Best affordable solution to sync 2 cameras?

[Kevin Wild]

Hi, I know there are threads around about Denecke Smart Slates and such. But I'm wondering if there isn't a more affordable solution.

We have 2 RED cameras we are syncing to do about 40 interviews. We can manually sync, but I would love to have the timecodes match EXACTLY frame accurate.

Does anyone know of (or want to sell) either a timecode generator like this or a smart slate?

Thanks!

Kevin

 

[Rich Schaefer]

Have you locked them together and not had good code? In my opinion, your cameras are timecode generators. Or are you looking for an affordable timecode display to shoot?

What I usually do with my 2 reds is I just feed the timecode out of the first camera into the second and I make sure I lock the code (chain links). Most of the time my sound man feeds free run code to my first camera. Particularly with interviews, I try to leave the timecode cables connected the whole time to avoid any drift. I have done this with up to 4 Reds at a time.

 

[Kevin Wild]

Rich, we haven't tried it in a while, but we had odd startup errors with timecode cable plugged in and we definitely had drift. Maybe we should try again with latest builds?

 

[Rich Schaefer]

I would give it a try. It has been working on my end and it's the cheapest solution.

Test it before you get into post.