Recording simultaneously with several camcorders, How? at DVinfo.net

Gavin Thomas · September 28th, 2005, 05:50 AM

Hi.

Just wondering, i know its do-able but how?

What software is used to simultaneously record from severval canon cams? (same models)

Thanks,
Gavin Thomas

Glenn Chan · September 28th, 2005, 05:30 PM

You can record each cam indivudally and then sync in post.

There are some expensive solutions out there that may allow you to record several inputs at once (I think)... they can be useful in particular multi-camera situations

Mark Utley · September 30th, 2005, 01:09 AM

If your production is well under an hour and you don't mind wasting a bit of tape, you could get all your cameras together (you said they're the same brand?) and use the remote to start them all at once. They should all start pretty close to the same time. Then set up the cameras and go hard.

One way to make for easier synchronization that I thought of (but haven't tried out yet) is using a flash to sync the cameras in post. Just get the cameras relatively near each other, point them at someting that can create a very quick (1 frame) flash like a photo camera and flash it. Don't stop recording. It would be a good idea to do it again after the shoot, just in case. Once you go to edit, you simply set the start point of all your cameras to the frame where the flash is going off.

Haven't tried it but I'm sure it would work.

Glenn Chan · September 30th, 2005, 06:02 AM

Yeah, the flash frame does work. You don't even need to put the cameras together, because you should be able to distinctly see the flash from all angles.

Theoretically you might miss it if you have a high shutter...?

Anyways, syncing isn't too hard. You'll be able to find out sync points anyways (i.e. b's or p's in dialogue when they just open the mouth, objects hitting).

Laurence Kingston · September 30th, 2005, 06:38 AM

Multicam shoots are a whole lot easier to sync up if the cameras have (and are using) timecode.

September 28th, 2005, 05:50 AM	#1
Gavin Thomas Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 64	Recording simultaneously with several camcorders, How? Hi. Just wondering, i know its do-able but how? What software is used to simultaneously record from severval canon cams? (same models) Thanks, Gavin Thomas

September 30th, 2005, 01:09 AM	#3
Mark Utley Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada Posts: 479	If your production is well under an hour and you don't mind wasting a bit of tape, you could get all your cameras together (you said they're the same brand?) and use the remote to start them all at once. They should all start pretty close to the same time. Then set up the cameras and go hard. One way to make for easier synchronization that I thought of (but haven't tried out yet) is using a flash to sync the cameras in post. Just get the cameras relatively near each other, point them at someting that can create a very quick (1 frame) flash like a photo camera and flash it. Don't stop recording. It would be a good idea to do it again after the shoot, just in case. Once you go to edit, you simply set the start point of all your cameras to the frame where the flash is going off. Haven't tried it but I'm sure it would work. __________________ Mark Utley

September 28th, 2005, 05:30 PM	#2
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	You can record each cam indivudally and then sync in post. There are some expensive solutions out there that may allow you to record several inputs at once (I think)... they can be useful in particular multi-camera situations

September 30th, 2005, 06:02 AM	#4
Glenn Chan Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4,750	Yeah, the flash frame does work. You don't even need to put the cameras together, because you should be able to distinctly see the flash from all angles. Theoretically you might miss it if you have a high shutter...? Anyways, syncing isn't too hard. You'll be able to find out sync points anyways (i.e. b's or p's in dialogue when they just open the mouth, objects hitting).

September 30th, 2005, 06:38 AM	#5
Laurence Kingston Major Player Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Clermont, FL. Posts: 941	Multicam shoots are a whole lot easier to sync up if the cameras have (and are using) timecode.