Time Code at DVinfo.net

Tariq Peter · April 4th, 2008, 04:18 AM

Hi Guys,

I have been asked an awards ceremony using 2 cameras. The cameras that I will be using are my own XHA1 and and hiring out a Sony HDV Z1E as I cant get hold of another XHA1.

There will be one main wall which either camera will project onto depending on what has been selected from the Panasonic MX50 vision mixer. My questions is how do I synch the two camcorders up so the timecode is the same. This will help me later in my edit suite, also would it be better if I was to hire out another Sony HDV Z1E instead of using my XHA1?

Thanks guys

Nick Weeks · April 4th, 2008, 05:13 AM

You can use this method to sync the two A1's timecode:

http://dvinfo.net/canonxl2/articles/article11.php

Not sure how you're going to sync the Z1 and A1 because neither have genlock or tc in/out

Tariq Peter · April 4th, 2008, 05:52 AM

That looks great however my cameras are going to be to far from each other for this to work. The signal will not reach both at the same time, one camera will be in a seperate part of the hall. Any other ideas?

Nick Weeks · April 4th, 2008, 05:57 AM

You set the timecode once when the cameras are next to each other with the remote, then the timecode runs in the background using the internal battery on the camera independent of the tape run, so as you start and stop the tape the timecode is printed the same among each camera.

The cameras don't have to even be in the same building for this to work

This is probably your only option for syncing timecode on the Canons since you aren't using the G1 model... still not sure how you can Sync the Sony with the Canon

Tariq Peter · April 4th, 2008, 06:06 AM

Ah, I think I might just hire out 2 Sonys instead and see if the same method will work.

Don Palomaki · April 4th, 2008, 07:17 AM

If the free-running time code option (see page 42 of the manual) does not work for you, a method to help determine precise sync is to use a flash both camcorder can see, or a common sound they both hear (clapper?) to mark a common frame, then calculate the time offset and apply it to one of the camcorder's time code in post.

David Morgan · April 6th, 2008, 09:37 PM

has anyone tested this to see if the TC is still together after let's say 2 or 3 hours?
I have 2 A1's that i'd like to set together as described.

dm

April 4th, 2008, 04:18 AM	#1
Tariq Peter Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Manchester England Posts: 435	Time Code Hi Guys, I have been asked an awards ceremony using 2 cameras. The cameras that I will be using are my own XHA1 and and hiring out a Sony HDV Z1E as I cant get hold of another XHA1. There will be one main wall which either camera will project onto depending on what has been selected from the Panasonic MX50 vision mixer. My questions is how do I synch the two camcorders up so the timecode is the same. This will help me later in my edit suite, also would it be better if I was to hire out another Sony HDV Z1E instead of using my XHA1? Thanks guys

April 4th, 2008, 07:17 AM	#6
Don Palomaki Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,489	If the free-running time code option (see page 42 of the manual) does not work for you, a method to help determine precise sync is to use a flash both camcorder can see, or a common sound they both hear (clapper?) to mark a common frame, then calculate the time offset and apply it to one of the camcorder's time code in post. __________________ dpalomaki@dspalomaki.com

April 6th, 2008, 09:37 PM	#7
David Morgan Major Player Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Burbank CA Posts: 466	How accurate? has anyone tested this to see if the TC is still together after let's say 2 or 3 hours? I have 2 A1's that i'd like to set together as described. dm

April 4th, 2008, 05:13 AM	#2
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	You can use this method to sync the two A1's timecode: http://dvinfo.net/canonxl2/articles/article11.php Not sure how you're going to sync the Z1 and A1 because neither have genlock or tc in/out

April 4th, 2008, 05:52 AM	#3
Tariq Peter Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Manchester England Posts: 435	That looks great however my cameras are going to be to far from each other for this to work. The signal will not reach both at the same time, one camera will be in a seperate part of the hall. Any other ideas?

April 4th, 2008, 05:57 AM	#4
Nick Weeks Major Player Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Birmingham, AL USA Posts: 722	You set the timecode once when the cameras are next to each other with the remote, then the timecode runs in the background using the internal battery on the camera independent of the tape run, so as you start and stop the tape the timecode is printed the same among each camera. The cameras don't have to even be in the same building for this to work This is probably your only option for syncing timecode on the Canons since you aren't using the G1 model... still not sure how you can Sync the Sony with the Canon

April 4th, 2008, 06:06 AM	#5
Tariq Peter Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Manchester England Posts: 435	Ah, I think I might just hire out 2 Sonys instead and see if the same method will work.