Section 8.1 - Primary timecode functions

8 – Timecode functions

9888 This section describes the timecode-based functions available through the RC-898. Note that while the RC-898 contains no timecode generator or reader of its own, it is able to control the time- code generators and synchronization facilities of DA-98 and DA-88/SY-88 units. Since the DA-38 does not have any timecode facilities, this section does not have any relevance if you are using a setup composed of only DA-38 units.

Note that in this section, we use the term “time- code” to refer to SMPTE/EBU timecode rather than to ABS timecode.

When using a chain of DTRS units which are to be synchronized to external timecode, you will usually need to synchronize the first unit in the chain. The other units should then chase to the first, using the DTRSABS synchronization facil- ity. For information related to this and to other non-timecode-related synchronization features, see 9, “External control and settings”.

8.1 Primary timecode functions

These functions cover the basic timecode setup when synchronizing DTRS units to timecode.

8.1.1 Selecting the timecode source

98When using a DA-98 unit, the timecode used for recording can be from one of three different sources: external, from the internal generator, or off-tape (“synthesized” timecode—see 8.1.2, “Synthesizing timecode from ABS times”). See section 10.5 of the DA-98 manual for further details regarding this function.

1)From menu group 8, move the cursor to TcRec Src and press SELECT:

T C R e c o r d

S o u r c e

M a c h i n e

1

E x t e r n a l

T C

 

 

 

 

2) Use the UP and DOWN keys to select between

External TC, Generator TC and Tape.

If you select Tape, there will be another param- eter shown which will correspond to the timecode type selected in 6.4, “ABS setting”. This shows the kind of timecode on the tape: striped timecode or

synthesized timecode (as described in 8.1.2, “Syn- thesizing timecode from ABS times” below).

8.1.2 Synthesizing timecode from ABS times

9888 As mentioned earlier, linear timecode does not necessarily have to be striped on a tape for the DTRS unit to be able to use the TC setting. The subcode can be used to synthesize timecode, eliminating the need to pre-stripe the tape for timecode-based work.

98In addition, the DA-98 can add offsets to the ABS value, so that the timecode values can start at any desired position, or can create a repeating timecode pattern for tracks of nominal 10 or 20 minutes’ duration. See also 10.2.3 and 10.2.4 of the DA-98 manual for further details.

1)From menu group 5, move the cursor to Tape TC, and press SELECT:

T a p e T C M o d e

 

M a c h i n e

1

M o d e

A B S

2)Use the SHIFTed UP and DOWN keys (NEXT and PREVIOUS) to select the DTRS unit whose values you will change.

3)Use the UP and DOWN keys to choose between the following:

TC Track: The timecode is read from the timecode track striped on the tape. Full details of these operations are given in 8.1.7, “Record- ing the timecode on a DTRS timecode track”..

ABS: The timecode is “synthesized” from the ABS time (i.e. the ABS values are read and used as timecode).

98 ABS-Ofs: You can add or subtract an offset from the ABS values to arrive at the final synthesized timecode value. If you select ABS-Ofs, use the numeric keypad [16] to enter an offset value on the LOCATE TIME/ VALUE display [15] and enter it into the offset value on the display screen using the SHIFT and ENTER/LOAD keys [23]+[20].

98 ABS-13and ABS-23: provide a con- venient way of dividing a tape into “sessions”. Timecode is synthesized with a pre-roll time of xx:57:00:00, the session is assumed to start at xx:00:00:00, and finishes at xx:10:00:00 or xx:20:00:00, depend-

8-1

Page 47
Image 47
Tascam RC-898 owner manual Timecode functions, Primary timecode functions, Selecting the timecode source