Keep in Sync

Midi Class Driver problems

2011-11-08T14:41:00.001Z

When using TC-5 or P2MMC-USB some users have reported problems with the Midi Class driver and Windows XP, I never experienced a problem on any computers that I own so I had to wait until I visited Daniel Gollety (our French agent) to chase down the source of the problem. In this case the culpret was a Logitech web cam driver but other users have experienced problems with RME drivers.

Fixing the problem requires that you edit the windows registry, I have posted a pdf with details of the changes/additions to the registry on the TC-5 and P2MMC product pages, here is a direct link
Midi Class Driver Problems

Changing Time Code Standard on SR-4/RM-6

2011-10-03T11:20:00.003+01:00

When changing the timecode standard enter and exit the setup on the SR-4/RM-6. This will ensure that the RM-6/SR-4 sets the correct timecode standard internally and on the output port.

I will update the RM-6 to correct this in the future.

New Product - TC-5 LTC -Midi-USB Display/Converter

2011-10-02T15:26:00.000+01:00

I started this design over a year ago but was external presures delayed the product release. Pre-production units are now available at a target price of Euro 550 with a Real Time Clock option to provide a time of day output will be available for Euro 150.

The TC-5 is a 1/2 rack timecode Reader/Generator that can display and convert LTC, Midi and USB Midi. One of the main features is that after setting up the required timecode conversion the display may be used to check at the different timecode inputs without disturbing the timecode output.

The TC-5 also includes a number of test functions, including difference, and reference rate measurement. We are so pleased with this product that we have one on every test bench. No doupt using them on our test benches will result in extra test functions being required!
Further information available at http://www.colinbroad.com/cbsoft/tc-5/tc-5.html

New P2MMC-USB Software

2011-10-02T15:08:00.003+01:00

Last week I spent several days on the sync separator software used in several of our designs. Eventually I had to change the algorithm so that the various factors involved did not interact. The result is a much more stable sync separator for the P2MMC, Euphonix TT002, and the Nuendo SyncStation.

You can download new software for the P2MMC from its product page, I have sent an update to Euphonix (Avid) and will send a update to Nuendo later this week.

AES New York Stand 746

2011-09-26T12:00:00.000+01:00

CB Electronics will be sharing a stand with their Japanese agents TAC Systems

CB are showing three new products -

TC-5
LTC-Midi Timecode display/Converter,
A very versatile unit with LTC In/Out, Midi In/Out/Through, USB Midi IN/Out and Virtual Machine.Locking to Crystal, Video or Wordclock with simultaneous conversion between formats

UR422-USB
A complete redesign of the UR-422, now includes USB, Video Sync input, Timecode Output and Virtual Machine. We have implemented the Odetics extensions to the Sony P2 protocol and plan to add the VDCP protocol to this product.

T-Bar
We are showing the T-Bar control fitted to the UR422-USB but it may be fitted to any of our keyboard designs and we welcome discussing with customers and agents the optimum keyboard and port configuration.

VCube Crash in Forward Wind

2011-09-26T11:49:00.004+01:00

Goldcrest recently reported that the VCube would crash when in forward wind. This was traced to the RM-6 converting the Forward Wind command from the DFC to a forward shuttle command. This is necessary with tape based video machines as there is often no picture in Fast Forward.

To correct change the option in the RM-6 as follows

Setup / Root / Ext/ Menu 097 - Rmt FWD/RWD Cmds to Video Mcn
Set to 0=Normal

The Default is 1=Convert to Shuttle

IBC 2011: Hall 8 Stand A04

2011-09-06T11:40:00.002+01:00

CB are showing three new products -

TC-5
LTC-Midi Timecode display/Converter,
A very versatile unit with LTC In/Out, Midi In/Out/Through, USB Midi IN/Out and Virtual Machine.Locking to Crystal, Video or Wordclock with simultaneous conversion between formats

UR422-USB
A complete redesign of the UR-422, now includes USB, Video Sync input, Timecode Output and Virtual Machine. We have implemented the Odetics extensions to the Sony P2 protocol and plan to add the VDCP protocol to this product.

T-Bar
We are showing the T-Bar control fitted to the UR422-USB but it may be fitted to any of our keyboard designs and we welcome discussing with customers and agents the optimum keyboard and port configuration.

Dynamic Offset & Edit Offset - What are they? Why do you need them?

2011-08-27T11:33:00.002+01:00

Dynamic Offset +/- 4 frames
An offset that is used only in play, unlike the normal offset this is removed in stop. Dynamic Offset is occasionally required to correct for errors in devices (I remember one DAW that required 4 attemps to get the LTC and RS422 in sync). Dynamic offset can also be used to correct for projector/screen delay if the video is on a different device to the audio.

Edit Offset +/- 4 frames
An offset that is only used in playback or record when one or more tracks are armed. A number of digital video devices switch to confidence mode when recording. The timecode switches to be in sync with the playback and is then several frames out of sync with the record. Edit offset is used to correct for this, if not then when you layback the audio it is out of sync..

ADR Taker Updates to CBServer and SR software

2011-04-13T18:12:00.000+01:00

CBServer has been updated to make it easier to download loops to the Streamer and to SR-Keyboards

We have also added Setup|Auto/ADR|Options|"Menu 093- Loops from?" to the on SR keyboards, this allows the user to select loops from the keyboard memory or directly from CBServer using the <> or Prev and Next keys. When using the ID keys the user should also check that Setup|Unit|Generic|"Menu 038- ID<> Key Function" is selected to "2=Loop".

Using the new software you can prepare or import loops into the cue list on CBServer, then download them to the Streamer and or keyboard and if selected to "Loops from CBServer" you can use the mouse the computer keyboard or the ID<> keys on the keyboard to select the next loop.

Using the VS-1 with different Video sources

2011-03-15T11:40:00.002Z

I designed the VS-1 in 1985/6 and we are still making it 27 years later, for a product with a 27 year life we have not sold a great number, probably about 10 a year, and not that many now.

I have been asked a number of times to upgrade the VS-1 to work with HD video. My problem has always been which format? The market size will not finance a big development project. Here are some interim alternative solutions.

SD Component,

If setup for syncs on green, insert the streamer on the Green line

VGA

I have tried the Startech VGA to composite converter, this works well and is a cheap solution but the resolution is not as high as I would like. Kramer and TV One make more expensive boxes but I have not compared their resolution.

S-Video

Insert into the Luminance line

Software Solutions

There are a number of cheap software solutions available but I find them jerky, possibly I need a super computer!

One way forward without investing a large amount of time would be to design a system for VGA, but with computers now using DVI, HDMI and SDI is this a viable approach?

Let me know your ideas

Using HD Syncs with the MC-1, BS-1 and BS-2

2011-02-10T00:12:00.000Z

Daniel my French agent set me this test, translate this information from French!

Like a all CB products the MC-1, BS-1 and BS-2 automatically detects the reference video standard, but on some products it is necessary to use the video standard and make make manual settings

The following standards are recognized by CB prioducs

SD:- Bi-Level:

PAL: 25fps

SLOW PAL: 24fps or 23.98fps

NTSC: 29.97fps

NTSC BW: 30fps

HD - Tri-level:

24 / 25 / 30 / 48 / 50 / 60Hz:

23.98 / 29.97 / 59.94Hz

The Standard Dependent settings on the MC-1, BS-1 and BS-2

UNIT parameters

Film Std:: 24; 25, 30.

Gen Std:: 24 ; 25, Drop 30.

ReF: : 48; 50, 60.

Normal settings for a 23.98 or 24 fps Video Reference

Film Std = 24 ; Gen Std = 24, ReF = 48.

Normal settings for a 25 fps Video Reference

Film Std = 25 ; Gen Std = 25, ReF = 50.

Normal settings for a 29.97 fps or 30fps Video Reference

Film Std = 24 ou 30 ; Gen Std = Drop or 30(Non Drop), ReF = 60.

Always check the UNIT parameters after changing the video reference standard! The 6 configuration memories may be used to to save a different setting for each video standard

Raid Arrays 2

2011-02-09T23:38:00.000Z

We fitted the best raid array controller we could find to our system yesterday and as expected there was a small improvement on running 4 discs in Raid 0, as the CPU usage also dropped then in actual use the improvement would probably be greater. Another advantage was that it allowed us to fitt an extra drive as the motherboard was limited to 5 drives only.
The connection from the raid card is mini-sas, a raid card with and external mini-sas can be used as a fast low cost external raid by using a suitable cable and 4 drives in a midi tower pc case.

A san is probably the preferred solution but it is more expensive and still requires management. Portable Raid Arrays make a low cost scalable entry into this technology and you can always use the drives in a san at a later date.

Raid Arrays

2011-02-05T12:22:00.000Z

Although not directly connected with any of our existing business Daniel (CB and C2-Cine IT Support Engineer) and I have been investigating Raid Arrays as a low cost alternative to a SAN for use with video scanning and/or multitrack audio. We tested the external eSATA Raid Arrays on two very different computers.

External Raid Box:

StarTech 3.5in eSATA 4-Bay Raid Enclosure, supplied with its own eSATA interface card.

Throw away the supplied eSATA interface as it has a maximum transfer speed of 60MBytes/Sec. Provided your computer supports SATA then a eSata cable costs about £6.

Raid Drives:

Four 2TB drives, as our primary interest was in recording and playing back raw video files we selected low power 5400 rpm drives which work better for this application. Sur

Test Computer 1
AMD Six core 3GHz 1075T, Asus Crosshair III Formula Motherboard, running 64 Bit Windows 7, this machine has 4GB of 1600 Memory and a ATI 4850 video card. The computer supports internal software RAID and has an ESata port

External Raid using 2 x 3.5" 2TB drives in Raid 0 speed approx 180MByte/Sec, There was no advantage in using 3 or 4 drives.

Single 2.5" enclosure with eSATA and USB

USB-2 about 32MByte/Sec

ESata Limited by 2.5" drive speed to about 80MBytes/Sec

Test Computer 2
Toshiba Tecra M10: Two core 2.6GHz Centrino running 32 Bit Windows XP, this machine has 3GB or Memory and is fitted with an ESata Port
Note: XP Maximum partition size is 2TB

External Raid using 2 x 3.5" 2TB drives in Raid 0 speed approx 180MByte/Sec, There was no advantage in using 3 or 4 drives.

Single 2.5" enclosure with eSATA and USB
USB-2 about 32MByte/Sec
ESata Limited by 2.5" drive speed to about 80MBytes/Sec

A few brief conclusions on current setup
1) The processor made little difference to the disc access speed
2) External eSATA Raid drives show no improvement with more than 2 drives
3) If Running XP only then remember the 2TB partition limit
4) Use eSATA not USB-2, I will be checking USB-3 later
5) For hi speed disc access we are looking at internal raid with the drives mounted in caddies
6) If you must use an external raid then use Mini-SAS
7) Our next test will be to compare the built in software motherboard raid with a hardware raid card

FCP/Avid Output to multiple machines

2010-11-13T19:28:00.003Z

I visited Chris Hellier at Conan on the Warner Brothers lot this week. They needed a software update to work with the Sony PVW2000 machine. Chris uses an RM-6 to make multiple copies from FCP. The FCP makes an auto edit on the RM-6 as a single machine. The RM-6 controls 5 machines and the same edit is made on each machine, saving a lot of time!

There are a number of settings to make on the RM-6 in order to optimise the performance, There is a data sheet on the RM-6 product page that itemises the changes and provide information on setting up the system.

Future orders that specify the RM-6M will ship with software where these are the default settings.

RM-6 Product Page

SR/RM-6 Interface update - PDW1K6 Blue ray recorder

2010-11-13T19:04:00.003Z

For faster lock times change
Setup/Root/Iface/Chase/Menu 58 Minimum Slew Speed
Set to 0=

A Curious Case of Record Offsets

2010-10-15T11:10:00.019+01:00

Alex Kaiser from ZDF contacted me with an sync problem recently - using a SR-4 and laying back (Recording) audio from ProTools 8.1 to HD VTR's as follows:

Sony A500 Digibeta -In Sync.
Panasonic AJ-HD1800 - 7 frames late
Sony HDW2000 - In Sync .
Sony SRW5500 - 4 frames late

Alex eventually found the reason for the problem - ProTools was setup to use LTC for positional reference
Setup > Session > Positional Reference
This was set to "LTC", when changed to "Serial Timecode" the recording delay disappeared!

Analysis:-

On HD machines there are encode/decode delays. When insert edit is enabled the machines switch to confidence mode (Read after Write). The "LTCout Phase" is set by default to be in sync with playback. On Sony VTR's the menu for this is located as follows

SRW5500: Menu 618

HDW2000: Menu 617

At ZDF the timecode input of ProTools was connected directly to the video machine.
.
We recommend using the master timecode output of the SR-4/RM-6, this follows the selected master machine. The timecode is regenerated from the master Serial Timecode and is locked to video syncs.

When the same problem occurs with serial timecode it may be corrected on SR-4/RM-6 Software using the Edit Offset Menu
Setup | Root | IFACE | General | Menu 77 Edit Offset
The Edit Offset is added only when tracks on the VTR are armed and only needs to be set once.

New RM-8, SR-4USB Synchronizer

2010-10-14T20:04:00.000+01:00

For the last two months I have been working on the new RM-8 and SR-4U, using the latest 32 mips processor (The old processor ran at 3 mips on a good day). The RM-8 has 8x RS-422 ports and the SR-4U has 4x RS-422 ports. The features from the existing software Timecode In/Out, GPIO's, Parallel Remote Control, Macro Keys ( [Again}, [Instant Replay], x10, x8, x6.....) are all included. They both have the following new features

Tri-Level Sync
Combined Bi-Level/Tri-Level video sync input fitted

USB
The USB port is fully functioning and mat be used for direct connection with CBServer or Sony 9 pin Emulation

Ethernet
Fitted for future expansion, we are developing CBServer via Ethernet and remote Ethernet interfaces.

FastStart
A new sync process that compensates for the different machines start-up time by timing the initial play command to each machine.. Originally downstream park was used to implement this but this is not possible with Video or DAW's as they are required to park on the same frame.

The New synchronizers will be released in January next year alongside the current models, it will take a year before the new synchronizers have all the features of the current range.

Bug Report: RM-6 / SR-4 Loss of Comunications

2010-10-06T12:32:00.000+01:00

I found a strange communications bug yesterday, all communication stop when the following conditions are met
1) Software fitted with X-Lock ( X-Lock will be displayed in the LCD on power-up or reset)
2) Running timecode connected to the reader
3) Machine reporting a different standard connected to the port

If you think that you encounter this bug
Check the device name displayed in the faulty port, if the standard is different to the system standard then the standard letter will be added (P(25), N(Non-Drop), F(24), D(Drop). If yes try disconnecting the timecode connected to the reader input, or Hard Reset (SR-4: [<<] + [Locate], RM-6: [Clear] + [Shift]).

I have fixed this bug on software from October 2010

UR422 as a remote to the RM-6 and CBServer

2010-10-05T16:03:00.003+01:00

Jun Yamazaki, The Synchronizer Expert from Japan, asked if it was possible to use the UR-422 as a remote to the RM-6 and CBServer, my reaction "Why Not"

The UR includes dedicated Macro commands to control the RM-6/SR-6 and CBServer Macros that may be programmed directly from CBServer. I asked Jun to work out with his client the layout and functionality that they would like using the existing SR and CBServer Macro's that were available on the UR-422

Using the existing selection of commands he could not meet the clients requirements, after discussing the problem with him I added extra commands and tallies, the final keyboard layout is shown below

The new key macros added are as follows (XMC is the CB multi-machine protocol)

XMC Machine select A..E

XMC Record Enable

XMC Master

XMC Chase Enable

XMC Chase Here

New Menu item

XMC Position Request (Menu Setup), returns position and selected machine

At the same time the Edit In/Out key were improved by adding a menu enabling the user to select from a simple Mark command, Mark, Edit and Set, or Recall, Edit and Set.

If you have special request, please contact me and discuss your requirements.

For the future I am working on UR422config2 that will run on Mac, Windows and Linux – watch out for the alpha test version on “Keep In Sync”

Windows 7 - 64bit/32bit

2010-09-17T21:56:00.001+01:00

Although 32 bit programs will run on 64 bit machines they must be installed properly, our original installer generation program was OK for Windows 98 but not 64 bit versions of Windows. I am currently testing a new installer and the first programs updated are CBServer and UR422Config

A side effect of the new installer is that it is no longer necessary to switch Windows7 32bit to XP Compatible mode to run the programs.

Please contact me if you need a CB Install program updated.

PD-1 and Protools

2010-08-27T17:15:00.001+01:00

We are still having some problems with more that 48 tracks on Protools, it looks like it is a problem with a lack of buffering on Protools. I have modified the command interval to provide three options
[Shift}[MU]>Serial Out> Menu 25-Command Interval
1) Short
2) 1/2 Frame (Previously Long)
3) 1 frame

To try this software please visit the PD-1 Page on our website and download, currently you will need Windows to upload the software to the PD-1.

I am awaiting conformation that option 3) 1 Frame solves the problem and will update this post once I have it or if I have to further modify the software.

48 Track Limit
Earlier this year Protools were talking about increasing the number of record tracks that it could accept, the current limit is 48. If someone who is using the latest software can try setting menu 22-Maximun Tracks per Cmd to 2=96 and let me know it will help!

CBHelp in Action - SRW-5800

2010-07-24T11:11:00.003+01:00

This week I used CBHelp with Deutsche Telekom AG in Darmstadt, Germany, Dominic had reported problems with synchronising the Sony SRW-5800 with the RM-6. In order to look at the problem from my office I asked him to run CBServer and to connect with me via the Internet using CBHelp.

CBHelp is an implementation of ultravnc single click, their url is http://www.uvnc.com/addons/singleclick.html if you wish to make your own. CBHelp can be accessed from the help menu on CBServer, you will need to contact me before using it! The main advantage of CBHelp is that there is no security consideration for the customer, the call is initiated by the customer, it does not allow CB to access the customers system uninvited.

There were a few problems with installing and connecting CBServer with the RM-6 (Deutsche Telekom did not have our USB-422) and I had recently changed computer and needed to reconfigure the router. Once solved we connected, Using CBHelp I could control and view CBServer on their computer. I slaved the SRW-5800 to the Generator can could see the problem. A few clicks of the mouse later I had reconfigured the servo control of the SRW-5800 to use Programmable Play instead of Variable Play and it was possible to slave the SRW-5800.

Whist online I demonstrated to Dominic how to set in and out points and run a simple loop. It was very satisfying to be able to configure and demonstrate the system to the customer without spending a day and a large amount of money traveling to and from his location.

CBHelp used with CBServer or the SA-1 software is a good tool and often it is all that is required. This is not always the case, last year after spending several hours on CBHelp I flew to Kiev to visit the customer site and solve a problem, CBHelp allows me to make these trips when it is necessary and I am always willing to spend the time required.

I am currently experimenting with a cross platform support system for our new programs that run on Windows, Mac and Linux

Video Streamer 24fps

2010-07-16T16:20:00.001+01:00

The Video Streamer has been in production for 24 years, it is the father or grandfather of most of the rack mount products that CB make. In the last month I have received several enquiries about using it with 24 frame video.

The 24 frame video is down converted to NTSC (29.97) video with 24fps timecode, this causes a problem with the Video streamer as it assumes that the video and timecode rates are the same and the wipes are about 1/2 second out.

Work arround
The current software has a correction factor that can be used to solve this problem. In the Unit config (Set then <- and -> together) you will find a parameter that is normally set to UiPE 00. On the system we checked this was adjusted to UiPE -14. The exact value will depend on the length of the wipe.

I will look into this problem and upgrade the software to allow for mixed frame and video standards. Once done I will anounce it on this blog.

VSLINK-2 and VSLINK-3
I have just spent three days checking and improving VSLink2, VSLink3 and the SR software to work with Xmc protocol for use with the SR-424ADR and other systems. By connecting the VS-1 to a port on the SR424ADR VSLink can be used to download lists to the controller and streamer simultaneously. When using the system adjusting the record in point will adjust the associated wipe. A wipe can be added ant any point using scratch pad memory 9.

Linux, Mac and Windows beta version of CBServer2 now available

2010-06-03T20:08:00.002+01:00

I have just put beta versions for Mac and Windows on the web site, you can access via Downloads and Manuals or directly using http://www.colinbroad.com/cbsoft/cbserver2/cbserver2.html. The Linux version has now been been added.

Unless licensed the program will only run for 30 minutes each time it is started, if you want to beta test the unit contact me for a license.

This will be the version that I will update, I welcome any comments and requests

CBServer2 - Windows Update

2010-05-12T15:46:00.000+01:00

Today I updated the Windows version of CBServer2 on the colinbroad.com web site. I will update the Mac and Linux versions once we have made more tests. Currently only available by the following direct link - CBServer2

PD-1 - Protools Long Track Names

2010-05-07T20:04:00.011+01:00

I recently visited Luiz Provin in Studio 4 at Shepperton Studios to update the Software in his PD-1. Luiz specialises in re-recording foreign language versions, he uses both the record and monitor sections of the PD-1 and often uses more than 8 stems with original guide track, M&E and multiple print masters.

Lois has used the PD-1 as the monitor controller for the last 4 years, this was his first software update, Lois has two main requests-

1) Increase the number of controlled tracks from 48 to 64
Version 2 of the software allows up to 64 tracks to be controlled on ProTools by sending two commands (ProTools has a 48 track command limit). Luiz uses ProTools 7.2 cs2 which I discovered that this requires a delay between the commands. Look for a software update in the future for this. Luiz now wants even more tracks, I am looking at the software to see if 96 tracks are possible!

2) Allow longer track names on ProTools
Lois had discovered that he could not use track names with more than 12 characters, the problem was that ProTools shortens long track names by removing spaces and punctuation. Using a space as the separator between Stem and Track names did not work ! The solution was simple, use '_' as the stem/track separator, for example 'DMU_Left ......' .

Volcano delay - Home at Last

2010-04-30T09:37:00.003+01:00

I am finally back a week late! Ours was the last flight to be cancelled by the volcano. I have only one complaint about our airline (Jet Air) lack of information. Once I asked the right question, "If I go on a safari for 3 days will it cause a problem or make any difference to when I fly?" to which the answer was "No" it was simple, we went on safari in Chitwan for three days, came back and flew the next day. Unfortunately this involved a 12 hour layover in Mumbai but at least we are Home. The photo is of our new Nepalese family

Wedding in Nepal

2010-04-17T13:13:00.003+01:00

For the last 10 days Lisa and I have been in Nepal, on Monday the 12th our son Daniel married Nisha from Tansen, Palpa in a beautiful Hindu ceremony. After the wedding there was a meal with about 85 guests, unfortunately just the three of us from our family. We spent the rest of the week visiting our new relatives, each visit meant a Nepalese meal.

Today we risked life and limb in a taxi down the mountain to spend the weekend in Pokhara. On Monday we will fly to Kathmandu, hopefully with a good view of the Himalayas and spend our last two nights there.

If the problem with the volcanic ash continues we may be delayed for a while but we will face that problem if it arrives.

Latency, Accuracy and Repeatability - Test Files

2010-03-18T22:12:00.010Z

Computers have been standard equipment in post production for some years now. Not all have real time operation systems so that latency can be a problem. When synchronizing the major problem is not accuracy but repeatability, it does not matter if there is a one frame sync error provided that there is always a one frame sync error!

Recently I was asked to add phase compensation to the P2MMC, Jun Yamazaki who works with Tac Systems (our Japanese agents) discovered that different DAW's had a different offset error when synchronizing to MTC. To measure offset Jun recorded timecode and looked at the recorded waveform, Jun is a timecode geek like me but this is not a suitable method for everyone!

I asked Chris Braclik (I worked with Chris when at Audio Kinetics) from Soundtrack Productions to make 3 stereo WAV files, each has one track with continuous timecode at 24, 25 or 29,97fps, starting at 00:59:55:00 and ending at 01:01:05:00. The other track has 1KHz bursts one frame long, once per second stating at 01:00:00:00 and ending at 01:01:00:00. The bursts are positioned exactly at the start of each second.

You can use these files to check the timecode latency and more importantly the repeatability of both record and replay.

I checked the Record on a Sadie system, there was a consistent 1/5 of a frame error when locking to LTC , I have not checked the playback yet.

I will publish a chart of your results if if receive enough information- DAW, Platform, and Results.
Click here to download the test files

Using the TG-2 with Avid Media Composer

2010-02-12T15:16:00.010Z

On Tuesday this week I visited Anthony Sachot at Eurosport Paris with Daniel Gollety from RS422 our agent in France. I was supposed to visit in December but the flights were cancelled due to snow. I was lucky this time as on Wednesday the flights were again cancelled due to snow!

Eurosport is using a 50i Media composer (25 fps EBU timecode) to import selected takes directly from a 60i HDCAM (SMPTE Drop or Non Drop timecode). This requires a standards converter in the video and the TG-2 to convert the timecode and RS422 communications. A similar setup can be used with a 60i Media Composer and 50i/48i HDCAM. The problem is how to set up the TG-2

This is one of the simpler jobs for the TG-2 as there is it requires no Pullup or Pull down but simply standard translation. On looking at the default setup of the TG-2, I discovered that an number of setting changes were required to make this work. The next software update on the web will include an update to the default setup that will simplify the settings. The setup is as follows:-

1) Connect HDCAM TC Output to TG-2 input
2) Connect HDCAM RS422 input to Serial B on the TG-2
3) Connect Media Composer RS422 output to Serial A on the TG-2
4) Connect 25fps video syncs to the TG-2 , Tri / Bi Level.

The main TG-2 Settings are as follows
1) Input Auto and Output Auto ON
2) Output frame rate selected to 25
3) Serial B Config set to Chase Enable (current Default is Chase Always)
4) Unit Config Set to Ser Auto
5) Gen ref Set to Video

Once the setup was correct the system worked flawlessly and we left a happy customer!

CBServer2

2010-01-19T16:08:00.003Z

Today I added a CBServer2 page to the colinbroad.com web site. Alpha version of both software and web page! Currently only available by the following direct link - CBServer2

It should be similar to CBServer with the following enhancements
1) Runs on Mac, Windows and Linux. I have tested the software on MAC OS-X version 10.4 and on Windows-XP but not on Linux (Intel-86).
2) One or two RM-6/SR-4 synchronizers may be used allowing control over multiport systems.

I will post updates to this blog, I would appreciate comments on look and feel at present, it is to early to comment on things that do not work - there are to many!

CBServer

2009-12-28T00:10:00.004Z

I am in the process or rewriting the CBServer software so that it will run on Mac, Windows and Linux. At the moment I am designing the components required and the individual windows.

Now is a good time for customer requests for improvements or special functions. Although CBServer was originally written as a display for the hardware keyboard but has developed into a full user interface in its own right.

The first release will probably not do as much as the current version, but all future improvements will be made on the new version.

VCube - v3

2009-12-27T23:56:00.003Z

VCube is a Windows based video player capable of playing a number of different formats in both Standard and High Def. Its great strength is its flexibility, however this flexibility makes it easy to make a mistake during setup.

You can find a setup guide on the merging site
VCube_sync_setup_guide_v3.pdf

Daniel Gollety (rs422.fr) has updated this for 24/25 operation and corrected some errors, you can obtain an updated copy from from CB Electronics.

PARIS: L'Aniversaire de Daniel Gollety

2009-12-05T17:10:00.010Z

Tonight there is a surprise for party for Daniel's 60th Birthday, I will make this post tomorrow.

I have worked with Daniel for 32 years, when I started CB he became our French agent. Daniel was also the agent for Timeline but used CB for Biphase and Sony 9 pin. Daniel now runs RS422 with Jean Pierre Barbottin, Daniel makes the French translations and Jean-Pierre makes the better drawings for our web site.

One of the most important services that Daniel performs for CB is as Quality Control, when possible software is not released until Daniel has checked it and made me fix any bugs that he finds.

Nuendo SyncStation

2009-12-04T00:36:00.003Z

This week we shipped the first 45 production units to Stienberg, what a relief. The units have been finished awaiting final software for a long time. We can now start on the next batch,

I am expecting to make a lot of small software updates after they arrive with actual customers, but as both the software and most of the hardware is field programmable this should not be a problem. I will try and build a support page for the colinbroad.com web site, more details on that later.

Syncstation connects to Nuendo via USB using an extended midi protocol. You can also connect System Link for bit accurate lock. System Link connects differently, SyncStation receives system link from Nuendo instead of sending system link to Nuendo. This allows the audio to be looped through so that you do not lose an audio channel.

My preferred way of using SyncStaion is by making the virtual machine the "Master". In this mode Nuendo follows the MTC via USB and both LTC and MTC are available from SyncStation. Connect both Wordclock/aes clcok and video syncs to SyncStation and run the audio from wordclock/aes clock.

Timecode: To ensure that the timecode is locked it uses the wordclock O/P or I/P to generate timecode. The wordclock(audio) and timecode should always be locked.

Shepperton Studio 1

2009-12-03T14:29:00.006Z

Today I visited Trevour at Shepperton studio 1

System: RM-6 with Euphonix System 5 and a CB X4-Euphonix remote, V-Cube and Protools 7.4 cs 10

I was asked to check direct punch in from the Pec/Direct panels, I made the classic mistake, after checking my system for about 1 hour I finally checked the ProTools setup, it was not possible to track arm on the ProTools when in play! ProTools must be in Destructive or Track punch mode!

Having changed the software we lost the track arming from the console, Although the the Desk system preferences displayed 48 tracks this was the last command sent to the TT002 not the current value.

The Original TT002 software sets the number of record tracks dependant on the device id, when I updated the software it defaulted in the Master ID, I changed Menu 99 so that the External Machine ID was directly from the record machine.

This is fixed in Current TT002 software.

Tips:
1) The Euphonix automation drops out when the lock tally is set, to avoid problems endure that Menu 96-Input Lock Tally from is set to 1=Master

2) ProTools lock time, use a maximum of 24 tracks per drive

Resolve in Protools 8

2009-12-01T01:33:00.004Z

In Pro Tools 8.0, you can set your clock reference to WorkClock and ProTools will automatically "resolve position" to the video reference signal if it is present (there's a little indicator saying if video ref is present or not).

ProTools 7.4 cs 10 Video Resolve when using Word Clock

2009-11-28T12:08:00.003Z

When using Protools with an SR or MR system it must be resolved to video syncs, this is automatic when using Video as the ProTools reference but care must be taken when using WordClock as the reference.

When using WordClock disable "Generator Using Sync", unfortunately you will have to do this every time the Remote mode is enabled as ProTools always enables it.

Mediason Milan

2009-11-28T10:19:00.004Z

On Thursday I visited Paulo at Mediason with Marco from Audio International to check his new system and make some training. This system is used to make multiple video copies in HD and SD. We used a -2 frame (23:59:59:23) offset on the SD machine to allow for the HD->SD conversion delay.

Audio International will be dissolved at the end of this month
A pleasant farewell Dinner on Wednesday night with Roberto Bepato, our Italien agent for 25 years, we wish everyone at Audio international the best for the future.

System: RM-6 Hub, XSR-424 2 port Remote, CBServer

Software Updates:

Thomson OpenCube added to machine list

I have some ideas for this application and plan to enable Assemble Edit when record enable is selected (dependant on Menu setting). I also plan to add record enable macro keys for each machine .

Arri Munich

2009-11-28T09:40:00.004Z

I spent three days last weekend with Daniel and his crew converting their systems to HD (Tri-Level Video Syncs), updating the software to include the latest ProTools Sync Algorithms and testing two systems.

Theatre A
Originally installed in a Harrison series 10 and now in a Harrison series 12 this system is a MR system with a 4 port CB series 12 Remote/hub in a 4 wide fader panel with a separate 4 line display and one MR-3. A single MRP16 GPIO is used to integrate some desk monitor and automation features into the keyboard.

Notes:
4 port Remote/Hub: Could update processor card to include play only timecode output
MR-3 Expansion: Could update processor card to include EEPROM user settings
MRP-16 GPIO:
MC-1: Could update processor card to include EEPROM user settings

Studio 1
Large two operator Harrison series 12 console with the only two remote system that I have installed. When originally installed the remotes were independent, now that a single multi- track dubber is used I modified the system so that the two remotes are linked. The two remotes include a 4 line display and extra keyboard for monitor and talkback.

Notes:
!2K Remote Panels: Two Serial Ports, 4 line display, Extra keyboard
RM-6 Hub: MR software
MR-3 Expansion:
MRP-16 GPIO: 2 off used for Monitor and Automation and talkback selection/indication