AC160 Timecode out

S

shellant

Member
Hello,Timecode jammed between 2 AG-AC160 cams. is out by 3 frames between cameras.
I have 1 AG-AC 160A and an 1 upgraded AG-AC 160.(now AC 160A)
I have synchronized timecode between both cameras as per instructions in Barry's book and there is a difference of 3 frames in the TC .
I alternated which camera would be Master just in case and there was no difference in the outcome
Which ever camera is the Master is always 3 frames more advanced than the slave.
I Powering cameras off.
I tried different RCA cables
Same result 1080/60P, 1080/30P,1080/60i and 1080/24P (24P was 2 frames out )
At the end of a 1 hour show it is still 3 frames out so at least it is consistent
Am I missing something????
Any ideas would be great
Thanks
Tony
 
Response from Panasonic

Response from Panasonic

I'm not sure if it is 2014 but here is the response from Panasonic.

"Dear Tony,

We duly received your inquiry.


TC Preset Function is the function to match the initial values of TC.


Picture and timing of TC will be different by a few frames between the Master and the Slave.


This is because both AG-AC160A and upgraded AG-AC160 (now AC160A) cameras are not equipped
with GENLOCK ports (IN/OUT) for a complete synchronization.


This difference of a few frames can not be adjusted.
It would be appreciated if you could understand it.




Best regards,
--
Panasonic PASS Support Team
proav@ml.jp.panasonic.com"



Anybody have an opinion on this ?
 
I'm as surprised as you. I can understand up to 0.999999... frames out without genlock, but no more than 1 frame. But if that's what Panasonic say, I guess you have to work around it. Since it's consistent, it shouldn't be hard to correct in post.
 
And it seems like if it is consistent, then it could be something to be adjusted for. A "simple" +/- 3 frames in Slave or Master, even if it is a user intervention.

I can understand TC slip over time between two cameras, but this does seem a little odd that there isn't a way to correct for it. But at least there is a sync option, not every camera has that.
 
Thanks for looking gang.
I use Premiere CS6 and to import for multi cam I have "sync by timecode" or "sync by in point" as options. I have no way of offsetting the time code the 3 frames so I manually set in points with the 3 frame offset then select in point as my sync method. Extra work that I think shouldn't be necessary if you have the ability to sync multiple cameras pre shoot.
I'm not sure if you can set an off set in other NLE software . Either way I only use Premiere.
Could some one help me understand why else would I bother to sync multi cams this way if they can't be synced. I am still doing the time code sync for now in case I find a way to set an offset ( in the future) but have reverted to triggering a flash as all cameras roll and and finding that one frame on all cams when syncing in Premiere with the in point .
Again , If I am missing something or my expectations are unreasonable please tell me.
Thanks
Tony
 
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