Working with Timecode on Documentary

[Jeremy Wiles]

The project I am working on involves alot of traveling to other countries. Alot of times I'm in places that I can't get out a timecode smart slate, due to security reasons.

What's the best way to sync audio with the Red camera in this type of situation? We'll be using the sound devices 302 mixer and the 702 or 702T recorder. Also, has anyone heard of a "slate light?"

Thanks for the help.

 

[Sound Sorcerer]

use a Lockit box...
:detective2:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...203_TRI_LEVEL_LOCKIT_TIMECODE_VIDEO_SYNC.html

 

[Jeremy Wiles]

it looks like that requires cables running from the box to the camera. Anyway to do this without cables and without a big fat slate clapper?

 

[Sound Sorcerer]

it looks like that requires cables running from the box to the camera. Anyway to do this without cables and without a big fat slate clapper?

Yes, a 3 inches cable from the Lockit to the camera. Standard procedure is to velcro the lockit on camera & jam it from your SD702T.

 

[Eddy Robinson]

If your budget or conditions don't allow for a lockit box, put the 702 and the camera in freerun or time of day mode (must be the same for both) and get a shot of the 702 front panel (where the TC is displayed). Ideally before each shot, but if you're Time of Day you can get away with once every few hours.

Of course, this will require you to manually type in the numbers in post and derive an offset for each day's footage in order to conform, but it's not all that much extra work.

 

[Stuart English]

Timecode sync - minimal setup.

Timecode sync - minimal setup.

A RED ONE camera and external audio recorder should stay in timecode sync for quite some time.

If you can sync the latter to an external timecode source, just enable TIME CODE out on the camera and sync it up to that using a standard 5-pin LEMO timecode cable, then disconnect.

That "sync" will break down though when the camera is power cycled as although the hours minutes and seconds count are maintained, the frame count isn't.

So just re-sync your audio recorder to the timecode out of the camera each time you power cycle it, and you should be O.K.