Instruction manual

Version: 100505 VTC-4000 INSTRUCTION MANUAL Page 8 of 27
SYNCHED LOOPING
Ganged VTRs may be looped continuously using the SYNC LOOP feature. Once enabled using the CUEING
ITEMS, SYNC LOOP MODE menu, double-tapping the PLAY key causes synched looping to commence. The
currently selected VTR or ganged VTRs first cue to the preroll point, then synch during the preroll period, then
play until the OUT point is reached, at which point the process repeats. If any enabled VTR fails to synch, a
retry will occur unless another option is set using the RECORD SETUP, EDIT RETRY menu. If out of synch
playback is preferable to aborted playback, the NOSYNC: REC ANWY choice should be used. Looping starts
at the preroll point, so if preroll is not desired you must set the IN point to the desired beginning point plus the
preroll duration. Preroll can be changed using the RECORD SETUP, SET PREROLL menu item. Zero preroll
will not work. Timecode display can be made to show remaining time until the end of loop (OUT) by enabling
the TIME CODE ITEMS, PLAY/REC DISP menu item.
THE TIMELINE
Operations that involve synching VTRs such as edits, synched playback and multiple VTR cueing use a “timeline”.
The timeline is a timecode counter within the RM-4000 to which all VTRs are synched. There is only one timeline
in the system, so if another timeline operation is attempted while one is already in process, the TIMELINE
RUNNING error appears. Once the preroll duration has passed when performing synched playback, the timeline is
released and the VTRs continue to roll on their own, so another timeline operation may then be used.
PERSONALITY REGISTERS
The VTC-4000 is equipped with ten personality registers. There are many user adjustable settings in the system,
most of which can be stored in personality registers. Saved personality configuration data are protected by an error
detection value. When the unit is reset, even if a Cold Boot (see below) is performed, Any personality registers that
check out OK are preserved. Once you have configured the unit for how you like to work, you can store the
configuration in a personality register, and name it as you desire. You can recall a register anytime in the future to
restore operation to the way you like it. See the PERSONALITY REGS menu for more information.
SETTING TIMECODE VALUES
Timecode values for events and menu settings are entered using the numeric keypad. When you first begin setting
a register, its existing value is shown on the display. As you enter the first digit, the display is reset to zeros and
the key’s value shows as units of frames (or as units of seconds when setting registers that do not use frames).
Each digit entered shifts the displayed digits to the left, the LEFT arrow key backspaces 1 digit (shifts digits right).
The HOME, SETUP, UP and MARK keys cancel the operation, leaving the register unchanged. The ENTER key
replaces the register with the displayed timecode numbers. The UP/DOWN arrow keys act the same as ENTER
except they “trim” the register value instead. The UP arrow key (trim up) adds the displayed timecode numbers to
the existing register value. The DOWN arrow key (trim down) subtracts the displayed timecode numbers from the
existing register value.
GENERAL PURPOSE INPUTS (GPI)
General purpose inputs are provided on the RM-4000 that allow VTRs to be controlled by simple contact closures.
The GPI connector is a DB15F (15 pin subminiature ‘D’ female). Pins 1-10 control VTRs 1-10 respectively; pin 15
is ground. The GPI input pins are active low with a threshold of approximately +2.5 volts, are pulled up to +5 volts
through 10K resistors, and can withstand continuous externally applied voltages ranging from -25 to +35 volts.
Normally (see GPI BACKSPACE EDITING), activating (bringing low) any combination of pins 1-10 will send Play
commands to any combination of VTRs within a frame of going active. The GPI must be active (low) for at least 1
frame to guarantee that a Play command will be sent.
GPI BACKSPACE EDITING
GPIs can be caused to control recording instead of playback by enabling GPI backspace editing (see GPI EDIT
ENABLE). When enabled, a sustained active (low) GPI begins a recording or edit which ends when the GPI goes
inactive (high). The first recording begins at the location that the VTR is parked when the GPI is received. If
editing is enabled, a two second preroll for the next edit is performed when an edit is ended so subsequent edits