Video Streamer 24fps

The Video Streamer has been in production for 24 years, it is the father or grandfather of most of the rack mount products that CB make. In the last month I have received several enquiries about using it with 24 frame video.

The 24 frame video is down converted to NTSC (29.97) video with 24fps timecode, this causes a problem with the Video streamer as it assumes that the video and timecode rates are the same and the wipes are about 1/2 second out.

Work arround
The current software has a correction factor that can be used to solve this problem. In the Unit config (Set then <- and -> together) you will find a parameter that is normally set to UiPE 00. On the system we checked this was adjusted to UiPE -14. The exact value will depend on the length of the wipe.

I will look into this problem and upgrade the software to allow for mixed frame and video standards. Once done I will anounce it on this blog.

VSLINK-2 and VSLINK-3
I have just spent three days checking and improving VSLink2, VSLink3 and the SR software to work with Xmc protocol for use with the  SR-424ADR and other systems. By connecting the VS-1 to a port on the SR424ADR VSLink can be used to download lists to the controller and streamer simultaneously. When using the system adjusting the record in point will adjust the associated wipe. A wipe can be added ant any point using scratch pad memory 9.

Linux, Mac and Windows beta version of CBServer2 now available

I have just put beta versions for Mac and Windows on the web site, you can access via Downloads and Manuals or directly using http://www.colinbroad.com/cbsoft/cbserver2/cbserver2.html. The Linux version has now been been added.

Unless licensed the program will only run for 30 minutes each time it is started, if you want to beta test the unit contact me for a license.

This will be the version that I will update, I welcome any comments and requests

CBServer2 - Windows Update

Today I updated the Windows version of CBServer2 on the colinbroad.com web site. I will update the Mac and Linux versions once we have made more tests. Currently only available by the following direct link - CBServer2

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