Just noticed that All of the new DSLRs coming out do not have Composite Video Output

B

Bassman2003

Veteran
At first glance this might seem to be an upgrade due to the replacement with HDMI, but now there is no way to get a blackburst sync with an external sound recorder. I was looking at an HD-P2 recorder just for this very reason. It can sync to the composite video to stop audio drift from the video.

What are the ways to work with these new cameras with HDMI output only and use 2nd system sound outside of a PIX recorder?
 
If you are recording dual audio then just use a clapper board (like how film and audio used to be separate back in the days). Easy to synch by matching with eye and matching the spike in the audio waveform. FCPX does this alsmost automatically for you (using the synch feature), and Plural Eyes is a plug in that works for most editors too.

I dont even use a clapper board, I just clap my hand when I call the shot; FCPX does the rest.

Audio drift is going to happen no matter what though; just work around it in post by cutting the scene when it becomes too apparent (realign and b roll it).
 
I would respectfully disagree. The whole point of a blackburst connection is to avoid drift. Are you saying that with a composite connection to an external audio recorder would still drift?
 
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I'm saying that everyone I know who uses a DSLR with an external audio recorder synchs the video and audio in post.

If you need to synchronize timecode between video and audio then frankly a DSLR is not the right tool for the job.
 
"I'm saying that everyone I know who uses a DSLR with an external audio recorder synchs the video and audio in post"

Yep, with no software help. By using a slate and lining up the audio spike to the slate clap. One shot at a time. They way it's been done for about 90 years.

Unless both are synced to an external clock (not sure what the gizmo you're describing does it may be one) audio will ALWAYS eventually drift if the shot is long enough.
 
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I've only ever had audio drift come up on hour long presentations, but in those cases a DSLR probably isn't the right tool anyway. So I went in to that not expecting perfection and ease, so resyncing after wasn't an issue. If you're shooting anything else your shots shouldn't be long enough to even notice this. I've never understood why syncing is considered a monumental task, it really isn't much of a hassle in my mind.
 
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Obviously, the method you speak of is an option. Quite frankly everybody does it because that is the most available method, not because it is the "right" way to do it. I am not talking about timecode (please refrain from the high and mighty right tool stuff) and yes, blackburst is a sync signal taken from a composite video signal to align the audio recorder's time crystals with the video camera's. A better, more professional way to operate that was in all DSLRs.

The clap only method results in the beginning of clips being aligned at a point. The rest is going forward will be at different recording rates. Whatever...
 
Bassman2003 said:
The clap only method results in the beginning of clips being aligned at a point. The rest is going forward will be at different recording rates. Whatever...
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Why would they be out of sync? I've been syncing DSLR stuff for ages and none have been drifting.
 
i'm guessing that you want,

1- sync video from "a new dslr" to an external portable audio recorder/mixer.

2- something that costs less than a pix 220i or ki pro mini.

3- you are willing to get an audio recorder at the $700 range.

use slate double clap at start and end of each take. sync in post. sometimes the simplest solution is the most accurate. anything else including any sync device or technology of any kind, is a compromise.

other options,

option 1:
if the camera can send clean hdmi, ninja 2/ninja.

option 2:
if the camera has 3.5mm input, use camera to record audio.

option 3:
if the camera has 3.5mm input, connect ipod to a channel on both the camera and the audio recorder, sync in post.

...etc.

digital audio recorders and cameras do not drift to the extend your imaging.
 
Amr Rahmy said:
i'm guessing that you want,

1- sync video from "a new dslr" to an external portable audio recorder/mixer.

2- something that costs less than a pix 220i or ki pro mini.

3- you are willing to get an audio recorder at the $700 range.

use slate double clap at start and end of each take. sync in post. sometimes the simplest solution is the most accurate. anything else including any sync device or technology of any kind, is a compromise.

other options,

option 1:
if the camera can send clean hdmi, ninja 2/ninja.

option 2:
if the camera has 3.5mm input, use camera to record audio.

option 3:
if the camera has 3.5mm input, connect ipod to a channel on both the camera and the audio recorder, sync in post.

...etc.

digital audio recorders and cameras do not drift to the extend your imaging.
Click to expand...

I think the term sync is being abused here a bit. Syncing a start point does not guaranty the end points will be together. Clapping will not allign the recording crystals in both devices. :)

I know (as everybody does) that short takes are not an issue. BTW Amr, none of your three options include an XLR audio solution. The point is to get high quality audio. Right now I have GH2s and the P2-HD recorder is a great option but if i want to upgrade to a "new" DSLR the P2-HD can no longer connect. It is a moot point anyway, carry on.
 
treynolds said:
I am not super familiar with this topic but would using a timecode generator help? I know you can jamsync the new canons and for the others something like this would work maybe?
http://endlesspicnic.com/blog/2011/11/time-code-canon-5d/


I just sync with a clapper and or internal audio and pluraleyes
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Interesting read. Thanks for posting. I did not know the 5D cameras could accept timecode and align to it. Seems too good to be true.
 
Bassman2003 said:
I think the term sync is being abused here a bit. Syncing a start point does not guaranty the end points will be together. Clapping will not allign the recording crystals in both devices. :)
Click to expand...

read my previous reply. don't argue for the sake of arguing. at least try to think before you post, don't waste everyone's time.

you still have the master audio recording in the digital recorder, that's why it's called double system recording.

use 2nd system sound
Click to expand...
 
Wow, you are rude! I am not argueing, but rather am pointing out that the audio recorded in the camera and the audio recorded in the external recorder are technically different. You seem to be saying they are one in the same and clapping is a direct replacement for a proper sync a.k.a. no drift. If you are going to "go there", at least be technically right...
 
Bassman2003 said:
... rather am pointing out that the audio recorded in the camera and the audio recorded in the external recorder are technically different.
Click to expand...

And that is a moot point as it rarely causes any problems. I don't know if there is a specific reason why your GH2 is out of sync but I've synced half an hour long segments shot with the 5d mark III and they have been on point with an external recorder and one single clap point. Sometimes I've even forgotten that clap point but pluraleyes has synced it perfectly.
 
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