Locking to Time Code - Help

tazio wrote on 4/13/2004, 7:48 PM

I'm currently working out how to lock Vegas to incoming Time Code for audio post - I have a Rosendahl VITC - MTC converter on loan to try out - but I can't get it to read any VITC.

I thought that VITC was in the video signal and thus you just plugged the box across the video but no luck.

The vision comes from SP and DigiBeta.

I'm currently trying to convert my workplace to VV, but unless I can sync to time code I will fail and I will be doomed to working with an outdated system that was designed when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

Please Help?

Regards and thanks in advance

Comments

Spot|DSE wrote on 4/13/2004, 8:18 PM

You need to be working with MTC to SMPTE or vice versa to be working with most applications.
I don't know that particular box, but using an Echo, M-Audio, MOTU device, you'll bring in the SMPTE code from your video deck, and the device will convert it to MTC. Vegas can slave to, or control over MTC without problems. If the Rosendahl can convert vertical incoming to MTC, then you're still set. I know the Timeline Lynx will convert, but if you have VITC out, your deck probably has SMPTE out too, doesn't it? Some devices will have word clock in/out as well, and that can be converted. For music applications, LTC is a bit more common.

tazio wrote on 4/13/2004, 8:28 PM

Thanks Spot - I'm trying the VITC converter because I can get a good deal, and VITC is there even when tape is stopped.

My question is - do I just plug the video cable into the converter (sorry, I can't find the manual) I know about the MOTU options but I just wanted to try this one out first.

Thanks and loved your visits to Australia - learnt a lot!

Phil

Spot|DSE wrote on 4/13/2004, 8:48 PM

Hope to see you back in Oz soon! Looks like we're bringing PPT and Vegas VASST to Oz in July. Not sure which cities yet, stay tuned.
Yeah, VITC is constant info, but...
I've only used VITC with my DA-88's and the RC88, and it has LTC/VITC inputs. Does your deck have clock or T/C outputs?

tazio wrote on 4/13/2004, 10:18 PM

Decks have canon timecode outputs - are you saying that the VITC is in the same output as the LTC? Sorry to be so ignorant - I've used LTC extensively but I'm keen to try VITC -

Also do you know if VITC is always present on SP and DigiBeta tapes?

Phil

Spot|DSE wrote on 4/13/2004, 10:25 PM

I don't. Nevere worked with Digibeta for that use. I don't know what you mean by the deck not having T/C outputs. Of course they can. VITC and LTC are both outputs from decks. On the RC808, the VTC and LTC inputs are the same connector. You determine on the front panel which code you'll accept. Sorry I don't know more about what's in the streams. Never really needed to find out. (if it works, don't ask why :-) )

tazio wrote on 4/13/2004, 10:58 PM

Thanks Spot, I shall keep trying

StudioB wrote on 4/13/2004, 11:20 PM

You're probably using the WIF module from Rosendahl :
http://www.rosendahl-studiotechnik.de/wif2.html
If you plug in the video and you do not see the vitc indicator on the front panel then maybe you have to check the settings of your vtr.
VITC has to be enabled I suppose.
But the WIF also reads LTC maybe you could adapt your setup.

Boris

tazio wrote on 4/14/2004, 4:22 PM

Thanks Boris,

I wish it was the WIF box after reading about it on the web site. M ine is the VIF which is not even mentioned.

It has 2 BNC connections, one LTC output and one MIDI out. I'm keen to try VITC because I've heard that it locks much better than LTC, but it would be good to have the LTC in of the WIF box.

My main question is - where do I get the VITC from - do I just plug the composite video into the VIF, or does it come from a separate output of the beta decks?

Thanks

Phil

StudioB wrote on 4/15/2004, 12:46 AM

I do not know the details of the beta deck - but in general the VITC if it has been enabled is part of the composite video signal (vertical blanking lines 19 + 21 AFAIK).
The VIF seems to be a discontinued product.
It's best to contact Mr. Rosendahl directly - I've found him to be very open and helpful.
Boris