Specifications

Appendix A: Synchronization 55
Locking Pro Tools to Timecode
You may be asked to lock your live Pro Tools recording to timecode for a video shoot. This section ex-
plains the system requirements, and shows how to connect and configure your live recording system
to accomplish this.
System Requirements
You will need the following to complete this
configuration:
• HDx or MADI-equipped VENUE system
•ProTools|HD
system
•An Avid SYNC peripheral (SYNCHD or
SYNC IO)
• A 75-ohm BNC terminator (included with the
SYNC peripheral)
• DigiSerial cable (8-pin mini-DIN connector to
mini-DIN connector cable, included with
SYNC peripheral)
• Coaxial cables with BNC connectors
• Video ref signal for clock reference
• Linear Time Code (LTC) or Vertical Integrated
Time Code (VITC) for positional reference
Getting Started
Before connecting and configuring for synchro-
nization, you will need the following informa-
tion from the provider of the video ref and time-
code:
• The frame rate of the provided timecode.
• The format of the provided video ref. If an
SD video ref is provided, you need to know
if the format is PAL or NTSC. If an HD
video ref is provided, you need to know the
video reference rate (SYNC HD only).
Overview
To lock Pro Tools to incoming timecode, all sys-
tems must share a common clock reference. In
the following procedures, video ref provides the
common clock to Pro Tools and VENUE via the
SYNC peripheral.
Figure 7. Sync configuration using a SYNC peripheral
SYNC
Mix Rack or
FOH Rack
Pro Tools
HD Core card
DigiSerial cable
Word clock out
to Word Clock In
Avid audio peripheral
Loop Sync Out
To Loop Sync In
Video Production
Peripheral
(optional)
timecode
Video ref