PD-1 - Protools Long Track Names

I recently visited Luiz Provin in Studio 4 at Shepperton Studios to update the Software in his PD-1. Luiz specialises in re-recording foreign language versions, he uses both the record and monitor sections of the PD-1 and often uses more than 8 stems with original guide track, M&E and multiple print masters.

Lois has used the PD-1 as the monitor controller for the last 4 years, this was his first software update, Lois has two main requests-

1) Increase the number of controlled tracks from 48 to 64
Version 2 of the software allows up to 64 tracks to be controlled on ProTools by sending two commands (ProTools has a 48 track command limit). Luiz uses ProTools 7.2 cs2 which I discovered that this requires a delay between the commands. Look for a software update in the future for this. Luiz now wants even more tracks, I am looking at the software to see if 96 tracks are possible!

2) Allow longer track names on ProTools
Lois had discovered that he could not use track names with more than 12 characters, the problem was that ProTools shortens long track names by removing spaces and punctuation. Using a space as the separator between Stem and Track names did not work ! The solution was simple, use '_' as the stem/track separator, for example 'DMU_Left ......' .

Volcano delay - Home at Last

I am finally back a week late! Ours was the last flight to be cancelled by the volcano. I have only one complaint about our airline (Jet Air) lack of information. Once I asked the right question, "If I go on a safari for 3 days will it cause a problem or make any difference to when I fly?" to which the answer was "No" it was simple, we went on safari in Chitwan for three days, came back and flew the next day. Unfortunately this involved a 12 hour layover in Mumbai but at least we are Home. The photo is of our new Nepalese family

Wedding in Nepal

For the last 10 days Lisa and I have been in Nepal, on Monday the 12th our son Daniel married Nisha from Tansen, Palpa in a beautiful Hindu ceremony. After the wedding there was a meal with about 85 guests, unfortunately just the three of us from our family. We spent the rest of the week visiting our new relatives, each visit meant a Nepalese meal.

Today we risked life and limb in a taxi down the mountain to spend the weekend in Pokhara. On Monday we will fly to Kathmandu, hopefully with a good view of the Himalayas and spend our last two nights there.

If the problem with the volcanic ash continues we may be delayed for a while but we will face that problem if it arrives.

Latency, Accuracy and Repeatability - Test Files

Computers have been standard equipment in post production for some years now. Not all have real time operation systems so that latency can be a problem. When synchronizing the major problem is not accuracy but repeatability, it does not matter if there is a one frame sync error provided that there is always a one frame sync error!

Recently I was asked to add phase compensation to the P2MMC, Jun Yamazaki who works with Tac Systems (our Japanese agents) discovered that different DAW's had a different offset error when synchronizing to MTC. To measure offset Jun recorded timecode and looked at the recorded waveform, Jun is a timecode geek like me but this is not a suitable method for everyone!

I asked Chris Braclik (I worked with Chris when at Audio Kinetics) from Soundtrack Productions to make 3 stereo WAV files, each has one track with continuous timecode at 24, 25 or 29,97fps, starting at 00:59:55:00 and ending at 01:01:05:00. The other track has 1KHz bursts one frame long, once per second stating at 01:00:00:00 and ending at 01:01:00:00. The bursts are positioned exactly at the start of each second.

You can use these files to check the timecode latency and more importantly the repeatability of both record and replay.

I checked the Record on a Sadie system, there was a consistent 1/5 of a frame error when locking to LTC , I have not checked the playback yet.

I will publish a chart of your results if if receive enough information- DAW, Platform, and Results.
Click here to download the test files

Using the TG-2 with Avid Media Composer

On Tuesday this week I visited Anthony Sachot at Eurosport Paris with Daniel Gollety from RS422 our agent in France. I was supposed to visit in December but the flights were cancelled due to snow. I was lucky this time as on Wednesday the flights were again cancelled due to snow!

Eurosport is using a 50i Media composer (25 fps EBU timecode) to import selected takes directly from a 60i HDCAM (SMPTE Drop or Non Drop timecode). This requires a standards converter in the video and the TG-2 to convert the timecode and RS422 communications. A similar setup can be used with a 60i Media Composer and 50i/48i HDCAM. The problem is how to set up the TG-2

This is one of the simpler jobs for the TG-2 as there is it requires no Pullup or Pull down but simply standard translation. On looking at the default setup of the TG-2, I discovered that an number of setting changes were required to make this work. The next software update on the web will include an update to the default setup that will simplify the settings. The setup is as follows:-


1) Connect HDCAM TC Output to TG-2 input
2) Connect HDCAM RS422 input to Serial B on the TG-2
3) Connect Media Composer RS422 output to Serial A on the TG-2
4) Connect 25fps video syncs to the TG-2 , Tri / Bi Level.

The main TG-2 Settings are as follows
1) Input Auto and Output Auto ON
2) Output frame rate selected to 25
3) Serial B Config set to Chase Enable (current Default is Chase Always)
4) Unit Config Set to Ser Auto
5) Gen ref Set to Video

Once the setup was correct the system worked flawlessly and we left a happy customer!

CBServer2

Today I added a CBServer2 page to the colinbroad.com web site. Alpha version of both software and web page! Currently only available by the following direct link - CBServer2

It should be similar to CBServer with the following enhancements
1) Runs on Mac, Windows and Linux. I have tested the software on MAC OS-X version 10.4 and on Windows-XP but not on Linux (Intel-86).
2) One or two RM-6/SR-4 synchronizers may be used allowing control over multiport systems.

I will post updates to this blog, I would appreciate comments on look and feel at present, it is to early to comment on things that do not work - there are to many!

CBServer

I am in the process or rewriting the CBServer software so that it will run on Mac, Windows and Linux. At the moment I am designing the components required and the individual windows.

Now is a good time for customer requests for improvements or special functions. Although CBServer was originally written as a display for the hardware keyboard but has developed into a full user interface in its own right.

The first release will probably not do as much as the current version, but all future improvements will be made on the new version.