A quick guide for generating TOD (Time Of Day) timecode for easy Audio/Video syncing using the Tentacle Sync Workflow Click Here.
The UltraSync unit showing its “Homepage” of operation
The ‘UltraSync’ unit can be referred to as a timecode generator or a master timecode device. Using this device is paramount for the camera and the audio to be ‘Synced’ [in full terminology] Synchronised. The UltraSync unit is vital, as it becomes our constant timing for when using the production cameras along with the audio recording being done separately…for example…onto a ‘Zoom F8’ audio-recorder.
Synchronisation is essential to keep the camera recording and audio recordings timing, or ‘Frame Rate’ exact [without one or the other drifting in time or frame rate]. The frame rate is when consecutive images are recorded to make 1 second of ‘recorded’ time.
At Curtin, we use 25fps as our main frame rate. This means the camera will need to be set to record 25 frames per second (FPS) to produce 1 second of recorded time. Hence, the camera’s FPS needs to be checked before recording an audio-visual scene with dialogue.
The UltraSync unit generates a constant external timecode source. This is also recorded by the camera and the Zoom F8 Audio recorder for synchronisation later. The recordings can then be 'locked' with this timing reference in Post Production.
If the camera’s FPS or the Audio Recorder Timecode is not checked against the UltraSync, then a mismatch will occur. Consequently, the Timecode will not match the camera and audio and there will be a problem with synchronisation later for the Editor.
The use of the Clapper Board also acts then a Visual description of the Scene along wth the ‘Sticks’ Clap for manually syncing audio.
The MCASI Blackmagic Camera will not show the same timecode display as the UltraSync [in the viewfinder] when record is pressed. This is a good indication that a mis-match of FPS has occurred.
Steps to follow after switching on the device are.
The Ultrasync unit needs to be set to Int-Gen Tx setting. Which means the UltraSync has been set to generate the timecode as the recording reference. From this point it can be referred to as ‘Master’ - its now the main device that all recording devices will be referenced to for timing.
This timing is necessary when the Editor lays down the separate Video and Audio Tracks onto the Time Line within the Editing Software. This ensures that both the Video and Audio are Sync’d,
This avoids Lip-sync problems when editing which is noticable to professionals.
The second item to check as explained above is the FPS [frames per second]. For Curtin 25FPS is required.
However, if the camera is used to shoot a special video effect [e.g. slow motion] then the Sync or Frame rate will not be the same as the audio dialogue from the Zoom F8. This is why the physical clapper board will still be used, having MOS circled for the Editor to know that there is a disconnection of the timecode. This is to show that no sound was recorded.
MOS indicated historically that "motor only sync" or "motor only shot".
For the UltraSync to be connected to the camera and the camera to record the timecode accurately, the output level from the unit needs to set. To do so, we check that the Sync O/P Mode” is set to LTC.
LTC is an acronym for Longitudinal Time Code.
This is the term given to timecode being recorded or embedded longitudinaly as the camera records.
This LTC is an audio signal that is plugged into the camera or Zoom F8. Therefore, the output audio level needs to be at the correct audio level to avoid the audio signal being distorted in the camera as it is recording the Timecode. If this is the case, the timecode will not be able to be played back correctly and consequently the timecode will not be legible, therefore making it unuseable.
The correct audio level to the camera or Zoom F8 we use is STD, or Standard. This is equivalent to Line Level which each camera a Curtin can accept.
Please follow the pictures below. The explanations are to the right of each picture. The first one being the unit after being switched on.
To turn on UltraSync press and hold main Large Button until display lights.
The Large Button is the ‘ENTER’ button for accepting changes
Then press once, the small Down button followed by the Up button
UltraSync is now on
Please check that the bottom line of display reads Int-Gen TX (this is the first page) or Homepage as it will be referred to later on in this instruction.
To quickly check each parameter of the Unit, cycle through each page by pressing the small Up button beginning at the Homepage of operation (as shown above).
To Set Timecode or Time of Day Timecode
The Timecode display must be showing (Homepage).
Press Large button LB three times, (See panel layout below)
This allows you to set the Timecode from Zero or as Time of Day (TOD)
The first character flashes, for TOD;
Remember - use the 24 hour clock for this.
4pm becomes 16:00:00:00
The small down button decreases the character
The Up increases the character.
The Large button selects the preference
From now on in the explanations for setup
LB- Enter button - will be referred to as Large button.
Up- Button
Down- Button
Button layout of Ultra Sync
For setting the UltraSync as MASTER
Press LB once, then, Up Button x 5 times. This takes you to TimeCode Mode. Press LB. – Select INT-GEN TX (Master) with RF Channel to 1, then Press LB.
For Time of Day (TOD) Time Code
Press LB x 3 to take you to setting for Timecode- TOD. Then the Up, Down buttons to change each part of the Timecode with LB to move on to minutes and seconds.
To Set Sync Output to LTC.
LB, then Up once to Sync Generator, LB – Set Sync O/P Mode –adjust with Up / Down to LTC, LB to execute.
To Set Std Level output for recording Timecode
LB –Up x 4 to System Settings- LB -then Up button once to – LTC Output level –LTC O/P to Std Level. LB to execute.
To Set FPS (frames per second)
LB x 2 – TC Generator- Up button x 2 –Set FPS – 25.00- LB to execute.
To use more than 1 camera on a Production, provided from the MCASI Store along with the Zoom F8 for Audio. These recording devices all need to be ‘Synced' to the UltraSync.
This applies to the Blackmagic, FS5 or FS7. Only these 3 cameras are provided with the UltraSync Unit for Timecode synchronization..
For more information on the BlackMagic camera and Time Code
For more information on the Sony FS5 M2 camera and Time Code
For more information on the Sony FS7 M2 camera and Time Code
refer to this manual; Journalism Camera - Sony ZV-E1
refer to this; Action Camera - Insta360 One X
refer to this; Journalism Camera - Sony A6400
PLEASE NOTE; these instructions begin at the Homepage of the Unit
To enable the second UltraSync to ‘Slave’ to the Master ;
Ensure you designate one of the Units as Master. (See Homepage picture above)
Then with this Unit as Master showing INT-GEN TX (Master) on the Homepage, look at the picture to the left, check to see that Ch.FC01 is displayed. This indicates Country the Unit is in along with the Channel frequency. FC is Country and 01 Channel.
The Code FC is for Australia
To set the Area of Country operation
Press LB once, then the Up button x 4 to System Settings, Press LB once to “Set RF Country Area” ,LB once to Select this then shows Area:US/CA/AU/NZ.
This is the required settings to use. LB to accept
To Set the RF Channel No.
Press LB once, press the Up button x2 to show Set RF Channel No.
This should be on the number 1, the press LB to accept.
Setup of Master and Slave Units
To now setup the two units, designate one Unit as Master with TOD Timecode as mentioned (Unit at far left). Now using the second UltraSync Unit, bring it up to the Master Unit.
As seen in the picture to the left, both Units are operating as Master, with the same Country Mode and Frequency.
To Jam Sync the Right Unit as Slave, Press the Down button once to show Jam RF Timecode followed by the LB once to accept this change.
This procedure takes about 5-10 seconds. So wait until you see the confirmation that Jam Sync has worked.
As seen the right Unit has successfully been Jam Synced to the Master, (left).
Both UltraSync Units now in Synchronization.
Note that the Green LED light on both Units will now flash simultaneously to indicate both are operating as one.
The right Unit now shows Free Run / Jam -Ext this shows the device has now been made to “Lock” its internal operation to be identical as the Master device on the left while the Unit to the right has become the Slave.
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