Sound Devices PIX 250i - Manual (Page 42)

PIX 250i User Guide
v. 2.10 Features and specifications are subject to change. Visit www.sounddevices.com for the latest documentation.
36
Sync
hr
onization & T
imecode
Internal Ambient® Lockit: Timecode Generator with Sync Out
The PIX 250i includes an internal Ambient® ACL-203 Lockit which can be used as a master sync/
timecode source for cameras or audio recorders. The Lockit is an ultra-high accuracy sync/timecode
generator with < 0.2 ppm (½ frame per 24 hours) accuracy that is suitable as a master clock in all
levels of productions. With its internal, rechargeable battery, accurate timecode is maintained for up
to 4 hours after the PIX 250i is powered down. After 4 hours, the timecode value is reset. The battery
is recharged automatically.
Multi-camera shoots using cameras that accept genlock input can benefit from the PIX 250i’s built-in
Ambient® Lockit as their master sync and timecode source. Files from multiple PIX 250i recorders
will have very tightly synchronized recordings with matching heads and tails.
Additionally, even multi-camera shoots utilizing lower-cost cameras (with no genlock or timecode)
can benefit from the built-in Lockit. By using the Timecode Generator to stamp the beginning of each
file, the heads of each take will match from several recorders, even if the tails drift due to using non-
genlocked cameras.
Setting the Sync Out
The setting of this is parameter is found in Setup Menu option [Timecode/Sync - Sync Out]. When
the Sync Out of the PIX 250i is not needed, set this option to Off. When using the Lockit to gener-
ate the Sync (genlock) for a camera, the frame rate and resolution must be set for the camera’s sync
input. Consult the camera’s documentation for information of which rates are accepted.
Additionally, there are two advanced modes under [Timecode/Sync - Sync Out]:
Genlock, Follows Video In and Wordclock, Follows Video In. Genlock, Follows Video In can be
used to slave another camera or audio recorder’s genlock input to the camera feeding the PIX. Like-
wise, Wordclock, Follows Video In can be used to slave an external audio recorder to the camera
driving the PIX to achieve perfect audio sync with zero drift. Drift is less likely to be an issue when
recordings are kept short.
It is not possible to pass the Sync Input signal to the Sync Output (this is not a loopthrough).
Timecode Modes
Freerun Timecode Mode
Generator mode. Timecode runs continuously. The value can be set by “jamming value” in the Setup
Menu option [Timecode/Sync - Jam Received TC] or by manually setting a value from the Setup
Menu option [Timecode/Sync
- Set Generator TC].
Freerun Auto Mute
Functions the same as Freerun mode except timecode signal is muted from the timecode output
when the PIX 250i is in Stopped mode. This allows rec-run functionality when Rec Run mode is not
suitable (e.g. Multi-camera shoots).
Record Run Timecode Mode
Generator mode. The PIX 250i sends running timecode while recording and stationary timecode
while not recording. Timecode in this mode defaults to the last stationary value at power-up. When
switching to Record Run from another mode, the internal generator will stop at the last number gen-
erated. A user-defined value can be jammed into the internal generator from the Setup Menu option
[Timecode/Sync - Set Generator TC].