the set. I am using a one minute MP3 of LTC that I am playing out of my iPod for testing. If I had a timecode slate and audio gear that used timecode, it would probably develop faster. I still prefer shooting single system audio, but occasionally want to be able to separate the audio crew from the film crew.

David W. Taylor · September 13th, 2009, 12:26 PM

A very interesting project Tramm, adding smpte to the camera...even if it does use up the audio track.
I had in the past thought of feeding smpte into the audio track in on my camera, but with no ability to 'embed' the code into the video file I couldn't see how I could use smpte in the 5D2 workflow. As you know the picture file needs to be somehow relatable to the separated audio track tc, so I'm really looking forward to see how you get on with this.

Tramm Hudson · September 13th, 2009, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David W. Taylor

A very interesting project Tramm, adding smpte to the camera...even if it does use up the audio track.

I'm hoping to not need the feed continuously, but instead to be able to jam the timecode into the camera at the start of a shooting day or scene and have the camera free run during the shoot. It remains to be seen if the internal clock is sufficiently stable for this to work over the long term.

Peer Landa · September 13th, 2009, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tramm Hudson

This is a short preview of a new feature that I'm cooking up for the Magic Lantern firmware for the 5D Mark II.

This is truly something I'm interested in. (By the way, it's spelled SMPTE ;^)

-- peer

Don Miller · September 13th, 2009, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tramm Hudson

I'm hoping to not need the feed continuously, but instead to be able to jam the timecode into the camera at the start of a shooting day or scene and have the camera free run during the shoot. It remains to be seen if the internal clock is sufficiently stable for this to work over the long term.

Or it could do timecode out?

Tramm Hudson · September 13th, 2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peer Landa

(By the way, it's spelled SMPTE ;^)

You mean you can't use it to exchange email? Chris -- can you fix the title?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Miller

Or it could do timecode out?

I haven't figured out how to drive the audio output circuits. The other uses that I have considered for audio out would be to provide audible signals to the camera operator of the approaching 4 GB limit, running out of card space or temperature warnings.

Chris Hurd · September 13th, 2009, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tramm Hudson

Chris -- can you fix the title?

No problem -- done,

Peer Landa · September 13th, 2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tramm Hudson

The other uses that I have considered for audio out would be to provide audible signals to the camera operator of the approaching 4 GB limit, running out of card space

Think I would prefer the screen to flash a few times instead of an audible signal (that would get recorded).

-- peer

Mike Demmers · September 13th, 2009, 06:37 PM

Camera locked to LTC means multicam shoots all locked together and with locked audio.

This is utterly astonishing in this price range.

Unbelievable.

-MD

Tom Daigon · September 13th, 2009, 09:34 PM

But it seems most multi-camera shoots I have edited over the years seem to use TIME OF DAY (using the tc generator on each camera) synced and run on all cameras. Its easier and cheaper then tethering them all together.

Mike Demmers · September 14th, 2009, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Daigon

But it seems most multi-camera shoots I have edited over the years seem to use TIME OF DAY (using the tc generator on each camera) synced and run on all cameras. Its easier and cheaper then tethering them all together.

Which works fine most of the time.

But if you need to do a 12 hour concert with multitrack audio recording, it is really handy to not have the cameras and audio decks slowly slip out of sync, which they will, over that much time.

Also handy for doing music videos, where the music was done first.

And if you are doing 3D, perfectly synced cameras are essential. That is one area I see this as opening up a whole new world for this camera.

-MD

Nick Hiltgen · September 14th, 2009, 08:04 AM

I would love this ability as I'm trying to do a multicam 5dm2 shoot in a couple of months (we were just planning on slating and going off the click but having locked timecode would be that much better)

Since we're talking about SMPTE I would love to make a request to Tramm or anyone that might already be doing it. Is there SMPTE color bars that can be loaded onto the memory card (or firmware) so we can use it to calibrate the monitors on set, this seems like it would be a handy thing to have added into the firmware as well.

Thank you tramm for all of your work.

Bill Binder · September 14th, 2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tramm Hudson

The other uses that I have considered for audio out would be to provide audible signals to the camera operator of the approaching 4 GB limit

No audio warning needed actually, JUST START A NEW FILE FOR US!!!

I will love you even more than I already do if you could add this capability... <SMILE>

September 13th, 2009, 10:09 AM	#1
Tramm Hudson Wizard Status Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 239	SMPTE timecode in the 5D Mark II Magic Lantern - SMPTE timecode into the Canon 5D Mark II This is a short preview of a new feature that I'm cooking up for the Magic Lantern firmware for the 5D Mark II. Currently it is a proof-of-concept; it's long way from being useful on the set. I am using a one minute MP3 of LTC that I am playing out of my iPod for testing. If I had a timecode slate and audio gear that used timecode, it would probably develop faster. I still prefer shooting single system audio, but occasionally want to be able to separate the audio crew from the film crew. Last edited by Tramm Hudson; September 13th, 2009 at 04:58 PM. Reason: Fix title of URL

September 14th, 2009, 08:04 AM	#12
Nick Hiltgen Trustee Join Date: May 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,427	I would love this ability as I'm trying to do a multicam 5dm2 shoot in a couple of months (we were just planning on slating and going off the click but having locked timecode would be that much better) Since we're talking about SMPTE I would love to make a request to Tramm or anyone that might already be doing it. Is there SMPTE color bars that can be loaded onto the memory card (or firmware) so we can use it to calibrate the monitors on set, this seems like it would be a handy thing to have added into the firmware as well. Thank you tramm for all of your work. __________________ I have a dream that one day canon will release a 35mm ef to xl adapter and I'll have iris control and a 35mm dof of all my ef lenses, and it will be awesome...

September 13th, 2009, 12:26 PM	#2
David W. Taylor Regular Crew Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pinewood Film Studios, Bucks, United Kingdom Posts: 80	A very interesting project Tramm, adding smpte to the camera...even if it does use up the audio track. I had in the past thought of feeding smpte into the audio track in on my camera, but with no ability to 'embed' the code into the video file I couldn't see how I could use smpte in the 5D2 workflow. As you know the picture file needs to be somehow relatable to the separated audio track tc, so I'm really looking forward to see how you get on with this.

September 13th, 2009, 06:37 PM	#9
Mike Demmers Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Portland OR Posts: 159	Camera locked to LTC means multicam shoots all locked together and with locked audio. This is utterly astonishing in this price range. Unbelievable. -MD

September 13th, 2009, 09:34 PM	#10
Tom Daigon Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 170	But it seems most multi-camera shoots I have edited over the years seem to use TIME OF DAY (using the tc generator on each camera) synced and run on all cameras. Its easier and cheaper then tethering them all together.