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The Deity TC-1 Timecode Generator system first caught my consideration at Cinegear 2022. I used to be intrigued by the concept of an inexpensive timecode system ($549.00 for a package of three or $169.00 every) that I may merely throw into my digicam packages – affording me the luxurious of not having to fret as a lot about syncing photographs later in publish. Right here is my assessment of the Deity TC-1 Timecode Generator: Time for a disclosure proper off the bat – I’m not an audio mixer or editor by commerce, and dealing with timecode is often the province of the audio crew along with the AC crew on my units. But that doesn’t imply I don’t respect dependable timecode syncing, and I’m all the time on the lookout for methods to optimize the publish workflow on my tasks. I additionally assume that, given the price, the viewers for the TC-1 isn’t the normal of us chargeable for on-set timecode, and that this is perhaps a fantastic first timecode expertise for a lot of. Let’s dive in. Deity Microphones, a associate model of lighting producer Aputure, introduced the TC-1 Timecode Generator field alongside a $999 sensible slate, which sadly has been delayed by provide points and wasn’t out there for this assessment. So, for our functions, we’ll follow the TC-1 Timecode field for this assessment.Picture Credit score: Graham Ehlers Sheldon/CineDA few banner options of the TC-1 to begin: OLED Show 2.4 GHz Wi-fi and Bluetooth Management Locking 3.5mm Timecode Port 28-Hour Battery Life (USB-C Charging)Pairs with the brand new Sidus Audio Cell App Onboard Microphone Generates all SMPTE Timecode Codecs Promised drift fee of 1 body inside 72-hoursFirst Impressions The set of three TC-1 units ships in a trendy yellow and black field and contains the next: Chilly Shoe Mount x3Locking 3.5mm TRS to TRS Coiled Cable ($20 Worth) Locking 3.5mm TRS to BNC Cable ($20 Worth) Locking 3.5mm TRS to Proper-Angle 5-Pin LEMO Cable ($45 Worth) – For ARRI Alexa Mini USB Sort-A to Triple USB Sort-C Charging CableFor this assessment, I primarily used a Sony FS7 MK II with an extension unit, a Canon C300 MK III, a Canon C500MK II and the Canon C70 for numerous tasks over a number of weeks of testing. All of those cameras have a BNC / SDI port for timecode and thus, I shortly needed to purchase two further 3.5mm TRS to BNC cables as a result of the package solely included one. Picture Credit score: Graham Ehlers SheldonThis highlighted a spot within the 3-unit package for me proper out of the gate – I might have assumed {that a} package like this could ship with three of every of those various kinds of cables. The person $169.99 TC-1 package solely ships with the locking 3.5mm coiled cable. My guess right here is that Deity needed to depart this resolution a la carte for the proprietor, on condition that timecode cables differ from model to model (RED Cinema, for instance, is infamous for switching cable platforms from digicam physique to digicam physique). My impressions of the TC-1 out of the field are formed by my time spent with the $229.00 per unit Tentacle Sync E system (actually the principle competitor for Deity right here by way of worth level and Bluetooth management). It’s price noting that the Tentacle Sync E solely ships with a 3.5mm to three.5mm cable. The most important distinction between the Tentacle Sync E and TC-1 is that the Tentacle lacks an OLED show and is 100% reliant on the app to get it working – extra on the variations in a second. A Energy, Sync and Pair LED indicator all line the highest of the system and the three.5mm port on the aspect rounds out the outside together with a easy energy button and a shiny, simply readable OLED show – it’s all very minimalist in an approachable form of method. This looks as if a timecode system that wouldn’t be too arduous to stand up and working proper out of the field. Deity additionally features a triple charging cable with the trio that makes charging all three units that a lot easier. Heaps to love right here – time to energy on all three models. Operation Here’s a video displaying the setup that’s created by Deity Microphones: There’s a component to the operation of the TC-1 that actually is ideal for a timecode novice like myself, and the Sidus Audio app is ranging from a extra polished place than even the Sidus Hyperlink lighting app was again at model one. Sidus Audio App in motion discovering and syncing the units. The OLED Show on the TC-1 unit tells you a number of bits of helpful info at a fast look: Timecode DataA letter designation (I modified this to correspond to the digicam metadata of the digicam the given TC-1 was mounted on)A “BT” indicating the unit is being managed by Bluetooth Frames Per Second (23.98F, 24.00F, 25.00F, 29.97F, 29.97DF, 30.00F and so on) Battery Life (displayed as hours and with a small bar)A lock and unlocked display screen indicator within the backside left. This retains you from bumping a key setting by chance.Need to check out the brand new Sidus Audio app? You could find it out there for obtain HERE.Onboard microphone. Picture Credit score: Graham Ehlers Sheldon/CineDFor starters, except you need time of day timecode, you don’t even must open the Sidus Audio app to get all three TC-1’s paired and sync your cameras. I personally don’t love having to hope I’ve sufficient battery life on my cellular system on the finish of a 12-hour shoot day away from energy to make adjustments in a given app, and the truth that you have got a ton of management by way of the OLED show itself is a giant plus for me. I used the TC-1 primarily to sync a number of cameras and didn’t personally use a mixer on any of my shoots, however you can completely set a mixer paired with a TC-1 as your “most important node” sending timecode to varied digicam packages. In case your digicam bundle doesn’t have a devoted BNC timecode port, you can additionally ship audio timecode utilizing the included 3.5mm cable (it takes up considered one of your audio channels with timecode audio that sounds a bit like you’re coming into the Matrix). As soon as the TC-1 Field is powered on and paired, it shortly enters a display screen sleep mode the place the intense show shuts off to keep away from getting caught in a shot in a pesky reflection. The Sidus Audio app reveals the entire TC-1 Containers in play, and I assume it’ll at some point present the Sidus Sensible Slate as properly when these start to ship. You can too create totally different system teams for bigger reveals, the place maybe totally different clusters of TC-1 containers are divided into totally different digicam teams. Deity Microphones claims a minimal one body drift after 72 hours and I personally didn’t encounter any drift throughout any of my shoots with the Sony FS7 MK II, C500 MK II, C300 MK III or the Canon C70 – though we by no means left a number of cameras working for 3 days. The truth that I didn’t expertise any drift is a giant deal and the first promoting level of those units. Conclusion Picture Credit score: Graham Ehlers Sheldon/CineDFor years, I’ve thought of timecode dealing with and operation to be purely an audio crew job and the truth that I can sync timecode on quite a lot of cameras in a matter of seconds utilizing my iPhone can’t be dismissed. The TC-1 simply works – it isn’t rain-proof or bullet-proof, however neither is your favourite digicam or mixing system. I’ve used Deity Microphones previously and there’s a lot to love there, nevertheless it is perhaps time for the corporate to alter their title to Deity Timecode, as a result of the TC-1 ecosystem and Sidus Audio App are implausible and exist at a worth level that is smart. I will probably be to see how the upcoming, pricier Sensible Slate adjustments the dynamic, however it is a promising system in a market section that actually wanted some wholesome competitors, after years and years of the identical units getting used on set with restricted innovation. What do you assume? Will you be including a number of TC-1 containers to your package? Do you want timecode in your workflow? Tell us within the feedback beneath!
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