Section 8.1 - Primary timecode functions
8-4
6) To check the off-tape timecode as it is being
recorded, from menu group E, move the cursor
to Tape TC (there is no need to press
SELECT)):
The bottom line of the display shows the current
timecode value being output from the tape. If the
tape is stopped, the last time code read from tape
will be shown.
External timecode, if it is be ing used for recording
or for synchronization purposes, can be read i n t he
same way, except that the cursor should be moved
to Ext TC in menu group E.
8.1.8 Chasing to external timecode
When chasing to an external timecode source
(remember that you cannot chase to MTC), there
are two cases to be considered. The first is when
the DTRS unit which will be chasing timecode is
the first unit in the chain. In this case, there is no
DTRS sync signal received at the SYNC IN con-
nector (of course, the RC-898 provides co ntrol
signals), and hence, pressing the CHASE key [32]
will automatically synchronize the DTRS unit to
the incoming timecode.
The reference to which the incoming timecode is
matched, however, depends on the Time
Mode settings of the DTRS unit with regard to
ABS or timecode (see 6.4.2, “Selecting Time
Mode”).
In the case of a unit which is connected to the
master DTRS unit in the chain, the situation is a
little more complex, as the unit must be set up to
slave to incoming timecode rather than the DTRS
sync signals. Here, the Time Mode menu is
used once again (6.4.2, “Selecting Time Mode”),
but here it determines the chase sync source; time-
code or ABS sync.
Note that it is unlikely that you will need to syn-
chronize a slave unit with timecode—typically,
only the first unit in the chain will be a timecode
slave, and this will act as a DTRS sync master for
the other units in the chain.
8.1.9 Chasing with a timecode offset.
If the timecode on the DTRS unit matches the
timecode coming from the master unit (e.g. the
DTRS tapes contain a video soundtrack and have
been striped either concurrently with, or from the
video tape), there is no need for an offset.
If, however, the DTRS tracks are not linked in this
way with the master source, an offset is required.
The offset can be ±12 hours from the received
timecode. Timecode “wraps” in a 24-hour clock
format, so that 12 hours in adv ance of 13: 00:0 0:00
is 01:00:00:00, and 12 hours be hind 02:00:00:00
is 14:00:00:00.
1) From menu group 4, move the cursor to TC
Offset and press SELECT:
Note that this setting is made to su bframe accu-
racy. The timecode type will be shown in the bot-
tom right of the display scree n .
2) Use the numeric keypad to set the offset (use
the +/- key to change values between positive
and negative).
The value will be shown in the LOCATE TIME/
VALU E display and the OFFSET indicator [10]
will light.
If an offset value is set on any unit or units and the
Time Mode is set to TC, the OFFSET indicator
[10] will light.
As an alternative to using the nume ri c k eypad, you
may also use the cursor keys to enter values
directly into the LCD display.
Ext TC Abs Diff
>Tape TC Rel Diff
Gen TC
01:01:22:03 30DF
NOTE
This procedure described here should be used when chasing
to timecode. When slave machines are chasing to DTRS
sync from a master DTRS unit, use the procedure described
in 7.2.3, “Chasing with an offset”.
Timecode Offset
Machine 1
+00:00:00:00.00 30DF