Timecode from HVX to offcamera recorder

[John Redfern]

Hi, I'm new here so sorry if this has been asked before - just point me to the thread if so.

I've just bought a Tascam HD P2 and I want to use it with the HVX200. The recorder has an XLR timecode-in socket and I want somehow to extract the timecode from the camera.

Is there any way to do this?

Thanks

John

[Ted Spencer]

No, evidently there isn't. It could be done with a firewire to LTC adapter box, but apparently no one makes such a device yet. I had personally generated some interest from a fellow named Ben Fisher of Fisher Robotics in designing and building one, but after I posted about it here a number of people jumped all over him for some allegedly questionable business practices in the past, and the idea quickly died.

In the meantime he sent me, for free, one of his "TimeTool" LANC to LTC convcerters, which works like a charm. I plug it into the LANC port on my old Sony DCR-TRV950 and it spits oput matching TC like a champ. My MOTU 828MkII locks up to it solidly in about a half-second. If only the HVX had a LANC output...

Mr. Fisher said he could build a firewire vesrion that would work with cams like the HVX (and DVX, or any firewire TC capable camcorder) for about $300 IIRC, if he had orders for 50 of them with 50% deposits.

I'm still game if 49 others are.

I should add that, speaking for myself, all my dealings with Ben Fisher seemed completely straightforward. His gift to me of the $250 TimeTool just for having the exchange of ideas regarding the Firewire product with him (and here) was way above and beyond my expectations...

[John Redfern]

Thank you, Ted.

So, I'll get a clapperboard and hope there is no drift. I suppose I could use the HVX on-board audio but all the filming I've done up to now has been mute so I'll have to learn about setting levels etc.

Just received my copy of Barry's book so I'll take it to bed.

John
Argyll
Scotland




No, evidently there isn't. It could be done with a firewire to LTC adapter box, but apparently no one makes such a device yet. I had personally generated some interest from a fellow named Ben Fisher of Fisher Robotics in designing and building one, but after I posted about it here a number of people jumped all over him for some allegedly questionable business practices in the past, and the idea quickly died.

In the meantime he sent me, for free, one of his "TimeTool" LANC to LTC convcerters, which works like a charm. I plug it into the LANC port on my old Sony DCR-TRV950 and it spits oput matching TC like a champ. My MOTU 828MkII locks up to it solidly in about a half-second. If only the HVX had a LANC output...

Mr. Fisher said he could build a firewire vesrion that would work with cams like the HVX (and DVX, or any firewire TC capable camcorder) for about $300 IIRC, if he had orders for 50 of them with 50% deposits.

I'm still game if 49 others are.

I should add that, speaking for myself, all my dealings with Ben Fisher seemed completely straightforward. His gift to me of the $250 TimeTool just for having the exchange of ideas regarding the Firewire product with him (and here) was way above and beyond my expectations...

[Ted Spencer]

I've devised a method of LTC-based auto-synching of the HVX to an external recorder that I'll be using, but it's extremely complex, involving the use of FCS2, Digital Performer/MOTU 828, and Pro Tools HD and Pro Tools Mix systems running simultaneously on three separate computers for transfers back to to FCP.

The on-set part's easy - the HVX will be recording LTC live to a line in from the set recorder's (DP/828/iBook) TC out.

The post part is a major kludge for sure, but I've tested it and it it will work. It will definitely save time for large projects like narrative films with many clips/takes in spite of the initial setup hassle.

It's such a complex workflow though, and so specific to the gear that I already happen to own (I run an audio recording studio business) that it's probably not practical information for others here. I suppose if someone really twisted my arm to describe it, I might...