Free run time code at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XH Series HDV Camcorders

Canon XH Series HDV Camcorders
Canon XH G1S / G1 (with SDI), Canon XH A1S / A1 (without SDI).

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old May 4th, 2007, 08:19 AM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Dallas
Posts: 747
Free run time code

Anybody here use free run timecode to sync the cameras with the remote?
I have 3 and they all started at the same time but by the end of the day all 3 of them are off by 3 or 4 seconds? I have try drop, non drop, but no luck.
__________________
Khoi Pham
www.proeditproductions.com
Khoi Pham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 4th, 2007, 10:14 AM   #2
Wrangler
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Eagle River, AK
Posts: 4,100
Three or four seconds within a day is a bit more than I'd have expected. I did a TC synch check with 2 XL-H1's last year and the drift rate between the two cameras was about 1 second per day:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showpost....8&postcount=43
__________________
Pete Bauer
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. Albert Einstein
Trying to solve a DV mystery? You may find the answer behind the SEARCH function ... or be able to join a discussion already in progress!
Pete Bauer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 4th, 2007, 10:22 AM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Dallas
Posts: 747
Ok thanks, I will bring my remote with me to the shoot and set them just before and reset them often to minimized it, a few frames off is easier to resync that a few seconds off.
__________________
Khoi Pham
www.proeditproductions.com
Khoi Pham is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 5th, 2007, 08:44 AM   #4
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Munich (Germany)
Posts: 107
Images: 4
I did the same with 2 cameras and indeed they are off a few seconds after 3-4 hours.
Jerome Marot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 5th, 2007, 09:25 AM   #5
Trustee
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,267
This kind of drift is pretty typical because the cameras clocks (frame rates) are just a tiny bit off when they aren't genlocked. Also when you power down the cameras the internal clocks keep time and this often causes a different amount of drift.
Daniel Epstein is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 5th, 2007, 10:18 PM   #6
Major Player
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Huntington, WV
Posts: 260
I have had the same problem, so I restart the clocks just before the shooting begins and once that scene is over, I will reset them again. It is the only way to avoid a lot of unnecessary editing. Sometimes I wonder if the problem is not necessarily the clock, but the transport mech being slower at actually starting on one cam or the other. If this is the case, one should restart the free run every time you have to stop recording on a camera.
John L. Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old May 6th, 2007, 08:46 AM   #7
Trustee
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 1,267
The problem is not the transport mechanism of the cameras it is the quality of the cameras clocks/crystals which have been an issue for as long as video has been around. This is one reason why professional cameras have genlock inputs. Remember Genlock synchonizes the frame rate of multiple sources so they can be switched seamlessly maintaining proper sync. If you disconnect the sync they will drift apart and no longer switch seamlessly. This is essentially what is happening with mutliple unconnected cameras
When you think of 30 frames a second x 60 seconds per minute, 60 minutes per hour or 108000 frames per hour you begin to realize it doesn't take a very large difference in the cameras clocks to end up with a drift of a few seconds over several hours. Add in power on and off and the cameras have plenty of reasons to drift from an electrical standpoint.
This is one reason why I like to send sound to all my cameras so I have another reference to judge sync by if the timecode isn't perfect.
Daniel Epstein is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Canon EOS / MXF / AVCHD / HDV / DV Camera Systems > Canon HDV and DV Camera Systems > Canon XH Series HDV Camcorders

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:26 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network