User guide

MOTU SMPTE CONSOLE
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auto-detect and switch to the incoming frame rate,
except that it cannot distinguish between 30 fps
and 29.97 fps time code, or 23.976 and 24 fps time
code. So if you are working with either of these
rates, make sure you choose the correct rate from
this menu.
READER SECTION
The Reader section (on the left-hand side of the
window in Figure 11-1) provides settings for
synchronizing the UltraLite-mk3 to SMPTE time
code.
Status lights
The four status lights (Tach, Clock, Address and
Freewheel) give you feedback as follows.
Tach
The Tach light blinks once per second when the
UltraLite-mk3 has successfully achieved lockup to
SMPTE time code and SMPTE frame locations are
being read.
Clock
The Clock light glows continuously when the
UltraLite-mk3 has successfully achieved lockup to
an external time base, such as SMPTE time code or
the S/PDIF input.
Address
The Address light glows continuously when the
UltraLite-mk3 has successfully achieved lockup to
SMPTE time code.
Freewheel
The Freewheel light illuminates when the
UltraLite-mk3 is freewheeling address (time code),
clock or both. For details about Freewheeling, see
“Freewheel Address” and “Freewheel clock” below.
SMPTE source
Choose the analog input that is connected to the
time code source. This is the input that the
UltraLite-mk3 “listens” to for time code.
Freewheel Address
Freewheeling occurs when there is a glitch or
drop-out in the incoming time code for some
reason. The UltraLite-mk3 can freewheel past the
drop-out and then resume lockup again as soon as
it receives readable time code. Choose the amount
of time you would like the UltraLite-mk3 to
freewheel before it gives up and stops altogether.
The UltraLite-mk3 cannot freewheel address
without clock. Therefore, the Freewheel Address
setting will always be lower than or equal to the
Freewheel Clock setting, and both menus will
update as needed, depending on what you choose.
Keep in mind that freewheeling causes the system
to keep going for as long as the duration you choose
from this menu, even when you stop time code
intentionally. Therefore, if you are starting and
stopping time code frequently (such as from the
transports of a video deck), shorter freewheel
times are better. On the other hand, if you are
doing a one-pass transfer from tape that has bad
time code, longer freewheel times will help you get
past the problems in the time code.
The ‘Infinite’ freewheel setting
The Infinite freewheel setting in the Freewheel
Address menu causes the UltraLite-mk3 to
freewheel indefinitely, until it receives readable
time code again. To make it stop, click the Stop
Freewheeling button.
Freewheel clock
Freewheeling occurs when there is glitch or
drop-out in the incoming SMPTE time code for
some reason. The UltraLite-mk3 can freewheel
past the drop-out and then resume lockup again as
soon as it receives a stable, readable clock signal.