Redesigned FUZE Ti Timecode Slate!

[George Tsai]

Here we go again!

Pre-Orders available now on our website at http://www.FUZETi.com! Pre-orders will end April 30th and will not be accepting any orders after that!

Nearly a year after the first Kickstarter campaign we're finally ready to try again with the new design Link to the Kickstarter Campaign! :https://www.kickstar...-timecode-slate

In the meanwhile, the website has also been redesigned with what you can expect from us after the campaign. http://www.fuzeti.com/ The new slate has been redesign and improved based on feedback from those who have used the first slate. The new timecode generator can be used by itself or coupled with clapper and panel. It is also designed to lower tooling cost and initial fund down to just $34,000 to get everything made. For our Kickstarter, one complete slate will start at $600.00 USD and standalone display generator at $450. After the campaign is complete the retail price will become $699.99 USD and $499.99 respectively.

Features:
- Timecode generator supports frame rates of: 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 29.97DF, 30, and 30DF
- Drift between devices is less than one frame (~35ms) every 24 hours
- Sync from other timecode devices (Runs on internal clock after jamming)
- Jam or run off of an external timecode generator
- Worry free rain or shine with Water Resistance (IP 55)
- Standard 5-pin timecode input/output
- 1/4" TRS timecode input/output
- Easy to adjust display brightness knob
- 16 hour run time with display continuously lit on maximum with 4 AA batteries (Batteries not included), or run indefinitely off of an external power source DC 5-16V.
- Display can be removed from panel and clapper for standalone operation.
- Solid wood clapper sticks makes a clear and sharp snap.
- Solid and sturdy construction. The front panel is made of steel and powder-coated with white dry-erasable surface.

Display only: 8.5"W x 2.1"H x 1.75"D, 12oz
Display with Panel: 8.5"W x 6.5"H x 1.5"D, 33oz

Extra sealing upgrade will allow you to take the display into shallow waters. Included will be a sealing cap for the 5-pin Lemo port. We won't be able to test up to IP66 rating with 3D printed parts, so final rating will not be available until production models are made.

BNC available as a post-production mod, this option will not be weatherproof.

Many many special thanks to Adrian Zaw, Bao Quang Pham, Kenneth Ho, Kyle Portman, Helen Kim, Nate Votran, Lily Pham, Nam Luong, and Sourita Siri for being part of building this Kickstarter campaign.

My personal website can be found at http://www.gtsai.com, as well as my linkedin profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/piman

All of the attached photos are of the prototype and as such the texture of the 3D printed enclosure is pretty rough. The final injection molded product will have a smooth finish.

Basic Operations Video, The batteries on the display was very low when I filmed it so it is not as bright as it would normally be.

 

[George Tsai]

Only 15 Early-Bird Backers available! Check out the Kickstarter campaign now at:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/466895479/fuze-ti-fdc-timecode-slate

Thank you to those that supported the first campaign and hope to see you again!

 

[Tom Greenberg]

I backed it, excited for an affordable TC slate solution. Good luck with the Kickstarter campaign, George!

 

[Brandon J.F.]

This looks great. I remember when you were posting about it before.

 

[Christopher Mills]

As a tester of the previous prototype, I can state that the clock is reliable. I like the changes made to the chassis, as well.

 

[George Tsai]

Thanks Tom, Brandon, and Christopher

Much more realistic goal this time around, and a lot of the feedback on the first design made it's way into this new design to lower manufacturing costs. Already at 30% compared to only 13% at the end of the first attempt

 

[George Tsai]

Ran low temperature test with the display at the dimmest setting in 18ºF temperature compared to one running at 70ºF. Previous attempt was using Duracell batteries in which the freezing temperaturebrought the batteries down to 0 Volts only after a couple of hours. This time around I had Energizer batteries and they are performing much better.

After 12 hours we've drifted just under half a frame compared with the one running at 70ºF. The batteries lasted about 16 hours before display became too dim to be useful.

 

[George Tsai]

Many Thanks to those that have already backed our Kickstarter Campaign We have completed the first week with 28% of our goal funded, however we still need your help to reach the goal of $34,000 by Feb, 18th Going into production would not be possible without your support. So please help us by continuing to share with your friends and fellow filmmakers to make affordable timecode devices a reality

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/466895479/fuze-ti-fdc-timecode-slate


Please ask us any questions you may have, and we'd love to hear your thoughts and comments on our campaign and development. There are several ways to contacting us in addition to this forum, our website at http://www.FUZETi.com, info@fuzeti.com, Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FUZETi), or JWSound (http://jwsoundgroup.net/index.php?/topic/23686-redesigned-fuze-ti-timecode-slate/)





Thanks again and have fun!

 

[George Tsai]

Two weeks down

Two weeks down

As we close out the second week of our campaign with Super Bowl Sunday (those of you in the US hehe), we are inching along up to 31% funded. Halfway through the campaign with $23,139 to go, we need your help and support to reach the goal The prototypes are all manufactured here in the USA and hand assembled. Production run unit will have PCB made in Sunnyvale with both panel and plastic injection molding are done right here in San Diego The clapper sticks are made in Maine.

Enjoy the game and the awesome ads, we will

 

[George Tsai]

Special thanks to Tyler Faison for taking his time to put this Q&A together. And yes I know I need work on my communication skills in front of the camera Check out his web blog and the video here: http://blog.texassoundguy.com/2015/02/q-with-george-tsai-fuze-ti-timecode.html

The kickstarter campaign still going on at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/466895479/fuze-ti-fdc-timecode-slate

 

[George Tsai]

Here is a video going over the basic functions and operations of the FDC Timecode Generator. The batteries on the display was very low when I filmed it so it is not as bright as it would normally be.

There will be a quick reference card on the back of every panel.

We only have 12 days left to raise $23,000! Please continue to help us reach the campaign goal and make affordable smartslates possible There won't be a third attempt!

 

[George Tsai]

8 Days left with $22,000 to go To meet the goal we need to push hard to the end! Majority of the funding will be used towards tooling for manufacturing. The rest of it allows us to perpetually produce more units as well as provide service and support for our products. Making the goal also means we will be able to continue to develop and make more affordable timecode devices available to suit various types of productions. We will not be making a third attempt after this Kickstarter campaign so this is our last and final stretch


It was asked, and silly I didn't think to show it before even tho it was already included in the design, that the clapper can easily be flipped

 

[Tim Morten]

Backed. Could use some more RedUser support!

 

[George Tsai]

Thanks Tim!

Well, we are in the final week! https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/466895479/fuze-ti-fdc-timecode-slate


We need to raise $21,000 in less than 7 days! We have 25 backers so far and another 35 complete slates will take us there! Remember, there is a cheap $450 Generator Display only option as well! We've got to have a major final push to the end

 

[George Tsai]

It's a steep climb to the end with $19,300 left to raise with less than 70 hours left! Our Kickstarter campaign ends this Wednesday at 3:00 PM PST! Thank you to those that has been along the ride with us and let's see if a last ditch effort can bring us to our goal!

Testing the new timecode generator display in a bucket of water. Behind the unit you will see a metal plate screwed in to keep it from floating up to the top. Sorry about the shaky video The display will come weather proof (IP 55) as standard, and with more testing we should be able to offer a waterproof option as an upgrade.


Thanks and have fun!

 

[George Tsai]

$18,600 still needed to reach the goal! That's 31 complete slates more to go Will we be able to make a giant leap to the end? Only with your help


Tomorrow, 3:00 PM PST, it's now or never!


Kickstarter at: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/466895479/fuze-ti-fdc-timecode-slate

Printing the front part of the enclosure prototype. This was done back in November of 2014, back then the only way to get a reliable print of a large part was on a raft. Since then 3D system has updated their software with sidewalk feature instead, making for a better finish print

 

[George Tsai]

And that's wraps it up

First I'd like to thank all the backers of our Kickstarter campaign Unfortunately since we were unable to meet the goal, we do not have the funds to go into production. No redesign this time around, and we will not be making a third Kickstarter campaign. A decision has not yet been made as to what will happen next, a few options being considered is closing up shop and dissolving the company or search for an established company to pick up the torch. I love the design as it is and hope it will eventually make it's way onto the market one way or another.

It's ok sad panda, perhaps another day

Finally I'd like to thank once again to all those that help me build this campaign, Adrian Zaw, Bao Quang Pham, Daniel McCoy, Kenneth Ho, Kyle Portman, Helen Kim, Nate Votran, Lily Pham, Nam Luong, and Sourita Siri for being part of building this Kickstarter campaign.

Thanks again for coming along for the ride and have fun!

 

[George Tsai]

We are going to make a limited production for a short period of time. The price will be significantly more than our original intended injection molding process up to $900, but at least it is still cheaper than a new Denecke, Ambient, or Betso generator slates and displays. Yup, that's how much of a difference producing in volume makes The FDC Generator Display alone will be $650, so you can still put together your own slate at a relatively low cost with the magnetic switch set (http://fuzeti.com/accessories/magnetic-switch-set.html)

You will have to register in order to purchase from our website.

There will also be one ready to ship compact prototype bundle available (http://fuzeti.com/compact-bundle-216.html). Both that and the limited short run preorder (http://fuzeti.com/compact-bundle-215.html, http://fuzeti.com/generators/fdcpp.html) will go live sometime next week and posted here Pre-orders will be open for 3 weeks and after that production will begin and no more orders will be accepted.

 

[George Tsai]

You can now order the 3D printed displays over on our web site at: http://fuzeti.com/There are now two in-stock prototype bundles ready to ship, the short production run will have a lead time of about 8-10 weeks.Remember, pre-orders will end on the 30th and no more order will be accepted after that. So grab them while you can

 

[Tom Chase]

George - Just tried to go to your site and it took me to a DNS error. Just FYI