-
Reference Sync Generator – Education Please?
Hi All
Pardon my “basic” confusion here but would some please explain the need for a Reference IN when setting up NLEs including the Kona or IO? Why do we need it?
If we need it, how can you setup such input. I heard/read Black Burst Generators etc.
Is there any way of setting it up without the use of any other additional equipment?
I remember them vaguely (TBC’s) in the Amiga days but never thought of these when switched to Apple.
Is there any reading on the Net or sites where I can get more info about setup and detail descriptions?
Thanks
Sam M. -
4 Replies
-
the Genlock In, Reference In, etc. allows you to LOCK all of your video equipment to one common source, at one common frame rate (like 29.97, or 23.98). There are times when you can “get away” without using it, but why risk all the aggrivation, drift, sync bars, etc. when you can simply purchase an inexpensive color black generator (like a Horita BSG-50, Sigma BSG-26N, or so many others) and have everything properly locked to a common sync reference. IF you do this, you will never get the bizarro errors asked about so frequently on these user forums, because people are trying to save $289. There is not ONE piece of professional video gear manufacturered in the last 20 years that does not lock to an external reference signal, so long after your AVID/AJA/Blackmagic/Aurora/Cinewave product is long outdated, your color black generator will be just as useful in the next generation of products to come along 10 years from now. The color black generator used in old Linear rooms from the 70’s and 80’s is 100% useful on a modern non linear edit system.
How much is your aggrivation worth?
Bob Zelin
-
Thanks Bob. I will look into the models as mentioned above.
Any setup advice? I am assuming they have single In/Out?
Sam -
No professional black generator has a single output. Almost every professional Black generator has about 6 outputs. You simply take a single BNC cable from each output of the black generator, and plug it into the Ref Video input of everything you own that has a Ref input. You MUST put a 75 ohm terminator on items like the AJA I/O box, or AJA Kona 2, ESPECIALLY IF YOU USE THE HORITA, or it won’t work. The Horita used an open collector circuit that needs to see a termination, and the AJA products do not have 75 ohm termination switches, like Sony VTR’s.
Bob Zelin
-
Sam,
Buy a black burst generator now because if you don’t and ask the question once again Bob will let you have it. Trust me his next answer will hurt.
So run don’t walk to your nearest used equipment dealer or new gear VAR and buy your first ever black burst generator.
You will treasure you BB generator for years to come as both of you grow old and the other gear becomes outdated five minutes after you purchase them.
Even a non functional BB generator can make a wonder gift to someone who can use it as a paper weight, door stop, cool piece of gear to put in a rack, or for storing in a closet.
Tony Salgado
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up