Time code sync
 

Has anyone managed to sync time code between two EX1s?

Here's how I tried... I set my timecode to CLOCK on both cams and attempted to SET clocks on both cams at precisely the same time - but it's tricky and I wasn't accurate to the exact frame. Has anyone had success with this method or is there another method I'm not aware of?

If I can get the two cams accurate to the frame, the multicam editing in Final Cut will be even easier. Just take two clips, make multiclip & choose USE TIMECODE! No looking for a camera flash to get it exact. Gee that would be sweet. ok I'll shut up now.

Try setting the same preset timecode on both cameras (i.e. 01:00:00:00) then use the IR remote for one of the cameras to start them recording at the same time.

You'll need to set both EX1's right next to each other. I've done this in the past with some old VX-1000's with success. Not sure if Long GOP would present a problem, but its worth a test.

Forrest

Now there is a reason to get the (non)remotes/cameras fixed by Sony.

Bruce are you having problems with the remote too? Mine seems to have died. I thought maybe the battery just had an unusually short life (battery drain when not in use?).

To be frame accurate over a 2 hour shoot, the internal clocks would have to be accurate to about 1 minute per year.

That's an excellent point Tom - but how did you come up with that calculation!!! (I only need one hour of sync)

I guess I have to wonder if it's even possible? But then again, considering that they are the same clocks, inaccuracy may be common between the two? I'm guessing.

I will test starting a recording on both cams with one remote. That's a creative approach. Thanks for that one Forrest. I'll post my results later.

My remote has never been alive. Never checked further but perhaps Sony supply crappy Chinese batteries like the AAs in most TV remotes. Am very happy with the EX1 apart from that.

1 frame (.016 secs) divided by 7200 seconds (2 hour shoot) multiplied times the number of seconds in a year

You have to enable it from the menu, and remove the polyethylene tab over the battery.

Hmmmm. I get 70.08 seconds per year. That's WELL over a minute per year. Let's try to be a little more accurate in the future, Tom. :-)

You have to stand in front of the camera to use the remote. It's not clear in the manual. You also need to turn on IR, which goes back to off I believe every time you turn camera off and then on. I think it's meant for one person ENG crews (reporter is cameraperson).

Mine worked for a few days then stopped so I suspect some sort of battery issue. The annoying thing is that I'll have to buy a new batter to test. If it still fails, I'd probably have to return the remote to Sony (sheesh!). If they claim it works then it's the camera sensor.

I believe others have reported remote failure anecdotally but I haven't heard any pursuit or resolution.

Craig,

If you have a camera with NightShot (or similar IR feature) you should be able to see the IR light come on, on the remote.

Also some TV's have a signal-led that just reacts of of the IR sensor, so point it at a TV like that and see if that light flashes.

George/

I frequently test remotes this way to be sure they are working, but I've never needed to look for a camera with any special IR features. I've always been able to see the IR on the viewfinder of the still or video camera (with the exception of a "true" viewfinder on an SLR camera that isn't an LCD). I used to do this with my old 8mm Sony Handycam back before electricity, too!

Wow, a new use for my ancient Sony TRV-9 miniDV camera. It was the early version before Sony modified the NightShot . . . which did some interesting things when used during the daylight.

I have two EX1s in the system at the moment, one is fine with the remote fw1.05. The other fw 1.03 does not want to know about remote operation. Must say though that these camaras have revolutionised our production workflow. Still have HDCAM for really spectacular wide shots but the light weight EX1s for medium and close work are now speeding up shooting time. We mainly shoot botanical gardens and plants etc.

ok I said I'd report my results using a remote to initiate a record on both cams at the same time.

Each was at the same distance from the remote, remote pointed exactly between them... They visually seemed to start at the same time but sync was off by 5 frames.

YAHOO!! Just got timecode sync'd on two EX1s.

I don't know how long it will hold up but I did manually with the menu/clock/set method. It took a few tries but after testing with a still camera flash it's accurate to the frame (for now).

If you have slow reflexes don't bother. Then again I may have just gotten lucky!

I have a 2-cam shoot on Saturday. It will be interesting to see if they are still in sync then.

Well done, Craig! It's always good to have a little luck on your side!

Forrest

Wow, impressive, Craig. So, did you just have a hand on each camera and reset them to zero at exactly the same time? Down to 1/30th of a second?

I put my thumbs on both jog/dials and simultaneously pressed SET. Now when I say "pressed" - it was more like a rapid reflex motion. First try I was off 9 frames, second try I was off 6 frames, third try was perfect.

When I checked the third time, I actually said to myself "holy @#$% - I can't believe I did that??" In disbelief, I kept scrubbing though the clips to confirm it. I guess I'm proof it's possible... or that it's possible to be lucky!" All I know is that I don't want to try it again and erase my early success!

BTW... I love the CLOCK timecode feature on this camera. My shoots can go for many hours in a day and it's real nice in FC with a TC start column in clip browser. I instantly know the exact time of day each clip was shot, & of course, the exact sequence of shots with more than one cam. SWEET!!! I love this camera!!!

Just a follow up on this for all who were interested.

I had a 2 cam shoot only 2 days after syncing timecode and it's obvious that it did not hold up. Timecode is many frames apart between cams already. oh well. I tried.

Are you saying the time code drifted apart? At what point where they 1 full frame apart or how far apart where they after an hour.

I think drift is fare more of a concern than a constant offset which can be easily figured and fixed in post using Aux time code.

Craig,

That's too bad, thought you had a great and ingenious solution. Since they are based on the clock, I suspect that the internal clock is the weak link in the chain. Drift is common, and is why computers sychronize regularly to maintain time.

I suspect that a nice, precision Swiss timepiece would keep better time than my digital/analog watch which drifts up to a few seconds per day. On the other hand, my watch syncs itself to Denver three or four times per day (at night) so it is really never off by more than a couple seconds on any day of the year.

Your cameras held sync to within several frames over two days. If it is within a second or two per week, than it is pretty accurate as far as clocks go. Alas, not good enough for editing video!

You could always buy a pair of EX3's!