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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 :)

Time Code Displayed slightly differently

jimhare

jimhare

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Hey Everyone,

As many of you already know, when you jam sync the Red One, the displayed T/C doesn't appear to exactly match the master, which causes some confusion and distress.

What I have known from the start is that the "recorded" T/C always appears to be correct, so didn't pay it much mind.

NOTE *** AS ALWAYS, I WOULD BE VERY HAPPY TO BE CORRECTED HERE IF I HAVE THIS WRONG, BUT THIS IS MY EXPERIENCE***

So the other day I did an informal, but in-depth test.

I jam synced to my iPhone (jumpstart LTC, great app!) then put the iPhone plus the RED LCD in front of the lens, so I could see the master, plus the T/C displayed by the RED ONE.

Then I took the footage into RCX to see what T/C appeared in the "recorded" file.

As expected, the T/C in the "recorded" file matched the clock to the frame, no discrepency, didn't even have the iPhone display half way between 24 and 0!

But you can see that the T/C on the live RED display was off by over a second.

Remember, this is the same moment caught live by the lens.

Anyway, thought it would be good to share in case it comes up.

The rule I have adopted is as long as it is clearly jam synced, with the chain link symbol and the T/C within a second or two of the master, you are golden.

Below is a screenshot of my results. Feel free to comment or tell me I've missed something, all good!

Jim
Sydney Australia

Red_TC.jpg
 
It was an interesting test and gave me even more confidence in shooting multiCAM Red jam synced together.
 
The GUI display for timecode is a lower priority on red one so it can lag behind.
 
Absolutely Deanan, it's not an issue in the slightest. It's just an important thing to know on set so no one doubts that it's working correctly.

Not suggesting anything should be changed, just wanted to make everyone aware in case it comes up.
 
Has anyone else had to address this on set?

Be good to have a consistent answer to avoid naysayers any more ammunition.

Fact is that the T/C is perfect, just lags in the display so should be used as an approximate guide to see it has picked up the T/C.
 
I preferred back when it didn't even try to show the frame number - that way it was clearly not realtime...

And yes, had to address it a few times. Every test I've done shows good TC lock.
 
Hey Cail,

Even though it puts up the chain link icon to say it's working, I still like to see that the T/C has in fact taken, even if it's a second off.

Just needed to have it explained to give full confidence.
 
Hi Christopher, I have a standard LEMO to BNC cable. Adapted the BNC to accept RCA female then used a standard 1/8" to RCA cable.

Now that I know it works I'll probably cut off the BNC and solder directly to 1/8". I have a second LEMO T/C cable I'll leave as is.
 
Alexa has this issue, and some film camera displays don't refresh quick enough and it looks like sync is slipping but it isn't.
 
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