I have a shoot coming up where I need to use a two camera set up with two XL1 cameras. Is there a way to link timecode as we do on Betacam set ups?---------Help guys. you are the XL1 Gurus.

Sorry, but I don't know of any way to sync timecode on multiple XL1 cameras. (One of the items on our collective wish list for future models is true SMPTE timecode, and all that that means.) To my knowledge it can't be done. I think many folks shooting multi-cam scenes sync their footage with audio pops (my favorite), visual flashes or some other techniques.

Good luck with your shoot.

Confirming Ken's answer; it can't be done with prosumer gear like the XL1. You'll need professional DV cameras, I believe the Sony DSR-300 DVCAM camera has SMPTE timecode with a gen input. You'll have to sync everything up in post, sorry.

The closest I can come up with is by using your remote wireless contoller wl-2000. If both tapes are at dead zero, you can start both shots simeltaneously. If you look in your manual you can find the part about setting your camera to respond to "1" or "2", so set both to "1" or "2" I did this with my XL-1 and canon zr-10, worked out ok. I think its the closeset that you'll get without going nuts- but than there's probably someone out there with a better idea.

B.Moore

That's a clever solution, B.Moore. Certainly I think it would work pretty well as long as you could start both cams within the field of view of the remote's IR beam. If the cameras are positioned at very different angles...oops.

On this sync matter, if onlly someone would make a radio-based device that could connect to the XL1's LANC port to receive start/stop signals...without precluding the port's use with a controller (like the Varizoom).

Thanks guys. You are great to get back to me so soon. I might just try the remote gimmick, to see how it does.

Thanks again

1) both tapes must be at 00:00:00:00
2) if you have the zr-1000 (zoom remote controller)
with an extention split pigtail, each end going
into each xl-1s linc
3) press shoot

CAUTION: if you use anyother function of zr-1000 it will effect both cameras in the same way i.e. zoom - booth zoom etc.

at this point, you can use your wireless remote to focus each one coded differently camera 1 wireless 1; then camera 2 wireless coded with the #2

CAUTION: focusing by remote can be difficult


Note to Ken T. Unfortunately I'm too left brained for my own good, I try this stuff all the time!

Very cool, B.Moore.

I don't even want to know what your garage door opener looks like ;-) .

This is so great!!!! I wonder if Griffith and Chaplain started like this?------I think innovation is what makes this stuff so fascinating. When you guys look for ways to do what the big boys say can't be done, it's the Orsen Welles gene, kicking in. -----Thanks guys.----I love this.--------Rosebud!!!!

Slim, in your original post you indicated you would be using two XL1 cameras so this will likely not apply. But if at least one of the units is an XL1S, you could link them with a DV cable and enable DV Control in the System Menu. See page 65 of XL1S users manual for details.

Thanks Ed, but both of these are three year old XL1 cameras. We use what we have got---don't you know. I hope to get a shot at an XL1s before I am forced to move up to the bigger boys. I will keep tha in mind.

Thanks again.

<<<-- Originally posted by Ed Frazier : Slim, in your original post you indicated you would be using two XL1 cameras so this will likely not apply. But if at least one of the units is an XL1S, you could link them with a DV cable and enable DV Control in the System Menu. See page 65 of XL1S users manual for details. -->>>

Ed,

If you do that won't you be feeding the same video to the two cameras? That actually occured to me but I haven't tried it out thinking the firewire would be feeding the video and audio from one camera (the XL-1s) to the other (the XL-1). Correct me if I'm wrong because it wrong, this method can certainly be of use.

You're probably correct Ozzie. I just read the users manual again and it is not clear, but it makes sense that it would work as you suggest.

I mostly shoot weddings and sometimes use 2 XL1 cameras for the shoot. I wave at my other camera operator or tell them when to start just before a ceremony is about to begin.Sometimes I put my hand over the lens as well as the other operator for a starting point! At the reception I use 2 cameras only at the speeches (I hate those speeches inbetween multiple meals!).Of course we always leave the 2 cameras running until it's finished regardless if there is long pauses. Anyway I can only rely on a sound or a camera flash as a sync point. 1 camera is used for the close ups and the other for safe wide shots or shots the other camera can't get. After capturing these sections in the computer I have to do alot of scrubbing back and forth with the clips to get them in sync. A bit of a pain! I would rather get a video switcher and do a live switching on the spot! (of course I would still record with a tape just in case!).
2 cameras during live events (Ceremonies/speeches) does look good and make it not so boring but it is more work. At a wedding you don't really have time to start tapes at zero all the time so you have to rely on your editing latter.

I'd rather sit outside in a van with a switcher connected to a few cameras from the inside and control everything. Plus I could have a beer! :)

Thanks Adam. The more I hear, the more I learn. ----The beer idea appeals to me.

Hello. I shoot multi-camera configurations with 4 XL's and use the sync sticks on a slate or just a pair of sticks by themselves. They are sold that way just for that purpose. Be sure not to snap the sticks too fast because the cameras will not pick up the full motion of the synced snap at the standard frame rate. Just click the sticks at a moderate rate and there is your sync reference. It is accurate to within 1-2 frames. Also, you could use a flash bulb for a visual reference. When using slates or sticks for this purpose get as tight as possible for the biggest, clearest picture for accurate frame syncing. It is important that both cameras see the TIPs of the sticks at contact to know when they have fully seated. When the master audio track is sync with all video clips from each camera, then you know you're in sync. Hope this helps.

Thanks, man. We have tried using the flashing lights, but the old fashioned state idea is probably the best. We have a couple of clacker slates that we use from time to time, but never use the sound device, because Beta equipment can link time code. This may be an XL1 answer.

Thanks again

Slim

Howdy. I haven't tried this yet but start both cameras recording and point one at the other's LCD window and go in tight. After a couple of seconds of recording its code, spin it back around and finish the take or project, repeating as necessary. Next, when in the time line for post, just use the code FROM the recording camera that shot the LCD window and the code from the other camera itself and slide the clips to that exact point of reference and you should be in sync, right? I guess it's just like using a time code slate for playback. You are letting the camera see the code from the playback unit and just syncing those visual references in the timeline. I hope this works because it would ensure frame accurate sync.

I have always used an electronic flash from a 35mm camera. Point all cameras toward the flash and press the flashes test button to fire it. The flash is so brief (about 1/10,000 sec) it's only visable for 1 frame of video. Find that frame and align them all in post and your all set. Used electronic flashes with a test button can be found at most camera stores for $35 and up.

Jeff

Yes we have used a flash and you are right. it works if you have plenty of time to align everyting in the editing phase.

Thanks for the reply and the advice.

Don't know if this is useful to you, but check out this little gadget that reads timecode from your XL1's LANC output and transmits it to a smart slate.

http://www.spcomms.com/ltcexport/ltcexport.PDF

- Clayton Lai