Cujo Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 Thanks for that Mark. Hard to see from the photos if there is anything that needs access on the top. Nope. We put boxes there a lot. - I always ask first if there isn't velcro there already, but the universal answer is "on top by the handle." Side note--- The menu system is very intuitive for selecting sound input and channel assignments. So too, is the TC menu. You'll love it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cujo Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 About to do my first Alexa shoot next week. I'll send an audio scratch wireless via a Sennheiser G2 (getting a 5 pin xlr - 3.5mm made up). Has anyone had luck finding space to mount a receiver on the Alexa? Is there a cold shoe mount? Velcro on the side maybe?? Cheers 'Nuther note---- Get a 90* 5 pin and the camera guys will love you. A straight 5 pin connector just gets all kinds of in the way and messes with connecting some of the goodies that camera guys want... Or as an alternative.. We made one by being handy and cautious with a Dremel tool. Carefully cut a good bit of length from straight 5 pin, make your connections, then fill with epoxy and you will have a wicked strong adapter for very few dollars. If you like, I'll post a pic in the DIY section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 About to do my first Alexa shoot next week. I'll send an audio scratch wireless via a Sennheiser G2 (getting a 5 pin xlr - 3.5mm made up). Has anyone had luck finding space to mount a receiver on the Alexa? Is there a cold shoe mount? Velcro on the side maybe?? Cheers I make these universal Alexa connectors and you can plug anything into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 If the AC doesn't have some widget or cheese-plate thing they want me to mount to the SBT usually goes on with velcro at the place on the dumb side of the camera where it "humps out" rearward of the display. As I mentioned in another thread, we seem to have gone from everyone thinking that the Alexa is fine syncwise on its own, just jam it and let it run on internal sync+TC, to running it with at least EXT TC all the time, if not EXT TC and EXT SYNC, like other cameras. This from the recent batch of ACs and DITs I work with (who include Alexa owners). phil p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Hayter Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 I make these universal Alexa connectors and you can plug anything into it. I might steal that design Eric How long do you make them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old school Posted September 7, 2012 Report Share Posted September 7, 2012 I have one like Eric's made by Forrest at Coffey Sound. The right angle is great except when used on an Alexa from Panavision. That system has a bracket that wont let the 5 pin work. CrewC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric Toline Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 I might steal that design Eric How long do you make them? 24" tip to tip. I also make Alexa breakaways for 8 pin Neutricon & 10 pin Hirose snakes with a HP return. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 If the AC doesn't have some widget or cheese-plate thing they want me to mount to the SBT usually goes on with velcro at the place on the dumb side of the camera where it "humps out" rearward of the display. That does drive me crazy when they don't have a mounting plate. I was sorely tempted to buy one, except that 1) it's not my department, and 2) it's a lot more money than I care to spend. These guys really, really should consider that the cameras have to work in the real world where video monitors, video transmitters, audio receivers, and timecode jam boxes all have to get nailed to the camera. This is a real clusterfu@# when it's a tiny, weird camera like the Canon C300 or EOS-7D. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent R. Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 'Nuther note---- Get a 90* 5 pin and the camera guys will love you. A straight 5 pin connector just gets all kinds of in the way and messes with connecting some of the goodies that camera guys want... Or as an alternative.. We made one by being handy and cautious with a Dremel tool. Carefully cut a good bit of length from straight 5 pin, make your connections, then fill with epoxy and you will have a wicked strong adapter for very few dollars. If you like, I'll post a pic in the DIY section. Yes please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cujo Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 Yes please! Here you are sir.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vincent R. Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 Yeah sorry, I noticed you already did. Thanks a bunch! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
syncsound Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 That does drive me crazy when they don't have a mounting plate. I was sorely tempted to buy one, except that 1) it's not my department, and 2) it's a lot more money than I care to spend. These guys really, really should consider that the cameras have to work in the real world where video monitors, video transmitters, audio receivers, and timecode jam boxes all have to get nailed to the camera. This is a real clusterfu@# when it's a tiny, weird camera like the Canon C300 or EOS-7D. Agreed. Generally, I don't even fuss with mounting. After jamming, I hand the slate and SB-T to the AC and say "here you go." A few minutes later, I'll peek at the monitor to ensure that the TC ic correct, then walk away. I've tried to mount it myself before, and I've found that camera prefers to do it themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted September 8, 2012 Report Share Posted September 8, 2012 " Is there a cold shoe mount? " no such thing on a professional movie camera... " the RED is owned and rented by the DP. " in many cases either the RED or the DP is deeply discounted. ( maybe the "DP" is a wanna-bee who bought a RED) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted September 9, 2012 Report Share Posted September 9, 2012 I've tried to mount it myself before, and I've found that camera prefers to do it themselves. I love it when the AC asks, "and just where would you like me to put this?" I give him a look and laugh. Usually, I just say, "wherever it works for you, as long as it doesn't stress the cable and it's out of your way. I have extra velcro and straps if you need them." I also check and make sure timecode is jammed OK (and they know how to jam it), and stay to make sure the camera hop sound level is OK (and they know where those settings are in the menu). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BondAudio Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 Richard, do you really have to return the TC setting to INT after jamming it? I left it on EXT for 5 months and jammed without ever changing the menu's with no complaints. Is that specified in the manual? Just did an Alexa shoot today and couldn't get the camera to read my TC (ambient lock it). Wouldn't read Ext TC at all. Any Ideas??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
studiomprd Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 " Any Ideas??? " operator error Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Thomas Posted September 11, 2012 Report Share Posted September 11, 2012 Just did an Alexa shoot today and couldn't get the camera to read my TC (ambient lock it). Wouldn't read Ext TC at all. Any Ideas??? I've had something similar come up before- found the TC frame rate and project TC rate were different (it also doesn't record audio when this happens). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted September 12, 2012 Report Share Posted September 12, 2012 Alexa user manual here: http://www.arri.de/c.../downloads.html Page 102 excerpt: There are many different ways how Timecode can be used in a production. The 2 most common ways are presented as examples. External TC, Time of day • Use: This format is often used on multi-camera productions with sync-sound. The cameras are running on a sync-sound speed, which is also the project frame rate. if done correctly, sound and image time code should match and allow an easy alignment in post. • Setup: The sound department acts as the Time code master, and generates a Timecode which uses the Time of day as a value, and the time base is the project frame rate. 24 hours of time will translate into 24 hours of Time code. This Time code is fed to the camera via the LTC in. The camera must be set to Ext LTC Free Run, and the project fps setting must match both the sensor frame rate and the time base of the external TC signal. Then the camera can either use Jam sync mode, in which it samples the TC value once and then continues counting based on its own high-precision crystal clock, and the TC signal can be disconnected from the camera after jamming. This mode ensures stable time code with an offset of less than 1 frame for 8 hours, after which the camera has to be re-jammed. Or the camera can be set to Regenerate mode, where the camera uses the TC value of the external TC signal. This ensures correct CT for an infinite duration, but the TC signal must remain connected to the camera. • Variations: If the shooting starts close to midnight, the TC might be started with an offset to prevent a rollover at midnight. • Restrictions: Only possible if the camera is running at sync-sound speed. If the camera is over- or under-cranking, the TC frame rate will no longer match the sensor frame rate, so that TC values would either be duplicate or dropped. Due to this reason, the camera will automatically switch to Int TC Regen, when the sensor frame rate is changed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BondAudio Posted September 13, 2012 Report Share Posted September 13, 2012 Hmmm.... Still couldn't get Alexa to read EXT TC. Tried everything but no luck. The AC was out of ideas too. So ended up setting 24hour on the Alexa and jamming on my end. No further problems, but makes me think camera issue?? Can almost rule out operator error (thanks senator......), but you never know. Other than that, great camera to work with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 I'd tell the camera department (nicely) to call the rental house or camera owner, and walk them through the steps on external timecode syncing (or jamming). It can work, and I've done it at least a dozen times with zero problems. Very nice camera, and a good manual, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martijn76 Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 I am on a set now setup like below everything seems fine. Using a 744t as master. Only thing that bothers me a little is i dont see the i or tc flashing? Is that something fw 6.01 does mot do anymore? Also the tc is lagging about a sec? Thanks for your feedback Martijn Alexa Timecode Jam Sequence Date: 2/16/11 Firmware Version: 3.0RC_12575 Menu settings for external jam sync: Source: Ext LTC Mode: Free Run Generator: Jam Sync User bit source: LTC in UB Jam Sequence: 1. Power Camera on, timecode display will begin counting at 00.00.00:00 2. Plug in sync cable (5 pin Lemo) from jam source 3. After approximately 2 seconds, "i" will begin flashing on camera display 4. After approximately 2 more seconds, timecode display will begin flashing and display correct timecode 5. After approximately 2 more seconds, "i" will stop flashing, timecode will continue flashing 6. After approximately 2 more seconds, timecode will stop flashing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundslikejustin Posted September 15, 2012 Report Share Posted September 15, 2012 I am on a set now setup like below everything seems fine. Using a 744t as master. Only thing that bothers me a little is i dont see the i or tc flashing? Is that something fw 6.01 does mot do anymore? Also the tc is lagging about a sec? Thanks for your feedback Martijn Alexa Timecode Jam Sequence Date: 2/16/11 Firmware Version: 3.0RC_12575 Menu settings for external jam sync: Source: Ext LTC Mode: Free Run Generator: Jam Sync User bit source: LTC in UB Jam Sequence: 1. Power Camera on, timecode display will begin counting at 00.00.00:00 2. Plug in sync cable (5 pin Lemo) from jam source 3. After approximately 2 seconds, "i" will begin flashing on camera display 4. After approximately 2 more seconds, timecode display will begin flashing and display correct timecode 5. After approximately 2 more seconds, "i" will stop flashing, timecode will continue flashing 6. After approximately 2 more seconds, timecode will stop flashing The timecode lag of one second is normal, not sure about the flashing 'I' etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 Yes, I have seen a 1 second lag on displayed timecode. All they need to do is play back a test shot and see if the camera timecode precisely matches the slate timecode. I may have been lucky, but all the crews I've run into with Alexas have been very hip and have not needed help jamming code. They did need a little help getting camera hop audio into the inputs, but it only took a minute or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martijn76 Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 thanks the happy client movie it shot on the alexa at the end of the day we used sticks and guess what no offset i am a happy camper! once again it is in dutch cheers martijn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pindrop Posted September 17, 2012 Report Share Posted September 17, 2012 Does anyone know how timecode can be extracted from HD-SDI stream and fed as normal LTC to other devices please? Last time I used an Alexa when it was set to Record Run it did not output that Record Run from the timecode socket. In the manual P113 it says - Timecode on external recorders To guarantee the same Timecode for images that are parallely record internally and exterally, set the external recorder so that it uses the TC embedded in the HD-SDI stream coming from the camera. or possibly from the EXT cable P119? Timecode is also transmitted from the master to the slave via the EXT cable. When a camera has been set to slave, it automatically uses the TC values transmitted via the EXT cable. The TC screen will show "EXT TC from master camera" as TC source, and all options are disabled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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