External Synchronization - Sony PXW-X180 Operating Manual

External Synchronization

When multiple units of the camcorder are used in
the same shooting location, recording can be
synchronized 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/VIDEO
connector (page 9) of the camcorder.
Valid reference signals depend on the frame rate
of the selected recording format.
For "NTSC Area"
Frame rate of the
recording format
59.94P
29.97P
23.98P
59.94i
For "PAL Area"
Frame rate of the
recording format
50P
25P
50i
Notes
• Both video signal and timecode signal need to be input
when the selected recording format is 1280×720 60P.
• If the reference signal is unstable, genlock is not
possible.
• The subcarrier is not synchronized.
88 External Synchronization
Valid reference
signal
1920×1080 59.94i
720×486 59.94i
1280×720 59.94P
1920×1080 59.94i
720×486 59.94i
1920×1080 47.95i
(23.98PsF)
1920×1080 59.94i
720×486 59.94i
Valid reference
signal
1920×1080 50i
720×576 50i
1280×720 50P
1920×1080 50i
720×576 50i
1920×1080 50i
720×576 50i
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 or Clock mode).
1
Set "Timecode" in the TC/UB menu as
follows:
Mode: Preset
Run: Free Run
2
Press the DURATION/TC/U-BIT
button (page 11) so that the timecode is
displayed on the screen.
3
Confirm that the GENLOCK/TC
switch (page 9) is set to IN, then supply
an HD or SD reference video signal to
the GENLOCK/VIDEO connector and
the reference timecode to the TC
connector.
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 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 or set the camcorder to OFF.
External synchronization is also released when
you start recording in a special recording mode
(Slow & Quick Motion).