Jam syncing 2 cameras without external TC generator??

[James Press]

Apologies if this is a really dumb question: Can I jam 2 cameras together without using an external timecode generator ie can I just "join" the 2 cameras together? If it's possible some advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Paul Kalbach]

I would assume you can jam-sync the TC in of your "slave" camera to the TC out of your "master" camera. Correct me if I'm wrong, but genlocking them to the same tri-level sync is probably also required.

 

[dino g]

5 pin to 5 pin lemo connector, about 75 bucks at coffey sound or location sound; or if you are so inclined, make one yourself. set one camera to jam sync, hook them up together, hit record on the camera you want to be the slave and your off.

 

[James Press]

Awesome. Thanks guys.

 

[Cail Young]

but genlocking them to the same tri-level sync is probably also required.

Only if you require frame synchronicity versus just being within 1/2 a frame of each other.

 

[James Press]

Might give kosmos' suggestion a whirl first and see how we go...

 

[Dave Neathery]

Trew audio sells the connectors you need too, Not a bad price either. I actually use my Reds that way all the time. But, they will drift apart on long takes. (Most of mine are over an hour). Unless you also use a separate sync as mentioned above.

The connectors are Lemo to BNC and are correctly labeled with in and out.
Dave

 

[James Press]

Dave,

Our takes are likely to be between one and two hours--longform discussion/interview type setup, but we'll be keeping the whole of the discussion. Current output will be 1080p. The reason I was thinking to jam the cameras was to make it easier in the future if we want to make a higher res (or better quality cc) version. Do you think this simpler system will still be OK for that?