Best consumer camera for dual cam 3D? at DVinfo.net

Frank Stearns · February 2nd, 2011, 06:32 AM

I have been using Canon HF and HF-S series cameras with Lanc for over six months and have had lot of problems with them getting out of sync and staying out of sync even after power cycling.
Some combination's of cameras seem to be all over the place as far as frame sync when power cycling. Random even.
A friend of mine and I kludged together a two camera LANC controller and tried to come up with a way to compensate for this but the seeming randomness of the sync start has made it difficult.
I'm beginning to think that it is an inherent problem with Canons.

Should I try Sony?

Let me clarify.
When starting the cameras they often start out of sync by as much as 16.7 milliseconds. I can power cycle them numerous times and never get them closer then 12 ms.

Arnie Schlissel · February 2nd, 2011, 09:36 AM

This is why you want to use cameras that have a genlock input, along with a sync generator. The cameras will lock to the sync pulse made by the generator, and you'll never worry about this again.

So far as I know, the cheapest cameras with genlock are the Cannon XF305 for $7500 or the Sony EX3 for $8300 (with a lens). Black Magic and AJA make low cost sync generators for $300 & $400 each.

Frank Stearns · February 2nd, 2011, 10:04 AM

Thanks but I am aware of that.
I need an inexpensive "small" camcorder like my Canon HF-21 and
it has to have a LANC interface.

Tony Asch · February 2nd, 2011, 12:32 PM

My pair of Sony HDR-HC7s reliably power up with sync less than 1ms apart when using the LANC power-up pulse (pull the LANC line low for >150ms.) Drift is minimal; stays pretty much in sync for 15-20 min. before I need to do another power cycle. Certainly not as good as a real genlock, but not bad for an inexpensive HDV camcorder.

Sony HDR-HC7 Camcorder Review - HDV - CamcorderInfo.com

Frank Stearns · February 2nd, 2011, 12:42 PM

Thanks very much, that's just the kind of information I was looking for.
I'll check it out.

February 2nd, 2011, 06:32 AM	#1
Frank Stearns Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Superior Wisconsin Posts: 62	Best consumer camera for dual cam 3D? I have been using Canon HF and HF-S series cameras with Lanc for over six months and have had lot of problems with them getting out of sync and staying out of sync even after power cycling. Some combination's of cameras seem to be all over the place as far as frame sync when power cycling. Random even. A friend of mine and I kludged together a two camera LANC controller and tried to come up with a way to compensate for this but the seeming randomness of the sync start has made it difficult. I'm beginning to think that it is an inherent problem with Canons. Should I try Sony? Let me clarify. When starting the cameras they often start out of sync by as much as 16.7 milliseconds. I can power cycle them numerous times and never get them closer then 12 ms.

February 2nd, 2011, 12:32 PM	#4
Tony Asch Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Central NJ Posts: 42	Hdr-hc7 My pair of Sony HDR-HC7s reliably power up with sync less than 1ms apart when using the LANC power-up pulse (pull the LANC line low for >150ms.) Drift is minimal; stays pretty much in sync for 15-20 min. before I need to do another power cycle. Certainly not as good as a real genlock, but not bad for an inexpensive HDV camcorder. Sony HDR-HC7 Camcorder Review - HDV - CamcorderInfo.com __________________ VRtifacts

February 2nd, 2011, 09:36 AM	#2
Arnie Schlissel Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: New York NY Posts: 322	This is why you want to use cameras that have a genlock input, along with a sync generator. The cameras will lock to the sync pulse made by the generator, and you'll never worry about this again. So far as I know, the cheapest cameras with genlock are the Cannon XF305 for $7500 or the Sony EX3 for $8300 (with a lens). Black Magic and AJA make low cost sync generators for $300 & $400 each.

February 2nd, 2011, 10:04 AM	#3
Frank Stearns Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Superior Wisconsin Posts: 62	Thanks but I am aware of that. I need an inexpensive "small" camcorder like my Canon HF-21 and it has to have a LANC interface.

February 2nd, 2011, 12:42 PM	#5
Frank Stearns Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Superior Wisconsin Posts: 62	Thanks very much, that's just the kind of information I was looking for. I'll check it out.