Synchronize your on-set/live video capture to the rest of YOUR world

In the past few months, Adrienne Electronics has been selling a number of stand alone time code reader devices to be connected to Apple MAC computers that are running Final Cut Pro/Final Cut Studio (FCP) software. Customer feed back has been spectacular. Of the number sold, all have reported great results.

The reason that our product was purchased was to provide a way to get time code into the Final Cut captures that matched the time code that was being provided as a live feed. This allows the caputred video to have the same timeline as a VTR tape that records the same video and time code.

With this feature, the MAC/FCP can act as a digital VTR and replace the need for a dedicated separate VTR. This can save thousands of dollars. Stand-alone digital tape recorders are generally a lot more expensive than your average MAC/FCP and with the advantage that the material has been saved and is ready for non-linear editing with no additional steps required.

The Adrienne product that provides this feature is the model "AEC-BOX-2" (BOX). This device has a special software feature that allows it to emulate or "look like" a VTR when connected to an RS422 machine control port. This port is available with the AJA KONA/Io video hardware that plugs into the MAC. There are also other video hardware manufactures that are MAC compatible such as BlackMagicDesign that provide a similar RS422 machine control port/connector. When the RS422 port cable is plugged into the AEC-BOX-2, the FCP software "thinks" that it is connected to a Beta type VTR. The BOX provides the responses needed by the FCP to keep it operating as if it were actually connected to a real VTR. The other thing that the BOX does is to read the LTC time code signal that is plugged into it. This time code is passed over the RS422 whenever the FCP asks for it. With the RS422 machine control interface being handled by the BOX, the video (SDI...) is directly connected to the video input connectors of the hardware (ie: into the KONA card). The KONA does not know that the video is "live" (direct from a camera or router source). The video/audio is captured in the same manner as if it were being imported from an off tape (playback) source. If more than one MAC/FCP are set up in this manner, then the captured signals all have the same timeline. It is great for multi-camera shoots or were the captured signals need to be synchronized with other signals that are matched to the same LTC time code signal. The BOX gets connected between the LTC signal (input) and the RS422 cable of the MAC hardware.

FCP has a mode where the capture can be done from live sources currently that does not require the use of the BOX. This is fine when the captured video does NOT need to have a timeline that matches anything else. If synchronization is required, then use an AEC-BOX-2!

Specs:
Model: 'AEC-BOX-2' (with VTR emulator/Virtual VTR firmware)
Power: 115VAC or 230VAC (order specific), approx. 5 Watts
LTC* input: Standard RCA phono jack
Serial: RS422 I/O (also supports RS232 I/O)
Dimensions:  8 x 6  x 2 inches (LxWxH)
Weight: ~3 lbs.
Price: $425

*LTC level input of 100mVpp to 10Vpp
LTC Input impedance > 10kohms.
Reads all LTC bits simultaneously, at speeds 1/10x to 80x, DF/NDF, in both the forward and reverse directions.
SMPTE/NTSC, EBU/PAL and Film frame rates (30, 29.97, 25, 24, 23.98, ...)

See it here

Contact Information

Contact us for more details or if you wish to place an order. We have these units in stock and can ship quickly. Go to the Adrienne Electronics home page and look around. You may find that you you are interested in some of the other products that we make.

Telephone

(800) 782-2321 or (702) 896-1858

FAX

(702) 896-3034

Postal address

7225 Bermuda Road, Unit G, Las Vegas, NV 89119

Electronic mail

General/Sales/Support Information: info@adrielec.com
 

 

Copyright © 2006 Adrienne Electronics Corporation
Last modified: 05/03/07