Using SMPTE on super 8 mag stripe

[MrObvious]

Is it possible to record SMPTE to the mag track of a super8 film and then use it as a master clock to drive a slave deck (either a computer or an ADAT)? Perfect sync sound every time!

Marc S.

------------------

[Nigel]

In Theory sure. Then again in theory you could even print AatonCode down the edge of your film if they had a small enough Matrix.

If you are an electrical god then I am sure you could rig something up. Until then Good Luck

------------------

[MrObvious]

How about less sarcasm and more content?

Marc S.

------------------

[Nigel]

I am serious. If you could make an AatonCode Matrix small enough you could lay it down on the edge of S8.

If you are good with electronics then you could make a SMPTE generator that could lay a signal on the srtip. Anything can be done with the know-how and money. Good Luck

------------------

[MovieStuff]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Courier, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by MrObvious:

Is it possible to record SMPTE to the mag track of a super8 film and then use it as a master clock to drive a slave deck (either a computer or an ADAT)? Perfect sync sound every time!
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hi, Marc!

Actually, you've stumbled into my secret lab as I've actually been experimenting with something similar and cheaper for people to use. See, all VHS decks get their reference for speed from an oscillator. It is basically a form of crystal synch where the control track pulses of the tape are compared to the pulses of the crystal.

Now, my idea was to put a reference pulse on the balance stripe that would be used to make the VHS deck stay in synch. Another approach that I'm looking into is creating a low cost pulse generator that can be easily retrofitted onto most any projector. It would actually be an outrigger unit that the film is threaded through. The movement of the film actually turns the generator which creates a reference pulse.

I chose VHS because they're super cheap to find and modify and you can still get super duper Hi-Fi audio out of them. I'll let you know how things work out.

But, in answer to your original question, sure you could put SMPTE time code on a stripe and use that as a reference as long as you had a device that would lock up to it. I see no real issues there at all.

Stay out of my lab!

Roger


------------------
Roger Evans
MovieStuff
http://www.afterimagephoto.tv/moviestuff.html

[Nigel]

Roger--

Thanks you made my point.

Good Luck

------------------

[MrObvious]

Roger>

Definitely let me know what your lab experiments turn up. A friend (who owns a recording studio) and I have been discussing the possibilities of setting up a SMPTE system, which could be used to drive a Dolby 5.1 Surround audio system from the mag stripe. I'm having visions of anamorphic super 8 in a surround sound theatre. Could be just what this town needs! I'll let you know how we fare.

Marc S.

------------------

[#Pedro]

This must not be that complicated! SMTP, why? The soundtrack can obviously be recorded do DVD or CD audio, then inputted to a surround decoder during the show.
THe projector must not control the audio system (this would easyly be possible with the Gebuhr Multisyn CD-player), but could be controlled by an external crystal oszillator.

If you wanna have this kind of setup, you will need a very good projector anyway. Why not choose the ELMO GS1200MO, perhaps as a Xenon version? This machine HAS ALREADY an INBUILT sync unit, right from factory. You feed it only with a crystal oscillator running at 24 fps and the film will be projected exactly at this speed, holding sync to any digital audio media, without smtp. Such a generator EXISTS and can be purchased at Wittner Kinotechnik in Germany for about USD 200. It automatically starts the Elmo with the first incoming music signal.

For editing the sound track, you could playback the silent film with this setup and transfer it to PC, see the (flickering) frame pics and put the sound digitally to the frame pic line.
Then mix it digitally, burn a CD and you are set up! The most important thing is, to include a clear start mark into the leader of the film.

Pedro

------------------