Vincent R. Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 Guys, in the field now testing a prototype timecode device called Tentaclesync. It's a small device, bit bigger than a 9 volt battery and supposed to be frame accurate for over a day. Retail will be around 150/200 euros... DOP from Germany brought it along. It's a German startup. Will keep posting updates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonG Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 If they need a USA tester…. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olphi Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 Hello, seems very attractive. Is it a TX/RX system or just a box you sync with your master TC? How is it powered? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkautzsch Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 That's a nice size. More info please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent R. Posted September 3, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 Lunching now, so time for more info: Ok some answers; it's a "dumb" box. No display. Just a mini jack input/output. You can use some software on a computer to set framerate and set the time, figuring out now if I can use for example my 664 now to give it it's initial timecode. iOS software is coming I heard. With the device comes an application so you can sync dailies very quick. No genlock, internal battery about 40h. Design is not final, they will be present at IBC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olle Sjostrom Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 Sweet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkautzsch Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 So far this seems like the perfect device for C300/F55 size cams when you don't have a Lockit. What kind of battery does it use? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RPSharman Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 If I were them, I'd just make it a tiny box with room for a AAA battery and a BNC in/out. Have it either auto-recognize code, or have two boxes available for sale. 23.98 and 25. It'll cover 95% of the market. They can let the rest go. No need for fancy software or function. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dominiquegreffard Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 Looks promising. If it s a minijack input/output a g3 type screw on connector would be great. Also a swappable battery system would be safer. Maybe 1AA battery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted September 3, 2014 Report Share Posted September 3, 2014 I'd miss 29.97 a lot, it is still pretty common among my clients and has had a bit of a resurgence lately. (Go figure.) I also vote for BNC out. 2 AAA makes it bigger but I want that long a reserve battery life. They will also need a way to adjust the output level of the TC. philp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent R. Posted September 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Ok small update, you can jam it from your recorder so no need for a laptop there. Didn't work for me yet but will try again later There is a small lipo battery inside, charging via usb. Battery life is 40 hours. The only thing now is you need a computer to set the framerate, but soon there will be a iphone app. Output level you can set as well via the software. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvanstry Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Precision? Specs? Looks really cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantin Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 I worked with an earlier prototype of this and so far am very impressed with this box, although I had to return it. It is primarily aimed at 5D/C300 type shoots (even when there is a lockit available, the camera operator will love you for this tiny and light device), but there's no reason it shouldn't work on something bigger. I don't have the official specs, but we used it for a few days on a shoot and it was rock-solid. The ppm figure they gave rivaled that of a lockit, at least that's what I remember. Battery is internal, but maybe Vincent can confirm that it will last a long day easily and it recharges easily off any USB port. I was a bit worried about this, too, but at the price you can just buy a couple and have a replacement on hand should a battery ever die. Output is on Mini jack (not the screw on type), but adapters will be easy to come by. Maybe they will even sell them, I don't know. The mini jack is not perfect, but I seem to remember that this is mostly a cost thing. With the screw-on the whole unit would be much more expensive. Anyway, it works for the ERX crowd. Although that was for the earlier prototype... BTW, I am not affiliated to these guys, although I do know them personally, but it's simply a very cool unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantin Posted September 5, 2014 Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 Oh, and just to reiterate what Vincent said: it comes with software that syncs dailies! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent R. Posted September 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 5, 2014 I am on a production now, we typically jam, thus, power on around 7 or 8 am. After shooting we eat and relax etc... So when I arrive at my hotel room around 10/11 pm I disconnect it to hook it up the charger it is still blinking a happy green light (which means functioning and enough power) so I guess no problems on your typical shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Orusa Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Battery life is 40 hours. So if you forget to charge it you can't just pop another battery in it? I agree with others: forget the wifi and computer stuff and focus on a reliable, easy to use timecode device. Mark O. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent R. Posted September 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Yes Mark, I pointed that out to the makers, though for me the small size and the 40 hour life can be ok. Though, I hope this battery can be replaced over time, if the lifespan has reached it's end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
codyman Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 This would be great for shoots with a lot of DSLR's running around. Use it to jam LTC to the audio track on the cameras and then use Resolve's sync from audio LTC function. Boom! Multicam. Can't beat that price either.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug Beatty Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 Ok small update, you can jam it from your recorder so no need for a laptop there. Didn't work for me yet but will try again later There is a small lipo battery inside, charging via usb. Battery life is 40 hours. The only thing now is you need a computer to set the framerate, but soon there will be a iphone app. Output level you can set as well via the software. Android too? Windows or OSX? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent R. Posted September 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 First iphone later android. Windows and mac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvanstry Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 I believe that a screw on 3.5mm is a must, huge no go for a lot of people if the connector is not of a locking type of some sort... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 MO: " So if you forget to charge it you can't just pop another battery in it? " and your daily rate is cut in half! PVS: " a screw on 3.5mm is a must, " once again, you can please all of the folks at jwsoundgroup.net, NEVER! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvanstry Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 I think that the jnternal battery is fine as long as it can be replaced in the futur. Buying multiple units is also a great idea. But the locking connector is an absolute must. Not to please people but because something that critical needs a secure connection in order to be safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Constantin Posted September 6, 2014 Report Share Posted September 6, 2014 But the locking connector is an absolute must. Not to please people but because something that critical needs a secure connection in order to be safe.And yet, many here use the ERX with a non-locking connector with great success, apparently. The makers did use high quality Neutrik sockets, though, which are supposed to be particularly tight fitting. The camera side will most likely also feature a non-locking connector... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pvanstry Posted September 7, 2014 Report Share Posted September 7, 2014 I disagree with Zaxcom decision to go with non locking connector. Any serious camera will have a locking connector ( BNC-Lemo ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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