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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

genlocked playback off Red MX

J

Jamie Metzger

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Anyone have any ideas on how to genlock the playback of two red MX's in a parallel rig? I've seen it done with qtake, but we won't have a qtake on set.

Thanks.
 
To further refine this question - our preferred stereo monitor was rented to another client, and now we have a Panasonic 2550 3D monitor to work with. My understanding is that this monitor requires genlocked input of L and R SDI streams - and feeding it the video outputs of our Left and Right MX cameras we have not been able to get a sync locked overlay. We are at the point where we have to align the rig, and have hit a roadblock in our prep.

Both cameras are being fed genlock and timecode from an Ambient 203 and the padlock and chain icons are displayed on both cameras.

Our project settings are 2K 16:9 25fps timebase, Varispeed at 100fps.

I'll change project settings to 23.98 timebase and rejam to see if the monitor likes that flavor better -

But is this proof of the hints I've been reading here that the video outputs on the Red One are not genlocked? Oooof.

We have a Transvideo 6" 3D monitor coming, but I read that one can be problematic too...

Possibility of getting an Inition StereoBrain unit to help with this - maybe a workaround?

Any suggestions welcomed
 
Hi Michael,
The StereoBrain requires a genlocked input too so, by all means, give it a go but I wouldn't imagine you'll get a different result. Can you tell us which firmware you are running? I presume it's the same on both cameras? Also, is there potential for bringing in another camera? I have heard reports of people struggling to get monitor sync on particular camera pairs but I haven't been able to verify that. Worth getting nearby serial numbers if possible though.
Good luck,
Campbell
 
Firmware is 30.7 both cameras and we have a wink and a nod to update to Beta firmware 31 if necessary.

Bringing in another camera is not really an option -

So how is this done on other shows? We can't have sync on our video output? Really?

Ok... any suggestions on other monitors that wouldn't be as finicky?
 
I would certainly try the latest Beta, if I were you. We have run it successfully on a couple of shoots recently.

If you can get hold of a Cinetronic (http://www.cinetronic.com/en/monitors/stereohd) or a True3Di (and a pair of HD-SDI to DVI/HDMI converters), those should both work. Alternatively, I believe some of the newer Transvideo monitors can support non-sync'd feeds.

Out of interest, do you have cameras with vastly different serial numbers?

By the way, might be worth trying - I've found that when we do lose sync on the cameras (usually after a power down or after coming out of playback mode), one of the most effective ways to regain sync is to turn the test signal (colour bars) on and off again. Best if you have the USB Master/Slave mode working too so that both cameras re-sync at approx the same time...
 
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Great points. I'll have to check the serial numbers. We are in Master Slave Mode, and after reviewing the new 3D support in build 31 I think we'll go ahead and do it.

Our sync to cameras seem to be rocksteady. Its the output/monitoring path I have concerns about.

My latest thought is we had our project settings set for 25 FPS timebase, with a 25Fps clock reference.

Perhaps our monitor would prefer 23.98 time base and sync. Will try this on Monday.
 
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