...So is there anything on the prosumer level that has time-of-day time code?

The manufacturer doesn't call it time-of-day, they'll call it free-run and preset.

Most of the higher end prosumer cameras, such as PD150/170, XL1, XL2, Z1, DVX100 have this capability. I think PDX10 does. If I remember right, GL1/2 does.

Not sure about the lower cost cousins of the Sony cams such as VX2000/2100, FX1. I'm not that familiar with Panasonic's DV line other than the DVX100.

Good Morning,

FYI - I can confirm that neither the VX2100E nor the FX1E have either free run or record run timecode settings / options / presets.

I found this link on my travels that refers to the PD150 timecode settings:

http://www.urbanfox.tv/workbooks/sonypd150/pd150timecode.html

Regards,

Dale.

An update:

I received my Control-L (LANC) to MIDI Time Code Cable (Generator) by Avit Research.

The cable / generator works perfectly - the cameras time code (FX1E / VX2100E / TRV27E) is sent to Vegas / Acid via the LANC port - no problem there (clearly visible when opting to view MIDI time code 'in').

Problem:

Although you can trigger Vegas / Acid recording and playback using the camera the time code from the camera is not recorded or should I say that when recording, Vegas / Acid do not 'chase' the camera's time code. So even this device makes no difference when trying to record, and keep in synch, audio recorded externally - the same consistent drift is evident.

If anybody knows how to 'instruct' Vegas / Acid to 'chase' the external MIDI time code 'in' then please let me know although I do not think that it is possible as, after reading the Vegas manual, Vegas can generate a MIDI clock and MIDI time code so this would work if the prosumer cameras had time code 'in' but they don't i.e. if they did the camera's would 'chase' the Vegas / Acid clock or time code but not the other way around.

Regards,

Dale.