Quick Setup :wave Connected to Camera
The process for connecting your :wave to a video camera varies, depending on whether you want to use:
- Your :wave independently, where it is jammed to the timecode signal provided by an external device.
- Your :wave as part of a BLINK network, where it can synchronise with other Timecode Systems devices as well as your video camera.
To make it easier for you, we have split the quick set up instructions into two separate sections:
For a general introduction to the concept of using your :wave to provide a camera with timecode and genlock, see Synchronising with a Camera.
Note: For details on how to set up your video camera for remote control via the BLINK Hub app, see Quick Setup: BLINK Hub and :wave.
Note: This section does not apply to GoPro HERO4™ Black or Silver cameras. These cameras can be physically connected to Timecode Systems' SyncBac PROs, and then :wave can communicate with the SyncBac PRO and the cameras via the BLINK network (see Master and Slave Relationships in a BLINK Network).
Quick Set Up Free Run :wave to Video Camera
To set up your :wave to run independently of a BLINK network and synchronise with a video camera:
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Switch on your :wave unit (see Switch :wave On and Off).
- Use the control knob to access the Timecode Mode menu.
- Select the appropriate mode:
Settings Option Further Information Timecode Mode Free Run/Jam-Ext to set your :wave to run independently of a BLINK network. You should choose this setup if you want your :wave to synchronise with your video camera, but not with any other Timecode Systems devices.
Set the Timecode Mode. - Choose the type of connection that your :wave will use for communicating with the BLINK Hub app. Use the control knob to access Wifi Settings :
Settings Option Further Information Wi-Fi Settings Turn on if you want your :wave to communicate with the BLINK Hub app wirelessly.
If you are not going to use BLINK Hub , turn Wi-Fi off to preserve battery power.
Set up Wi-Fi for Data Streaming. - Connect your external timecode source to the TC LEMO 5 port on your :pulse. When connected, use the control knob to access the TC Generator option and jam your :pulse to the external timecode.
Settings Option Further Information TC Generator Select Jam EXT T/C to synchronise your pulse with the external timecode source.
When the jamming is successful, you can disconnect the external timecode source. You will need to re-connect the external timecode source and re-jam at regular intervals (typically 1-2 times per day).
Free Running and Jamming. - When your :pulse has jammed successfully, disconnect it from the external timecode source.
- Connect your video camera to the timecode output on your :pulse. There are two ways of outputting timecode to a video camera.
- via the TC port with a TCB-20 (5-pin to 5-pin LEMO) cable.
- via the TC/SYNC port with a TCB-10 (BNC to BNC) cable.
For more details, see Set up Timecode Output.
Note: You will need to re-connect the external timecode source and re-jam at regular intervals (typically 1-2 times per day).
Quick Set Up BLINK Network :wave to Video Camera
To set up your :wave to run as part of a BLINK network and synchronise with a video camera:
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Switch on your :wave unit (see Switch :wave On and Off).
- Use the control knob to access the Timecode Mode menu. Select the appropriate mode:
Settings Option Further Information Timecode Mode Int-Gen TX to set your :wave as the master in the BLINK network. The timecode will be generated from your :wave (TC Generator settings). Your :wave can output this timecode to your video camera.
Ext-TC/C TX to set your :wave as the master in the BLINK network and the timecode will come from an external source. If the timecode source is disconnected, the :wave's internal timecode is used instead. The :wave forwards the timecode to the slaves.It also sends the timecode out to any devices that are connected to its output ports.
Ext RF Slave to set your :wave to run as a slave. It will receive timecode from the master device in the BLINK network, and this timecode will be passed on to the video camera (via the :wave's output ports).
Set the Timecode Mode. - Choose the type of connection that your :wave will use for communicating with the BLINK Hub app. Use the control knob to access Wifi Settings :
Settings Option Further Information Wi-Fi Settings Turn on if you want your :wave to communicate with the BLINK Hub app wirelessly.
If you are not going to use BLINK Hub, turn Wi-Fi off to preserve battery power.
Set up Wi-Fi for Data Streaming. - Apply the radio (RF) settings for communicating with other Timecode Systems devices:
Settings Option Further Information RF Channel The RF Channel number that is used by the other Timecode Systems devices in the same BLINK network. Set the RF Channel. System Settings Set the RF Country/Area to the country in which you are using the :wave.
If you purchased your :wave in North America, you cannot manually change the country area due to regulatory requirements. However, there is a way to change the country - please contact Timecode Systems for assistance.
Set the RF Country/Area. - This step only applies if your :wave is set to run in the Int Gen-TX mode. If your :wave is set to a different mode, ignore this step.
Use the control knob to access the TC Generator menu, and set the timecode and metadata for your :wave:
Settings Option Further Information TC Generator Set the timecode (Set T/C) and metadata (Set U/B). This data is 'stamped' into the video files that are created by your video camera. They are also sent to any slave devices in the BLINK network. Set the Timecode Data. - This step only applies if your :wave is set to run in the Int Gen-TX mode. If your :wave is set to a different mode, ignore this step.
Use the control knob to access the TC Generator menu, and set the frames per second rate:
Settings Option Further Information TC Generator Define the frames-per-second rate data by using the Set FPS option. The FPS has to match the FPS used by the video camera for the shoot. This data is used for synchronising each frame of filming with the timecode. Set the Frame Rate Per Second. - This step only applies if your video camera has a genlock input (refer to the manufacturer's instructions for more details).
Use a TCB-10 (BNC to BNC) cable to connect your video camera's genlock input port to the :wave's TC/SYNC port.
- This step only applies if your video camera has a genlock input.
Use the control knob to access the SYNC Generator settings and choose the appropriate genlock settings:
Settings Option Further Information Set BNC O/P Mode Set the BNC O/P Mode to the appropriate genlock signal for your video camera. The manufacturer's instructions for the video recorder should include information on the type of genlock signal that is required.
Set the Genlock Output. Set BNC O/P Level Your video camera's instructions may specify a required signal level. If so, set the BNC O/P Level to Normal or High as appropriate. If the instructions do not specify a level, set the BNC O/P Level to Normal. Set the Genlock Output. - This step only applies if your video camera has a genlock input.
Set your video camera to receive an external genlock signal. Please refer to the manufacturer's instructions for more details.
- Connect your video camera to the timecode output on your :wave. There are two ways of outputting timecode to a sound mixer/recorder.
- via the TC port with a TCB-20 (5-pin to 5-pin LEMO) cable.
- via the TC/SYNC port with a TCB-10 (BNC to BNC) cable.
For more details, see Set up Timecode Output.
- This step only applies if you want your :wave to output timecode via the TC/SYNC port (see previous steps).
Access the Sync Generator menu and set the Set BNC O/P Mode to LTC. This sets your :wave to output timecode via the TC/SYNC port.
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Set your video camera to receive timecode data via the appropriate port. Please refer to the manufacturer's instructions for more details.
