EX3/EX1 sync at DVinfo.net

EX3/EX1 sync · March 25th, 2009, 12:26 PM

I know I know I hear you all say if you wanted to sync the two cameras together for multi camera shoots then I should of bought two EX3s.

But the budget available would only take me to one x ex3 and one x ex1

So now Ive got them and been out on a few multi camera shoots ,Im not best pleased with my methods of trying to keep synced with these two cameras.

Ive tried timecode free run and set the clocks off at the same time ,Ive tried setting the timecode preset to clock but both methods seem to drift out of sync.
Have any of you got any get arounds for keeping a ex1 in sync with a ex3.
Any tips would be appreciated.

Dennis Joseph · March 25th, 2009, 12:50 PM

Actually this is a good question. I'm going to be working with a similar situation - ex1/ex3 multicam.

George Thompson · March 25th, 2009, 01:00 PM

Basicly, you need a TBC, Time Base Corrector/Syncronizer. Back in the day.... we used $20k (cheap) units to sync cameras and other sources to a switcher. Today they can be had for a lot less.
How to Synchronize Multiple Cameras to a Video Switcher - wikiHow

Try Ebay for some ideas. You need a TBC syncronizer.

tbc video, Cameras Photo, Computers Networking items on eBay.com

Problem is these are all NTSC.....

You need something more like this
http://www.for-a.com/products/catego...e_base_co.html

The problem is, all your solutions are expensive.

Dennis Joseph · March 25th, 2009, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Thompson

Basicly, you need a TBC, Time Base Corrector/Syncronizer. Back in the day.... we used $20k (cheap) units to sync cameras and other sources to a switcher. Today they can be had for a lot less.
How to Synchronize Multiple Cameras to a Video Switcher - wikiHow

Try Ebay for some ideas. You need a TBC syncronizer.

tbc video, Cameras Photo, Computers Networking items on eBay.com

Problem is these are all NTSC.....

You need something more like this
FOR-A Product InformationFS & TBC-

The problem is, all your solutions are expensive.

I'm assuming that David has addressed this issue for live multicam recording?? Not for post production?

Tuy Le · March 25th, 2009, 03:27 PM

I don't see any problem with multicam to a switcher - Some switchers you don't need genlock just video out from each cam. Some of the new HD switchers are the same. In the past, it was much more time consumed with timing, SC adjusments.

For postproduction, it's easier when you let each cam record the whole time. And need one time to set up the sync between the clips.

Brian Barkley · March 25th, 2009, 04:56 PM

Do it the way Hollywood has been doing for the past 80 years . . . use a clapstick . . .

Michael B. McGee · March 26th, 2009, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Bass

Ive tried timecode free run and set the clocks off at the same time ,Ive tried setting the timecode preset to clock but both methods seem to drift out of sync.
Have any of you got any get arounds for keeping a ex1 in sync with a ex3.
Any tips would be appreciated.

wow. that's good to know. i wonder how often this happens. i'm planning a 3 camera(EX1) shoot next sunday and i was just going to set the clocks together if we couldn't find a Smart Slate. YIKES!!!!

David Bass · March 26th, 2009, 06:37 AM

Ive seemed to have set the ex1 clock to the same time as the ex3 more accurately this time.
It seems to be nearer the actual seconds and frames this time .
Will let you know if there is any drift as Im off on a 2 camera shoot .

When I get back I want to know if the clocks will be put out of sync if I were to use overcranking or undercranking?

Anyone tried this?

Denis OKeefe · March 26th, 2009, 08:00 AM

We've done a number of projects mixing EX1 and EX 3 cameras and found there was less drift when we set the CLOCK to the real time and used that, rather than set a timecode number and free run from there. There always seems to be some drift but it is easy enough to sync in FCP multicam mode that it has not been a great headache.
Firing a camera flash at your subject at the beginning of record gives you a nice visual sync mark too.

Andrew Stone · March 26th, 2009, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Barkley

Do it the way Hollywood has been doing for the past 80 years . . . use a clapstick . . .

Or in a pinch your hands. "Clap"!

Andy Tejral · March 26th, 2009, 09:03 AM

If free run doesn't have tight enough sync, you can sync the two cameras together, at least I think so.

Run a cable from the composite video out on the ex1 to the ext sync input on the Ex3. The two cameras are now in sync.

Ronnie Martin · March 26th, 2009, 12:17 PM

In the past when we were trying to use more than one camera and then finish the two or three camera edit we synced our cameras by pointing all three at one location where one of our folks held up a small digital camera and made a flash picture. We would do this about one minute before the event began and then kept the cameras running. When doing the edit we just put the three cameras each on a separate time line in Edius and then lined them up by finding the frame with the flash on it. We had to be careful not to turn off the cameras for the whole event or if we did we would sync them with another flash before recording again.
Kinda crude but it worked.

Take care

Ronnie Martin
Page 1

March 26th, 2009, 06:37 AM	#8
David Bass New Boot Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: u.k. Posts: 17	update Ive seemed to have set the ex1 clock to the same time as the ex3 more accurately this time. It seems to be nearer the actual seconds and frames this time . Will let you know if there is any drift as Im off on a 2 camera shoot . When I get back I want to know if the clocks will be put out of sync if I were to use overcranking or undercranking? Anyone tried this?

March 26th, 2009, 08:00 AM	#9
Denis OKeefe Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Wayne, PA Posts: 149	TC sync We've done a number of projects mixing EX1 and EX 3 cameras and found there was less drift when we set the CLOCK to the real time and used that, rather than set a timecode number and free run from there. There always seems to be some drift but it is easy enough to sync in FCP multicam mode that it has not been a great headache. Firing a camera flash at your subject at the beginning of record gives you a nice visual sync mark too.

March 26th, 2009, 09:03 AM	#11
Andy Tejral Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Clifton, NJ Posts: 313	If free run doesn't have tight enough sync, you can sync the two cameras together, at least I think so. Run a cable from the composite video out on the ex1 to the ext sync input on the Ex3. The two cameras are now in sync. __________________ Andy Tejral Clifton, NJ

March 26th, 2009, 12:17 PM	#12
Ronnie Martin Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Brandon, Ms 39042 USA Posts: 59	In the past when we were trying to use more than one camera and then finish the two or three camera edit we synced our cameras by pointing all three at one location where one of our folks held up a small digital camera and made a flash picture. We would do this about one minute before the event began and then kept the cameras running. When doing the edit we just put the three cameras each on a separate time line in Edius and then lined them up by finding the frame with the flash on it. We had to be careful not to turn off the cameras for the whole event or if we did we would sync them with another flash before recording again. Kinda crude but it worked. Take care Ronnie Martin Page 1 __________________ Ronnie Martin Kato Video

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March 25th, 2009, 12:50 PM	#2
Dennis Joseph Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 206	Actually this is a good question. I'm going to be working with a similar situation - ex1/ex3 multicam.

March 25th, 2009, 01:00 PM	#3
George Thompson New Boot Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cortlandt Manor, NY Posts: 10	Basicly, you need a TBC, Time Base Corrector/Syncronizer. Back in the day.... we used $20k (cheap) units to sync cameras and other sources to a switcher. Today they can be had for a lot less. How to Synchronize Multiple Cameras to a Video Switcher - wikiHow Try Ebay for some ideas. You need a TBC syncronizer. tbc video, Cameras Photo, Computers Networking items on eBay.com Problem is these are all NTSC..... You need something more like this http://www.for-a.com/products/catego...e_base_co.html The problem is, all your solutions are expensive.

March 25th, 2009, 03:27 PM	#5
Tuy Le Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 43	I don't see any problem with multicam to a switcher - Some switchers you don't need genlock just video out from each cam. Some of the new HD switchers are the same. In the past, it was much more time consumed with timing, SC adjusments. For postproduction, it's easier when you let each cam record the whole time. And need one time to set up the sync between the clips.

March 25th, 2009, 04:56 PM	#6
Brian Barkley Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 183	Do it the way Hollywood has been doing for the past 80 years . . . use a clapstick . . .