2 HMC150s--Synching Timecode

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Red Jacket Mike

Member
Hello-
I just received my 2nd 150 today, and I'm interested in synching the timecode on the two cameras for 2-cam shoots of theater/stage events. I've searched for, and read the other posts on this topic, but I guess I'm missing something.

I do understand how to connect the cameras, set master and slave, etc., but then what?
I usually run the main camera, capturing the whole show with video and audio. My B-cam guy shoots closeoups, audience, etc., and I use FCP to occasionally insert his stuff into my mainly-camera-1 timeline.

Previously, He was using a Sony miniDV HDV camera, and after capturing/transferring everything, I just had to guess for each B cam clip I wanted to insert.

Now, just because I have 2 150s, and can supposedly synch them, how will my editing workflow improve? Do we need to start both of our cams after they are synched, and let them run, so that frames will stay lined up? Silly question, probably, but I don't quite get it.

Ideally, I could go to a camera 1 frame, and then quickly go to the exact same place in the event on camera 2, by using the same timecode; then I can do 3 point inserts perfeclty, without guessing; is this possible, or have I got it all wrong?

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
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Its in the manual... It's pretty easy and step by step.

Its by the composite video connections... It works great if you can get your software to recognize the timecodes... It will drift after a day or so, so you need to re-sync before your shoots for best results.
 
I've read the manual, and I do know how to set it up with the two cameras. I'm just wondering if I can accomplish what I mentioned above using the sync feature.
It seems like both cameras would still have to be started at the same time and left running continuously to take advantage of this feature.
 
Ah, It does exactly what you described. You don't have to have the cameras running or recording the whole time.
 
Like MadHMC said it just works since the timecode on both cameras will be set to "free-run", which basically means that even if the camera is not recording, the timecode still runs forward. Since it's always running, if you stop one of the cameras and start it again, the timecodes will still match up, meaning you don't have to worry about starting the cams at the same time.
 
Page 55 of the AG-HMC150P manual under the heading "TC preset mode". The pages which follow show how to set the time code to a preset value. (Manual VQT1V33)
 
KnoxHotch said:
Like MadHMC said it just works since the timecode on both cameras will be set to "free-run", which basically means that even if the camera is not recording, the timecode still runs forward. Since it's always running, if you stop one of the cameras and start it again, the timecodes will still match up, meaning you don't have to worry about starting the cams at the same time.
Click to expand...

OK, now I finally understand, I think. The timecode begins running from zero in both cameras as soon as the synch operation is set, whether they are recording or not? And it then continues to run when recording is stopped and started on either camera, correct? And of course, even if not recording, camera power must be on for the synching to continue to work, right?

I did read this section in the manual, but I guess I just missed the obvious, that is, if I have the above straight now. Thanks.
 
Red Jacket Mike said:
OK, now I finally understand, I think. The timecode begins running from zero in both cameras as soon as the synch operation is set, whether they are recording or not? And it then continues to run when recording is stopped and started on either camera, correct? And of course, even if not recording, camera power must be on for the synching to continue to work, right?

I did read this section in the manual, but I guess I just missed the obvious, that is, if I have the above straight now. Thanks.
Click to expand...


You got it, but it gets even better: The camera will keep the timecode running even if you turn it off, since it has an internal battery to keep date/time! Also, the timecode doesn't have to start at 00:00:00;00, but rather can be set to any value you desire on the "master" camera before you sync the two cams, including to the time of day, so you have a reference in post as to when a filmed event took place.
 
But when you turn the cameras on or off, or swap between playback and camera mode, each time you do that it's possible to introduce a frame or two (or more) of delay, meaning that when you do those things, you should probably re-sync afterwards.
 
Well, I'm trying to set this up with my two cameras, and I can't get it to work. Setting camera ! to Master, and setting the TC to Free Run works fine; on camera 2, however, I can't seem to set it to Slave.

When I try to set the 2nd cam to Slave, I'm prompted to push the TC/Reset button, at which point it should start receiving the free-running TC from the master, right?

But when I press the TC/Reset button on camera 2, the LCD displays "TC Linking" for a couple of seconds, and then I'm prompted to press the reset button again. When I go back into the menu on camera 2, the Slave setting is not chosen.

Before starting any of this, I've connected the composite video/TC in-out jacks on both cameras with an RCA cable, then turned the power on both cameras.

What am I doing wrong? I think if I was able to set the 2nd camera to Slave, this would work.
 
I followed the steps in the book and had no issues. pg55

For 2 slaves, leave the master outputting the time code then repeat same steps on both slaves. (my guess)
 
edit: MadHMC150 beat me to it

Red Jacket Mike said:
Well, I'm trying to set this up with my two cameras, and I can't get it to work. Setting camera ! to Master, and setting the TC to Free Run works fine; on camera 2, however, I can't seem to set it to Slave.
Click to expand...

Are you sure both cams are set to free run and are shooting the same format?

jakobim said:
can this work with 1 master and 2 slaves ? and how

Y cable /grin
Click to expand...

(from what I understand), as long as your use the same camera for "master" then you can sync each of the other "slaves" to that reference time code at different times, the other cameras will sync to the free running timecode being output from the master and adjust themselves.
 
bah i going to go try this it would help be times when shooting so i dont need someone doing slate
 
jakobim, beware there are some difficulties getting your NLE to recognize the timecode. Try it with whatever you use to edit before you throw out a trusty slate.

On that note: Anyone for sure this will or wont work with Vegas? I cant get it to work, and premier hasn't been any friendlier. Any help would be appreciated.
 
for sure madhmc

it works tho =) i had to make the first slave a master to setup the 3rd cam and so on to the 5th
 
ok heres 1 problem i can use the pannys avchd to p2 and it puts the TC in p2 but how do i take the TC and move it when i Transcode files with tmpgenc
 
MadHMC150 said:
On that note: Anyone for sure this will or wont work with Vegas? I cant get it to work, and premier hasn't been any friendlier. Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

According to the Vegas manual you can select your multicam clips in the project media pool and go to Tools>Multicam>"Lay Out Tracks Using Media Timecode"
 
I'm not trying to use two slaves, just one. I can't seem to get the 2nd camera to be set as a slave. It won't pick up the timecode from the first camera.

Does the 2nd camera also have to be set to free run, or is the Slave setting all that is necessary? The manual doesn't really explain this.
 
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