Externally locking the time code

The internal time code generator of the camera can be locked to an external generator.

Example of connections for external locking

As shown in the figure, connect both the reference video signal and the reference time code.

co_body_lock_timecode_1

External lock operation procedure

To externally lock the time code, follow the steps below.

Press the <TC> button to display the TC screen.

From the time code display, select [Free Run] in [Free/Rec].

From [MENU] → [REC SETTINGS] → [TC] → [TC IN/OUT SEL], select [TC IN].

Enter the external time code from the <TC IN/OUT> terminal.

[SLAVE] is displayed on the TC screen.

The [TCG] characters on the HOME screen are displayed in black and white inversion.

  • For the reference video signal, enter the SDI signal which is the same format as the system signal format ([FREQUENCY], [PIXEL]).

  • When the system frequency is 59.94p or 50p, the time code may be out of sync by one field.

  • When the input reference signal of generator lock is disrupted, recording cannot be performed normally. [TEMPORARY PAUSE IRREGULAR SIG] is displayed in the viewfinder screen, and the clip is divided. The synchronization with the time code is also not guaranteed. Recording will resume when the signal returns to normal.

  • When the time code is externally locked, the time code is instantaneously locked to the external time code, the same value as the value of the external time code is output to the counter display area. Do not set to the recording mode for several seconds until the sync generator has stabilized. Furthermore, lock the time code to the <TC IN/OUT> terminal signal.

  • If you execute the slave once, even if there is no longer <TC IN/OUT> terminal and <GENLOCK IN> terminal input, the slave status is maintained. However, in the following cases, the slave status will be released.

    • When [TC SET] is executed

    • When the power is turned off

    • When switched [DF]/[NDF]

    • When set to [Rec Run]

    • When a variable frame rate is applied

  • The SDI input time code cannot be slave-locked (synchronized).

  • If [EXT INPUT] is selected in [UB MODE] of the UB screen, regardless of the time code slave status, the user bits can be matched with the user bits input in the <TC IN/OUT> terminal. In this case, [UBG] characters are black and white inverted.

Cautions when switching the power supply from the battery to the external power supply while an external lock is active

To keep on the time code generator power supply continuously, connect an external power supply to the <DC IN> terminal and then remove the battery pack. If the battery pack is removed first, there is no guarantee that the time code will stay externally locked.