Z8 timecode

[Rudis Electronics Lab]

Hi Trazan,

I setup the Mixpre 'stereo out' so that it can generate timecode and audio (split mode).

Z8 recoded this special signal into the video's audio track.

This way, I made 3 video (with audio/tc) files (.MOV) along with a Mixed Pre .WAV file.

Fed these files into Tentacle Sync Studio software (downloaded , 2 week free trial).

The files are nicely time synchronized. Then generated .XML file for Final Cut Pro.

Loaded this .XML file into FCP and filed are synced. It worked!!!

But there is a problem with the split file.

MixPre records the timecode signal into the R channel and the audio signal into the L channel. But the L channel is not clean. The timecode signal is leaking into the audio signal.

Thanks for trying this!

I have thought of this route as well, but two things keep me from doing it:

- Having to use additional software (Tentacle Sync Studio) creates extra complexity and an extra step in the workflow compared to the HDMI timecode route the MixPRE is claimed to support

- I like to have the Z8 analogue input as a backup recording, preferably stereo for two channels, but if need be, monophonic. But timecode spillover would spoil this (regardless of whether the crosstalk is in the MicPRE or in the Z8...)

Why this strong desire for a backup? Well, last week, I used the MixPRE in a recording rig, it started recording properly; and at some point, it claimed there was no SD card in it any more. Back home, the card (a high-quality Lexar one) turned out to be dead, I could not read it or connect to it at all. No matter whether the card itself or the MixPRE was the culprit, this emphasised for me the need for a backup!

Having that said, I am, happy you tried this and showed this is a potential solution.

Best, Rudi

Nikon Z8, Z7, D500, D800E, FujiFilm X100, Sony RX100MK3, Mamiya 645PRO

 

[TTY33]

Hi Trazan,

I setup the Mixpre 'stereo out' so that it can generate timecode and audio (split mode).

Z8 recoded this special signal into the video's audio track.

This way, I made 3 video (with audio/tc) files (.MOV) along with a Mixed Pre .WAV file.

Fed these files into Tentacle Sync Studio software (downloaded , 2 week free trial).

The files are nicely time synchronized. Then generated .XML file for Final Cut Pro.

Loaded this .XML file into FCP and filed are synced. It worked!!!

But there is a problem with the split file.

MixPre records the timecode signal into the R channel and the audio signal into the L channel. But the L channel is not clean. The timecode signal is leaking into the audio signal.

Thanks for trying this!

I have thought of this route as well, but two things keep me from doing it:

- Having to use additional software (Tentacle Sync Studio) creates extra complexity and an extra step in the workflow compared to the HDMI timecode route the MixPRE is claimed to support

- I like to have the Z8 analogue input as a backup recording, preferably stereo for two channels, but if need be, monophonic. But timecode spillover would spoil this (regardless of whether the crosstalk is in the MicPRE or in the Z8...)

Why this strong desire for a backup? Well, last week, I used the MixPRE in a recording rig, it started recording properly; and at some point, it claimed there was no SD card in it any more. Back home, the card (a high-quality Lexar one) turned out to be dead, I could not read it or connect to it at all. No matter whether the card itself or the MixPRE was the culprit, this emphasised for me the need for a backup!

Having that said, I am, happy you tried this and showed this is a potential solution.

Best, Rudi

Nikon Z8, Z7, D500, D800E, FujiFilm X100, Sony RX100MK3, Mamiya 645PRO

I agree with you 100%! I do not want to have a long .wav file and many short video clips for post editing. So this will be a back up solution.

Will continue to find a solution...

 

[nikon-guy]

I'm also trying to sync timecode between my Nikon Z8 and the Sound Devices MixPre-6 II. As far as I understood the Nikon Z8 supports TC output via HDMI and the MixPre-6 II should be able to receive TC via micro-HDMI. Do you think I can sync timecode with an HDMI-to-micro-HDMI cable?

 

[nikon-guy]

I'm in the same situation, Nikon Z8 and Sound Devices MixPre-6 II. Is there any update/solution for sync via HDMI-microHDMI cable?

 

[Rudis Electronics Lab]

Hi Nikon-guy,

Nu updates, as far as I’m aware.

To be very frank, I’m kind of done with poor compatibility between cameras and 3rd party accessories. My recent experiences:

• Sound Devices MixPre 3 fails to recognize Nikon Z8 HDMI time code (even if that HDMI signal can be shown to have that timecode)
• Atomos Shogun Ultra cannot record 8k from the Nikon Z8 (as the Atamos cannot record clean 8k the Z8 outputs and the Z8 cannot output a 8k RAW format the Shogun understands. Given the earlier collaboration of Atomos and Nikon (selling Z6 and Ninja as a package, promoting RAW recording) this is very disappointing.
• Final Cut Pro not being able to use native Nikon video RAW files and Nikon not being able to record to 8k ProRes RAW which FCP does understand.

Not only is factual compatibility/ interoperability poor between devices you’d really hope to work together, but these companies are doing a very poor job in explaining what works and what not. I’m traveling now so don’t shoot me if I make a mistake, but I think the most recent Nikon camera for which Atomos is providing information is the Z6 ii from 2020 and thus total silence on the Z9, Z8, Z7 ii, Z6 iii, etc… Sound Devices is no better. It’s MixPre models support ‘select Nikon cameras’.

https://www.sounddevices.com/mixpre-v5-00-featuring-mixassist-plugin-support-and-more-now-available/

Well, I cancelled my Shogun Uktra order and hope my MixPre will work one day with my Z8. Better stick to what I already have.



best Rudi

 

[nikon-guy]

Hi Nikon-guy,

Nu updates, as far as I’m aware.

To be very frank, I’m kind of done with poor compatibility between cameras and 3rd party accessories. My recent experiences:

• Sound Devices MixPre 3 fails to recognize Nikon Z8 HDMI time code (even if that HDMI signal can be shown to have that timecode)
• Atomos Shogun Ultra cannot record 8k from the Nikon Z8 (as the Atamos cannot record clean 8k the Z8 outputs and the Z8 cannot output a 8k RAW format the Shogun understands. Given the earlier collaboration of Atomos and Nikon (selling Z6 and Ninja as a package, promoting RAW recording) this is very disappointing.
• Final Cut Pro not being able to use native Nikon video RAW files and Nikon not being able to record to 8k ProRes RAW which FCP does understand.

Not only is factual compatibility/ interoperability poor between devices you’d really hope to work together, but these companies are doing a very poor job in explaining what works and what not. I’m traveling now so don’t shoot me if I make a mistake, but I think the most recent Nikon camera for which Atomos is providing information is the Z6 ii from 2020 and thus total silence on the Z9, Z8, Z7 ii, Z6 iii, etc… Sound Devices is no better. It’s MixPre models support ‘select Nikon cameras’.

https://www.sounddevices.com/mixpre-v5-00-featuring-mixassist-plugin-support-and-more-now-available/

Well, I cancelled my Shogun Uktra order and hope my MixPre will work one day with my Z8. Better stick to what I already have.

best Rudi

Thank you for your observation. I appreciate it.

Here is what Atomos wrote today, "The Shogun Ultra does not generate timecode for external devices directly. We recommend using the UltraSync One. It is capable of both receiving and transmitting LTC (Linear Timecode) via cable and should be compatible with your camera (Nikon Z8) and the MixPre-6 II. Additionally, the UltraSync One and UltraSync BLUE synchronize timecode wirelessly via RF. If your camera does not support LTC input directly from the UltraSync One, you might consider using the UltraSync BLUE with the Nikon Z8 and the UltraSync One with the MixPre-6 II for seamless timecode synchronization across your devices."

Do you really think it is possible to sync timecode using the UltraSync One via cable with the Nikon Z8? If so, would the Z8's internal timecode match the timecode displayed on the UltraSync One?

Best regards.

 

[Trazan]

Do you really think it is possible to sync timecode using the UltraSync One via cable with the Nikon Z8? If so, would the Z8's internal timecode match the timecode displayed on the UltraSync One?

No, I would have bought it in a heartbeat if so

You need the Ultrasync Blue for the Z8. But the Blue has no physical output, so you also need the One for the Mixpre :-/

I hope someone makes a unit that has both the bluetooth protocol and a physical sync output...

 

[Rudis Electronics Lab]

Dear Trazan, thanks voor that reply

i never personally tried these Ultrasync devices, but by reading the Atomos FAQ etc I also had the impression I’d have to buy at least two a Blue and a One). Moreover, while I’m not unwilling to pay money for a good quality cable, I found the additional price for cable beteen the One and the Mixpre (which has a simple 3.5mm jack) quite excessive

This solution would become cumbersome (several additional devices), expensive and require lots of configuration/settings while on paper, none of this should have been needed and the Mixpre would just be able to see the HDMI time code from the Z8, as it once did with my Z7

best Rudi

 

[Trazan]

I don't have that micro HDMI cable, so I can't test myself, but maybe you could test to see if anything have changed with the new Z8 3.0 firmware?

 

[Rudis Electronics Lab]

I don't have that micro HDMI cable, so I can't test myself, but maybe you could test to see if anything have changed with the new Z8 3.0 firmware?

Hi! I might try that, but I think that the Z8 3.0 firmware is not yet out (the Nikon site still has 2.10...).

 

[Trazan]

I have it installed already

https://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/563.html