Cannot Sync Timecode (WAV and MOV) in Vegas Pro 18 (see video link)

Onesimus77 wrote on 8/23/2021, 10:53 PM

When using Vegas Pro 18, I have been having trouble syncing the timecode in WAV files (created with the Zoom F6) with MOV files (created with the NInja V/Panasonic GH5s). I reached out to MAGIX support in early June 2021, but have not yet been offered a solution. I have been a long-time user of Vegas (since version 4 when owned by Sonic Foundry), but I am new to using timecode with my video/audio projects.

Please watch this 8 1/2 video (with details and screenshots) if you think you can help me find a solution to the problem. Thank you.

YouTube link:

Comments

rraud wrote on 8/24/2021, 9:27 AM

Post the 'media info' on a file from the cam and a file from the F6. If you do not have MediaInfo already: https://mediaarea.net/en/MediaInfo

You may also want to a look at the audio file's TC stamp with SD's WaveAgent.

Musicvid wrote on 8/24/2021, 10:50 AM

What timecode does your MOV file have (SMPTE freerun?)

What timecode does your WAV file have (BWF or Genlock?)

Onesimus77 wrote on 8/24/2021, 5:15 PM

What timecode does your MOV file have (SMPTE freerun?)

What timecode does your WAV file have (BWF or Genlock?)

Thanks to you and to others for responding to my post.

Before any recording is done, I set the NInja V to RTC. I then sync the Zoom F6 with the Ninja V via Bluetooth using the Atomos AtomX SYNC. Thus, the Zoom F6 is also set to RTC and both the audio recorder and video recorder are using synced RTC before the record buttons are pushed. I am uncertain if the WAV file has BWF. However, importing them as a BWF seemed the only way to see a timestamp on the file.

I assume what I described above with the NInja V, Atomos AtomX SYNC, and Zoom F6 is an example of Genlock, but I am so new to using Timcode, that I am not sure. Maybe you can confirm if it is Genlock or not.

Vegas can indeed see the timecode of the MOV file, but not in the WAV file. Davinci Resolve seems to be able to see the timecode in both of the files and syncs them. Yet, I have been using Vegas a long time, and would prefer to use Vegas for all of my editing needs.

wwaag wrote on 8/25/2021, 1:08 AM

@Onesimus77

Would it be possible for you to upload a short sample wav file from your Zoom F6 that I could download? There is a new tool AudioSyncR which does syncing based on timestamps and waveforms, but not timecode. https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/happyotter-audiosyncr-a-new-tool-for-syncing-audio--130392/

An option for timecode syncing would seem to be a useful addition. I have some Ninja V footage, but cannot find any Zoom F6 sample footage. Thanks.

Mohammed_Anis wrote on 8/25/2021, 1:44 AM

What timecode does your MOV file have (SMPTE freerun?)

What timecode does your WAV file have (BWF or Genlock?)

Thanks to you and to others for responding to my post.

Before any recording is done, I set the NInja V to RTC. I then sync the Zoom F6 with the Ninja V via Bluetooth using the Atomos AtomX SYNC. Thus, the Zoom F6 is also set to RTC and both the audio recorder and video recorder are using synced RTC before the record buttons are pushed. I am uncertain if the WAV file has BWF. However, importing them as a BWF seemed the only way to see a timestamp on the file.

I assume what I described above with the NInja V, Atomos AtomX SYNC, and Zoom F6 is an example of Genlock, but I am so new to using Timcode, that I am not sure. Maybe you can confirm if it is Genlock or not.

Vegas can indeed see the timecode of the MOV file, but not in the WAV file. Davinci Resolve seems to be able to see the timecode in both of the files and syncs them. Yet, I have been using Vegas a long time, and would prefer to use Vegas for all of my editing needs.

Genlock, in my understanding, is something that requires a Sync Generator unit like the classic AJA HDTV units that was used for multiple cameras.

As timecodes come in droves of forms, I think what's crucial for the audio syncing in VEGAS is that the timecodes are using SMPTE @Musicvid You're the expert here. Please correct me.

Now I know for a fact that you can set your timecode for the GH5 (natively) to SMPTE.

I've never used the F6 or the Ninja - so I can't be much of help here on what time formats they support.

But may this would work if both timecodes were SMPTE? I'm only speculating.

rraud wrote on 8/25/2021, 11:02 AM

AFAIK, Zoom recorders (including the F series) do not have a wordclock connection, so it would not be gen-locked. However, drift is usually not an issue except on very long takes.

Otherwise, how was the audio file imported? VP would not 'see' the TC stamp (metadata), if merely dragged to the timeline or opened via Windows Explorer.

Does WaveAgent confirm that TC exists and reads it? Can you post the file or a sample F6 file with the same settings F6 in Dropbox, Google drive, WeTransfer or elsewhere?