Timecode is not the same as synchronization. It refers to a unique number given to each frame. This collection of devices will help researchers in the synchronization of their data. It is from the broadcast industry so expect the manuals, FAQs, and other documentation to be tailored to that use. The LockIt devices are highly accurate (within 1 frame within 24 hours) and are active in their adjustments in order to avoid drift so they work with very long data captures.?
Device Collection
LockIt?
- Timecode and sync generator
- We have one of these
- NP-50 battery approximately 17 hours
- USB-C cable to charge
- Two push-pull connectors: ACN (outputs Timecode & Metadata) and Sync (outputs Timecode & Sync)
LockIt Nano
- Timecode generator
- We have 6 of these
- Built in Li battery that can last up to 24 hours
- microUSB cable to charge
LockIt Slate Take 2
- Timecode slate and display
- Can use stand alone or with the networked system
- We have one of these
- Uses 4 AA batteries that can last up to 24 hours
- USB-C cable to power
Cables
- Used to connect LockIT devices to other tech
- 4 to BNC
- 4 to TRS (minijack)
- 4 to XLR-3M?
Device Modes
ACN
ACN stands for the proprietary wireless Ambient communication and synchronization network used for LockIt devices. It has built in web access, allows for wireless remote control, and metadata communication. The ACN utilizes an extremely reliable, proprietary 2.4GHz ? network with 16 selectable channels for communication to minimize lag and interference with other radio sources. All gathered information is buffered until it is successfully received and stored.
Within the ACN there is always one Lockit device acting as timecode transmitter, broadcasting timecode and frame rate to the Receivers. You can choose
between C-Jam, TX and Single Jam Mode. Note: The NanoLockit can act as Single Jam or TX transmitter - and it can recieve a C-Jam signal by a C-Jam Transmitter (Lockit or LockitSlate ).
For more information on the network itself read the FAQ
C-Jam
Continuous Jam?(C-Jam) is a sophisticated software algorithm developed by Ambient that is used to keep Lockit timecode generators 100% accurate via our wireless network ACN, even over very long periods of time. In C-Jam Mode we utilize our ACN network to completely prevent any drift. In this mode one Lockit device acts as a C-Jam Master. It sends a pulse through the ACN every six seconds to constantly align with all other Lockit boxes. Note: only one device can be c-jam master at a time
- Start the unit as C-Jam Master (LockIt or Slate not Nano) press and hold Green button, then tap the Power button
- Press and hold Green to confirm the timecode and start the C-Jam
- The icon on the display will switch to M.
- All other Lockits (that are on the same ACN channel) will now automatically follow the C-Jam Master and display an ACN icon at the lower right of the display.
- Lockit devices that are powered up at a later point in time will automatically follow the C-Jam Master and set their timecode and frame rate accordingly.
TX?
The Transceiver (TX) Mode basically works like the C-Jam Mode, with the difference that the TX Master receives start/stop timecode and frame rate from an external source via LTC or Midi.?
- Start the unit as TX Master press and hold Red, then tap Power.
- On the display you will see TX appear.
- The TX master will automatically adapt its speed to the LTC-in timecode source and broadcast the external source’s TC start and stop via ACN to all other Lockits. They will display an ACN icon at the lower right of the display.
- As soon as the external source stops sending timecode to the TX Master, the timecode on all Lockits will freeze, and they will start flashing yellow. As soon as the timecode starts running again, they’ll flash green again.
Single Jam
In Single-Jam Mode you can send a one-time pulse through the ACN to sync all Lockit devices. From then on, each Lockit continues to run autonomously. This is perfectly fine for most occasions, as our Lockit devices are highly accurate and drift less than a frame within 24 hours.
- To power up just long-press Power. All Lockit devices in this mode can send and receive a Single Jam.
- Choose one of your Lockits and press Green for 3 seconds until the green LED lights up twice. This way timecode and frame rate gets broadcasted to the other Lockit boxes in the same ACN channel.
- Note: Once a Lockit device is turned off the timecode generator stops. After turning on again you must perform the Single Jam again. That’s why we recommend C-Jam Mode over Single Jam Mode, as it completely eliminates drift and is more convenient to use.
Logging
You can use your NanoLockit both as a Timecode Generator AND a Live Logger. The goal of the Logging feature is to mark good and bad clips (or several parts of a clip) directly on set. This can save loads of time in post-production.
Logging basically works by pressing the green or the red button, meaning “good” and “bad”. The Markers are locally stored on the NanoLockit as a .markers file that can be downloaded via a USB connection to your computer.
The NanoLockit Logger Software for Windows or Mac OS enables you to download your logs from the NanoLockit. You just connect the device, open the software, and click download markers. From there you can save the .markers file locally. Remember to download the file after using because the timestamps might overlap if there are multiple days of data.?
Buttons and Display
Turn On: Press and hold Power until LED lights green to start unit.
Turn Off: Press and hold Power for 5 seconds until power off menu appears. Confim shutdown with Power.
Access Menu (LockIT and Slate): While the unit is running you can access the menu by pressing Red & Green simultaneously.
The menu is structured like a list. Via?○ Red?(down) or?○ Green?(up)?you can navigate to the desired menu item and select it (by tapping?○ Red?&?○ Green?simultaneously).
Now tap?○ Red?to decrease or?○ Green?to increase a parameter?value.?Tap?○ Red?&?○ Green?simultaneously to confirm?and proceed. Tap Power to cancel or to leave the menu.
Applied settings will be persistent over a reboot until reset or changed
Graphical Menu Options Lockit
- Project Rate: 23.98 / 24 / 25 / 29.97 / 29.97 DROP / 30 / 47.95 / 48 / 50 / 59.94 / 59.94 DROP / 60 FPS
- Sync Output: off / P / PsF / i / 48 kHz / 96 kHz / 192 kHz
- ACN Channel: 11 – 26 / off
- TC Start Preference: RTC / RTC-12 / zero / one / manual
- LED Brightness: 1 – 10
- TC Out Level: -68 / -58 / -50 / -6 / 0 / +6 dB
- Auto Power
Graphical Menu Options LockitSlate Take 2
- Project Rate: 23.98 / 24 / 25 / 29.97 / 29.97 DROP / 30 / 47.95 / 48 / 50 / 59.94 / 59.94 DROP / 60 FPS
- ACN Channel: 11 – 26 / off
- TC Start Preference: zero / one / manual
- Show Userbits (UB) on Clap: off / 1s auto / 1s – 20s
- Show Clapped TC: off / 1s – 20s
- Show Running TC: off / 1s – 20s / infinite
- LED Brightness: 1 – 15
- Auto Power
Reset: When switched off, press and hold Red & Green simultaneously to perform a factory reset of the Lockit Module.
Slate Settings
- On closing the slate the clapped timecode will be displayed for 1 second, then userbits for 1 second, and finally the display module shows the clapped timecode for 5 seconds.
- On the display menu you may customize parameters to display information such as running TC
- Opening clapper turns on display and you can flip the slate upside down and it will automatically rotate
LED Blink Codes
Example Use Case
From Ambient website here
Computer or audio recorder and a camera using two NanoLockits
Start NanoLockits in TRX mode: push the red button and tap the power button.
Connect a NanoLockit with the player. You can use the TC-Out or MIDI-USB. If you use timecode on audio track use the audio or headphone output. The device is now a TC transmitter, when the piece is playing and the timecode is running, the NanoLockit will recognize the device and start flashing green.
Connect a NanoLockit with the camera. With DSLR cameras, TC is recorded on the audio track, so you need to adjust the audio level. First, the sensitivity regulator must be set to 50%, then you reduce the TC level of the NanoLockit by holding the green button and repeatedly tapping on the red button until the signal reaches -20dB or half of the modulation.
Via ACN technology the timecode is now transmitted to the other NanoLockit to the camera, as soon as it blinks green the record can be started.
Important hint:?The playback device must always start ahead of every take so that the timecode is in place when the camera starts rolling.
Helpful Tricks
Good to Know: Plug and Play Timecode
Instead of using the graphical menu of the Lockit (pressing Red & Green simultaneously) – feed in timecode and frame rate externally. Just plug one Lockit to the TC Out port of another device (e.g. your sound recorder) and it’s automatically set and ready to sync – without any additional apps.
Just plug the Lockit to the TC Out port of another device (e.g. your Sound Recorder) and it will automatically take over timecode and frame rate.
This only works if no Single Jam has been sent - or a C-Jam / TX Master is active in the ACN channel. Indicated by the LED flashing red and green alternately.
If the device is already jammed and you attach an external timecode source, you can enter the “Compare Screen”. This displays a potential timecode drift between external source and your Lockit
Specifications and Additional Information
Manuals
Software Tutorials
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