Jam synching 2 PMW-EX3s

[Colin Threinen]

You should try to jam at least once an hour or more. These cameras like to drift alot! Or, get some wireless transmitters for TC. definitely nice to have the capability though!

[Steve Wargo]

You can get a Denecke sync box to do the job. It’s a crystal sync and the timing will be much better. For complete sync, keep them cabled. this can be a really light weight cable. If a cable is impossible.., as suggested earlier, use a cheap Azden wireless mic to do the job. This really does work.

Steve Wargo
Tempe, Arizona
It’s a dry heat!

Sony HDCAM F-900 & HDW-2000/1 deck
5 Final Cut (not quite PRO) systems
Sony HVR-M25 HDV deck
2-Sony EX-1 HD .

[David C jones]

Hi John-

Everytime you change batteries or turn the camera(s) off, you will need to re-jam. PLEASE READ THE MANUAL (pg. 134 and 135). It’s more than just plugging in two BNC’s and putting the TC’s on free-run. The cameras have to be set up the same.

If you are going to be doing a lot of shooting with two or more cameras, you really should get something called a “Lockit” box made by Ambient (one for each camera). These boxes boast less than one frame of drift per-day. Mount them on the cameras and keep them plugged in. Of course, you should still re-jam every few hours or so, anyway…just to be safe.

Regards,
Dave

[John Christie]

Thanks guys

After reading your posts and doing a little Googling, I’ll probably go with to Denecke SB-3 syncboxes. Anything else to consider TC-wise when using EX3s?

Cheers

John Christie

[Ed Kukla]

“wireless transmitters for timecode”?

Can you elaborate please? Are we talking simple G2 wireless or a specific timecode wireless system?

Thanks

[Mark Raudonis]

I agree 100% with Mr. Jones. If you’re not taking care to maintain sync, you might as well just run “wild”.

Off by a frame means you can’t use “timecode sync” and you’ll be syncing every clip by hand. Not too terrible with just two cameras, but try that with 12 cameras, and the cost of renting the lockit boxes or
establishing a hard wire is well worth it.

I’ve been dealing with “jam sync” footage for years, and I can tell you IT NEVER WORKS! Unless you hate your post team, don’t delude yourself into thinking that jam sync will result is frame accurate sync.

Good luck.

Mark