XL2 time code question
 

I am interested in the XL2. I see that Canon finally added user-settable SMPTE TC. However, it appears that there is no way to input or output timecode. If you wanted to jam sync multiple XL2s, are you out of luck? If you need to drive a timecode slate, like a Deneke TS-2b, is there a way? This seems pretty important for pro users, especially for music video shooters who want the same timecode on all cameras. Makes life easy in post-production when switching camera angles in multi-cam mode.

From the XL2 manual (on page 47):In other words, set the camera's to the same starting point
in free-run time code and you should be set.

The camera indeed does not have timecode in or out ports.
Probably because all the equipment you would need for that to
work is highly expensive and probably not used.

BUT, there are devices that can convert the firewire timecode
signal to a true timecode signal that you can run slates with.

I know such a device has been talked about earlier here on
DVInfo, but I can't seem to locate it anymore. Sorry.

As Rob suggests, just make sure all XL2's on the shoot are set to the same Free Run time (you can set it down to the frame; use the wireless IR remote to set all cams at the same instant). This will guarantee that all cams run on the same clock no matter when each is paused, stopped or started.

xl2 time code
 

Thanks, everyone. The final question is, can all time codes be set to start at the same time on all cameras? In other words, when setting up for free-run, and you have 4 cameras, do we all push "go" at the same moment or would the cameras be off by frames or fractions of seconds?

It seems to me, Canon could route the time code in or out to the BNC connector via a switch of some sort. This would give the operator some way of jamming the TC to a slate or some other TC re-gen box. Oh, well, we can't have everything we want, I guess.

<< do we all push "go" at the same moment >>

Yes. But this requires only one person and one remote control. Have all cameras in the same location -- make sure the little CR2025 time/date batts are fresh in each. Use the supplied wireless IR remote control to set and start Free Run time code in all cameras simultaneously. Just make sure that you position the cameras so that the wireless remote sees all of them together at once. As long as the time/date batts are good, all cameras will now maintain the exact same clock, down to the frame, even when they're powered down.

<< Canon could route the time code in or out to the BNC connector via a switch of some sort >>

Heh. Not going to happen.