Crystal sync

[Jon P]

What is crystal sync? What advantages would getting my camera crystal synced give? and how much would it cost?

[rollemfilm]

L@@Ky here:
members.aol.com/fmgp

[Jon P]

I am sorry but I can't access that site I will try again later.

[Actor]

Crystal sync means a film camera which has a motor whose speed is precisely controlled by an electronic circuit called a crystal oscillator. If the motor speed is precisely controlled then so is the frame rate. The precision is somewhere on the range of 1 part per million per second.

The primary advantage is that the camera and sound recorder will stay in sync without the necessity of connecting the two with a cable or radio link.

The cost for converting a super8 camera is from $500 to $1000 U.S.

[Jon P]

If I use a mini disc recorder and clapper will the sync slip? Will it be better at 24 fps or will 18fps work just as well?

[capul8]

I know that this subject has been thoroughly exhausted in the archives, and looks like it will continue to be until Kodak mistakenly stumbles onto this or any other S8 forum and realizes they could sell a gazillion cartridges of sound S8...but in the meantime, just for fun:
IF you had to choose one camera to crystal synch, what would it be and why?
(Actually, this isn't just for fun. I'm thinking of Film Grouping my Canon 814XL. At $525, I want some opinions on whether there's a better camera to spend that kind of money on.) In other words: somebody talk me outa this!