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Redesigned FUZE Ti Timecode Slate!


George Tsai

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Here we go again! 

 

Pre-Orders available now on our website at http://www.FUZETi.com! Pre-orders will end April 30th and will not be accepting any orders after that!

 

Nearly a year after the first Kickstarter campaign we're finally ready to try again with the new design:-) Keep an eye out here for the link on Monday the 19th, 12:00PM PST. Link to the Kickstarter Campaign! :https://www.kickstar...-timecode-slate

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9oXk7bziYw

 

In the meanwhile, the website has also been redesigned with what you can expect from us after the campaign. http://www.fuzeti.com/

 

The new slate has been redesign and improved based on feedback from those who have used the first slate. The new timecode generator can be used by itself or coupled with clapper and panel. It is also designed to lower tooling cost and initial fund down to just $34,000 to get everything made. For our Kickstarter, one complete slate will start at $600.00 USD and standalone display generator at $450. After the campaign is complete the retail price will become $699.99 USD and $499.99 respectively.

 

Features:  

- Timecode generator supports frame rates of: 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 29.97DF, 30, and 30DF 
- Drift between devices is less than one frame (~35ms) every 24 hours 
- Sync from other timecode devices (Runs on internal clock after jamming) 
- Jam or run off of an external timecode generator 
- Worry free rain or shine with Water Resistance (IP 55) 
- Standard 5-pin timecode input/output 
- 1/4" TRS timecode input/output 
- Easy to adjust display brightness knob 
- 16 hour run time with display continuously lit on maximum with 4 AA batteries (Batteries not included), or run indefinitely off of an external power source DC 5-16V. 
- Display can be removed from panel and clapper for standalone operation.
- Solid wood clapper sticks makes a clear and sharp snap. 
- Solid and sturdy construction. The front panel is made of steel and powder-coated with white dry-erasable surface. The display module is black injection-molded ABS plastic and houses the electronics.

Display only: 8.5"W x 2.1"H x 1.75"D, 12oz

Display with Panel: 8.5"W x 6.5"H x 1.5"D, 33oz

 

Extra sealing upgrade will allow you to take the display into shallow waters. Included will be a sealing cap for the 5-pin Lemo port. We won't be able to test up to IP66 rating with 3D printed parts, so final rating will not be available until production models are made.

 

BNC available as a post-production mod, this option will not be weatherproof.

 

Products available after Kickstarter Campaign:
 
- Convenient LED front lit panel
- Larger user swappable slate panel for front boxes

 

Many many special thanks to Adrian Zaw, Bao Quang Pham, Kenneth Ho, Kyle Portman, Helen Kim, Nate Votran, Lily Pham, Nam Luong, and Sourita Siri for being part of building this Kickstarter campaign. 

My personal website can be found at http://www.gtsai.com, as well as my linkedin profile at http://www.linkedin.com/in/piman

 

All of the attached photos are of the prototype and as such the texture of the 3D printed enclosure is pretty rough. The final injection molded product will have a smooth finish.

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Impressive. The removable display and waterproofing look like great ideas. Very good pricepoint too. Kudos.

I like how the slate easily stands up on the 'L' shape, however I must say that for me the sharp corners and the powdercoat are not ideal. As seen in the drop test I can imagine that getting scratche pretty quickly or the leading edge bent.

Good work anyway.

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Connectors on the back could be an issue as some of us mount the display on the front of the sound bag.  The Betso allows easy mounting of the display since the connectors are on the ends.

 

Just a thought.

 

David

 

There is only one input/output on the side and that's the 1/4" TRS phono plug, having most of the holes on the backside was a necessary sacrifice to lower the cost of manufacturing. By not having to have side pullouts in the injection molding process (like the first design), it cut the cost of tooling down to 1/4 of what it used to be:-P

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Ran low temperature test with display on at dimmest setting in 18ºF temperature compared to one running at 70ºF. Previous attempt was using Duracell batteries in which the freezing temperaturebrought the batteries down to 0 Volts only after a couple of hours. This time around I had Energizer batteries and they are performing much better. 

 

After 12 hours we've drifted just under half a frame compared with the one running at 70ºF. The batteries lasted about 16 hours before display became too dim to be useful. 

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Many Thanks to those that have already backed our Kickstarter Campaign:-) We have completed the first week with 28% of our goal funded, however we still need your help to reach the goal of $34,000 by Feb, 18th:-) Going into production would not be possible without your support. So please help us by continuing to share with your friends and fellow filmmakers to make affordable timecode devices a reality:-)
 
Please ask us any questions you may have, and we'd love to hear your thoughts and comments on our campaign and development. There are several ways to contacting us in addition to this forum, our website at http://www.FUZETi.com,Email:  info@fuzeti.com, Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FUZETi), or Reduser (http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?126839-Redesigned-FUZE-Ti-Timecode-Slate!)
 
 
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Thanks again and have fun!
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As we close out the second week of our campaign with Super Bowl Sunday (those of you in the US hehe), we are inching along up to 31% funded. Halfway through the campaign with $23,139 to go, we need your help and support to reach the goal:-) The prototypes are all manufactured here in the USA and hand assembled. Production run unit will have PCB made in Sunnyvale with both panel and plastic injection molding are done right here in San Diego:-) The clapper sticks are made in Maine.

Enjoy the game and the awesome ads, I will:-)

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Special thanks to Tyler Faison for taking his time to put this Q&A together. And yes I know I need work on my communication skills in front of the camera:-P Check out his web blog and the video here:http://blog.texassoundguy.com/2015/02/q-with-george-tsai-fuze-ti-timecode.html

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYknNhnaFzI

 

The kickstarter campaign still going on at:https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/466895479/fuze-ti-fdc-timecode-slate

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Here is a video going over the basic functions and operations of the FDC Timecode Generator. The batteries on the display was very low when I filmed it so it is not as bright as it would normally be.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQ2AfJsGqZQ

 

There will be a quick reference card on the back of every panel. 
 
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We only have 12 days left to raise $23,000! Please continue to help us reach the campaign goal and make affordable smartslates possible:-) There won't be a third attempt!
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Thank you for your support Olle:-)

 

My only concern is that the shipping costs outside USA are huge (120$), IMMO this is a big drawback for buy one.

 

Yes I agree that it is pretty high. Unfortunately most of Europe the cost is actually closer to $150 with both Fedex and UPS, so I will be absorbing some of that cost. Wish there was a cheaper shipping option myself. 

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On the other hand that fee wouldn't be any less if you buy a denecke slate for example. An ambient would be shipped from Europe but this one is still cheaper. And for me the development of new tools and new players is important and I like to support that if I can. My thinking is that if this product is released chances are there'll be dealers eventually buying into it and might be able to repair of necessary and so forth. Why not support it? The only risk I'm taking is that I might be charged a sum of money I probably would've bought another smart slate for anyway. If the campaign doesn't go through then I haven't lost anything. The greater goal is to have more tools and developers. It will eventually lead to other great products and services. And in that sense that's a pretty small fee then.

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Connectors on the back could be an issue as some of us mount the display on the front of the sound bag. The Betso allows easy mounting of the display since the connectors are on the ends.

Just a thought.

David

I've noticed with gear like that, rear connectors, it can actually offer an opportunity for mounting on a bag. Make a small hole in fabric and plug in from behind. It holds there. (Testing required)..

Great videos! Nice work on the slate.

Offer more early bird specials! you will get there.

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Thanks Bill:-)

 

I've noticed with gear like that, rear connectors, it can actually offer an opportunity for mounting on a bag. Make a small hole in fabric and plug in from behind. It holds there. (Testing required)..

Great videos! Nice work on the slate.

Offer more early bird specials! you will get there.

 

That could work pretty well actually, both the Lemo and DC power are locking connectors so having both connected could make it pretty stable:-)

 

hehe wish I could offer more early bird prices:-P

 

 

Would anyone like to share the 2X slate package? 575 each.

 

 

Great for international backers, saves on shipping too!

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Thank you for your support Olle:-)

Yes I agree that it is pretty high. Unfortunately most of Europe the cost is actually closer to $150 with both Fedex and UPS, so I will be absorbing some of that cost. Wish there was a cheaper shipping option myself.

Check USPS, for international packages to some countries they are actually a LOT cheaper, and still offer tracking etc.

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I have checked USPS and it is definitely cheaper. Saves about $50.

 

However, I tend to stay away from USPS when shipping valued packages. I've had problems here and there with shipment across all carriers, but I've had the most occurrences with USPS and they are the most difficult to solve the problems with.  And that was for domestically shipped items:-P

 

If that really is a deal breaker for someone, I suppose I can make it an option to offer the difference as a refund?

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