a classic question: audio synchronization, etc.

[deep_space_8mm]

So, I have been given the task of taking care of sound for our next stupid little movie. I have a few questions:

1. how does one sync audio and video? I am aware of timecodes and such things, but I'm not exactly sure HOW they are used.

2. can anyone recommend a good DAT recorder?

If you must know, we will probably be using an XL-1 to film the thing. I'm not sure if that has any implications in terms of synchronization.

If someone can point me to a good website or book that answers these questions (and others I probably will be asking the future), that would be terrific. If you have the urge to reply yourself, e-mail me or post here.

thanks

[miker]

DV and DAT are both digital formats so they will keep perfect sync.

if you are recording sound separately (you could jack a mixer into the XL1 and record audio with image on DV) the most important thing is to use a clapperboard or have some other short sharp sound to use as a sync point. sure, you could use timecode et al, but as far as I know the XL1 has no timecode output so you'd have to match the timecode manually on the DAT ... which may or may not be possible, and certainly sounds like more trouble than it's worth when it's dark, cold and raining and you've been on set for sixteen hours already.

[bigmasi]

Originally posted by miker:
the most important thing is to use a clapperboard or have some other short sharp sound to use as a sync point.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Even a handclap or two will do perfectly... you don't need anything else. Just put someone clap his hands in front of the camera and microfone in the beginning of every shot. That's it.