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TIMECODE SYSTEMS GEAR
THERE IS SOMETHING MAGICAL ABOUT WATCHING THE OLED TIMECODE DISPLAY ON ALL THE SLAVES IMMEDIATELY LOCK TO THE NEW VALUE
on the :pulse, which resulted in a weird flickering on the display and an inability to select anything, but rebooting solved the issue and I couldn’t replicate the problem (I wasn’t sure what set it off in the first place. Battery life was as advertised – we just recharged the units each night. The proof of the pudding is the production I mentioned at the beginning of this piece. For a shoot that complex to remain completely in sync is remarkable, and I doubt it could have been done as easily without Timecode Systems. The :pulse retails for £799 (plus VAT). An UltraSync ONE is £240 plus VAT, and a GoPro SyncBac is £190 plus VAT, and there are various packages available with :pulses and multiple slave devices. If you don’t need the hardwired Ethernet connection of the :pulse, the :wave is basically the same (it includes Wi-Fi) but only costs £649 plus VAT.
such as sync status and battery on your Timecode Systems devices, but can also inform you of other metadata, like memory card levels and so on, with devices connected over Ethernet or the data port. You can also control devices, such as setting up GoPros remotely (with the SyncBac Pro), arming record channels on Sound Devices mixers, as well as triggering record. There is a simple slate function, with timecode accurately displayed on your phone or tablet, but if you want a better slate there is a Timecode Systems RF compatible version of the Denecke IntelliSlate. In operation, the :pulse and UltraSync ONE are pretty flawless. Once the network is set up you can generally forget about timecode sync issues with everything – your sound recorder, camera, GoPro (with the SyncBac Pro) or DSLR. I found a slight bug with the firmware
There are some LEDs on both the :pulse and the UltraSync ONE that confirm lock and RF signal integrity, but there is something strangely magical about changing the timecode on the master unit and watching the OLED timecode display on all the slaves immediately lock to the new value (I know, little things...). COMMUNICATION As mentioned, the :pulse has Ethernet as well as built-in Wi-Fi. The Ethernet ports can be used with ARRI Alexa to provide an Ethernet-to-Wi-Fi bridge, allowing remote camera control and logging with MovieSlate 8. Connection to a PC or Mac enables the Timecode Systems BLINK hub application, QTake HD and Softron Movie Recorder. The BLINK application is available on PC, Mac, Android and iOS (it’s free). Using hardwired Ethernet or Wi-Fi, it monitors vitals
ABOVE The :pulse has Ethernet as well as built-in Wi-Fi. ABOVE GoPros can be set up remotely using the SyncBac Pro.
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AUGUST 2018 DEFINITION
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