Ambient Timecode

The Lockit box, is a small, highly accurate portable timecode and colour videosync and wordclock generator. Audio and video machines such as DAT recorders, and Betacams can be genlocked to the Lockit box, thus giving a very low drift between equipment working together. Typically, the drift will be less than 1 frame per day, without connecting cables or radio links. The Lockit can be jamsynced with external timecode, or set with Aaton ASCII code. The Lockit is especially useful in multicamera Betacam shoots, where a Lockit on each camera and one on the audio recorder will reduce drift between machines to under one frame a day. Option: A zero level AES EBU generator board is available for syncing digital recorders and preamplifiers.

• User Guide (604 KB)

The Ambient Master Slate has four different display modes: Generator, Generator with a time of day start up taken from an internal realtime clock, Reader/Generator, in which the external code is displayed when the slate is open, and the internal generator code is displayed on closing and pure reader mode. Userbits from external or internal timecode can be displayed by push button. The timecode frame at which the slate closed can be displayed for 2 minutes after closing, for logging by the continuity person/production assistent. A flash (full display brightness for 3 frames) at the moment the slate closes, can be switched in to aid syncing with Telecine machines. The Slate can identify the framerate of an externally connected code, and display errors of up to 2 Frames in 0.2 Frame steps, thus making it an error checker for all recorders and cameras. Errors can be checked without jamming. Additionally camera speeds can be checked with strobe bars. A larger slip on writing sleeve which can be removed when doing close ups is available for feature film work.

With the popularity of record run timecode when recording sound on DAT recorders, and the need to display this code in front of the Camera, Ambient has developed the Master Radio Slate. It addes a built-in UHF telemetry receiver and a miniature transmitter to the Master Slate. Wireless range is typically 50 meters, but in certain circumstances, can be much greater. Note: An FCC approved radio link at 915 MHz is available for use in the USA.

• Large writing surface
• Flashing LEDs on close
• Battery volts readout
• Reflective surface for night shooting
• FCC approved 914 MHz radio link

The Ambient Controller is an extremely accurate portable master clock and timecode generator/reader. It can can be used to jam, read, identify, and compare all timecodes. All framerates are supported for, and the frame rate can be changed without losing time of day, enabling a camera running at 24 frames, and a recorder running at 25 or 30 frames to be jamsynced.

The Controller can also be used to check and calibrate the crystal oscillators of the Ambient range of time code products in the studio or field, giving unsurpassed accuracy. Its internal crystal oscillator can be calibrated from four different external sources: external timecode, another Ambient unit, GPS satellite, or DCF radio clock. Once the calibrated, the controller becomes a portable timecode master clock with an accuracy of 0.2 ppm. The controller can also load, read, and compare timecode using the Aaton ASCII format making it an ideal and flexible alternative to the Aaton Origin C. Userbit format options allow easy entering of data in the form required. The controller has already found many users in the film and broadcast industry. With the added facility of internal Xtal calibration, it can be used as a master clock to calibrate timecode recorders and film cameras during manufacturing, as well as in the field.