LTC
From IRIDAS Online Documentation
Contents |
How to Use the LTC Functionality in FrameCycler and SpeedGrade
FrameCycler and SpeedGrade include support for both outputting LTC and slaving playback to an incoming LTC.This can be used to integrate FrameCycler and SpeedGrade with extensive sound setups such as 5.1 audio mixing with ProTools.
The applications use the regular sound card for LTC input and output.
Warning: If speakers are connected, turn down the volume! – The speakers could be damaged. Never use headphones with LTC. LTC playback is loud and could permanently damage your hearing.
Using LTC Output
To output LTC as an audio signal press 'S' for settings and navigate to the Remote Control tab. Enable the checkbox next to Output LTC to audio device.
Connect the audio output of your sound card (Line Out) to the equipment that interprets the LTC. Make sure your speakers are disconnected or turned down.
Restart FrameCycler/SpeedGrade enable the functionality.
Using LTC Slaving
To slave the application to an incoming LTC, press 'S' for settings and navigate to the Remote Control tab. Enable the checkbox next to Slave to LTC (from default recording source).
Connect the audio output of your sound card (Line In) to the equipment that outputs LTC. Make sure your speakers are disconnected or turned down. Playback will now be slaved to the timecode interpreted from the incoming LTC audio signal. Manual playback control is no longer possible (e.g. playback controls in the user interface are disabled).
To disconnect from the LTC and enable the manual playback controls, simply uncheck the checkbox.
Troubleshooting
When using LTC Slaving, you can bring up the LTC status window by pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ALT + L. This window shows the current LTC status and will indicate if, for example, no signal was received, the signal is weak or the LTC is invalid. (This feature was introduced in Build 3315.41).
Playback Behavior in Slave Mode
FrameCycler and SpeedGrade will adhere to the following rules when in Slave Mode:
- The application will stop at the current location until a valid LTC is received.
- When a valid LTC signal is received, the playhead will move to the corresponding timecode position.
- When a timecode is received that is consecutive to the previously received timecode, playback will start.
- During playback, if the application receives a timecode that is not consecutive to the previous timecode, it will remain in playback mode, but will move to the new position.
- During playback, if the application receives the same timecode position twice, it will stop and remain at that position. Playback will remain paused until a new stream of consecutive timecode is received.
- During playback, if no LTC signal (zero level) is received for longer than 46ms, the playhead will move back to the last received timecode position and playback mode will be switched off.
- If an invalid LTC signal is received during playback (e.g. noise or distorted signal), playback will continue and the invalid LTC will be ignored.