External Synchronization - Sony PMW-F55 Operating Instructions Manual

External Synchronization

When multiple units of the camcorder are used in
the same shooting location, synchronized
recording can be made with a specific reference
signal, and the timecode can be matched among
all the units.
Aligning the phase of the video signal
(Genlock)
Genlock operation is enabled by supplying a
reference signal to the GENLOCK IN connector
(page 15) of the camcorder.
Valid reference signals depend on the system
frequency setting.
System frequency
59.94P
59.94i
50P
50i
29.97P
25P
24P
23.98P
You can check the genlock status on "Reference"
in "Genlock" (page 83) of the System menu.
Notes
• If the reference signal is unstable, genlock is not
possible.
• The subcarrier is not synchronized.
Valid reference
signal
1920 × 1080 59.94i
720 × 486 59.94i
1920 × 1080 59.94i
720 × 486 59.94i
1920 × 1080 50i
720 × 576 50i
1920 × 1080 50i
720 × 576 50i
1920 × 1080 59.94i
720 × 486 59.94i
1920 × 1080 50i
720 × 576 50i
1920 × 1080 48i
(24PsF)
1920 × 1080 47.95i
(23.98PsF)
Synchronizing the timecode of your
camcorder with that of another unit
Set the unit that supplies the timecode to a mode
in which the timecode output keeps advancing
(Free Run mode).
1
Set "Timecode" in the TC/UB menu as
follows:
Mode: Preset (Ext-Lk)
Run: Free Run
2
Confirm that the TC IN/OUT switch
(page 15) is set to IN, then supply an HD
or SD reference video signal to the
GENLOCK IN connector (page 15) and
the reference timecode to the TC
connector (page 15).
The built-in timecode generator of your
camcorder locks to the reference timecode, and
the message "Ext-Lk" is displayed on the screen.
About 10 seconds after locking, even if the
reference timecode from the external device is
disconnected, the external lock will be kept.
Notes
• Check that the reference timecode and the reference
video signal are in a phase relation that complies with
the SMPTE timecode standards.
• When you finish the above procedure, the timecode is
immediately synchronized with the external timecode,
and the time data indication will show the value of the
external timecode. However, wait for a few seconds
until the timecode generator stabilizes before
recording.
• If the frequency of the reference video signal and the
frame frequency are not the same, a lock cannot be
acquired, and the camcorder will not operate properly.
In such a case, the timecode will not be correctly
locked to the external timecode.
• When the connection is removed, the timecode
advance may shift one frame per hour with respect to
the reference timecode.
To release the external timecode
synchronization
Change the "Timecode" setting in the TC/UB
menu.
External synchronization is also released when
you start recording in a special recording mode.
External Synchronization 89