Problem syncing timecode

little bobby

little bobby

Well-known member
I've got 3 AF-100s at the office and I tried syncing the timecode between the three cameras using the RCA video cable and the MASTER & SLAVE functions. As you can see below, none of them match. They're close, but not matching. All settings on the cameras are identical to each other so I have no idea why there would be a delay.

Anyone have any ideas?

IwKWf3L.jpg
 
In my experience with synching 2 AF100s, they're NOT exactly frame accurate -- but will usually be within 1-2 frames accuracy. Apparently that's normal for this camera.

In 24p mode the AF100s will lose a couple of frames of synch whenever you:
* turn the power off on either cam
* change battery
* switch to or from playback mode

If they suffer this sync drift, you need to reconnect the cable, enable the EXT TC LINK again on both cams, and press the TC SET button on the Slave cam.
 
That's what I understand.

I should add, this photo was taken about 30 seconds after I did the timecode sync process, so any "drift" is happening fairly quickly.

I have a multi-camera shoot tomorrow and I'm going to sync the cameras for it. Haven't done that before for a shoot, just used the old hand-clap as an audio marker. I really want to make my shoots easier to edit.
 
The issue is almost certainly related to 24p. In 24p you have to set the last frame to a count of either "0" or "4" when you program in a TC PRESET. Anything else won't work accurately, and I think the camera just rounds it up (or down) to a "0" or "4". So that may be what's happening to you; you can't guarantee the end bits, so they may be getting rounded off.

Try it in 60i or 30p or, well, anything but 24p, and you may find it to be more accurate (although I can't say I've tried sync'ing three AF100's like that so I'm not 100% certain). It MAY be possible to sync them frame-accurately in 60i and then change to 24p, but I doubt it, I think the 0/4 issue will rear up whenever you change the recording mode. So if using 24p, I think within 2-3 frames is as close as you can expect it to get.
 
Thanks Barry. I think I read something similar to your response in your AF100 book. I guess I'll just have to get it as close as I can and have a clap sound before I shoot today.
 
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