working with SMPTE timecode

[Mike Kujbida]

If you mean syncing the audio to the video, do what everyone else is doing and use PluralEyes.
BTW, when I say “everyone”, I do mean everyone.
I read about this software on several Vegas forums as well as pro audio forums and no one has had anything bad to say about it.
https://www.singularsoftware.com/pluraleyes.html

[Grzegorz Kwiatkowski]

Mike,

I bought Plural Eyes and it’s not perfect. For example when you film from the distance and there is big noise near the camera (or the camera doesn’t “hear” the actor because it’s behind the glass), Plural Eyes is useless. SMPTE is the solution.

Plural Eyes is efficient if you produce in a quiet studio in one room.

[Bouke Vahl]

I agree, and no, NOT everyone is using Plural eyes!

SMPTE is nice if you got cams with a TC in function, but can be used with any device if you have an audio channel to spare.

A very cheap TC generator is Jumpstart, available for Iphone/pad.
But any device that can play back sound will do. (SMPTE / LTC is an audio signal)

Some nice info is here:
https://endlesspicnic.com/blog/2011/11/time-code-canon-5d/

And yes, i’m biased, as i’m the creator of the software mentioned…

Bouke

https://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pros

[Grzegorz Kwiatkowski]

Nice.. Do I need timecode generators connected all the time to each camera (Canon 5D) that will send TC signals to the audio tracks?

[Bouke Vahl]

Yes, you need TC connected all the time as the internal clock of the 5D drifts horribly.
(You know they get hot, probably causes that…)

But you only need the first few seconds of each clip to have audio timecode, so you could start record and disconnect.

But since it is a very simple audio signal, any half decent AM/FM transmitter / receiver will do to distribute the signal wireless.
So you could use Jumpstart with a transmitter / multiple receivers and there will be no need for Lockit boxes.

And you can of course use cables.

It highly depends on the kind of shooting you do to decide what’s best.
Do toy with it, i can send you some audio timecode if you like.
(Do specify the framerate though…)

Bouke

https://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pros

[Grzegorz Kwiatkowski]

Bouke, I would appreciate if you sent me the video file with the timecode recorded in audio stream.

thanks!

Maciej

[Bouke Vahl]

no problems. I assume you want 25 FPS?
Link to file:
https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1283532464/356604333aec3c18a1bc25ec5a8c2fcb

Watch out for the correct channel the LTC lives on, these are some random clips.

there is also 1 hour of LTC in a Wave file, so you can run your own tests.
(play back from any player and record the LTC both on your cam and your Zoom. There is also a WaveToBWF application that can convert the waves to BWF based on the audio tc)

hth,

Bouke

https://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pros

[Grzegorz Kwiatkowski]

thanks! I’ll make some tests.

[Mark Winiarski]

Well I see this was last posted in 2011 but I was thinking about using an FM transmitter and cheap FM radios to do time code after a project involving 2 1/2 cameras that made editing a nightmare. So I started thinking what would be a cheap wireless way to do this and during my research I found out that timecode is just audio more or less and down the rabbit hole. Can the signal just be converted between connectors without a balun? Have you done FM how did it work Quality wise. It’s definitely a thought I’ve been thinking about but I have not seen anything mention FM until now.

I say 2 1/2 cameras because I was borrowing two semi professional cameras with time code free running and thinking it would’ve been nice to take a vantage of that. And I jumped in with my iPhone a couple of times to get some unique shots which were a pain to synchronize in as well.

Edit: maybe I should’ve looked at the other tab I opened, I think I just answered my own question.

https://creativecow.net/forums/thread/ltc-timecode-distribution/

Although any input would be appreciated.

LTC timecode distribution