User's Guide
82 AatonCode
AatonCodc, Aaton's proprietary in-camera timecode system, is
recorded in the
XTRplus
on the edge of the film between the
perforations
in
bath
matrix and man-rcadablc form. As rccordcd
in thc camera, AatonCode contains a six digit production
ID
, a
SMPTE-compatible
Teal
rime address (full date and rime), a
camera equipment ID and the running speed
of
the body.
Timecode is exposed onto the
film by means of seven micro-
diodes, which flash rapidly
ta
fonn
the code
as
the film roUs
tbrough the gate.
The
intensity
of
the diodes is adjusted
lO
the
fi.lm·s
sensitivi
ty
by
means
of
the camera's ASA knob.
The XTRplus can accept timeeode information in both ASCU
and SMPTE form, and work with all standard timecode deviees.
Because the same time address is running in both the
camera
and
th
e sound recorder.
11.
slate is no longer necded for syncing
pwposes: synchroruzation bccomes fully aucomatie during the
film/tape transfer
or
later post-production stage.
An AalOn device called
Keylink
, which consists
of
eCD
rcader
heads and a PC, and which is owned by the telecine hou se, is
designed
ta
read Keycode and Aatoncode
off
the ftlm during
transfer and correlate this to the continuous video timecode and
ail other eolorist entries for storagc on
ils hard drive. Keylink
ean also ingest sceneltake information and script notes from the
set recorded by means
of
Aalon's
Script
Supt!rvÎSor software.
The faeility can chen supply ail correlated information in
V
ITe
(venical interval !imecode) and/or bum-in windows on the trans-
ferred tape, and aise
on
floppy disk for direct use with non-linear
editing systems, audio workstations and logging programs.
The
XTRplus
con
tains an internai
dock
designed to he initialized
from an outsidc
source and keep accurate time (within a
half
a
frame) for 8 hours.
The
side display
of
lhe camera will flasb
after seven and a
half
heurs
of
running lime to warn that a half
hour remains before re-initialization
Îs
necessary.