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Special Functions
Multicamera: Shooting Tips
Improvised Multicamera
If it isn’t possible to link the TC generators of the cameras being used, synchronization will have to be
done manually. To simplify the process, note the following:
 Record on tapes of the same length. All cameras should have enough battery power to record the
event in one go. Every time you change a tape or battery, you lose synchronicity.
 When recording events where a tape or battery change cannot be avoided (such as theater or
sporting events), schedule the changes for each camera beforehand. Only one camera should be
temporarily out of operation at any one time.
 Sync point: If the recording does not include any “natural”, obvious audio or video events, you
can, for example, use a clapper, set off a flash, clap your hands or simultaneously film the same
digital clock with all the cameras.
 There is no guarantee that HDV/DV camcorders will run exactly in sync over a longer period of
time, especially if you use different makes and models. After a certain period of time, you may
have to establish a new sync point.
 White balance: White balance the cameras to the same white object before recording. Otherwise
each camera will provide a different rendering of „white“. Deactivate automatic white balance.
 Use cameras that are as alike as possible to achieve a uniform visual impression. Best of all, use
identical camera models.
 Make sure that one camera records the master sound, preferably without interruption and,
depending on the event, directly from a mixing console.
Professional Multicamera
Professional video cameras usually provide the option of linking your built-in timecode generators so
that an identical TC is written to the different tapes.
For live recording using multiple recorders, a TC generator is employed that supplies all the recording
devices with identical TC data.
If you have tapes from these types of sources, you can digitize them in the Logging Tool as Camera1 to
Camera16 (maximum).