Instruction manual

Version: 100505 VTC-4000 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Page 7 of 27
VTR SELECTION
The F1-F10 VTR Selection keys directly select any of the ten VTRs connected to the RM-4000 as the “current”
VTR; the selected VTR is indicated by a solidly lit green (left hand) LED above the key. Commands are sent only
to that VTR. A double-tap of any F-key enters the gang mode, indicated by one or more flashing green LEDs. In
the gang mode, more than one VTR can be selected. There are 10 gangs, each selected by double-tapping an F-
key, each including any combination of one or more VTRs. The event number last used with a particular gang is
recalled along with the gang. The VTR belonging to the F-key used need not be included in the gang.
While in the gang mode, hold HOME and tap F1-F10 to add/remove VTRs to/from the gang. There are two types
of VTRs in a gang, the master and the slaves, all considered “enabled” when the gang is selected. The master is
indicated by its green LED flashing with a long duty-cycle (on longer than off) and is considered the “current” VTR.
Slaves are indicated by their green LEDs flashing with a short duty-cycle (off longer than on). To change a slave
into the master, single-tap a slave’s VTR select key, the old master becomes a slave. The master can’t be
removed from a gang until it is changed into a slave by the above process. The main difference between a master
and a slave is that the VTR STATUS display always shows timecode and status from the master VTR. Also, if
while editing, some VTRs are set to open ended edit modes and others are set to normal (insert or assemble) edit
modes, that aspect of the edit is taken from the master. If the master is Record Inhibited, then if any slaves are set
to an open ended edit mode, the edit will be performed open ended.
While in the gang mode, transport commands including edits are sent to the master and all slaves. A cue
command will cause each VTR to be cued to its respective IN point within the current event, even if they differ.
Exit the gang mode by tapping an F-key with its green LED off, or by again double-tapping the gang’s F-key.
GANG NOTES:
Double-tap F1-F10 to enter the gang mode.
Hold HOME and tap F1-F10 to add/remove VTRs to/from the gang.
Tap a slaves F-key (short flash) to make it the master (long flash) and therefore display its TC and status.
Exit the gang mode by tapping an F-key with its green LED off, or by double-tapping the gang’s F-key.
RE-SYNCH AND AUTO RE-SYNCH
All ganged VTRs can be restored to frame accurate synchronization with respect to the current event at any
time by double-tapping the STOP key. To accomplish this, the offset between the master's current timecode
and its IN point is calculated and each slave is cued to its IN point plus this offset. Drop frame is taken into
account individually for all machines. Note that the slave VTRs are always cued to field 1, even if the master
VTR is parked on field 2.
Unless disabled in the AUTO RESYNCH menu, all ganged VTRs are automatically re-synched when Jog,
Shuttle, or Play motion has stopped. Auto re-synch is enabled after a manual re-synch, CUE, or PREROLL is
used in gang mode, or a gang mark (double-mark) is set (see MARK ALL VTRS' TIMECODE). It is disabled
whenever the gang mode is entered by a double-tap of an F-key and whenever an edit is in process. If auto re-
synch is desired after reentering a gang, double-tap the STOP key.
SYNCHED PLAYBACK
To cause the ganged VTRs to playback in synch, first execute a Cue or Preroll command. A subsequent tap of
PLAY before any other key will cause the VTRs to roll in synch, VTRs will be slowed down or speeded up
during the preroll duration to cause all ganged VTRs to achieve synch. If synch is not achieved by the end of
the preroll duration, an abort will occur and all VTRs will re-cue and try again (see EDIT RETRY for other
options). Marking timecode while in the gang mode will mark current VTR timecode into only the master's time
register. Double-tapping the MARK key first increments to the next event, then simultaneously copies all ten
VTRs' timecode into their respective timecode registers within the new event. Holding ENTER while tapping the
MARK key first increments to the next event, then marks the currently selected VTR's timecode and sets all
other VTRs' IN points to maintain the same synch relationship that existed in the previous event. This is
accomplished by calculating the difference between the current VTR's timecode and the old event's IN point for
that VTR, then adding this offset to the other VTRs' IN points from the old event. IN points may be copied from
one VTR to others by holding the ENTER key while tapping VTR select keys (F1 - F10).