Time Code Sync

[Matthew King]

Attempting to sync timecode to sound has yet to work for me. What does one do sync it perfectly. Everytime we sync it holds, but then either after powering down for battery change or just on its own, the timecode begins to drift. Sometimes by a large amount (1-3 minutes) and sometimes by not much (1-5 seconds). There has to be a way to sync it and have it hold.

Thanks

 

[Hans von Sonntag]

My soundman slaves the camera. TC-out from the Soundevice into TC-in of the Red does the job. After rebooting Sounddevice and camera have to be synced again. This maybe fixed in build 17, I don't know. Never had drifting TC.

Hans

 

[Vigen Vartanov]

You need to get FreeRun Timecode Box , it is device that can be mount
on camera and take power from camera , and you will have always
connect cable from camera to this timecode box. You can found some on
BH photovideo . Also Sound recorder will not forget time code , and
also slate will always have same time code . Sow what you need to do
it is sync one your TC box with Sound device and that all .

Check this one : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/562544-REG/Denecke_SB_3_SB_3_Syncbox_Time_Code_Generator.html

 

[Vinit Borrison]

the drift problem is in more then one camera, i have the same problem with two of ours, hopefully red will look at the problem

 

[Conrad Hunziker]

You will always need to re-sync your camera after rebooting. That is the only way to ensure you have proper sync.
As for drift issues, please make absolute sure you are running at the same frame rate - i.e. your project -> configure -> time base setting exactly equals the time code frame rate. 23.98 time base = 23.98 time code.

Ive never had a camera more than 3 frames off when looking at a TC slate in RA / RC and seeing the timecode in the R3D file.

In addition, make sure your timecode lemo cable is setup for only one way sync, from source to camera. Ive had instances where the camera would jam the timecode box!

 

[Matthew King]

Thanks for all the feed back. I've seen a few different methods and the ext sync box seems the way to go. The soundman that I worked with had to haphazardly rig a cable connection, but it did solve the problem. I just wasn't sure if there was a better system.
Thanks.