Jam-synching with Aaton through Lemo-5 help

[Uli Kunkel]

I'm currently on set and we are desperately trying to jam sync the Red with an Aaton digital mixer. The mixer has a built in TC generator with a Lemo-5 output. Our sound operator just came off a shoot with the Red where he did jam sync through the lemo-5 connection on his mixer and the camera.

We're noticing on the camera that the TC setting says "INT" and there is no chain-link symbol anywhere indicating successful sync.

We are missing something somewhere, and any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if using a Lockit box and some kind of external TC generator would be a better method, could you please list the equipment we would need? i.e. Lockit box, TC generator of some kind, BNC-Lemo 5 connectors (if they even exist).

Thanks.

[Brian Ferguson]

We're noticing on the camera that the TC setting says "INT" and there is no chain-link symbol anywhere indicating successful sync.

I have only seen the chain symbol when adding Genlock in addition to the TC Jam. Make sure you select Jam in the slate menu and the TC on the source is the same rate as the camera. Genlock is where you see the chain symbol.

The assurance you have TC Jam is to have media (CF Card) in place and when you roll and look at a TC slate that your TC in your viewfinder or LCD matches the slate (while recording). If you use a lockit/clockit and output the trilevel sync out the video bnc (in addition to the 5 pin Lemo) and have the genlock on you will see the chain symbol when genlock is good. this is the tightest TC Jam you can do - TC Jam with Genlock.

[Hans von Sonntag]

Might be that I am lucky guy... but jam syncing the Red is as easy as it can be.

We've done that often and use a SD 744T, a lemo 5 pin and connect the TC-Out of the 744T into the TC lemo slot of the Red. Red automatically takes the TC of the 744T and off you go. Please check wich side of the lemo you are using. The syncing lemo cable we use has an In and an Out end. With this you control what dirction you want to go. On Build 15 Red takes only IN, meaning the camera is the slave.

We do notice some off-set on the TC displayed on Red's LCD compared to that what you see on the 744T. Nevertheless all is in sync.

The Red actually has a pretty stable clock. Syncing after a reboot seems safe enough. Apperently syncing after rebooting is compulsory otherwise Red will reset to its internal TC.

Hans

[Cail Young]

Using a Fostex PD6 we've had to ensure it was rolling before the camera, because otherwise we get corrupted TC and the camera makes up whatever TC it feels is necessary.

[Mike Paul]

On the Aaton, make sure that the Internal TC generator's output is set to ON in the Audio menu, otherwise the Red will see nothing on the input. Your Timecode setting should be at the same rate as the Red.

Make sure the cable you are using (5P Lemo - 5P Lemo) is wired correctly.

For the PD6, if the "TC Out" setting in the Timecode menu is set to "Repro", then TC will only be present on the output when the PD6 is in Record or Play. If you change the setting from "Repro" to "GEN", the n the PD6's internal TC generator will be constantly outputting code to the Red. This only works if you are in Free Run or 24HR Run timecode modes on the PD6. If you are in RecRun (Record Run), then the Repro/Gen setting will not matter, as the PD6's internal generator will only "roll" when the unit is in Record. Unless you are hardwired to the Red, do not use RecRun timecode. You cannot jam sync in RecRun. If you are hardwired to the Red, and you want to use RecRun timecode on the PD6 (or any recorder, for that matter), then the Audio recorder must be rolling before the Red does for valid code to be present on the Red TC input.

[Cail Young]

For the PD6, if the "TC Out" setting in the Timecode menu is set to "Repro", then TC will only be present on the output when the PD6 is in Record or Play. If you change the setting from "Repro" to "GEN", the n the PD6's internal TC generator will be constantly outputting code to the Red.

I think this is the case. I'll check with the recordist tomorrow. He's definitely on 24h code, so there's no reason not to use GEN.