Unitor Synchronization settings

Unitor Synchronization settings

Unitor Synchronization settings are only available when Advanced Editing is selected in Advanced preferences.

You can use these settings to edit the major synchronization parameters for the Unitor8 MIDI interface.

Figure. Unitor Synchronization settings.

  • SMPTE Mode buttons:You can instruct the Unitor8 to read or write SMPTE data.

    • Read: Select to read SMPTE data.

    • Generate: Select to write SMPTE data.

  • SMPTE Mode Refresh checkbox:Activates Refresh mode, where fresh timecode is generated, in sync with received timecode. Refresh mode works with both VITC and LTC (see below). You should always use Refresh mode whenever you need to copy an LTC track, because you can’t directly copy LTC without a considerable loss of quality. When copying entire multitrack tapes, you should patch all tracks directly, but refresh the timecode track via the Unitor8.

    Note: You should only use Refresh mode if you are copying timecode.

  • SMPTE Type buttons:Define the SMPTE format that you want to use.

    • LTC: Longitudinal (also called Linear) Time Code is written to a tape track.

    • VITC: Vertical Interval (or Vertically Integrated) Time Code is written invisibly to a videotape.

    • Off: No timecode is written.

  • Freewheel slider: You can set the freewheel time (in frames) for LTC and VITC. Specifies how long the synchronizer continues transferring MTC to the sequencer, after timecode ceases to be read. The freewheel parameter affects the SMPTE reader.

    Long freewheel times can maintain synchronization, even if there are dropouts in the timecode, but they also increase the reaction time of Logic Pro after the timecode master stops. In practice, you should set a value that is as large as necessary (for sustained operation), and as small as possible (to reduce waiting times).

  • TV Format pop-up menu:Defines the television format for timecode burn-in.

    • PAL: The video format used in Europe, South America, most Asian and African countries, and Oceania. If you’re working with video in SECAM format (used in France and French-speaking nations in Africa), choose PAL.

    • NTSC: The video format used in the U.S., Central America, Japan, and Canada.

  • VITC Line 1 and VITC Line 2 pop-up menus:VITC is written into two lines of the video picture, which are normally invisible. The lines should not be adjacent, and are usually situated between 12 and 20.

    If the Scan option is selected, the VITC lines are automatically recognized. You should only enter the lines manually if there are problems with Scan mode.

  • Visible Timecode Display: Size pop-up menu:Sets the size of the timecode counter window, which is burned in to the video picture.

  • Visible Timecode Display: Style pop-up menu:Sets the style of the timecode counter window, which is burned in to the video picture.

  • Horizontal Position and Vertical Position sliders:Sets the position of the timecode counter window, which is burned in to the video picture.