Pro Moviemaker Spring 2019

GEAR

MINI TESTS

TIMECODE SYSTEMS ULTRA SYNC BLUE £150/ $179 timecodesystems.com

If you are shootingmulti-camera films, or recording audio separately to get away from the poor audio on your mirrorless or DSLR, making footage and sound sync together is vital. Years ago, independent filmmakers used software like PluralEyes, and now Apple’s Final Cut Pro X and Adobe’s Premiere Pro do a decent job. But for critical work, or big projects with lots of cameras and recorders, there is nomore accurate way than using timecode tomake sure everything lines up perfectly. It may seem like a minefield if you are new to timecode, but Timecode Systems has come to the rescue with a range of lightweight, affordable and simple products. The smallest and most portable product is the new all- wireless UltraSync Blue, designed for cameras and audio devices that have Bluetooth and have adopted Timecode Systems’ own timing protocol. At the moment, this isn’t many products apart frommobile phones, but more products, such as the ZoomH3-VR and F8n recorders, will be compatible soon. Right now, best use of the UltraSync Blue is via an iPhone; it works perfectly with the freeMavis professional camera app or Apogee MetaRecorder app. We tried it with the Mavis app which also offers professional-level tools for using your phone as a video camera, like focus peaking and waveformmonitors. Pair the UltraSync Blue with the Mavis and it unlocks the timecode bundle free. This allows timecode metadata to be embedded directly into media files generated fromvideo shot or audio recorded in the app. What would be really useful would be cameras with Bluetooth and timecode built in, such as the Panasonic GH5, being able to seamlessly communicate with the UltraSync Blue so its timecode would

SPECIFICATIONS Screen: 128x32 pixels OLED Run time: 20 hours

“Timecode Systems has come to the rescue with a range of affordable, simple products”

Charging time: 3.5 hours External Power: USB-C Timecode output: Bluetooth only Frame rates: 23.98. 24/25/29.97/30 Dimensions (WxHxD): 55x43x17mm/2.16x1.69x0.70in Weight: 36g/0.079lb is paired, all you need to do in future is open the app and the timecode from the UltraSync Blue magically appears on your app. It’s very simple. When you take the footage into your editing program– video and audio - the timecode is embedded. Somaking your footage sync is as easy. And if camera makers start to include the Timecode Systems Bluetooth protocol into their kit, then it will make the UltraSync Blue a revolutionary product that’s small, affordable and very easy to use. AD PROMOVIEMAKERRATING: 8/10 An affordable solution if you are making the step into the world of multi-camera shoots Pros: Bluetooth connection so no wires, small and portable Cons: Need other Timecode products tomake it truly useable

be embedded in the recording device’s audio. It’s believed this will come soon to various cameras. Until then, to get it to use the timecode of a separate camera, it has to be used with other Timecode Systems kit such as the more advanced and expensive UltraSync One which also has Genlock andWorld Time. Take a feed fromyour camera to the £288/$299 UltraSync One via the included cable, then this wirelessly talks and synchronises with the UltraSync Blue on your recording device. Syncing to cinema cameras that have timecode In/Out via SDI is easy as you just plug the cable in. But most DSLR or mirrorless cameras, plus lower-end cinema cameras like the Canon C100 or Sony FS5, don’t have this. But using an UltraSync One you can send timecode to these cameras via a 3.5mm audio cable, then timecode is recorded to one of the camera’s audio tracks. The output needs to be converted in post so you can use the timecode for sync, though. The tiny UltraSync Blue can sync up to four devices as long as they are within Bluetooth range. Setting it up is easy as long as you have good eyes as the screen is tiny. Once your device

BELOW The UltraSync Blue makes syncing action and audio simple

91

SPRING 2019 PRO MOVIEMAKER

Powered by