Synchronizing Multiple Camcorders: When I shoot video of an event, I like to use multiple cameras. I use the best sound and coordinate the video from the different cameras. That's a...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

When I shoot video of an event, I like to use multiple cameras. I use the best sound and coordinate the video from the different cameras. That's a real challenge, though, depending on how exact I want to be. I occasionally use a clapboard, but it's not always practical. I thought of getting one that has a digital clock. Amazon offers none, so I looked farther. I found a used one for $900 and a good one for $2,100. So much for that idea.

For my next shoot, I'm going to turn on all the camcorders at the same time. Then I'll put them on tripods and move them to their locations. For more than two cameras, I find volunteer button-pushers.

If you know of hardware or software that synchronizes sight and sound, I'd be glad to hear about it.

delder Loc: Maryland

CCTV Studio Video I did years ago [NTSC] used genlock Cameras to sync crossfades etc.
This was all Hardwired BNC Connected [Or Special Connections for Sony, Panasonic, Etc.]
The studio applications that require this are "Professionally Priced"

JBRIII

This is a swag, but in many experience many devices which trigger something on or off just ground the device. I think this is how at least some hand remotes for cameras work. If such, you might he able to wire one device to all your cameras/camcorders. The one trigger would fire them all at the same time, again need cables and if far apart probably a huge tripping issue and there also goes the camera.

Warning: I blew circuit boards to pieces trying to do this on an instrument at work.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Premier Pro, Davinci Resolve and other "pro" NLEs use the audio tracks to line up the clips. They then have a switcher tool for picking the best tracks. The Premier Pro system works very well. I think the free version of Resolve includes it but I am not sure without checking.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

delder wrote:

CCTV Studio Video I did years ago [NTSC] used genlock Cameras to sync crossfades etc.
This was all Hardwired BNC Connected [Or Special Connections for Sony, Panasonic, Etc.]
The studio applications that require this are "Professionally Priced"

I can't afford what TV studios can afford.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

bsprague wrote:

Premier Pro, Davinci Resolve and other "pro" NLEs use the audio tracks to line up the clips. They then have a switcher tool for picking the best tracks. The Premier Pro system works very well. I think the free version of Resolve includes it but I am not sure without checking.

Thanks for that.

EDITED: Yes, it looks like it can do that. I'll use that next time. I'm finishing one today.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes! DaVinci Resolve. I just watched a video showing how to sync soundtracks. Put them both on the screen and click. DaVinci does the rest. It can do only two at a time, but after syncing the first pair, you keep going and adding more. And I thought my videos were like Titanic - unsyncable. 🤣

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

jerryc41 wrote:

Yes! DaVinci Resolve. I just watched a video showing how to sync soundtracks. Put them both on the screen and click. DaVinci does the rest. It can do only two at a time, but after syncing the first pair, you keep going and adding more. And I thought my videos were like Titanic - unsyncable. 🤣

Yep. Most advanced editing software has that feature.

delder Loc: Maryland

JBRIII wrote:

This is a swag, but in many experience many devices which trigger something on or off just ground the device. I think this is how at least some hand remotes for cameras work. If such, you might he able to wire one device to all your cameras/camcorders. The one trigger would fire them all at the same time, again need cables and if far apart probably a huge tripping issue and there also goes the camera.

Warning: I blew circuit boards to pieces trying to do this on an instrument at work.

RE WARNING:
Yes. In most cases, you have to provide COMPLETELY ISOLATED contacts for EACH Device. Each device may have a different ground/power supply reference. Also, most of these new devices can use a Pull-Up/Pull-Down resistor to reduce current flow.

Audio Example: RDL [Radio Design Labs] makes 2 seperate versions of many of it's modules.
The basic device is specified for ISOLATED Power supply. [One seperate PSU wall pack for each device]
The COMMON Power Supply versions are designed especially to operate from a common power source.

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

Syncing free run or time of day time code on all cams is the easiest way, then load them all in Avid as multicams

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm going to start using DaVinci Resolve. It has loads of features, it can sync sound, and it's free - and, I already have it.

Photorob156 Loc: South Carolina

I shoot videos with multiple cameras a lot. I use Final Cut Pro on a 5K 27” iMac. Final Cut has a feature that creates a multi cam video clip based on matching audio wave forms. In editing, you can see all clips at the same time, and add clips from ant cam with one click. Very fast, very efficient. While not as experienced with alternatives, I know Adobe Premiere and DaVinci Resolve also have this capability.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Photorob156 wrote:

I shoot videos with multiple cameras a lot. I use Final Cut Pro on a 5K 27” iMac. Final Cut has a feature that creates a multi cam video clip based on matching audio wave forms. In editing, you can see all clips at the same time, and add clips from ant cam with one click. Very fast, very efficient. While not as experienced with alternatives, I know Adobe Premiere and DaVinci Resolve also have this capability.

That's a nice feature, and DaVinci can do that. I'll take a look today or tomorrow.

Smitty Blackstone Loc: NY or Jupiter

I think multiple Go pros can be started simultaneously.
My son did a project where he bought some used older go pros and was able to operate them remotely.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Smitty Blackstone wrote:

I think multiple Go pros can be started simultaneously.
My son did a project where he bought some used older go pros and was able to operate them remotely.

I could start multiple camcorders simultaneously, but each camera starts differently, so they would never start recording at the same time. I'll try DaVinci.