SYNC HD Guide

Legal Notices
This guide is copyrighted 2011 by Avid Technology, Inc.,
(hereafter Avid), with all rights reserved. Under copyright laws,
this guide may not be duplicated in whole or in part without the
written consent of Avid.
003, 96 I/O, 96i I/O, 192 Digital I/O, 192 I/O, 888|24 I/O, 882|20 I/O,
1622 I/O, 24-Bit ADAT Bridge I/O, AudioSuite, Avid, Avid DNA,
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Pro Tools, Pro Tools|HD, Pro Tools LE, QuickPunch, Recti-Fi,
Reel Tape, Reso, Reverb One, ReVibe, RTAS, Sibelius, Smack!,
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SYNC I/O, Synchronic, TL Aggro, TL AutoPan, TL Drum Rehab,
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the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other trademarks are
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Product features, specifications, system requirements, and
availability are subject to change without notice.
Guide Part Number 9320-65104-00 REV A 11/11

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Contents
Chapter 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
SYNC Peripheral Features .

...................................................
..........................................
Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
About This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Conventions Used in This Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
About www.avid.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
System Requirements and Compatibility

2
3
4
4
5
5

Chapter 2. Installation and Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

......................................................7
..........................................................9
Synchronization and Timecode Connections to Machines, Decks, and Other Devices . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Software Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Emulating a SYNC I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Configuring a SYNC Peripheral from Pro Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
MachineControl Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Software Configuration for the SYNC Setup Software Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Hardware Connections
MachineControl .

Chapter 3. SYNC Peripheral Hardware and Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
SYNC Setup Software Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
SYNC Peripheral Front Panel
SYNC Peripheral Back Panel

Chapter 4. Using SYNC Peripherals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

........
.......................................
Clock References and Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Positional Reference and Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compensating for Timecode Offsets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Generating & Regenerating Timecode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Generating a Window Dub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sync Status Indicators in the Edit Window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SYNC Peripheral Controls in Pro Tools, SYNC Setup Software Utility, and the Front Panel
Front Panel Generator/Parameter Switches

34
35
36
43
49
49
56
58

Contents

iii

Chapter 5. Additional Operational Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

.......................................
........................................................
Calibrating the SYNC Peripheral Oscillator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Restoring Factory Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Managing and Selecting Video Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front Panel Generator/Parameter Controls
Using Fader Start

59
66
66
68
69

Chapter 6. Additional Synchronization Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

....................................................
............................................................
Auto-Switch LTC/VITC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Digital Clock Signal Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bi-Phase/Tach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pilot Tone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Video and VITC Signals
LTC Signals

71
72
72
73
74
75

Chapter 7. Technical Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Chapter 8. Wiring Diagrams and Pin Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
.........................................................
...............................................
Bi-phase/Tach OptoCoupler Input . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GPI Relay Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GPI (TTL)/MTC Outputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GPI (opto) Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Connector Pin Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SYNC Peripheral Cable Pin Assignments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bi-phase/Tach/GPI/Pilot Port Interfacing Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

85
86
87
88
89
90
91
93
94

1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SYNC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
www.avid.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

95
95
97
97
98
98
98

LTC Connectors

Bi-Phase/GPI/Pilot Pin Diagram

2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
MachineControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
ISYNC /O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Pro Tools SYNC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
MachineControl . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
SYNC Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
iv

SYNC HD Guide

SYNC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
SYNC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
SYNC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
SYNC Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

SYNC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Pro ToolsSYNC Setup SYNC
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SYNC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

149
149
155
156
157
158

6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VITC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LTC/VITC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

161
161
162
162
163
163
164

7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
/GPI/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GPI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GPITTL/MTC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GPI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SYNC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
/ /GPI/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

173
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
181
181

Appendix A. Compliance Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Contents

vi

SYNC HD Guide

Chapter 1: Introduction

This guide covers operation of Avid multipurpose SYNC peripherals (SYNC HD and
SYNC I/O ) for Pro Tools HD software with
Avid HDX , Pro Tools|HD , or HD Native
hardware.
SYNC peripherals support all Pro Tools sample
rates, and synchronize to most major timecode
and clock reference standards used in audio,
video, film, and multimedia production.
SYNC peripherals can also be used as standalone
synchronization devices.
SYNC Peripherals with Pro Tools
Systems
(Avid HDX, Pro Tools|HD, or HD Native
Hardware Required)

With a Pro Tools system with Avid HDX,

Pro Tools|HD, or HD Native hardware, SYNC
peripherals provide highly accurate lock to
timecode. Most SYNC peripheral settings are
available directly from within Pro Tools.

SYNC Peripherals in Standalone Mode

SYNC peripherals can be used as standalone

synchronization converters, timecode generators, clock generators and timecode character
generators. Throughout this guide, the term
standalone refers to systems using a SYNC peripheral, but not using Pro Tools to communicate to the SYNC peripheral.
When used as a standalone device (or in Standalone mode), a SYNC peripheral is connected to
timecode or clock signals, and is configured
from the front panel. Optionally, while in Standalone mode, a SYNC peripheral can be controlled remotely from a Windows computer
using the SYNC Setup software utility.
SYNC Setup Software Utility
(Windows Only)

In standalone mode, a SYNC peripheral

connected to a supported Windows computer
can be controlled using the SYNC Setup software
utility.

Chapter 1: Introduction

SYNC Peripheral Features

Output and Generation

SYNC peripherals support all Pro Tools sample

rates (44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz).

Avid Super Clock (256x sample clock)

The SYNC HD supports both industry standard

SD (standard definition) and HD (high-definition) video reference rates. The SYNC I/O supports SD video reference rates only.

AES/EBU null clock (AES digital black)

SYNC peripherals provide the following features

with Pro Tools:

MIDI Timecode (MTC)

Word Clock (1x sample clock)

VITC (if a video input is present)
LTC

LTC

Dual 9-pin Sony P-2 protocol ports (only one

can be active at a time), for limited serial deck
control with MachineControl software option
for Pro Tools.

VITC

Other Features

Supported Positional Reference Sources

Serial Timecode
Bi-phase/Tach
Supported Clock Reference Sources

Loop Sync
Video Reference
SD reference rates
HD reference rates (SYNC HD only)

Front panel controls and a large LED display

of timecode and parameters
Integrated control from Pro Tools
Timecode Character Generator
Fader start, provided through GPI output, for
remote transport control from select Pro Tools
fader movement

Composite Video Input

Standalone remote control through SYNC

Setup software utility (Windows only)

Word Clock

Field-updatable firmware

AES/EBU (DARS per AES-11 standard)

SYNC I/O Emulation for legacy software

support (SYNC HD only)

Pilot Tone
Internal Crystal
Bi-phase/Tach
LTC

Loop Sync

SYNC HD Guide

Controlling SYNC Peripherals in

Standalone Mode
If you are using a SYNC peripheral in Standalone mode, you can control it with the SYNC
Setup software utility (Windows only), or with
the switches on the front panel of the SYNC
peripheral.
The SYNC Setup software utility (Windows
only) gives you access to all SYNC peripheral
controls. The front panel provides the same controls, except for the following:
Variable Speed Override (VSO)
Window dub parameters: While you can
turn the Window dub on or off from the
front panel, you cannot configure its display parameters without Pro Tools or the
SYNC Setup software utility.
See SYNC Peripheral Controls in
Pro Tools, SYNC Setup Software Utility,
and the Front Panel on page 34.

System Requirements and

Compatibility
SYNC Peripherals with Pro Tools

To use a SYNC peripheral with Pro Tools, the

following is required:
A qualified Pro Tools system with Avid HDX,
Pro Tools|HD, or HD Native hardware
An available DigiSerial port on the systems
core card (HDX, HD Accel Core, HD Core, or
HD Native)
An 8-pin to 8-pin serial cable (included) to
connect the SYNC peripheral to the DigiSerial
port on a Pro Tools core card

If you use a custom serial cable between

Pro Tools and the SYNC peripheral, be sure
the cable supports hardware handshaking.
The maximum supported length for this
cable is 100 ft.
For more information, see Wiring Diagrams and Pin Assignments on page 85.

SYNC Setup Software Utility

(Windows Only)

The optional SYNC Setup software utility requires the following:

A qualified Windows computer.
An available COM port or serial port on the
computer to connect to the SYNC peripheral.
(You cannot run the SYNC Setup software utility through the DigiSerial port on Pro Tools
cards.)
A non-standard 9-pin to 8-pin cable is
required to connect the SYNC peripheral to a
COM port or serial port on a Windows computer. Wiring instructions for making the
required cable are in Chapter 8, Wiring Diagrams and Pin Assignments.
The computer requirements for the SYNC
Setup software utility are different from the
computer requirements for Pro Tools. You
can run the SYNC Setup software utility
from slower Windows computers.
Compatibility Information

Avid can only assure compatibility and provide

support for hardware and software it has tested
and approved.
For complete system requirements and a list of
qualified computers, operating systems, hard
drives, and third-party devices, visit:
www.avid.com/compatibility
Chapter 1: Introduction

Registration

About This Guide

Review the enclosed Registration Information

Card and follow the instructions on it to quickly
register your purchase online. By registering,
you become eligible to receive the following:

This guide assumes:

Technical support information

Software update and upgrade notices
Hardware warranty information

You understand the basics of synchronization and timecode

You know how to operate devices that send
or receive timecode, such as a video deck
You have an understanding of the timecode
requirements for your projects
This Guide covers use of the SYNC HD and the
SYNC I/O with Pro Tools version 10.0 and
higher.
For versions of Pro Tools lower than 7.3, the
SYNC HD can be set to emulate a SYNC I/O.
See our website (www.avid.com) for a version of the SYNC I/O Guide that applies to
your system.

SYNC HD Guide

Conventions Used in This

Guide
All of our guides use the following conventions
to indicate menu choices and key commands:
:

Convention

Action

File > Save

Choose Save from the File

menu

Control+N

Hold down the Control key

and press the N key

Control-click

Hold down the Control key

and click the mouse button

Right-click

Click with the right mouse

button

The names of Commands, Options, and Settings

that appear on-screen are in a different font.
The following symbols are used to highlight
important information:
User Tips are helpful hints for getting the
most from your system.
Important Notices include information that
could affect your data or the performance of
your system.

About www.avid.com
The Avid website (www.avid.com) is your best
online source for information to help you get the
most out of your Pro Tools system. The following are just a few of the services and features
available.
Product Registration Register your purchase

online.
Support and Downloads Contact Avid Customer

Success (technical support); download software

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Cross References point to related sections in
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Chapter 1: Introduction

SYNC HD Guide

Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration

Hardware Connections
The following are the primary hardware connections on a SYNC peripheral:
AC Power
Serial to a DigiSerial port on a Pro Tools core
card (HDX, HD Accel Core, HD Core, or
HD Native), or a serial port on a Windows
computer
Clock to Pro Tools audio interfaces

Serial Connections
Serial to Pro Tools Core Card

Pro Tools systems require a serial connection

between the SYNC peripheral and a Pro Tools
core card.
To connect a SYNC peripheral to a Pro Tools core
card:
1

Make sure power is off on all equipment.

Connect one end of the included serial cable to

the SYNC peripheral Host Serial port.

9-pin to external machines (requires the

Pro Tools MachineControl Software option)
Synchronization, including positional and
clock references to and from remote machines

AC Power

Connect the other end to the DigiSerial port

on your Pro Tools core card.

Do not use the DigiSerial port on any other

Pro Tools card in your system.

SYNC peripheral AC connectors accept a standard AC power cable. SYNC peripherals are auto
power-selecting (100V to 240V) and will automatically work with a standard modular cable to
connect to AC power receptacles in any country.

Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration

Serial Connections in Standalone Mode

for the SYNC Setup Software Utility

To connect a SYNC peripheral to Pro Tools HD

interfaces:

(Windows Only)

To use the optional SYNC Setup software utility

to communicate with a standalone SYNC
peripheral, you need a serial connection from
the SYNC peripheral to a supported Windows
computer. (For compatibility information, see
System Requirements and Compatibility on
page 3.)

Using a BNC cable, connect the Loop Sync Out

of the SYNC peripheral to the Loop Sync In of
your primary HD audio interface.
Using a second BNC cable, connect the SYNC
peripheral Loop Sync In to the Loop Sync Out of
your HD interface.

SYNC peripheral
INTERNALLY
TERMINATED

IN
964530300294856

The SYNC Setup software utility will not

control the SYNC peripheral through the
DigiSerial port.

SERIAL NUMBER
OUT
BI-PHASE / TACH / GPI / PILOT

VIDEO REF

HOST SERIAL

Loop Sync
L
T
C
I
N

VIDEO

L
T
C

Purchase or make the required 9-pin to 8-pin

cable. For wiring details, see SYNC Setup Software Utility Cable on page 93.

Make sure power is off on all equipment.

Connect the SYNC peripheral Host Serial port

to an available serial or COM port on your
computer.

IN

IN
9-PIN OUT 1

O
U
T

I
N

OUT

OUT
WORD CLOCK (1x,256x)

To connect a SYNC peripheral to a Windows

computer for the SYNC Setup software utility:
1

AC 100-240V, 50-60HZ, .5A 30W

A
E
S

A
E
S

O
U
T

MTC OUT

LOOP SYNC

9-PIN OUT 2

HD Interface
Loop Sync connections for SYNC peripheral and HD
interface

When using more than one HD audio interface,

make the SYNC peripheral the first and last unit
in the Loop Sync chain.

SYNC peripheral
INTERNALLY
TERMINATED

IN
964530300294856

Restore power to the SYNC peripheral, and

restart your computer.

SERIAL NUMBER
OUT
BI-PHASE / TACH / GPI / PILOT

VIDEO REF

HOST SERIAL

L
T
C
I
N

VIDEO

MTC OUT

L
T
C
O
U
T

A
E
S
I
N

A
E
S
O
U
T

AC 100-240V, 50-60HZ, .5A 30W

IN

IN
9-PIN OUT 1

OUT

OUT
WORD CLOCK (1x,256x)

9-PIN OUT 2

LOOP SYNC

Clock for Pro Tools

Audio Interfaces
The SYNC peripheral must be connected to all
HD interfaces in the Loop Sync chain.
HD Interfaces

Connecting Loop Sync for Pro Tools HD

Audio Interfaces

SYNC peripherals support Loop Sync, and can

serve as Loop Sync Master. Loop Sync is a dedicated clock loop for synchronizing multiple
Pro Tools HD interfaces (including the SYNC
peripheral).

SYNC HD Guide

Loop Sync in an expanded Pro Tools system

MachineControl
On MachineControl-enabled Pro Tools systems,
SYNC peripherals support limited Serial Deck
Control only. For full use of MachineControl option features, a direct serial connection to the
host Pro Tools computer is required.

Serial Deck Control Mode

(Non-Linear Decks Only)

A limited degree of Serial Deck Control mode is

available through a connection to the 9-pin
ports on the SYNC peripheral. For full Serial
Deck Control, a direct serial connection to the
host Pro Tools computer is required.
To connect an external deck to a SYNC peripheral:

Connect a standard 9-pin cable from one of

the 9-pin Out ports on the SYNC peripheral to
the 9-pin connector of the external deck.

As many as two decks can be connected to the

two 9-pin Out ports on the SYNC peripheral.
You can control one deck at a time, switching
between them from within Pro Tools. These
ports on the SYNC peripheral support all MachineControl modes except 9-Pin Remote (Deck
Emulation) mode.
Due to performance limitations, this
configuration should be used primarily
with non-linear decks.

Synchronization and
Timecode Connections to
Machines, Decks, and Other
Devices
The following sections describe connections
required for different applications. For more
information on timecode applications, see
Chapter 6, Additional Synchronization Information.

Connecting a Video Source

This section describes connections required
when using house video reference (SD or HD).
To have the SYNC peripheral resolve to house
sync:
Connect the house video reference, black
burst, or tri-level sync source to a Video Ref port
on the SYNC peripheral.

The Video Ref ports are a non-terminated

loop-through connection. If the second
Video Ref port is not used, then you must
terminate it using the included 75-ohm
BNC terminator.
To have the SYNC peripheral resolve directly to an
incoming SD video signal:
Connect the SD video signal to the SYNC peripheral Video In port.

9-Pin Remote Deck Emulation

Mode
9-Pin Remote Deck Emulation mode requires a
direct serial connection to the host computer.
For more information on MachineControl
connections and operation, see the MachineControl Guide.

Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration

Character Generator for Timecode

Window Dub

SYNC peripherals can generate a timecode window dub on SD signals coming into the Video In
port.
For SYNC HD only, even when you have an
HD video reference signal connected to the
Video Ref connector, you can still connect an
SD video signal to the Video In connector to
provide a window dub.
To use the SYNC peripheral Timecode Character
Generator to make a window burn:

Connect an SD video signal to the SYNC peripheral Video In port.

Connect the SYNC peripheral Video Out port

to other video devices, ensuring that the signal
is terminated by the last device in the chain.

Connecting Word Clock Devices

SYNC peripherals have Word Clock input and
output ports, which can be used simultaneously.
Use Word Clock when you want the SYNC peripheral to lock to 1x clock from DAT machines,
DA-88s, and similar digital devices.
Pro Tools HD audio interfaces each have their
own Word Clock inputs, which provide additional clock options and flexibility. Refer to
Pro Tools documentation for details.
To input Word Clock to a SYNC peripheral:
Connect Word Clock from the master Word
clock signal or device to the SYNC peripheral
Word Clock In.

Connecting LTC
SYNC peripherals provide LTC input and output
connectors.
To input LTC to a SYNC peripheral:
Connect the LTC signal from your machine,
synchronizer or other source to the SYNC peripheral LTC In port.

To output LTC from a SYNC peripheral:

Connect the SYNC peripheral LTC Out port to
your external devices.

10

SYNC HD Guide

To supply Word Clock from a SYNC peripheral:

Connect the SYNC peripheral Word Clock Out
to the Word Clock input of a digital device.

Make sure the SYNC peripheral Word Clock Out

port is configured to 1x for Word Clock.
Word Clock contains no positional information.
If you want devices to play or record in sync,
youll still need to provide them with a positional reference.
SYNC peripherals can generate timecode
to provide positional reference to other
devices. See Generating & Regenerating
Timecode on page 49.

Connecting AES/EBU Devices

Pro Tools and MTC

To input AES/EBU clock reference to a SYNC

peripheral:

Pro Tools receives MTC from SYNC peripherals

through its connection to the SYNC peripheral
Host Serial port. This signal does not include
standard MIDI timecode, but is instead a highquality, proprietary timecode signal designed
for Pro Tools. A MIDI Interface is not required
for Pro Tools to receive MTC.

Connect the devices AES/EBU output to the

SYNC peripheral AES/EBU input.

To supply AES/EBU clock reference from a SYNC

peripheral:
Connect the SYNC peripheral AES/EBU output
to the AES/EBU reference input on a DAT machine or other digital device. (AES/EBU clock
does not support 176.4 kHz or 192 kHz sample
rates.)

MTC is output whenever the SYNC peripheral is

generating timecode. This MTC output can be
muted when timecode (LTC) is idle. See MTC
Output and Idle Muting on page 56 for details.

Connecting MIDI Timecode

Devices
The SYNC peripheral MTC Out port supplies
MIDI timecode, derived from conversion (from
LTC, VITC or Bi-Phase) or from MTC generation, to synchronize MTC-compatible consoles,
sequencers, lighting systems, and other devices.
MIDI timecode from the MTC Out port always
matches the timecode address displayed on the
SYNC peripheral front panel. To supply MTC
from the SYNC peripheral to another MTC-compatible device, connect the device as described
below.
To connect an MTC-compatible device to receive
MTC from a SYNC peripheral:
Connect the SYNC peripheral MTC Out port to
the appropriate MIDI input on the device, using
a standard MIDI cable.

Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration

11

Software Installation
The following sections provide instructions to
install software required to use a SYNC peripheral with Pro Tools or with the standalone
SYNC Setup software (Windows only).

SYNC Peripherals with

Pro Tools
All software required to use SYNC peripherals is
installed with Pro Tools software.
The availability of SYNC peripheral features
depends on the version of Pro Tools software
you are running. For more information, visit
www.avid.com.

Select the type of port connection for the

SYNC peripheral (DigiSerial Port or COM Port).

Select the Synchronizer Type that you are updating (SYNC HD or SYNC I/O).

Click Begin Update.

Locate the firmware file you want to use, and

click Open.

Follow the on-screen instructions to power

cycle the SYNC peripheral while holding the Set
button.

10

Updating SYNC Peripheral

Firmware

11 Wait for the firmware update to complete. Do

not power off the SYNC peripheral while the update is in progress.

SYNC peripheral firmware is updated from the

DigiTest application.

12

To update SYNC Peripheral firmware:

13

1 Confirm that the SYNC peripheral is properly

connected to your computer in one of the following ways:

If it is connected to a Pro Tools system, it

should be connected to a DigiSerial Port on
an HDX, HD Accel Core, HD Core, or
HD Native card.
If it is connected to a Windows computer
without Pro Tools, it should be connected
to the COM 1 port on the computer with a
standard serial cable.

12

If you are using a DigiSerial Port connection,

make sure you have selected the HDX,
HD Accel Core, HD Core, or HD Native card
from the pop-up menu.

Ensure that Pro Tools is not running.

Launch the Avid DigiTest application.

Click SYNC Firmware.

SYNC HD Guide

When the update is complete, follow any onscreen instructions.

Click Quit to quit the DigiTest application.

SYNC Peripherals with SYNC

Setup Software Utility

Emulating a SYNC I/O

(Windows Only)

(SYNC HD Only)

When using a SYNC peripheral in Standalone

mode, it can be controlled remotely using the
SYNC Setup software utility. Updates to this
utility can be downloaded from www.avid.com.
To install the SYNC Setup software utility on
Windows:

Make sure the SYNC peripheral is connected to

a serial or COM port on your computer. See Serial Connections in Standalone Mode for the
SYNC Setup Software Utility on page 8.

Insert the installer disc or navigate to its location if you downloaded an update.
2

Launch the installer and follow the on-screen

instructions.

If you are using a SYNC HD with Pro Tools 7.4

or higher, Pro Tools will automatically recognize
the SYNC HD.
If you are using a SYNC HD with Pro Tools
version 7.3 or lower, set the SYNC HD to emulate
a SYNC I/O.

To set a SYNC HD to emulate a SYNC I/O:

Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to

display Device ID (dEuicE id).
1

Press Set. The LED Timecode Display shows

the current Device ID for the unit: SYNC HD
(SYnc HD) or SYNC I/O (SYnc IO).

Press the Up or Down switches to toggle the

Device ID to read SYNC I/O (SYnc IO).

Press Set.

Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration

13

Configuring a SYNC
Peripheral from Pro Tools

3 Under Synchronization Device, select Enable

SYNC HD (for a SYNC HD) or Enable SYNC Peripheral (for a SYNC I/O).

Pro Tools HD software provides configuration

controls that establish communication between
Pro Tools and the SYNC peripheral.

Loop Sync
SYNC peripherals support the Loop Sync feature
for connecting Pro Tools HD interfaces. A SYNC
peripheral can be configured as the Clock Source
(Loop Master) in order to provide Loop Sync
master clock to the rest of your Pro Tools HD interfaces.
For system requirements and Loop Sync
connection instructions, see Chapter 1,
Introduction.

Pro Tools automatically recognizes if a SYNC

peripheral is connected to the DigiSerial port
when Pro Tools is launched. When Pro Tools
recognizes the SYNC peripheral, it automatically configures the Device and Port settings for
it in the Peripherals dialog.
To check communication between Pro Tools and a
SYNC peripheral:

After installing Pro Tools and connecting the

SYNC peripheral, launch Pro Tools.

Choose Setup > Peripherals, and click the Synchronization tab.

14

SYNC HD Guide

SYNC peripheral settings in the Peripherals dialog

Pro Tools scans the DigiSerial port and checks

the SYNC peripheral firmware.
If you need to update your firmware, use the
DigiTest application installed with Pro Tools.
See Updating SYNC Peripheral Firmware on
page 12.

Configuring a SYNC Peripheral

in the Session Setup Window
When a SYNC peripheral is connected through
Loop Sync and enabled in the Peripherals dialog,
its settings become available in the SYNC Setup
and Timecode Settings sections of the Session
Setup window.
Clock Source

Session
settings

The Clock Source can be any device in the Loop

Sync chain. This lets you use any digital input
source available on any Pro Tools HD interface
(including the SYNC peripheral) simply by selecting that device and source from the
Clock Source pop-up menu.
Clock Reference

The selected Clock Source device determines

your choices for clock reference.
When Clock Source is a SYNC peripheral

When a SYNC peripheral is set to be the Clock

Source, it is the Loop Master. Clock, Positional
Reference, and Video Format selectors become
active in the SYNC Setup section of the Session
Setup window.

SYNC
Setup

Timecode
Settings

Session Setup window

See the Pro Tools Reference Guide for more

information on the Session Setup Window.
Clock Source

SYNC Setup controls in the Session Setup window

When connected and configured in the Loop

Sync chain, the SYNC peripheral appears along
with any Pro Tools HD interfaces in the Clock
Source pop-up menu, located in the Session
Setup window.

SYNC peripheral Clock Reference choices include:

Internal/VSO
Video In
Video Reference (SD)

Clock Source

Video Reference (HD) (SYNC HD Only)

LTC
Bi-Phase
Pilot Tone

SYNC peripheral selected as Clock Source in the

Session Setup window

AES/EBU
Word Clock
Loop Sync

Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration

15

When the SYNC peripheral is not the selected

Clock Source device, the Clock Reference menu
in the SYNC Setup section switches to Loop
Sync.
For LTC clock reference, multiple choices
are available from the LTC sub-menu. See
LTC and Clock Reference on page 39.

When Clock Source is an HD I/O

When a Pro Tools audio interface is providing

the Clock Source, it will be the Loop Master.
Clock Source options are available directly from
the Clock Source menu, based on the configuration of that interface in the Hardware Setup dialog. Choices can include AES, S/PDIF, Optical,
or Word Clock.

To choose a Clock Reference:

Select an available clock source from the

Clock Reference pop-up menu in the Session
Setup window.

See the User Guide that came with your system for more information on configuring
audio interfaces.
Ref Present, Locked and Speed Cal
Indicators

The Ref Present, Locked and Speed Cal indicators in the Session Setup window display synchronization status of the SYNC peripheral. The
Locked and Speed Cal indicators mirror the
same LEDs on the front panel.
Choosing a Clock Reference

The Clock Source pop-up menu follows your selection of the SYNC peripheral for Clock Reference by automatically switching to the SYNC
setting. (You can also choose the SYNC peripheral as Clock Source first, then select a Clock
Reference.)
To choose a different Loop Sync device as the
Clock Source:

Select a different Loop Sync device and Clock

Source from the Clock Source pop-up menu in
the Session Setup window.

Ref Present, Locked and Speed Cal Indicators

In Pro Tools HD, these indicators are also

displayed in the Transport and Edit windows.
For more information, see Sync Status Indicators in the Edit Window on page 58.
Ref Present The Ref Present indicator lights
when a valid video signal is present on the Video
Ref connectors.
Locked The Locked indicator stays lit when the

SYNC peripheral is locked to the selected clock

reference. The Locked indicator flashes if the selected clock reference source is missing or out of
lockable frequency range.

Choosing a Clock Source (HD OMNI shown)

16

SYNC HD Guide

Speed Cal The Speed Cal indicator lights to in-

dicate the status of the clock reference:

Yellow Solid: SYNC HD is locked and that
the clock reference is within 0.025% of the
expected rate
Yellow Flashing Fast: SYNC HD is locked,
but the clock reference is between 0.025%
and 4% faster than the expected rate
Yellow Flashing Slow: SYNC HD is locked,
but the clock reference is between 0.025%
and 4% slower than the expected rate
Red Flashing Fast: SYNC HD is locked, but
the clock reference is more than 4% faster
than the expected rate
Red Flashing Slow: SYNC HD is locked, but
the clock reference is more than 4% slower
than the expected rate
Unlit: SYNC HD is not locked to the chosen
clock reference
Positional Reference
To select a positional reference:

Select a positional reference from the

Positional Reference pop-up menu, located in

the SYNC Setup section.

Positional Reference choices include:

Auto LTC/VITC

Sample Rate

The SYNC peripheral sample rate is determined

by the current Pro Tools session sample rate. In
Standalone mode, the SYNC peripheral sample
rate can be selected with the SYNC Setup software utility (Windows only), or using the front
panel switches. Current sample rate is indicated
by the Sample Rate LEDs.
When used with Pro Tools software and Avid
HDX, Pro Tools|HD, or HD Native hardware,
SYNC peripherals supports all available sample
rates. Setting the session sample rate in the
Playback Engine or Hardware Setup dialogs also
sets the SYNC peripheral to that sample rate.
Audio and Video Pull Up and Pull Down

Pro Tools provides up to 4.167% pull up, and

4.0% pull down. When working with a Movie
track containing video, a separate Video PullDown menu becomes available in the Session
Setup window, allowing you to apply standard
or non-standard pull factors to audio and video
separately. This lets Pro Tools synchronize to
most supported SMPTE frame rates and formats.
With Pro Tools HD, 4.167% pull up and
4.0% pull down are not available in
176.4 kHz and 192 kHz sessions.

LTC
VITC
Serial Timecode
Bi-Phase

Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration

17

Timecode Rate

Video Ref Format

While using Pro Tools, the SYNC peripheral

Timecode Rate automatically follows the session
Timecode Rate setting. Session Timecode Rate is
set in the Session Setup window.

SD Video Reference

To set the session Timecode Rate:

Choose PAL or NTSC format for the session

from the Video Ref Format pop-up menu in the
Session Setup window. If the session already has
video, the format will be set automatically.

Choose a rate from the Timecode Rate pop-up

menu in the Session Setup window.

Choosing an SD Video Format

HD Video Reference
Choosing a session Timecode Rate

In Standalone mode, the SYNC peripheral Timecode Rate can be set using the SYNC Setup software utility (Windows only), or from the front
panel.

Choose the video reference rate for the session

from the Video Ref Format pop-up menu in the
Session Setup window. If the session already has
video, the format will be set automatically.

Choosing an HD Video Format

18

SYNC HD Guide

The following video reference rates are available

in the Video Ref Format pop-up menu:

Video Reference (HD) Rate

Video In Format

Slow PAL -24

Slow PAL - 23.976

NTSC

720p - 23.976

Slow PAL - 24

PAL

720p - 23.976

NTSC

720p - 24

PAL (NTSC avail)

720p - 25

PAL

720p - 59.94

720p - 29.97

NTSC

720p - 60

720p - 30

NTSC

720p - 50

PAL

720p - 59.94

NTSC

720p - 60

NTSC

1080p - 23.976

1080i - 47.95/1080psf - 23.976

NTSC

1080p - 24

1080i - 48/1080psf - 24

PAL (NTSC avail)

1080i - 50/1080psf - 25

PAL

1080i - 59.94/1080psf - 29.97

NTSC

1080i - 60/1080psf - 30

NTSC

1080p - 24

PAL (NTSC avail)

1080p - 25

PAL

1080p - 29.97

NTSC

1080p - 30

NTSC

1080p - 50

PAL

1080p - 59.94

NTSC

1080p - 60

NTSC

Slow PAL - 23.976

720p - 24
720p - 25
720p - 29.97
720p - 30
720p - 50

1080i - 47.95/1080psf - 23.976

1080i - 48/1080psf - 24
1080i - 50/1080psf - 25
1080i - 59.94/1080psf - 29.97
1080i - 60/1080psf - 30

1080p - 25
1080p - 29.97
1080p - 30
1080p - 50
1080p - 59.94
1080p - 60

Video In Format Settings at

HD Video Reference Rates
(SYNC HD Only)

When the Clock Reference is set to Video Reference (HD), SYNC HD automatically sets the
Video In format (NTSC or PAL) appropriate for
the selected Video Reference rate, as shown in
the following table.
With 24-frame and 48-frame rates only, a popup menu lets you set the Video In Format.

Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration

19

Clock Reference, Video Ref, and

Video In Settings when
Importing Avid Video
When you import Avid video media into a session, Pro Tools automatically sets the Clock Reference, Video Reference rate, and Video In format appropriate for the imported media.

Software Configuration for

the SYNC Setup Software
Utility
(Windows Only)
To configure the SYNC Setup software on
Windows:

Make sure the SYNC peripheral is connected to

your computer according to the instructions in
Serial Connections on page 7.

MachineControl
Configuration
If you are using MachineControl, do the following to establish basic communication.
To configure MachineControl:
1 Choose Setup > Peripherals, and click the Synchronization tab.

In the Synchronization page, make sure the

SYNC peripheral is the current Synchronization
device, and DigiSerial is the selected port.

Click the Machine Control tab.

Enable and configure options for

9-pin Machine Control or 9-pin Remote.

Selecting the Transport Master

The Transport Master selector in Pro Tools lets
you select the device that will be controlled by
the Pro Tools transport. Choices include
Pro Tools and any other devices or modes you
have enabled in the Synchronization or Machine
Control tabs of the Peripherals dialog.

Pro Tools Transport master

20

SYNC HD Guide

Launch the SYNC Setup software utility.

Choose SYNC Setup > Preferences from the

menu in the upper left corner of the SYNC Setup
application.
3

If not already selected, choose the appropriate

serial port for the SYNC-to-computer connection.

Close the Preferences window. The SYNC

Setup software utility should now show that it
recognizes the SYNC peripheral in the information display section.

Troubleshooting
Incoming Timecode

Status LEDs

The Locked and Speed Cal status LEDs on the

SYNC peripheral front panel and in the Session
Setup window may help you isolate potential
problems.
Ref Present Indicator

The Ref Present indicator in the Session Setup

window indicates whether or not the SYNC peripheral is receiving valid Video Ref signal. If
this indicator is not lit, check your video connections and termination status of the Video Ref
connectors on the SYNC peripheral.

Incoming Timecode display (Session Setup window)

Lost Communication
If Pro Tools loses communications with the
SYNC peripheral, a dialog appears. If you see a
lost communication dialog, check power,
DigiSerial, and other connections.
Lost Communication Dialog

The Lost Communication dialog provides the

following options for re-establishing communication with the SYNC peripheral:
Use MTC Click this button if the SYNC periphVideo Ref Present indicator
Ref Present indicator (Session Setup window)

In Pro Tools HD software, these indicators

are also displayed in the Transport and Edit
windows. See Sync Status Indicators in the
Edit Window on page 58.
Incoming Time Field

The Incoming Time field in the Session Setup

window indicates whether or not the SYNC peripheral is receiving positional reference. If this
field appears to be inactive when inputting
timecode to the SYNC peripheral, check your
hardware device settings, serial connection to
your computer, and your software settings.

eral is unavailable, to switch to any currently

connected MIDI interface for MTC synchronization. This option requires a compatible device
that supports MTC conversion, and that is already connected to your CPU and enabled.
Keep SYNC Click this to leave the session con-

figured for the SYNC peripheral, or to continue

searching for the SYNC peripheral to re-establish lost communication.

Synchronization Accuracy
If you are noticing drift or lack of accurate synchronization between your devices, check the
following:
If your system locks up in the wrong place,
make sure you have set the correct frame rate
and format (NTSC or PAL) on all your devices.
If your system locks up in the correct location,
but drifts, check your clock signals and settings.

Chapter 2: Installation and Configuration

21

22

SYNC HD Guide

Chapter 3: SYNC Peripheral Hardware and

Software

SYNC Peripheral Front Panel

Power

Clock Reference
Switch

Loop
Master
Clock Reference
LEDs

Generator/Parameter Positional Reference

Switch
Controls

Frame Rate Switch

Drop Frame
Status LEDs
LED
Positional
Frame Rate
Reference LEDs
LEDs

Timecode Display
Sample Rate
LEDs

Figure 1. SYNC HD front panel

Controls and Displays

Clock Reference Switch and LEDs

All SYNC peripheral local controls are on the

front panel. For information on back panel connectors and setup, see Chapter 2, Installation
and Configuration.

This switch selects the SYNC peripheral clock

reference, as indicated by the Clock Reference
LEDs. Available clock reference inputs include:

Power Switch

Video Ref
SYNC HD: (Green = SD, Yellow = HD)
SYNC I/O: SD only

When the SYNC peripheral power switch is

pressed in, power is on; when the switch is out,
power is off.
The LED ring around the power switch is orange
while the SYNC peripheral is powering up, or
while firmware is being updated. The LED ring
is green when the SYNC peripheral is ready for
use.

Video In
LTC (Linear Timecode)
Digital
SYNC HD: Word/AES (Green = Word, Yellow = AES/EBU)
SYNC I/O: Digital (Word or AES/EBU)
Pilot
Bi-phase/Tach
Internal/VSO
Loop Sync
Chapter 3: SYNC Peripheral Hardware and Software

23

Table 1. Sample Rates at Pull Up and Pull Down Settings

Pull
Up/Down

Sample Rate
44100

48000

88200

96000

176400

192000

+4.1667%
and +0.1%

45983

50050

91967

100100

n/a

n/a

+4.1667%

45938

50000

91875

100000

n/a

n/a

+4.1667%
and 0.1%

45892

49950

91783

99900

n/a

n/a

+0.1%

44144

48048

88288

96096

176576

192192

0.1%

44056

47952

88112

95904

176224

191808

4.0% and
+0.1%

42378

46126

84757

92252

n/a

n/a

4.0%

42336

46080

84672

92160

n/a

n/a

4.0% and
0.1%

42294

46034

84587

92068

n/a

n/a

Loop Master Indicator

Timecode Display

When lit, this LED indicates that the SYNC peripheral is the Pro Tools Loop Master device.

This 7-segment, multifunction LED is the SYNC

peripheral timecode and parameter display.

Sample Rate LEDs

Timecode The current positional reference (in-

These green or yellow LEDs show the current

SYNC peripheral sample rate. Pull Up and Pull
Down are available for all sample rate settings,
indicated by the corresponding LED. Table 1
(below) shows the actual sample rates when
pulled up or down.
Generator/Parameter Controls

These four switches provide direct access to

many SYNC peripheral functions, including
timecode generator settings, PAL/NTSC selection, sample rate and more. The Timecode LED
display shows the current mode, selected parameter, or setting.

24

SYNC HD Guide

ternal or external), is displayed in hours:minutes:seconds:frames. Odd/even field distinction

is indicated using a decimal point to the right of
the frames display. A lit decimal point to the
right of frames indicates an even-numbered
field; no decimal point indicates an odd-numbered field. When the SYNC peripheral is in
Auto Switch LTC/VITC mode, the decimal point
to the right of minutes illuminates.
The SYNC peripheral Timecode Display always
displays actual incoming timecode, regardless
of any External Timecode Offsets settings that
are applied in Pro Tools.

Parameters and Values When configuring a

SYNC peripheral with the Set, Run/Stop and

other parameter controls, the LED display
shows parameter names, values, and other data.
For a table identifying each LED abbreviation
and function, see Parameters on page 59.
Positional Reference Switch

This switch selects the positional reference

source, as indicated by the Positional Reference
LEDs. Choices include LTC, VITC, Auto Switch
Bi-phase, and Generate.
In Auto Switch LTC/VITC mode, both the LTC
and VITC LEDs light while the SYNC peripheral
determines which source it will use. Either the
LTC or the VITC LED will remain lit to indicate
the chosen positional reference.
Frame Rate Switch

This switch selects the timecode frame rate and

format (drop-frame or non drop-frame). The active choice is displayed by the Frame Rate and
DF (drop frame) LEDs.
Frame Rate LEDs and DF Indicator

These display the current SYNC peripheral

frame rate: 30, 29.97, 25, or 24 fps are indicated
by four green LEDs. The DF LED indicates dropframe (lit) or non drop-frame (unlit). The 24 fps
LED flashes to indicate 23.976 fps.
Status LEDs

These LEDs show the current state of the SYNC

peripheral in relation to clock references. Indicators include:

Locked This LED lights solid green when the

SYNC peripheral is locked to the selected clock
reference.

SYNC HD: The Locked LED flashes yellow

if the selected clock reference source is
missing or out of lockable frequency range.
SYNC I/O: The Locked LED flashes green if
the selected clock reference source is missing or out of lockable frequency range.
Speed Cal (Speed Calibration) This LED lights to

indicate the status of the clock reference:

Yellow Solid: SYNC peripheral is locked and
that the clock reference is within 0.025% of
the expected rate
Yellow Flashing Fast: SYNC peripheral is
locked, but the clock reference is between
0.025% and 4% faster than the expected
rate
Yellow Flashing Slow: SYNC peripheral is
locked, but the clock reference is between
0.025% and 4% slower than the expected
rate
Red Flashing Fast: SYNC peripheral is
locked, but the clock reference is more than
4% faster than the expected rate
Red Flashing Slow: SYNC peripheral is
locked, but the clock reference is more than
4% slower than the expected rate
Unlit: SYNC peripheral is not locked to the
chosen clock reference
Remote Mode This green LED lights when the

SYNC peripheral is set to Remote-Only/Front

Panel Lockout mode. While this LED is lit, the
front panel switches will have no effect.
For more information, see
SYNC Setup Dialog Controls
and Displays on page 28.

Chapter 3: SYNC Peripheral Hardware and Software

25

SYNC Peripheral Back Panel

Video Ref

Bi-Phase/Tach
GPI/Pilot

Video In/Out

Host Serial

LTC In/Out

AES/EBU
In/Out

MTC Out

Word Clock
In/Out

Loop Sync In/Out

9-Pin Out 1
9-Pin Out 2

AC Power

Figure 2. SYNC HD Back Panel

Bi-Phase/Tach/GPI/Pilot

This is an accessory port for Bi-Phase, Tach, and

Pilot signals (specific cables are required for different applications). This connector is also used
for GPI input, output (including Fader Start),
and thru signals. This port handles up to 12 V
Bi-Phase.
Refer to Chapter 8, Wiring Diagrams and
Pin Assignments for wiring information
and other specifications for this port.
Video Reference

Receives a signal from a video source, such as a

black burst (house sync) generator or a standard
video signal.
Video Ref input can be used for clock reference,
as well as for frame-edge reference when synchronizing with 9-pin devices.
The following signal types are supported:
SYNC HD: SD (NTSC/PAL) or HD (tri-level
or bi-level) signal
SYNC I/O: SD (NTSC/PAL) signal only

26

SYNC HD Guide

The Video Ref ports are an un-terminated loopthrough that allows black burst or other video
reference to be passed to another device. The
second port outputs whatever signal is present
first port, whether the SYNC peripheral is on or
off.
When you connect a signal to one of these ports,
you must do one of the following:
Connect a 75-ohm BNC terminator
(included with the SYNC peripheral) to the
other Video Ref port
or
Make sure another terminated video device
is fed from the other Video Ref port.
If the SYNC peripheral is the last device in
the video sync chain, a 75-ohm BNC terminator must be attached to this connector.

Host Serial Port

LTC In/Out

The Host Serial port is a bidirectional (in/out)

port to connect the SYNC peripheral to the DigiSerial Port on a Pro Tools core card. When not
being used with Pro Tools, the SYNC peripheral
Host Serial port can be connected to a standard
serial port on a supported computer to run the
SYNC Setup software utility (Windows only).

LTC In Receives a Linear Timecode (LTC)

Video In/Out

LTC Out Outputs linear timecode, in balanced or

unbalanced analog audio format. The SYNC peripheral can be set to mirror incoming LTC on
this port, or to generate LTC based on incoming
serial timecode.

Video In Receives a signal from an SD

(NTSC/PAL) video source for clock or VITC
positional reference input, or for generating a
window burn. This connector is internally
terminated at 75 ohms.

The Video In connector does not accept HD

reference signals.
Video Out Outputs the current Video In signal.

source, balanced or unbalanced analog, for positional and/or clock reference. This port is often
used to receive LTC from an audio track on an
external deck or the address track of a VTR. Adjustable LTC servo gain is available in Pro Tools
and from the front panel.

LTC output level is adjustable from the Synchronization page of the Peripherals dialog in
Pro Tools, the controls on the front panel of the
SYNC peripheral, or the SYNC Setup software
utility (Windows only).

This output can also carry VITC and/or Window

Burn information if those features are enabled.

See Chapter 8, Wiring Diagrams and Pin Assignments for wiring details.

MTC Out

AES/EBU In/Out

The MTC Out outputs MIDI Timecode (MTC)

only. No other MIDI data appears at this output.
MTC output can be regenerated while the SYNC
peripheral is locked to any supported positional
reference and clock reference, or internally generated in Generate mode, in which case MTC
output follows generator run/stop. This port is
intended to supply MTC from the SYNC peripheral to external sequencers or other MIDI devices.

AES/EBU In Receives an AES/EBU digital audio

signal, for clock reference purposes only. The

SYNC peripheral utilizes only the signal's clock
information, not the audio information. If digital audio information is present at this input, it
will be ignored and not passed through to the
AES/EBU digital output connector.
AES/EBU Out Outputs a silent (all bits OFF)
AES/EBU audio signal whose sample rate exactly
matches the SYNC peripheral sample clock

MTC is output continuously whenever the SYNC

peripheral is generating timecode. This output
can be muted when timecode (LTC) is idle. See
MTC Output and Idle Muting on page 56 for
details.

Chapter 3: SYNC Peripheral Hardware and Software

27

Word Clock In/Out

Word Clock In Receives (1x sample rate) Word

Clock, for clock reference purposes only. Word

Clock is often used with external digital consoles and digital tape machines.
Word Clock Out Outputs 1x sample rate Word
Clock information (for Word-clock capable peripherals) or 256x Super Clock information.
This port is configured using the controls on the
front panel of the SYNC peripheral or the SYNC
Setup software utility (Windows only).

SYNC Setup Software Utility

(Windows Only)

This section reviews the SYNC Setup controls

and displays included with the SYNC Setup
software utility.
For SYNC Setup software utility requirements,
see Software Installation on page 12.

SYNC Setup Dialog Controls and

Displays

9-Pin Out 1 and 2

For MachineControl-enabled systems, these two

ports connect directly to external 9-pin transports, and provide limited Serial Deck control
capability. Only one of these ports can be used at
a time.
For best performance on Windows systems, use
the COM ports on the Windows computer.
For best performance on Mac systems, use a
Keyspan USA28XG USB serial adapter.
See the MachineControl Guide for more
information.
Loop Sync In/Out

Loop Sync is the clock signal used to synchronize Pro Tools HD interfaces.
Loop Sync In Receives Loop Sync from any

Pro Tools HD interface.

Loop Sync Out Provides Loop Sync. This port

connects to the primary Pro Tools HD interface.

AC Power

SYNC peripherals accept a standard power cable

and are auto voltage-selecting (100V to 240V).

28

SYNC HD Guide

SYNC Setup dialog (SYNC Setup software utility)

SYNC Setup Software Utility Help

Right-click anywhere in the SYNC Setup dialog and select Help, or press the F1 key.

Timecode Window

Frame Rate

The timecode display mirrors the LED Timecode

Display on the SYNC peripheral front panel, displaying (in hours:minutes:seconds:frames) the
timecode address of the current positional reference.

This control selects the frames-per-second (fps)

rate of external (or internally generated) timecode.

When the SYNC peripheral is reading odd-numbered fields, the separator changes from a normal colon (:) to a period (.); when reading evennumbered fields, the separator returns to a colon (:). Odd/even status is only available while
reading VITC, and only when VITC is within a
speed range from zero to about 50% of playback
speed.

This display shows the current state of the SYNC

Setup software utility in relation to the SYNC
peripheral and external devices, as follows:

Clock Reference

This control selects the SYNC peripheral clock

reference.
Sample Rate

This control selects the SYNC peripheral sample

rate (or the Pro Tools session sample rate, if
applicable).
Pull Rate

This control Enables Pull Up or Pull Down for

the current sample rate.
Word Clock Out

This control configures the SYNC peripheral

Word Clock Output between 256x (Super Clock)
and the current session sample rate (1x at
44.1 kHz, or 1x at 48 kHz).
Positional Reference

This control selects the SYNC peripheral positional reference.

Status Display

Resolver Locked Lights when the SYNC periph-

eral is locked to the chosen external clock reference, or to its Internal clock reference.
Speed Calibration Lights when the SYNC periph-

eral system clock and all output clocks are at a

frequency that corresponds with the chosen
sample rate. Capable of indicating mismatch of
pull-up, pull-down and frame rate.
For details about Speed Calibration characteristics, see Status LEDs on page 25.
Regenerator Locked Lights when the SYNC peripheral is regenerating timecode at its video,
LTC, and MTC outputs locked with the incoming
positional reference source. Also lit whenever
the SYNC peripheral is generating timecode
internally.
Connected to SYNC I/O Lights when the SYNC
Setup dialog is the frontmost window and is
communicating with the SYNC peripheral.
Waiting for SYNC I/O Lights when the SYNC

Setup dialog is the frontmost window and is unable to communicate with the SYNC peripheral.
Port Relinquished Lights when the SYNC Setup

dialog is not the frontmost window or is unable

to allocate a serial port with which to communicate with the SYNC peripheral.

Chapter 3: SYNC Peripheral Hardware and Software

29

LTC Output Level

VITC Insertion Enabled

This control adjusts the analog audio level of the

SYNC peripheral LTC output, from 24 dBu to
+9 dBu.

When selected, VITC will be inserted into the

outgoing video signalassuming that a video
signal is present at a SYNC peripheral video input, and that the SYNC peripheral is in a valid
mode for inserting VITC. The only invalid positional reference modes are VITC or Auto Switch
LTC/VITC. SYNC peripherals cannot read VITC
and generate new VITC at the same time.

Freewheel Duration

This control sets the period of time for which

the SYNC peripheral will continue to supply positional reference data after an external source
is interrupted or stopped (also referred to as
Timecode Freewheel in Pro Tools).
Video Format

This control selects the format (NTSC or PAL)

for both the incoming and outgoing video
signals.
NTSC is used in North and South America, Japan, and certain other parts of the world.
PAL is used in most of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Users of SECAM video (for France, Russia,
and certain other parts of the world) should
select PAL.

VITC Read Lines

This control determines which line pair of incoming video signal is used for the VITC source.
When set to Auto, the SYNC peripheral will
search for the first valid line pair automatically.
Alternatively, this value can be set to specific
VITC line pairs.
VITC Generate Lines

This control determines the line pair of the outgoing video signal onto which the SYNC peripheral inserts VITC. Normally, this should be left
at the default (and preferred) setting of 14/16.

30

SYNC HD Guide

Pitch Memory Enabled

When selected, the SYNC peripheral will remain

at a pitch (sample rate) that corresponds to the
last known incoming timecode speed. When deselected, the SYNC peripheral will revert to the
selected sample rate. If Pitch Memory is disabled and the selected external clock reference is
not available, then the SYNC peripheral will revert to the selected internal sample rate setting.
Idle MTC Enabled

Controls MTC Output during idle (play

stopped). When enabled, MTC is continuously
output. When not enabled, MTC output is muted
when playback is idle. See MTC Output and Idle
Muting on page 56 for details.
Dub Window

Settings for the SYNC peripheral character generator/window dub features. (These controls are
also available from within the Pro Tools Peripherals dialog.)
For more information, see Generating a
Window Dub on page 56.

Bi-Phase/Tach Parameters

Variable Speed Override (VSO)

Used for specialized applications that involve

film or other equipment that output BiPhase/Tach information. These parameters
must be set to match the Bi-Phase or Tach
source to achieve lock.

Used to change (or varispeed) the rate of the

SYNC peripheral internal crystal-referenced
clock. This change is measured in cents, or hundredths of a semitone. VSO is available at any
Positional reference setting, but only when the
Clock Reference is set to Internal/VSO.

Generator/Bi-Phase Preset

Serves two functions, as determined by the current SYNC peripheral mode:

Generate Mode Sets the timecode start time di-

rectly by clicking in the Hrs:Min:Sec:Frm fields

and typing in a value. The Tab key will cycle
though the fields.

The available range of VSO values depends on

the session sample rate and any pull up/pull
down factors currently applied to the session.
For more information, see Variable Speed
Override (VSO) on page 42.

Bi-Phase/Tach Mode Zeros the timecode coun-

ter, to allow the SYNC peripheral to generate

timecode in relation to the pulses of the incoming Bi-Phase/Tach information. Establishes a
timecode start point (first frame of a reel, for
example).

Chapter 3: SYNC Peripheral Hardware and Software

31

32

SYNC HD Guide

Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

SYNC peripheral settings can be controlled in

three ways:

About SYNC Setup Software Utility

Remote-Only Mode

From Pro Tools Provides access to most SYNC

peripheral controls from within the Pro Tools
Session Setup window or the Synchronization
page of the Peripherals window.

When the default Remote-Only Mode (Front

Panel Lockout) is enabled in the SYNC Setup
software utility Preferences window, none of the
front panel switches are operational, and the
Remote Only LED is lit.

From the SYNC Peripheral Front Panel Provides

access to most controls from the front panel

when using the SYNC peripheral in Standalone
mode.
From the SYNC Setup Software Utility
(Windows Only) This optional utility provides

remote access to most SYNC peripheral controls

from a supported Windows computer.
For a list of controls supported with each
method, see SYNC Peripheral Controls in
Pro Tools, SYNC Setup Software Utility,
and the Front Panel on page 34.

To exit Remote-Only mode using the front panel

controls:
Simultaneously press and hold the Clock
Reference, Positional Reference, and Frame Rate
front panel switches.

The SYNC peripheral is disengaged from

Remote-Only mode. This is useful when the host
computer is not easily accessible.

Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

33

SYNC Peripheral Controls in Pro Tools, SYNC Setup Software

Utility, and the Front Panel
Table 2. SYNC Peripheral controls in Pro Tools, SYNC Setup software utility, and the front panel
Available from/in:
Parameters
Device ID (SYNC HD Only)

Front Panel

SYNC Setup Software

Utility

no

yes

no

Clock References

all (Session Setup)

all

all

Positional References

all (Session Setup)

all

all

all

all

all

yes (Session Setup)

yes

yes

no

yes
(Base Clock)

yes
(Word Clock Out)

all (Session Setup)

all

all

LTC Output level

yes (Peripherals/Sync)

yes

yes

LTC Servo gain

yes (Session Setup)

yes

no

Freewheel duration

yes (Session Setup)

yes

yes

Video Format (NTSC/PAL)

yes (Session Setup)

yes

yes

VITC Read Lines

yes (Peripherals/Sync)

yes

yes

VITC Generate Lines

yes (Peripherals/Sync)

yes

yes

VITC Insertion Enable

yes (Peripherals/Sync)

yes

yes

Pitch Memory Enable

yes (Peripherals/Sync)

yes

yes

Window Dub

all (Peripherals/Sync)

on/off only

yes, all

Bi-Phase/Tach Pulses/Frame

yes (Peripherals/Sync)

yes

yes

Bi-Phase/Tach Wiring

yes (Peripherals/Sync)

no

no

Gen/Bi-Phase Preset

yes (Session Setup)

yes

yes

GPI

yes

no

no

VSO

yes (Session Setup)

no

yes

yes (Peripherals/Sync)

yes

yes

no

yes

no

Sample Rates
Pull Rates
Base Clock
(Word Clock Out)
Frame Rates

Idle MTC Enable

USD Compatibility Mode
(SYNC I/O Only)

34

Pro Tools

SYNC HD Guide

When a parameter value is visible Press Set once

Front Panel
Generator/Parameter
Switches

to set the value for that parameter and return

the Display to timecode.

The Generator/Parameter controls are labeled

Set, Down, Up, and Run/Stop/Clear/Esc. In addition to their primary generator functions,
these switches provide front panel access to
most SYNC peripheral parameters.
Features Not Accessible from the Front Panel
Controls

The front panel provides access to all SYNC peripheral features except the following, which
can be controlled using Pro Tools or the SYNC
Setup software utility (available on Windows
only):
Remote-Only Mode/Front Panel Lockout
Changing Window Burn Size, Vertical Position, Horizontal Position, and Color
GPI (General Purpose Interface) functions

For a listing of available parameters, see Table 2

on page 34.

VITC

UP

Down and Up switches to scroll through the parameter names (for example, from SET GEn to
VIdEo SY).
When a parameter value is visible Press the

Down and Up switches to scroll through the

range of values for the current parameter.
When entering timecode values Press the Down
and Up switches simultaneously to cycle
through the hours:minutes:seconds:frames
fields in the timecode display.

Run/Stop/Clear/Esc

While generating timecode Press

BI-PHASE
GENERATE

DOWN

When a parameter name is visible Press the

Run/Stop/Clear/Esc to start or stop the timecode

generator when the SYNC peripheral is in Generator Preset mode.

LTC

SET

The Down and Up switches scroll through parameter names or values:

The Run/Stop/Clear/Esc switch has several functions, depending on the current mode:

Variable Speed Offset (VSO)

POSITIONAL
REFERENCE

Down and Up

DF

RUN/STOP
CLEAR

Generator/Parameter Switches

Set

The Set switch has three primary functions:

While timecode is being displayed Press

Run/Stop/Clear/Esc to reset the counter whenever timecode is visible in the LED Timecode
display.

Otherwise, the Run/Stop/Clear/Esc switch

serves as a Cancel switch.

When timecode is displayed Press Set once to

change the Display from timecode to parameter

names.
When a parameter name is visible Press Set once

to change the Display to show parameter values.

Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

35

Edit Mode
To enter Parameter/Value Edit mode:
Press Set (when timecode numbers are visible
in the LED Timecode Display). The first press
displays the first parameter name, Set Gen,
(for the timecode generator).

The first page of Generator Parameter controls

A different parameter may be displayed, depending on the previous SYNC peripheral settings.
To scroll through parameter choices:

Press the Up or Down switches to scroll

through available parameters. Holding the
switch scrolls through the parameters.

To select a parameter to edit:

When the desired parameter is displayed,
press Set. This will access that parameters current setting.

To edit parameter values:

With parameter values displayed, press the Up
or Down switches to cycle through the available
values.

For a complete listing of front panel Generator/Parameter controls, see Chapter 5,

Additional Operational Information.

Clock References and

Options
The following sections explain each clock reference choice in detail. For basic instructions on
selecting the clock or positional reference, setting frame rate, or setting the SYNC peripheral
sample rate, see Chapter 2, Installation and
Configuration.

Video Clock Options

SYNC Peripherals provide two video inputs,
Video Ref and Video In, which are each selectable
for clock reference.
For House Video Reference (Black Burst) Use

the Video Ref connector.

The Video Ref ports are a non-terminated
loop-through connection. If the second
Video Ref port is not used, then you must
terminate it using the included 75-ohm
BNC terminator.
For Incoming Video Use the Video In connector.
Serial Timecode with MachineControl

MachineControl-equipped Pro Tools systems

can synchronize to serial timecode through either of the SYNC peripheral 9-pin ports, or a
Keyspan USA28XG USB serial adapter (Mac) or
COM port (Windows). When using MachineControl, you can set serial timecode as the positional reference, lock the SYNC peripheral to a
Video Reference, and clock Pro Tools to external Word clock.
MachineControl also provides 9-Pin Deck
Emulation mode, but this mode is not supported through either of the SYNC peripheral
9-pin ports. See the MachineControl Guide
for more information.

36

SYNC HD Guide

Video and Clock Reference

(SD Video Only)

If you have only a single SD (standard definition) video source, and if the video source and
the SYNC peripheral have a common video reference, then you can connect the SD video signal
to the Video In connector.
In situations where a common Word clock is required between Pro Tools systems or consoles,
you can still use Video Reference to maintain
sample accurate sync while using:
the Satellite Link option to synchronize
multiple Pro Tools systems
Pro Tools as a dubber or stem recorder in
Remote Mode or Deck Control mode
a Pro Tools system in a Video Satellite configuration (if digital audio interconnects
are required)
Video Reference and Frame Edge
Alignment

When video reference is present, Pro Tools automatically aligns to frame edge.
When the SYNC peripheral Video Ref connector
is receiving a valid video signal, the Ref Present
indicator in the Session Setup window lights.
Configuring SYNC Peripherals to use
Video Reference and Word Clock

If the video reference and the Word clock reference are derived from the same house sync generator, you can configure the SYNC peripheral to
simultaneously use Video Reference for frame
alignment and Word clock for clock reference.

There are two ways to configure SYNC peripherals to use Video Reference and Word Clock:
Clock Source via the SYNC Peripheral
(SYNC HD Only)
To configure Pro Tools to use video reference and
word clock:

In the Format section of the Session Setup window, select SYNC from the Clock Source pop-up
menu.
1

2 In the SYNC Setup section of the Session Setup

window, select Word Clock or AES/EBU from the
Clock Reference pop-up menu.
3 In the SYNC Setup section of the Session Setup
window, select the appropriate format from the
Video Ref Format pop-up menu.

Clock Source via an HD Peripheral

(SYNC HD or SYNC I/O)
To configure Pro Tools to use video reference and
word clock:

In the Format section of the Session Setup window, select the Interface (192 I/O or 96 I/O) >
Word Clock or AES/EBU from the Clock Source
pop-up menu.
1

2 In the SYNC Setup section of the Session Setup

window, select Loop Sync from the Clock Reference pop-up menu.
3 In the SYNC Setup section of the Session Setup
window, select the appropriate format from the
Video Ref Format pop-up menu.

Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

37

Digital Clock (AES/EBU or Word

Clock) Options
To resolve the SYNC peripheral to external
AES/EBU or Word Clock using Pro Tools:

In the SYNC Setup section of the Session

Setup window, select the appropriate digital
clock reference from the Clock Reference pop-up
menu.

To resolve the SYNC peripheral to external

AES/EBU or Word Clock using the front panel
controls:

Press the Clock Reference switch to select

Word/AES (SYNC HD) or Digital (SYNC I/O).

Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to

display Digital Reference (dI6 rEF).
2

Press Set. The LED Timecode Display displays

the current digital reference.
3

Press the Up or Down switches to select the

digital clock you want to use.

AES/EBU (AES-E8U)
or
Word Clock (I CLOC)
5

Press Set.

To resolve the SYNC peripheral to external

AES/EBU or Word Clock using the SYNC Setup
software utility (Windows only):
Select the appropriate digital clock reference
option from the Clock Ref pop-up menu.

If the chosen clock reference source is unavailable, or the current configuration is not valid,
the Locked LED on the right side of the SYNC
peripheral front panel flashes.

About Digital Clock

AES/EBU The SYNC peripheral AES/EBU In
connector only recognizes and uses the clock
portion of an incoming AES/EBU audio signal.
All audio information will be ignored and will
not be passed to the SYNC peripheral AES/EBU
Out connector.
Word Clock Word Clock is a digital clock refer-

ence signal that runs at 1x sample rate (44.1, 48,

88.2, 96, 176.4, or 192 kHz). Pro Tools HD interfaces have dedicated BNC-style Word Clock connectors. A wide variety of professional audio devices have Word Clock connectors, including
digital mixing consoles, DASH-standard digital
multitrack tape recorders and MDMs (modular
digital multitrack recorders).
Super Clock (256x)

Super Clock (or Slave Clock) is a proprietary

clock format used by legacy Pro Tools|24 MIX
audio interfaces (such as 888|24, 882|20, 1622,
and ADAT Bridge) that runs at 256 times the
sample rate.
Legacy Pro Tools audio interfaces are only
supported with Pro Tools 8 or lower.

When using legacy interfaces with a SYNC peripheral and Pro Tools|HD, your master HD audio interface should supply Super Clock to the
first legacy device through its External Clock
Out connector, configured for 256x Super Clock
(see Base Clock on page 61 for more information).
Pro Tools HD audio interfaces are always connected using Loop Sync (see Clock for
Pro Tools Audio Interfaces on page 8 for more
information).
For additional digital clock signal information, see Digital Clock Signal Types on
page 73.

38

SYNC HD Guide

LTC and Clock Reference

LTC can provide both positional and clock information in the same timecode signal. LTC can be
recorded onto and played back from an analog
track, or a VTR audio, address or cue track. LTC
cannot be read when the reference deck is
stopped, or playing back at slow or fast wind
speeds (roughly 10x playback speed). Pro Tools
will not lock until the LTC signal is close to playback speed.

Servo Gain settings include the following:

LTC 0 (fastest) Allows the quickest resolving to
incoming LTC, but with greater jitter. This is the
default setting, and should be used when fast
lock ups are critical.
LTC 1 Provides an intermediate fast setting.
LTC 2 (average) Offers a compromise of lock up

time and jitter quality.

LTC 3 Provides an intermediate slow setting.

While resolving to LTC as clock reference, the

SYNC peripheral provides five options to optimize your system for different types of tasks.
This lets you choose between faster response
(for when fast lock-up time is critical), or highest sound quality (during critical laybacks, for
example).
LTC Servo Gain

The Session Setup window provides a submenu

for LTC Clock Reference choices. The five
choices provide different servo gain settings to
reduce the effects of jitter when locking to linear
timecode.
In Standalone mode, these settings are also
available from the front panel and from the
SYNC Setup software utility.

LTC 4 (smoothest) Offers the lowest jitter from

LTC resolve, but can take six to ten seconds to

achieve full resolve. This setting is most appropriate when loading audio from an analog master, where reducing or eliminating jitter is more
important than lock speed. When using this setting, be sure to allow adequate pre-roll before
punching in.
To resolve a SYNC peripheral to Linear Timecode
using Pro Tools:

In the Sync Setup section of the Session Setup

window, choose an LTC and Servo Gain setting
from the Clock Reference pop-up menu.

To resolve a SYNC peripheral to Linear Timecode

using the front panel controls:
1

Press the Clock Reference switch to select LTC.

Set the LTC Servo Gain from the front panel.

See Servo Gain on page 63.

To resolve a SYNC peripheral to Linear Timecode

using the SYNC Setup software utility (Windows
only):
1 Select Linear Timecode (LTC) from the Clock
Ref pop-up menu.
2 Choose a value from the LTC Servo Gain Offset
pop-up menu.

Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

39

Adjusting LTC Output Level/Gain

To adjust LTC output level/gain from Pro Tools:
1

Choose Setup > Peripherals and click Synchro-

nization.

Choose a value from the LTC Output Level popup menu.

Click OK.

To adjust LTC output level/gain using the front

panel controls:

Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to

display one of the following:
1

SYNC HD: LTC Level (L7C LEUL)

or
SYNC I/O: LTC Gain (L7C GAIn)
2

Press Set.

Press the Up or Down switches to scroll

through the available values (in 3 dBu steps).

Press Set.
For further information on LTC signals, see
LTC Signals on page 72.

Pilot Tone
SYNC peripherals can resolve to an external Pilot Tone signal for clock reference, for synchronizing to (or transferring audio from) certain
types of open-reel audio tape recorders. Pilot
Tone is basically a 60 Hz (NTSC) or 50 Hz (PAL)
sine wave tone. Pilot Tone is used on location
film shoots to establish a common sync reference between a film or video camera with a portable 1/4-inch analog ATR. Pilot Tone contains
no positional information; it provides only clock
reference.
The SYNC peripheral decides whether to use
60 Hz or 50 Hz as the pilot tone reference frequency according to the setting of the Video
Format. When set to PAL, the pilot tone frequency is assumed to be 50 Hz. When set to
NTSC, 60 Hz is assumed.
Connect the Pilot Tone reference source to the
SYNC peripheral Bi-Phase/Tach/GPI/Pilot port.
To resolve the SYNC peripheral to Pilot Tone using
Pro Tools:

In the SYNC Setup section of the Session

Setup window, select Pilot Tone from the Clock
Reference pop-up menu.

To resolve the SYNC peripheral to Pilot Tone using

the front panel controls:
Press the Clock Reference switch to select Pilot.

To resolve the SYNC peripheral to Pilot Tone using

the SYNC Setup software utility (Windows only):
Select Pilot Tone from the Clock Ref pop-up
menu.

For additional Pilot Tone information, see

Pilot Tone on page 75.

40

SYNC HD Guide

Bi-Phase/Tach and Clock

Reference
SYNC peripherals are able to resolve to
Bi-Phase/Tach information for use as a clock
reference. Bi-Phase/Tach can synchronize positional reference, but you must provide a reference start address (see Bi-Phase Position Trimming on page 48 for other requirements).
Pro Tools will not lock until the Bi-Phase signal
is present.
To configure Bi-Phase/Tach for the SYNC
peripheral clock reference from Pro Tools:
1 In the SYNC Setup section of the Pro Tools
Session Setup window, select Bi-Phase from the
Positional Reference pop-up menu.

Choose Setup > Peripherals and click

Synchronization.
2

3 Enter the Pulses Per Frame and choose the Input Signal setting, as described in
Bi-Phase/Tach Starting Frame on page 47 and
Bi-Phase/Tach Signal on page 47.

To configure Bi-Phase/Tach for the SYNC

peripheral clock reference using the front panel
controls:

Press the Clock Reference switch to select BiPhase/Tach.

Select the appropriate Pulse Per Frame and Input Signals parameters, as described in
Bi-Phase/Tach Starting Frame on page 47 and
Bi-Phase/Tach Signal on page 47.

To configure Bi-Phase/Tach for the SYNC

peripheral clock reference using the SYNC Setup
software utility (Windows only):
1 Select Bi-Phase/Tach from the Clock Ref popup menu.

Select the appropriate Pulse Per Frame and Input Signals parameters, as described in
Bi-Phase/Tach Starting Frame on page 47 and
Bi-Phase/Tach Signal on page 47.

Typically, when you use Bi-Phase/Tach as the

clock reference you will also be using it as the
positional reference (see Bi-Phase/Tach on
page 46.).
For additional Bi-Phase/Tach signal information, see Bi-Phase/Tach on page 74.
To resolve a SYNC peripheral to its internal clock
from Pro Tools:

In the SYNC Setup section of the Pro Tools

Session Setup window, select Internal/VSO from
the Clock Reference pop-up menu.

To resolve a SYNC peripheral to its internal clock

using the front panel controls:
Press the Clock Reference switch to select Internal/VSO.

To resolve a SYNC peripheral to its internal clock

using the SYNC Setup software utility (Windows
only):

Select Internal/VSO from the Clock Ref pop-up

menu.

If the Bi-Phase/Tach reference clock source is

not valid for any reason (such as a poor connection or other signal transmission problem), the Locked LED on the far-right of the
SYNC peripheral front panel flashes. SYNC
peripherals accept up to 12V at the Bi-Phase
input.

Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

41

Variable Speed Override (VSO)

To fine-tune the speed (and pitch) of Pro Tools
or any device receiving its clock reference from
the SYNC peripheral, you can varispeed the rate
of the SYNC peripherals crystal-referenced internal clock.
VSO is available at any Positional Reference setting. VSO is not available from the SYNC peripheral front panel controls, but can be controlled
directly from Pro Tools or with the SYNC Setup
software utility (Windows only).

Use the sliders to adjust the varispeed values

in semitone or cent increments. The actual Word
clock output frequency is shown near the sliders.

or
Enter the value in semitones and cents using the
editable fields. Varispeed range changes with
sample rate, as shown in the following table.
Effective VSO rates
Sample Rate
(kHz)
44.1

To varispeed the SYNC peripheral internal clock

from Pro Tools:

Rate
Type

Min. (Hz)

Max
(Hz)

1x

40000

50500

2x

80000

101000

4x

160000

202000

48
88.2

In the Sync Setup section of the Session Setup

window, make sure the Clock Reference is set to
Internal/VSO.
1

96
176.4
192

Select the VSO option.

Use the on-screen slider to adjust the varispeed value in semitones and cents.

The SYNC peripheral will only output rates

within the limits of the current sample rate. If a
varispeed value results in an output frequency
(sample rate) that is below or above the limits
for the current sample rate, the frequency display turns red.
3

Click Set.

Regulating Output Sample Rate with

Pitch Memory
Variable Speed Override controls (Pro Tools)
To varispeed the SYNC peripheral internal clock
using the SYNC Setup software utility (Windows
only):

In the Variable Speed Override section, select

VSO Enabled.
1

Variable Speed Override controls (SYNC Setup

software utility)
42

SYNC HD Guide

Pitch Memory holds the output sample rate

steady even when the Clock Reference is unavailable or has gone out of lock range.
When Pitch Memory is not enabled, the output
sample rate would return to the nominal sample
rate setting (for example, exactly 44.1 kHz)
when the Clock Reference disappears or goes out
of lock range.

 When Pitch Memory is enabled, Pro Tools

continues to play and record at the resolved sample rate even if the Clock Reference source disappears.
The SYNC peripheral retains the Pitch Memory setting, even when the unit is powered off
and on again, until you change it.

To configure Pitch Memory using Pro Tools:

Choose Setup > Peripherals and click Synchronization.

Select the Pitch Memory Enabled option.

Click OK.

To configure Pitch Memory using the front panel

controls:

Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to

display Pitch Hold (PICH HLd).
1

Press Set.

Press the Up or Down switches to toggle between On and Off.

Press Set.

To configure Pitch Memory using the SYNC Setup

software utility (Windows only):

Click Pitch Memory Enabled.

Positional Reference
and Options
The following sections provide additional information for each available Positional Reference
format.

Linear Timecode (LTC)

LTC is often striped onto an ATR or VTR audio
track. Professional VTRs typically have an address or cue track, intended for LTC. If you are
working with a standard audio tape, youll almost certainly be working with LTC. If youre
working with a videotape, you may be able to
work with either LTC or VITC, or both.
LTC can also be generated as an interpolation of
Absolute code. This is how timecode DAT machines, DA-88s, and many digital VTRs work.
LTC is delivered to the SYNC peripheral as a series of audio pulses, regardless of how it is
stored or generated.
LTC can be used simultaneously as a positional
reference and a clock reference.
To set LTC as the SYNC peripheral positional
reference from Pro Tools:

In the SYNC Setup section of the Session

Setup window, choose LTC from the Positional
Reference pop-up menu.

The Positional Reference setting you choose

remains set, session to session, until it is
changed again.
To set LTC as the SYNC peripheral positional
reference using the front panel controls:
Press the Positional Reference switch to select
LTC.

Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

43

To set LTC as the SYNC peripheral positional

reference using the SYNC Setup software utility
(Windows only):

Select Linear Timecode (LTC) from the Positional Ref pop-up menu.

Make sure you select the appropriate clock reference, sample rate, frame rate, and freewheel
duration. Also make sure the LTC signal is
routed properly to the SYNC peripheral LTC In
connector.

To set the freewheel duration using the front panel

controls:
1 Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to
display Freewheel Length (FrEE LEn).

Press Set to display freewheel duration

choices.

Press the Up or Down switches to scroll

through available choices (from 4 Fr or four
frames, to 40 Fr or 40 frames).

Freewheel Duration

Freewheel duration (timecode freewheel) configures the SYNC peripheral for the maximum
number of frames (from 4 to 40 frames, in increments of 4) it should continue generating if
timecode drops out or is otherwise interrupted.
Freewheel settings are ignored when the SYNC
peripheral is in Internal/Generate mode.
Example of Timecode Freewheel

In a 30 fps Pro Tools session, if Freewheel Duration/Timecode Freewheel is 28 frames, the

SYNC peripheral will continue to generate until
either the incoming timecode signal is restored,
or until 28 frames elapse, whichever occurs first.
To set the freewheel duration using Pro Tools:

In the Timecode Settings section of the Session

Setup window, enter a number of frames for
timecode Freewheel.

SYNC peripherals accept Freewheel duration

values from 4 to 40 frames, in increments of 4
frames, but Pro Tools allows duration values
from 1 to 120 frames (for MTC readers). If you
enter a Freewheel duration value lower than 4,
the SYNC peripheral will automatically set to 4;
if you enter a Freewheel value greater than 40,
the SYNC peripheral will automatically set to 40.

44

SYNC HD Guide

Press Set.

To set the freewheel duration using the SYNC

Setup software utility (Windows only):
Choose a value from the Freewheel Duration
pop-up menu.

VITC and Positional Reference

Because VITC is timecode information that is
embedded as part of the video signal, VITC can
be read when the VTR is paused or crawling
slowly. When working with Pro Tools, this
means that VITC can be used for Auto-Spotting
clips to particular video frames.
Video Ref vs. Video in

To ensure constant clock referencing, use

Video Ref input as your clock reference instead
of Video In, whenever possible. When using
Video Ref (and house sync), if the video picture
is lost, the SYNC peripheral will remain resolved
to the black burst signal at the Video Ref input.

To set VITC as the SYNC peripheral positional

reference using Pro Tools:

In the SYNC Setup section of the Session

Setup window, select VITC from the Positional
Reference pop-up menu.

The Positional Reference setting you choose

remains set, session to session, until it is
changed again.
To set VITC as the SYNC peripheral positional
reference using the front panel controls:

Press the Positional Reference switch to select

VITC.

To set VITC as the SYNC peripheral positional

reference using the SYNC Setup software utility
(Windows only):
Select Vertical Interval Timecode (VITC) from
the Positional Ref pop-up menu.

Additional VITC-Related Settings

SYNC Peripheral Settings Make sure to set the

appropriate clock reference, sample rate, frame

rate, and freewheel duration.

Auto LTC/VITC Positional

Reference
In Auto LTC/VITC mode, the SYNC peripheral
switches automatically between LTC and VITC
depending upon which is delivering the best
timecode signal. This is indicated on the front
panel by the LTC and VITC positional reference
LEDs (both will be lit), and by a decimal point
between the minutes and seconds on the front
panel timecode display.
VITC cannot be read at high speeds (shuttle
speeds, for example) while LTC can, and LTC
cannot be read at slow speeds (while VITC can
be read at slow speeds, and when parked). Auto
LTC/VITC provides the best of both LTC and
VITC without having to manually switch settings.
If the same tape has different values for LTC
and VITC signals, make sure to run only referencing LTC by disabling Auto LTC/VITC.
Otherwise, Pro Tools may locate to different
places depending on whether the tape is idle
or playing back.

Connections and Sources Make sure that your

Auto LTC/VITC Requirements

VITC-striped video signal, if any, is routed to

the Video In connector (not a Video Ref connector). If you use a black burst signal as clock reference, connect it to a Video Ref connector.

Make sure the LTC signal is routed properly to

the SYNC peripheral LTC In connector.

We recommend using Video Ref as your Clock

Reference (rather than Video In) when working
with VITC, because a blackburst signal at the
Video Ref input will always be present, unlike
the video signal at Video In, which may disappear.

Make sure the VITC-striped video signal is

routed properly to the SYNC peripheral Video
In connector (not a Video Ref connector).
Make sure to have or stripe matching code on
both your LTC and VITC tracks (and your onscreen video window burn, if any).
Make sure to select Auto or the correct line
pair for VITC Read.
Make sure to select the appropriate clock reference, sample rate, frame rate, and freewheel
duration options.

Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

45

To select Auto LTC/VITC for positional reference

using Pro Tools:

To use Serial Timecode as the SYNC peripheral

positional reference:

In the SYNC Setup section of the Session

Setup window, select Auto LTC/VITC from the
Positional Reference pop-up menu.

The Positional Reference setting you choose

remains set, session to session, until it is
changed again.
To select Auto LTC/VITC for positional reference
using the front panel controls:
Press the Positional Reference switch until
both the LTC and VITC LEDs are simultaneously
lit (this indicates Auto LTC/VITC).

To select Auto LTC/VITC for positional reference

using the SYNC Setup software utility (Windows
only):

Select Auto Switch LTC/VITC from the Positional Ref pop-up menu.

In the SYNC Setup section of the Session

Setup window, select Serial Timecode from the
Positional Reference pop-up menu.

Bi-Phase/Tach
Bi-Phase/Tach signals are clock reference signals, and do not contain positional information
of their own. However, they do contain enough
information for SYNC Peripherals to calculate
positional information.
To calculate positional reference from
Bi-Phase/Tach, the SYNC peripheral must be
given a starting frame address and a specific
pulses-per-frame value. Each of these related
settings are explained in the following sections.

For additional information and examples of

Auto Switch LTC/VITC, see Auto-Switch
LTC/VITC on page 72.

To use Bi-Phase/Tach for positional reference:

1

In Pro Tools, in the SYNC Setup section of

the Session Setup window, select Bi-Phase
from the Positional Reference pop-up menu.

Serial Timecode

The Positional Reference setting you choose

remains set, session to session, until it is
changed again.

SYNC peripherals provide 9-pin ports that allow

MachineControl-enabled systems to remotely
control or follow external 9-pin transports
through the use of serial timecode.

Press the Positional Reference switch on

the front panel of the SYNC peripheral to
select Bi-Phase.

For MachineControl-equipped Pro Tools systems, serial timecode from either 9-pin port can
be used for positional reference.
For details on using serial timecode with
SYNC Peripherals, see the MachineControl
Guide.

46

SYNC HD Guide

Do one of the following:

In the SYNC Setup software utility (Windows only), select Bi-Phase/Tach from the
Positional Ref pop-up menu.
Continue by setting the starting frame as described in Bi-Phase/Tach Starting Frame on
page 47, and setting other Input Signals options,
as appropriate.

Bi-Phase/Tach Starting Frame

In order to use the Bi-Phase/Tach signal as a positional reference, the SYNC peripheral also
needs to know the timecode address for a particular frame of film. This positional relationship
is established by parking the film device at a
particular frame and setting the SYNC peripheral to the equivalent timecode value using the
Bi-Phase/Tach Starting Frame parameter.
To set the Bi-Phase/Tach start frame using
Pro Tools:

In Pro Tools, place the playback cursor at the

desired timecode location.

Choose Setup > Peripherals and click Synchro-

nization.
3

Click the Reset Bi-Phase button.

The Timecode Display on the SYNC peripheral

updates to match the session timecode value.
To set the Bi-Phase/Tach start frame using the
front panel controls:
1 Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to
display Set Gen (SE7 6En).

Press Set to display timecode numbers. One of

the timecode fields (hours:minutes:seconds:frames) flashes.

Press the Up or Down switches to scroll

through the parameter values.

To set the Bi-Phase/Tach start frame using the

SYNC Setup software utility (Windows only):
1 In the Generator/Bi-Phase Preset section, enter
the timecode value of the starting frame, in
hours:minutes:seconds:frames.
2

Click Set.

Bi-Phase/Tach Signal

The Bi-Phase/Tach signal can be set to any of the

following:
Bi-Phase: FWD = A leads B When the A square

wave is ahead of the B square wave, the direction

of the Bi-Phase signal is Forward.
FWD = B leads A When the B square wave is
ahead of the A square wave, the direction of the
Bi-Phase signal is Forward.
Tach: FWD = B is Low When the B signal is in a
low state, the rate and direction (rnd) of
the Tach signal is Forward.
Tach: FWD = B is High When the B signal is in a
high state, the rate and direction (rnd) of
the Tach signal is Forward.
To define the direction for a Bi-Phase/Tach input
signal using Pro Tools:

Choose Setup > Peripherals and click Synchoronization.

To set a timecode setting and advance to the

next field, press and release the Down and Up
switches simultaneously.

Repeat until you have finished setting the

SYNC peripheral to the desired generator start
time.

Bi-Phase: FWD = A leads B

Bi-Phase: FWD = B leads A
Tach: FWD = B is Low

Choose one of the following settings from the

Bi-Phase/Tach Wiring pop-up menu:

Tach: FWD = B is High

3

Click OK.

Press Set.

The LED Timecode Display stops flashing and

displays the start time.
Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

47

To define the direction for a Bi-Phase/Tach input

signal using the front panel controls:

To set the pulses per frame value for a

Bi-Phase/Tach signal using Pro Tools:

Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to

display Bi-Phase/Tach Input Signal
(bIPH 5I6).

Press Set.

3 Use the Down and Up switches to scroll parameter values:

A LEAd b: Bi-Phase: FWD = A leads B

b LEAd A: Bi-Phase: FWD = B leads A
rnd LO: Tach: FWD = B is Low
rnd HI: Tach: FWD = B is High
4

Press Set.

To define the direction for a Bi-Phase/Tach input

signal using the SYNC Setup software utility
(Windows only):
1 In the Bi-Phase/Tach Parameters section,
choose one of the following settings from the
Wiring pop-up menu:

Bi-Phase: FWD = A leads B

Bi-Phase: FWD = B leads A
Tach: FWD = B is Low
Tach: FWD = B is High
2

Click Set.

Bi-Phase/Tach Pulses-per-frame (PPF)

There are several different standards for the

number of pulses-per-frame output by Bi-Phase
or Tach devices. You can set the SYNC peripheral to operate from 2 to 254 pulses per frame
from Pro Tools, from the SYNC peripheral front
panel, or using the SYNC Setup software utilitys
Pulse Per Frame setting (Windows only). The
setting should match the PPF rate of the external
devices Bi-Phase/Tach encoder.

48

SYNC HD Guide

Choose Setup > Peripherals and click Synchoronization.

In the Bi-Phase/Tach Pulses/Frame field, enter
a value from 2 to 254.

Click OK.

To set the pulses per frame value for a

Bi-Phase/Tach signal using the front panel
controls:
1 Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to
display Bi-Phase/Tach Pulses Per Frame
(bIPH PPF).
2 Press Set. The LED Timecode Display displays
the current PPF value.

Use the Down and Up switches to scroll

through the parameter values (from 2 to 254
pulses per frame). Holding either switch will
scroll at a faster speed.

Press Set.

To set the pulses per frame value for a

Bi-Phase/Tach signal using the SYNC Setup
software utility (Windows only):

In the SYNC Setup Bi-Phase/Tach Parameters

section, enter a value from 2 to 254 in the
Pulses/Frame field,
1

Click Set.

Bi-Phase Position Trimming

While using bi-phase as your positional reference, you can trim the Bi-Phase-to-timecode
translation at any time. Each press of the Up
switch will advance the time address one frame.
Each press of the Down switch will retard the
time address by one frame. Remember how
many presses you've accumulated so that you
can go back and trim the starting address you
previously programmed.

Compensating for Timecode

Offsets
You can offset the display of incoming timecode
in the Pro Tools application. This is useful when
you want to adjust the display of timecode to
match the start time of the session (such as with
source material that starts at a different time),
or compensate for source material that is consistently offset by a fixed number of frames (such
as with some colorcorrected video masters).
Pro Tools provides five different types of External Timecode Offset settings. These offsets include:
MMC (MIDI Machine Control)
9-Pin (Deck Control)
Synchronization peripherals such as the
SYNC HD, SYNC I/O, or other peripherals
(such as MIDI interfaces that provide MIDI
Timecode).
Sample Offset
Unique values can be defined for each of these
types of offsets, or you can link MMC, 9-Pin,
Sync, and Satellite to adjust in unison.
Positive and negative offset values can be entered to offset Pro Tools timecode display later
or earlier, respectively.
Offsets and SYNC Peripheral Timecode Display

The SYNC peripheral front panel display continues to display actual incoming timecode, regardless of any External Timecode Offsets settings that are applied in Pro Tools.

To apply an offset to an external timecode source:

In the External Timecode Offsets section of the
Session Setup window, enter a time in an offset
field.

To apply the same offset to external MMC, 9-Pin,

Sync, and Satellite timecode sources:
In the Session Setup window, select Link to apply the same offset value to all devices.

Generating & Regenerating

Timecode
SYNC peripherals can generate LTC, VITC, and
MTC simultaneously, obtaining time addresses
from a variety of sources:
When the Positional Reference is LTC, VITC,
or Bi-Phase, the SYNC peripheral generates LTC,
VITC, and MTC simultaneously, based on the
time address of one of those sources.
When the Positional Reference is Serial Timecode, you can set the SYNC peripheral to generate LTC.

Timecode generated by SYNC peripherals

does not follow session Pull Up and Pull
Down settings.
Read/Regeneration Mode

In this mode, the SYNC peripheral regenerates

timecode based on external positional reference
information (LTC or VITC timecode, or a BiPhase/Tach signal). Subject to certain conditions, three types of timecode (LTC, VITC, and
MTC) are simultaneously regenerated from the
selected positional reference.

Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

49

Requirements for Read/Regeneration of LTC,

VITC and MTC
LTC The external positional reference must be

moving at normal, 1x forward speed (8 %).

VITC The positional reference must be LTC or
Bi-Phase/Tach, at any readable speed, forward
or reverse. The SYNC peripheral will not regenerate VITC if the positional reference is VITC.
MTC In order for the SYNC peripheral to regen-

erate continuous MTC, the external positional

reference must be moving at normal, 1x forward
speed (8 %). Outside of this speed range and
direction, MTC is generated in bursts every 200
milliseconds. This allows MTC-slaved devices to
read VITC or Bi-Phase properly in either direction, and at speeds down to zero. The SYNC peripheral begins regenerating MTC as soon as it
again detects a valid positional reference signal.
To optionally mute idle time MTC output,
see MTC Output and Idle Muting on
page 56.

Generator Preset Mode

In this mode, the SYNC peripheral generates

timecode internally from a start time based
upon the Generator Preset Time. Using either
the SYNC peripheral front panel controls or the
SYNC Setup software utility, you can start, stop,
resume, and reset timecode generation.
When generating timecode in Generator Preset
Mode, the SYNC peripheral timecode generator
is resolved (locked) to one of three possible
sources, based upon the following rule:
If the Clock Reference is set to Internal, LTC,
Pilot Tone, Bi-Phase/Tach, Digital (AES/EBU),
or Digital (Word Clock), then the timecode generator will lock to the selected clock reference.

or
If the Clock Reference is set to one of the two
video inputs (Video Ref or Video In), then the
timecode generator will reference the Video Ref
input.

Frame Rate Restrictions with Video Reference

If the positional reference is LTC or VITC, the

SYNC peripheral will regenerate timecode addresses that match the incoming timecode addresses. If the positional reference is a
Bi-Phase/Tach signal, the SYNC peripheral will
generate timecode addresses starting at the BiPhase preset start time. (See Bi-Phase/Tach
Starting Frame on page 47 for more information.)

In any generator mode, if the Clock Reference is

set to a video input (Video Ref or Video In),
Pro Tools is restricted to generating timecode at
the incoming video frame rate.
With SYNC peripherals, the Timecode Rate you
choose is dependent on the video format:
For NTSC, you can choose only 29.97 FPS or
29.97 FPS DROP.
For PAL, you can choose only 25 FPS.
In Generator Preset mode, if the Clock Reference is set to a video input, 24 fps cannot be used
as the SYNC peripheral timecode format.

50

SYNC HD Guide

Generator Start Time

LTC Generation/Regeneration

To set the generator start frame using Pro Tools:

Regenerating LTC

Configure the Session Setup window as appropriate for your system and the current project.
See the Pro Tools Reference Guide for more information.

SYNC peripherals will regenerate LTC whenever

the external positional reference is moving at
normal, 1x forward speed (10%).

To set the generator start frame using the front

panel controls:
1 Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to
display Set Gen (SE7 6En).

Press Set. One of the timecode display fields

flashes.

Press the Up or Down switches to raise or

lower the currently flashing value.

To set a timecode setting and advance to the

next field, press and release Down and Up simultaneously.

Repeat until you have finished setting the

SYNC peripheral to the desired generator start
time.

Press Set. The SYNC peripheral retains the setting, even when the unit is powered off and on
again, until you change it.
6

Make sure LTC is correctly routed as explained

in Chapter 2, Installation and Configuration.
If you need to adjust the level of the SYNC peripheral LTC output signal, see Adjusting LTC
Output Level/Gain on page 40. You can also adjust the SYNC peripheral LTC servo gain, as described in Servo Gain on page 63.
To regenerate LTC using Pro Tools:

In the Sync Setup section of the Session Setup

window, select any external positional reference.

To regenerate LTC using the front panel controls:

Press the Positional Reference switch to select
an external positional reference (do not select
Generate).

To regenerate LTC using the SYNC Setup software

utility (Windows only):
Select an external positional reference from
the Positional Ref pop-up.

The SYNC peripheral regenerates LTC as soon as

it receives a valid positional reference signal.

Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

51

Generating LTC

In Generator Preset mode, the SYNC peripheral

can generate LTC using either an external or internal clock reference. Make sure LTC is correctly routed and that all your other gear is
properly configured before you begin. If necessary, adjust the input level for the destination
device.
To generate LTC using Pro Tools:
1

In the expanded Transport window, click

Gen LTC.

Start Pro Tools recording or playback.

Pro Tools commands the SYNC peripheral to begin generating LTC with time addresses synchronized to the session time line.

The Gen LTC setting you choose remains set,

session to session, until it is changed again.
To generate LTC using the front panel controls:

Press the Positional Reference switch to select

Generate.

Configure the timecode start in hours:minutes:seconds:frames using the Set, Up and Down
switches. See Generator Start Time on page 51
for instructions.

To begin generating, press and release the

Run/Stop/Clear/Esc switch.

To generate LTC using the SYNC Setup software

utility (Windows only):
1 Select Generate in the Positional Ref pop-up
menu.
2 In the Generator/Bi-Phase Preset section, enter
the timecode start time, in Hrs:Min:Sec:Frm. To
reset to 00:00:00:00, click Zero.
3

To begin generating, click Run.

When you have finished generating the desired

length of LTC, click Stop.
4

52

SYNC HD Guide

VITC Generation/Regeneration
When you use a SYNC peripheral to regenerate
or generate VITC, youll be inserting VITC into
an existing video signal. The input is derived according to the following rule.
VITC Video Source Rule

SYNC peripherals have two video inputs (Video

In and Video Ref). The following rule describes which of these two signals VITC is applied to.
If the Clock Reference is set to either of the
two video inputs, then VITC will be applied to
the video signal at the Video Ref input.
Under all other combinations of Positional
Reference and Clock Reference, VITC will be applied to the video signal at the Video In connector.

In addition, the SYNC peripheral will not insert

new VITC while reading VITC from an external
source. This is a safety feature to prevent the
loss of existing VITC in the video stream. VITC
is never inserted when the Positional Reference
is set to VITC or Auto Switch LTC/VITC.
Example Video Input Configuration

One common situation is transferring video

from a source VTR (or a nonlinear video editing
system) to a destination VTR (or a nonlinear
video editing system). The video source signal is
connected to one of the SYNC peripheral video
input connectors according to the VITC Video
Source rule.

The SYNC peripheral Video Out signal is connected to the destination device. The SYNC peripheral is then able to stripe the second VTRs
videotape with VITC. (At the same time, you
might also want to insert a window dub. See
Generating a Window Dub on page 56.)
Unlike LTC, SYNC peripherals can regenerate VITC with both forward and reverse
timecode addresses.

To prevent destruction of the original VITC

code, the SYNC peripheral will not re-apply (regenerate) VITC onto the same video stream
from which it is reading VITC.
LTC If you want to use LTC as a positional
source, do not select Auto LTC/VITC.
External In order for the SYNC peripheral to regenerate VITC based on an external positional
reference, you need to select both a clock reference and a positional reference.

The SYNC peripheral regenerates VITC and inserts it onto the video signal (as soon as it receives a valid clock reference signal and positional reference signal).
To regenerate VITC based on an external
positional reference using the front panel
controls:

Connect the video source to the SYNC peripheral Video Ref connector and loop the signal to
the SYNC peripheral Video Input connector.

Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to

display VITC Insertion (VI7C In5).
2

Press Set.

Use the Down and Up switches toggle between

On and Off.

Press Set to select VITC Insertion.

Ensure that you have selected the appropriate

video format (NTSC or PAL).

Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to

display VITC Generate Lines (6En LInE).
7

To regenerate VITC based on an external

positional reference using Pro Tools:

Ensure that the SYNC peripheral is connected

in-line with a video source and video destination.
1

Ensure that VITC Insertion Enabled is selected

in the Synchronization page of the Peripherals
dialog.

If necessary, choose the line pair from the

VITC Generate Lines pop-up menu in the in the
Synchronization page of the Peripherals dialog.

In the SYNC Setup section of the Session Setup

window, select valid clock and positional references, and ensure that you have selected the appropriate video format (NTSC or PAL,
depending on your project). For instructions,
see Video Format/System on page 64.
4

8 Press Set. The default line pair is14/16, which

is also the SMPTE-recommended setting.

Use the Down and Up switches to scroll

through the parameter values and select a VITC
line pair.

Press Set. The LED Timecode Display will return to showing timecode numbers.

10

11

Select valid clock and positional references.

The SYNC peripheral regenerates VITC and inserts it onto the video signal (as soon as it receives a valid positional reference signal).

Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

53

To regenerate VITC based on an external

positional reference using the SYNC Setup
software utility (Windows only):
1 Ensure that the SYNC peripheral is connected
in-line with a video source and video destination.
2 Ensure that VITC Insertion Enabled is selected
and that you have selected the appropriate video
format (NTSC or PAL).
3 Use the VITC Generate Lines menu to configure
the line pair, if necessary.
4

Select the appropriate clock reference.

Select either LTC or Bi-Phase/Tach from the

Positional Reference pop-up menu:
5

The SYNC peripheral regenerates VITC and inserts it onto the video signal (as soon as it receives a valid positional reference signal).
Internal VITC Generation

SYNC peripherals can also generate VITC internally, using the integral timecode generating
feature. In this mode (Positional Reference
switch = Generate) you can use either an external clock reference, or the SYNC peripheral internal crystal as a clock reference with a variable
start time.
When generating VITC internally, if the insertion is not timed based upon an upstream video
reference you may encounter repeated or
skipped VITC frames. Refer to VITC Timing
Rule on page 71 and VITC Video Source Rule
on page 52.

To generate VITC internally using Pro Tools:

1 Ensure that the SYNC peripheral is connected
in-line with a video source and video destination.
2 Ensure that VITC Insertion Enabled is selected
in the Synchronization page of the Peripherals
dialog.
3

If necessary, choose the line pair from the

VITC Generate Lines pop-up menu in the in the

Synchronization page of the Peripherals dialog.

4 In the SYNC Setup section of the Session Setup
window, select a valid clock reference and ensure
that you have selected the appropriate video format (NTSC or PAL, depending on your project).
For instructions, see Video Format/System on
page 64.
5

Put Pro Tools online.

Start Pro Tools recording or playback.

Pro Tools commands the SYNC peripheral to begin generating VITC with time addresses synchronized to the session time line.

To generate VITC internally using the front panel

controls:
1 Ensure that the SYNC peripheral is connected
in-line with a video source and video destination.
2 Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to
display VITC Insertion (VI7C In5). For detailed instructions, see VITC Insertion on
page 61.
3 Use the Down and Up switches to toggle VITC
Insertion On and Off.
4

When On is selected, press Set.

5 Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to

display VITC Generate Lines (6En LInE).

Press Set. The default line pair is 14/16, which

is also the SMPTE-recommended setting.

54

SYNC HD Guide

Use the Down and Up switches to scroll

through the parameter values and select a VITC
line pair.

Press Set.

Using the Positional Reference switch, select

Generate.

Set the timecode start time. See Generator

Start Time on page 51 for instructions.

10

11 Arm the destination VTR to record video, so

that VITC can be inserted into the video signal,
and be recorded on the destination videotape.
12 Make sure that your chosen clock reference is
actually present and running, then press the
SYNC peripheral Run switch.

The timecode addresses will begin to increment.

To pause or stop VITC using the front panel
controls:
Press and release the Run/Stop/Clear/Esc
switch when you want to pause or stop the generating process.

To generate VITC Internally using the SYNC Setup

software utility (Windows only):
1 Ensure that the SYNC peripheral is connected
in-line with a video source and video destination.
2 Ensure that VITC Insertion Enabled is selected,
and that you have selected the appropriate format (NTSC or PAL).
3 If necessary, select onto which line pair to generate VITC, using the VITC Generate Lines popup menu.

6 In the Generator/Bi-Phase Preset section, enter

the timecode start time, in Hrs:Min:Sec:Frm. To
reset to 00:00:00:00, click Zero.
7 Click Set. Typically, at this point you would
arm the destination VTR to record video, so that
VITC can be inserted into the video signal, and
be recorded on the destination videotape. Make
sure that your chosen clock reference is actually
present and running, and that it is synchronized
with the incoming video signal.

Click Run to start. The timecode addresses will

begin to increment.

9 Click Stop when you want to pause or stop the

generating process.

Regardless of whether you are generating or

regenerating, an active video signal will
need to be present at one of the SYNC peripheral video inputs. Check to see if the machine is paused, stopped or unlaced.

MTC Generation/Regeneration
MTC (MIDI Timecode) is a serial digital signal.
In many ways, you can think of it as an inaudible
type of LTC that can be used by various MIDI devices.
MTC is available from the SYNC peripheral MTC
Out connector, which is a standard DIN-style 5pin female MIDI connector.
To use MTC, connect MTC Out to a MIDI In connector of a device that can recognize and use
MTC. Typically, this would be a console, sequencer, synthesizer or sampler keyboard, a
drum machine or other device.

Select the appropriate clock reference, using

SYNC Setup Clock Ref pop-up menu.

From the Positional Ref pop-up menu, select

Generate.

Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

55

MTC Output and Idle Muting

MTC is normally output whenever LTC is output. Whenever LTC output stops, the SYNC peripheral will continue to output MTC in bursts
of one frame every 200 milliseconds. This allows
any connected MIDI-reading device to be continuously updated as to the position of VITC or
Bi-Phase (either of which might be operating at
slow or still speeds). Thus, you can still use a
connected MIDI device for Auto-Spotting from
VITC or Bi-Phase.
Optionally, this constant output can be set to
mute when timecode (LTC) is idle.
To mute idle-time MTC output using Pro Tools:
1

Generating a Window Dub

SYNC peripherals offer timecode character generation. This superimposes onto an SD video
signal a small area called a window dub (or window burn, or timecode window) that displays
timecode in hours:minutes:seconds:frames.
A window dub provides a visual cue to your location in a project, and can be helpful when
spotting clips to video frames in Pro Tools, especially if your only timecode reference from
tape is LTC (Auto-Spot requires VITC).
The SYNC peripheral character generator obtains its timecode address from the chosen Positional Reference.

Choose Setup > Peripherals and click Synchro-

nization.
2

Select the Idle MTC Enabled option.

Click OK.

To mute idle-time MTC output using the front panel

controls:

Press Set, and use the Up and Down switches to

display Idle MTC (IdLE 7C).
1

Press Set to display the current state (On or

Off ).

Window Dub Requirements

Existing Video Signal SYNC peripherals can only

insert a timecode window into an existing SD

video signal. This means that at least one video
source signal (from a VTR, nonlinear editing
system, or other video device) must be present
at one of the SYNC peripheral video input connectors (Video In or Video Ref). When generating a window dub, the VITC Timing Rule applies
(see VITC Timing Rule on page 71.
SYNC Peripheral Output The signal from the

Press the Up or Down switches to toggle the

Idle MTC setting.

Press Set.

To mute idle-time MTC output using the SYNC

Setup software utility (Windows only):

56

Select the Idle MTC Enabled option.

SYNC HD Guide

SYNC peripheral Video Out connector must be

routed to a video destination such as another
VTR or nonlinear editing system.

To insert a timecode window into a video signal

using Pro Tools:
1

Choose Setup > Peripherals and click Synchro-

nization.
2

Select Enable Dub Window.

3 Configure any of the following window dub appearance settings from the corresponding popup menu: Vertical Position, Horizontal Position,
Size, and Color.

Vertical Position Sets the vertical position of the

window dub, relative to the bottom of the video

picture. The choices range from 10% From Bottom to 50% From Bottom, in 10% increments.
10% from Bottom vertical position is outside the standard safe title area, which
means it may not be visible on some video
monitors.

To insert a timecode window into a video signal

using the front panel controls:

Press Set, and use the Down and Up switches to

display Burn Enabled (burn EnA).
1

Press Set. The display shows the current On or

Off setting for Window Burn.

Use the Down and Up switches to switch between the parameter values.

Based on the selected positional reference, the

timecode character generator burns timecode
addresses onto any video signal passing through
the SYNC peripheral.
To insert a timecode window into a video signal
using the SYNC Setup software utility (Windows
only):
1

Horizontal Position Sets the window dubs rela-

tive horizontal position within the video picture. The choices include Extreme Left, Left,
Center, Right and Extreme Right.
The Extreme horizontal positions are outside the standard safe title area, which
means they may not be visible on some
video monitors.

Press Set.

In the SYNC Setup Dub Window section, select

Window Enabled.
2 Specify the appearance of the window dub with
the pop-up menus for Vertical Position, Horizontal Position, and Color.

Default window dub settings are listed in

Restoring Factory Settings on page 68.

Size Sets the relative size of the window dub

(Small or Large).
Color Sets the color of the timecode numbers in

the window dub, and the color of the window

dubs background. The choices include White on
Black Bkgnd; Black on White Bkgnd; White on
Video Bkgnd; or Black on Video Bkgnd. (Video
Bkgnd makes the window dub background
transparent, so that the timecode numbers are
displayed directly on top of the video signal.)
The default setting is White on Black Bkgnd.
4

Click OK.
Chapter 4: Using SYNC Peripherals

57

Sync Status Indicators in the

Edit Window

Flashing slow: SYNC I/O is locked but the

clock reference is more than 0.025% slower
than the expected rate.

Pro Tools HD 10 now provides graphic indicators in the Edit window for Video Reference,
Sync Lock, and Speed Calibration. In lower versions of Pro Tools, you have to view the Session
Setup window (which takes up valuable screen
space) or the front panel of the SYNC peripheral
to view these indicators.

Unlit: Clock reference is not within 0.025%

of the expected rate.
SYNC|HD
Yellow Solid: SYNC|HD is locked and the
clock reference is within 0.025% of the expected rate.
Yellow Flashing Fast: SYNC|HD is locked
but the clock reference is between 0.025%
and 4% faster than the expected rate.
Yellow Flashing Slow: SYNC|HD is locked
but the clock reference is between
0.025%and 4% slower than the expected
rate.

Sync Status indicators in the Edit window

To view the Sync Status indicators in the Edit
window:

In the Edit window, enable Synchronization.

Reference Present Indicator Lights when the
Video Ref In connector is receiving a valid videosignal.
Locked Indicator Lights solid green when a

SYNC peripheral is locked to the selected clock

reference. The Locked indicator flashes yellow if
the selected clock reference source is missing or
out of lockable frequency range.
Speed Cal Indicator Shows the status of the incoming clock reference, depending on the type
of SYNC peripheral you are using:

SYNC I/O
Lit: SYNC I/O is locked and the clock reference is within 0.025% of the expected rate.
Flashing fast: SYNC I/O is locked but the
clock reference is more than 0.025% faster
than the expected rate.

58

SYNC HD Guide

Red Flashing Fast: SYNC|HD is locked but

the clock reference is more than 4% faster
than the expected rate.
Red Flashing Slow: SYNC|HD is locked but
the clock reference is more than 4% slower
than the expected rate.
Unlit: SYNC|HD is not locked to the chosen
clock reference.

Chapter 5: Additional Operational

Information

Front Panel Generator/Parameter Controls

This section details the parameters available from the multi-function Set, Down, Up and
Run/Stop/Clear/Esc switches on the SYNC peripheral front panel. For details on the multi-function
Generator/Parameter switches on the front panel, see Front Panel Generator/Parameter Switches
on page 35.

Parameters
SYNC peripheral parameters are selected and edited using the four Generator/Parameter switches.
To select SYNC peripheral front panel parameters:
1

Press Set.

Use the Up and Down switches to scroll through available parameters, described below.

The 7-segment LEDs in the Generator/Parameter Display abbreviate some parameter names using numerals to represent letters (such as 5 to represent S or s). The following table identifies each of
these abbreviations.

Chapter 5: Additional Operational Information

59

SYNC peripheral front panel display of parameters

Set Generator Start Time

Lets you set a start time for the SYNC peripheral

timecode generator.

LED

Parameter

SE7 6En

Set Generator Start Time

dI6 rEF

Digital Reference

SPL FrEC

Sample Freq (Rate)

PuLL r7E 1

Pull Up/Down 0.1%

PuLL r7E4

Pull Up 4.167%, Down 4.0%

bASE CLOC

External Clock Out

VI7C InS

VITC Insertion

rdr LInE

(VITC) Reader Line

6En LInE

(VITC) Generate Line

burn EnA

Window Burn On/Off

FrEE LEn

Freewheel Duration

L7C
LEUL/GAIn

LTC Output level/gain

SErVo Gn

LTC Servo gain

PICH HLd

Pitch Hold On/Off

bIPH PPF

Bi-Phase Pulse-per-frame

See Sample Rate on page 29.

bIPH SI6

Bi-Phase Signal Configuration

Pull Rate

VIdEO SY

Video Format (NTSC/PAL)

Hd VIdEo

HD Video Format (SYNC HD

only)

Two Pull Rate settings enable 0.1%, and 4%, Pull

Up or Pull Down for the current sample rate.

IdLE 7C

Idle MTC On/Off

dEvicE id

Device ID (SYNC HD only)

Pull Rate1 Lets you enable 0.1% pull up or down.

USd CPA7

USD Compatibility mode On/Off

(SYNC I/O only)

Pull Rate4 Lets you enable 4.167% pull up, or

See Generator Start Time on page 51.

60

SYNC HD Guide

Digital Clock Reference

The SYNC peripheral can use AES/EBU or Word

Clock (1x) for digital clock reference.

See Digital Clock (AES/EBU or Word Clock)

Options on page 38.
Sample Rate

Selects the SYNC peripheral sample rate.

4.0% pull down, when available.

Base Clock

VITC Read Lines

Configures the Word Clock Out port. Choices

are Session (1x the base session sample rate), or
256x (for Slave Clock devices).

This setting determines which line pair of incoming video is used for the VITC source.

To choose the VITC read lines:

The base sample rate is 44.1 kHz when session sample rate is 44.1, 88.2, or 176.4 kHz,
or 48 kHz when session sample rate is 48, 96,
or 192 kHz.
VITC Insertion

When selected, VITC will be inserted onto the

outgoing video signalassuming that a video
signal is present at one of the SYNC peripheral
video inputs, and that the SYNC peripheral is in
a valid mode for inserting VITC.

Select VITC Read Lines (rdr LInE), using the

Set, Down, and Up switches.

Press Set.

3 Use Down and Up to scroll parameters, which

include:

Auto (ALL-LInE)where the SYNC peripheral will search all lines and select the first
valid line pair automatically
A currently selected read line pair.
4

Press Set.

VITC Generate Lines

To configure the SYNC peripheral to insert VITC
using the front panel:

Select VITC Insertion (VI7C InS) using the

Set, Down, and Up switches.

This setting determines the line pair of the video

signal at the Video Out connector onto which
the SYNC peripheral inserts VITC. Normally,
this should be left at the default setting of 14/16.

Press Set.

Use the Down and Up switches to toggle between On/Off.

Press Set.

To choose the VITC generate lines:

Select VITC Generate Lines (6En LInE), using the Set, Down, and Up switches.

2 Press Set. The LED Timecode Display displays

the current lines.
3 Use the Down and Up switches to scroll parameter values.

Press Set. The SYNC peripheral will retain the

setting, even when the unit is powered off and on
again, until it is changed.

Chapter 5: Additional Operational Information

61

Window Dub/Burn

To set the freewheel duration:

By enabling this setting, you can superimpose a

window dub onto an incoming video signal.

Select Freewheel Length (FrEE LEn), using

the Set, Down, and Up switches.

2 Press Set. The LED Timecode Display displays

the current setting, in frames.

The front panel lets you enable window dub but

does not let you adjust any window options.

3 Use the Down and Up switches to scroll parameter values.

4

Press Set.

To enable or disable the SYNC peripheral window

dub using the front panel controls:

LTC Output Level/Gain

Select Burn Enabled (burn EnA), using the

Set, Down, and Up switch.

Adjusts the audio level of the SYNC peripheral

LTC output, from 24 dBu to +9 dBu.

Press Set.

The SYNC HD shows the following:

Use the Down and Up switches to toggle between On/Off.

Press Set. The SYNC peripheral will retain the

setting, even when the unit is powered off and on
again, until it is changed.

See Generating a Window Dub on page 56 for

Pro Tools and the SYNC Setup software utility
window dub instructions. See SYNC Peripheral
Defaults on page 68 for default display settings.
Freewheel Length/Duration

Freewheel Length sets the period of time for

which the SYNC peripheral will continue to regenerate timecode when incoming timecode is
interrupted.

The SYNC I/O shows the following:

See Adjusting LTC Output Level/Gain on

page 40 for step-by-step LTC level instructions.
To set the LTC output level:

Select LTC Level/Gain (L7C LEUL on

SYNC HD, or L7C GAIn on SYNC I/O), using
the Set, Down, and Up switches.

Press the Set switch again. The LED Timecode

Display shows the current setting, in dBu.

3 Use the Down and Up switches to scroll parameter values.

See Freewheel Duration on page 44 for an explanation of this feature.

62

SYNC HD Guide

Press Set.

Servo Gain

Pitch Memory/Hold

This setting provides a user selectable LTC servo

gain offset. The five choices provide different
servo gain settings to reduce the effects of jitter
when locking to linear timecode. The front
panel Servo Gain settings correspond to the
same settings available in Pro Tools:

Pitch Memory is useful when resolving the

SYNC peripheral to off-speed, free-running
LTC. When Pitch Memory is enabled, the SYNC
peripheral will remain at a pitch (sample rate)
that corresponds to the last known clock reference speed.

0000 (LTC 0 - fastest) Allows the quickest resolving to incoming LTC, but with greater jitter.
This is the default setting, and should be used
when fast lock ups are critical.

Turn off Pitch Memory if you want to digitally transfer to another device and to ensure the receiving device gets the correct
sample rate.

-0001 (LTC 1) Provides an intermediate fast set-

ting.
-0002 (LTC 2 - average) Offers a compromise of

lock up time and jitter quality.

Also, turn pitch memory off if you are doing

an analog transfer to Pro Tools and want
to ensure that the recording is made at the
exact sample rate set by the Session Setup
window.

-0003 (LTC 3) Provides an intermediate slow set-

ting.
-0004 (LTC 4 - smoothest) Offers the lowest jitter

from LTC resolve, but can take six to ten seconds

to achieve full resolve. This setting is most appropriate when loading audio from an analog
master, where reducing or eliminating jitter is
more important than lock speed. When using
this setting, be sure to allow adequate pre-roll
before punching in.

To enable or disable the SYNC peripheral pitch

memory feature:
1 Select Pitch Hold (PICH HLd), using the Set,
Down, and Up switches.
2

Press Set.

Use the Down and Up switches to toggle between On/Off.

To set the LTC servo gain:

4 Press Set. The SYNC peripheral retains the setting, even when powered off, until it is changed.

Select Servo Gain (SErVo Gn) using the Set,

Down, and Up switches.

Press Set.

3 Use the Down and Up switches to scroll parameter values.

4

Press Set.

Chapter 5: Additional Operational Information

63

Bi-Phase/Tach Pulses Per Frame

Video Format/System

Bi-Phase/Tach involve several settings, including pulse per frame. This sets the number of BiPhase/Tach pulses per frame of timecode.

Selects the format (NTSC or PAL) for both the

incoming and outgoing video signals.

To set the pulses per frame value for a

Bi-Phase/Tach signal:

Select Bi-Phase/Tach Pulses Per Frame

(bIPH PPF), using the Set, Down, and Up
switches.

NTSC The standard for North and South America, Japan, and certain other parts of the world
PAL Used in most of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Users of SECAM video (for France, Russia, and
other parts of the world) should select PAL.

Be sure you have selected the correct video

format. The SYNC peripheral will not warn
you if you have chosen the wrong one.

Press Set.

3 Use the Down and Up switches to scroll parameter values.

Press Set. The SYNC peripheral retains the setting, even when the unit is powered off and on
again, until it is changed.

To select a video system:

Bi-Phase/Tach Input Signal

In addition to other Bi-Phase/Tach parameters,

the Input Signal defines the direction of the BiPhase/Tach signal.

Select Video System (VIdEo SY), using the

Set, Down, and Up switches.

Press Set.

Use the Down and Up switches to toggle the

parameters between the following:
NTSC (n75C)

PAL (PAL)
Press Set. The SYNC peripheral will retain the
setting, even when the unit is powered off and on
again, until it is changed.

For complete instructions, see Bi-Phase/Tach

Signal on page 47.

64

SYNC HD Guide

HD Video Format

(SYNC HD Only)

Selects the video reference rate when the Clock

Reference is set to Video Reference (HD).

The following progressive video reference rates

are available from the front panel display:
Slow PAL 23.976
Slow PAL 24
720p - 23.976

Press Set.

Use the Down and Up switches to select an

video reference rate.
Press Set. The SYNC peripheral will retain the
setting, even when the unit is powered off and on
again, until it is changed.

MTC Idle Mute

MTC is output constantly whenever the SYNC

peripheral is generating timecode. Optionally,
this output can be muted when timecode (LTC)
is idle.

720p - 24
720p - 25
720p - 29.97
720p - 30

See MTC Output and Idle Muting on page 56.

720p - 50

Device ID

720p - 59.94

(SYNC HD Only)

720p - 60

Toggles the device ID of the SYNC HD between

SYNC HD (for use with Pro Tools 7.4 or higher)
and SYNC I/O (for use with Pro Tools 7.3 or
lower).

1080p - 23.976
1080p - 24
1080p - 25
1080p - 29.97
1080p - 30
1080i - 47.95

See Emulating a SYNC I/O on page 13.

1080i - 48

USD Compatibility Mode

1080i - 50

(SYNC I/O Only)

1080i - 59.94
1080i - 60
1080p - 50
1080p - 59.94

This setting lets you turn on Universal Slave

Driver (USD) emulation to support older
Pro Tools MIX systems and other USD-compatible audio systems.

1080p - 60
To select an HD video format:

Select HD Video (Hd UidEo), using the Set,

Down, and Up switches.

Chapter 5: Additional Operational Information

65

Using Fader Start

To configure Pro Tools tracks for Fader Start Play

and Stop:

Fader Start allows faders in Pro Tools to trigger

external devices to play and stop.

SYNC peripherals have six GPI outputs in total:

two TTL-level and four relays. Together, this
combination of outputs makes it possible to provide Fader Start capability.
Utilization of Fader Start has specific wiring requirements. See GPI Relay Wiring for
Fader-Start on page 94.

To implement Fader Start, Pro Tools maps the

first two visible auxiliary input channels in a
session to GPI Relay outputs 0 and 1 (first being
left-to-right in the Mix window, top-to-bottom
in the Edit window).
Example Fader Start Application

In a typical scenario, the Fader Start feature

controls playback of a CD player. The CD player
outputs are routed into a Pro Tools stereo Aux
Input. As the Aux channel fader is moved above
120 dB, playback of the CD player is automatically triggered. Likewise, as the fader is moved
below 120 dB, playback is automatically
stopped.
To rearrange tracks, drag the Track Name
left or right in the Mix window, or up or
down in the Edit window. See the Pro Tools
Reference Guide for more information.

Use the New Track dialog to create two new

auxiliary input tracks. If you already have Auxiliary Input tracks, you will use the first and second (top-most in the Edit window, left-most in
the Mix window).
When the first visible Auxiliary Input track in
a Pro Tools session is above 120 dB, GPI Relay
output 3 (Fader Start #1) will be enabled; otherwise, it will be disabled.

Similarly, when the second visible Auxiliary

Input track in a Pro Tools session is above
120 dB, GPI Relay output #4 (Fader Start #2)
will be enabled; otherwise, it will be disabled.
If you rearrange channel strips in the Pro Tools
Mix or Edit windows, the two GPI outputs will
update dynamically to reflect the current state.
The Fader Start channel must be in a Show Track
state (not hidden). See GPI Relay Wiring for
Fader-Start on page 94 for additional GPI
information.

Calibrating the SYNC

Peripheral Oscillator
SYNC peripherals provide a feature for calibrating the frequency of the onboard crystal oscillator. This allows the SYNC peripheral to be used
as an extremely accurate frequency reference
while in Internal/VSO mode.
With normal usage, the SYNC peripheral should
never require recalibrating. Each unit is factory
calibrated to within +/ 5 ppm (parts per
million).

66

SYNC HD Guide

You may want to recalibrate a SYNC peripheral

in the following situations:
If greater than 5 ppm accuracy is required.

The original Oscillator Calibration value is

printed on the factory sticker, on the SYNC peripheral bottom panel.

If the unit needs to be matched to a unique

(nonstandard) frequency.

To restore the SYNC peripheral oscillator

calibration to its factory setting:

To precisely compensate for component aging.

and
To restore the original factory setting.
Oscillator recalibration does not occur
during firmware updating or when resetting
the SYNC peripheral to factory defaults (see
Restoring Factory Settings on page 68).

Press Set, then press Up until Video System

(VIdEo SY) is displayed in the LED readout.
Press and hold the Up switch. While you continue to hold that switch, press the Clock Reference switch momentarily, and then release both
switches. The LED Timecode Display reads
OSC CAL.

Oscillator Resolution and Stability

The unit of calibration for SYNC peripherals is

1/64th of a sample period. What this means is
that a SYNC peripheral can theoretically be calibrated to about 1/3 ppm (0.33 part per million).
The unit will maintain calibration across a wide
range in temperature. Long-term drift should be
less than 1 ppm per year due to aging of the crystal. To put this in perspective, most digital audio
products are accurate to within 20 to 50 ppm
and drift with temperature. The SYNC peripherals accuracy is possible because it contains a
low-jitter, high-stability temperature- controlled crystal oscillator.

Press Set. The LED Timecode Display shows

the current parameter value, which shows a sample rate frequency deviation from 0999 to 0999.

Note the Oscillator Calibration value printed

on the factory sticker, on the SYNC peripheral
bottom panel.

Use the Down and Up switches to scroll

through the parameter values.

When you reach a value that matches the

stickers value, stop scrolling and press Set. The
SYNC peripheral is now calibrated.

Press Set. The LED Timecode Display shows

O5C CAL.

Warm Up the SYNC Peripheral Before

Recalibrating

Press the Down switch to exit OSC CAL.

Before you begin the calibration procedure,

power on the SYNC peripheral and allow it to
warm up for at least five minutes. The temperature of the room (or chassis) isnt critical during
the calibration procedure. However, if you need
better than 3 ppm accuracy, it is recommended
that you allow the SYNC peripheral to warm up
for at least 30 minutes and that the chassis be at
normal operating temperature.

Chapter 5: Additional Operational Information

67

Restoring Factory Settings

A SYNC peripheral can be reset to its default factory settings.
To reset all parameters to default settings:

Switch off power to the SYNC peripheral and

wait at least 10 seconds.

Factory Default Settings

The following table lists the default settings of

each parameter.
SYNC Peripheral Defaults
Parameter Name

Default

Set Generator Start Time

01:00:00:00

Hold both the Up and Down front panel

switches and turn on power to the SYNC peripheral. Do not release the Up and Down switches
until the display reads FAC-CFG.

Resetting factory settings does not reset the

SYNC peripheral oscillator. See Calibrating the SYNC Peripheral Oscillator on
page 66 for information.

Digital Reference

AES/EBU

Sample Freq (Rate)

44.1 kHz

VITC Insertion

On

Pull Rates

Off

Base Clock

Session (1x Word)

(VITC) Reader Line

All

(VITC) Generate Line

1416

Window Burn On/Off

On (Enabled)

Freewheel Duration

8 frames

LTC Output level

+3 dBu

Servo gain

0000

Pitch Hold

Off

Bi-Phase Pulse-perframe
Bi-Phase Signal
Video System/Format
Idle MTC Enabled
Window Burn options:

0100
A Lead B
NTSC
On
Enabled
Size: Large
Vertical Position: 20%
from Bottom
Horizontal Position:
Center
Color: White on Black
background

Variable Speed Offset

(VSO)

68

SYNC HD Guide

Off

Managing and Selecting

Video Inputs
(SD Video Rates Only)

SYNC peripherals have two independent video

inputs, Video In and Video Ref, on the
SYNC peripheral rear panel. These let you use
one of the video inputs as a Clock Reference (the
resolver sample clock master reference) and use
the other input for working with VITC timecode
and the character generator (window dub).
If you have just a single video source, the SYNC
peripheral provides a very simple method for
connecting your single video source to both of
the video inputs. See Using Video Inputs with
VITC and the Character Generator on page 69.
In a typical video setup, you will supply a reference video signal (black burst or color bars) to
your VCR and to the SYNC peripheral Video Ref
input. You will then connect the VCR's video
output to the SYNC peripheral Video In port. Finally, the SYNC peripheral Video Out will be fed
to your picture monitor and/or another VCR.

Using Video Inputs with VITC and the Character

Generator

Unlike selecting a video input to use for Clock

Reference, input selection for VITC and character generator functions follows a simple rule.
This rule is explained in the following sections
and in Figure 3 on page 70.
Video Ref If the Clock Reference is one of the
two video inputs, and the Positional Reference is
Generate, then VITC and character generator
functions are applied to the video arriving at the
Video Ref input connector. This helps you avoid
re-patching video cables whenever you want to
stripe a videotape with your reference blackburst or color bars, along with internally generated time addresses for VITC (and/or LTC,
and/or CG dub window). In Figure 3 on page 70,
this scenario is identical to Route A.
Video In For all other combinations of Clock
Reference and Positional Reference, VITC and
character generator functions are applied to the
video signal arriving at the Video In connector.
In this way, the SYNC peripheral can read VITC
from your videotape, or add VITC with or without character generation (window burn) while
dubbing to a second VCR. In Figure 3 on
page 70, this scenario is identical to Route B.

Chapter 5: Additional Operational Information

69

Figure 3. Video Input Flow diagram

70

SYNC HD Guide

Chapter 6: Additional Synchronization

Information

Video and VITC Signals

Black Burst and House Video
Reference

A black burst signal is essentially a positionless video signal. As with any shared video
signal, youll want to ensure that your video feed
comes from a properly buffered and distributed
source, such as a video distribution amplifier, or
the house video reference/black burst output of
another device in the chain.
Resolving to video instead of house video
reference (black burst)

There are several reasons why you would resolve

a SYNC peripheral to a video signal rather than
house synchronization.
When House Video Reference is Unavailable Resolve to a video signal whenever you are synchronizing Pro Tools (or other device) to video,
and you either:

Do not have a house video reference.

or
Your setup includes equipment that lacks
house video reference input and synchronization capability (including consumer grade
VCR, or some entry-level computer-based editing systems).

Simple Setups In a modest setting with one or

two VTRs, Pro Tools, and a SYNC peripheral, using the video signal as the clock reference is often satisfactory. In these situations, proper synchronization can be achieved using the video
signal as clock reference.
Why VITC is Unavailable for Clock Reference

VITC itself does not provide clock information

directly as part of its timecode information,
only positional information. However, since
VITC is always embedded into a video signal,
that video signal can be used as a clock reference
by selecting Video Input as the clock reference
(or Video Ref if your facility has a house video
reference).
VITC Timing Rule

The following rule is in effect whenever you are

generating or regenerating VITC.
Inserted VITC should be monotonic, regardless of whether it is being regenerated or generated.

By monotonic, it is meant that the VITC should

be smoothly ascending or descending, with no
repeated or skipped frame addresses. In order to
achieve monotonicity, the external positional
reference (while regenerating) or the clock
source (in Generator Preset Mode) must be synchronous with the video signal onto which the
VITC is being inserted.
Chapter 6: Additional Synchronization Information

71

Example of VITC Timing Rule

Working with Analog Machines

As an example, if you are using LTC as a positional reference from a 3/4-inch U-Matic VTR,
then that VTR should be referenced to the same
video signal that you are applying to the SYNC
peripheral. As another example, in Generator
Preset Mode (Positional Reference = Generate),
a clock reference of Internal is not a good
choice, simply because the SYNC peripheral internal crystal runs asynchronously with respect
to the supplied video signal, and thus repeated
or skipped frame addresses are sure to eventually occur.

It is good practice on a 24-track analog tape machine to record timecode on Track 24 at a reference level of 10 dBu (or lower), with Track 23
left blank as a guard track. This practice
avoids crosstalk bleed that can occur between
the timecode track and otherwise adjacent audio
tracks. Timecode (which is a mid-frequency alternating pitch square wave) is very sensitive to
crosstalk from adjacent tracks, and conversely
you dont want audible timecode leaking onto
your audio tracks.

LTC Signals
Because its an analog audio signal, LTC can
sometimes be susceptible to either tape dropouts (tape shedding), or to level mismatches between the LTC source and the LTC input. The
SYNC peripheral Freewheeling feature allows
you to compensate for brief timecode dropouts.
However, if you have serious dropouts, you may
not be able to sustain accurate synchronization.
If you plan to use LTC as a clock reference
(whether or not you are also using it as a positional reference), you will need to ensure that
your LTC is recorded at as high a level as possible without distortion, and that there are no
dropouts longer than 1/80th of a frame.
A SYNC peripheral reads LTC most reliably
when fed with a LTC signal of at least 12 dBu
(and preferably 0 dBu to +3 dBu.)
LTC Servo Gain

You can adjust the servo gain of the SYNC peripheral LTC input from the SYNC peripheral
front panel controls and from the Pro Tools Session Setup window. See Servo Gain on page 63
for more information.
72

SYNC HD Guide

If your ATR is under the control of a synchronizer, you must make sure that the synchronizer
and the SYNC peripheral are both locked to the
same reference source (such as a video black
burst generator.)

Auto-Switch LTC/VITC
Auto-Switch LTC/VITC lets the SYNC peripheral automatically select between these two
(timecode) sources.
LTC and VITC both provide useful and unique
capabilities. For instance, it is impossible to
read LTC off a paused videotape. Consequently,
using only LTC, theres no way you can use Pro
Tools to perform Auto-Spotting of clips when
the tape is paused. However, VITC continues to
be read as long as the picture remains visible, so
it can be used as a positional reference when the
VTR is paused. On the other hand, VITC cannot
be read at fast winding speeds (except by broadcast-quality VTRs); LTC can be read at fast
winding speeds, as long as its signal remains
within the high-end frequency response of the
ATR or VTR.

Examples of Auto-Switch LTC/VITC

The SYNC peripheral will switch to LTC for
positional reference during hi-speed searching
and cueing, for example, or whenever the tape
speed is too high to read VITC.
The SYNC peripheral will switch to VITC if
LTC stops or is unavailable. This will include, for
example, if a tape is paused or parked.
If both LTC and VITC are available, the SYNC
peripheral chooses which one to use based on
the speed of playback. The switch-over point is
approximately 75% of full 1x playback speed.
Above 75% playback speed, LTC is favored; below 75% speed, VITC is favored.

If a dropout occurs, the SYNC peripheral waits

until the Freewheel duration has expired before
attempting to switch over to the opposite
source. If neither source is available, the SYNC
peripheral will stop reading timecode.

Digital Clock Signal Types

A reference clock signal is part of any digital recording system. It is required because whenever
digital audio information is mixed together or
passed between devices, the playback samples
must be aligned with the recording samples. In
some cases (such as with AES/EBU or S/PDIF
digital interfaces), the clock signal is embedded
in the data stream itself. In other cases, such as
SDIF, the clock signal is carried as an entirely
separate signal from the digital audio sample
data.
SYNC peripherals are able to resolve to
AES/EBU and Word Clock.

AES/EBU

Some professional digital audio products use

AES/EBU null clock (which is an AES/EBU
data stream that contains only clock information only and no audio information) as a system
clock reference source. These systems rely upon
a single AES/EBU master clock source that is
distributed throughout a digital audio facility,
in much the same way that house synchronization is distributed throughout a video facility. If
you are connecting a SYNC peripheral to such a
system, you will want to use the SYNC peripheral AES/EBU input as the clock reference connection, so that all system components are referenced to the same time base. (Note that
AES/EBU does not support 176.4 kHz and
192 kHz sample rates.)
In some cases (such as using the SYNC peripheral as a standalone clock resolver or timecode
generator without a digital audio workstation),
you may wish to use an audio DAT machine (or
other similar device) as a source of AES/EBU
null clock, and resolve your system to this reference source. In this case, the audio sample data
in the AES/EBU data stream is stripped off, and
only the clock information is used.
Word Clock

Many professional digital audio productsincluding open-reel multitrack tape recorders,

digital mixing consoles, and the Tascam DA-88
modular digital multitrackhave Word Clock
(1x sample rate) connectors.
Word Clock allows the DA-88 (and other Word
Clock-compatible devices) to send or receive external clock information which controls the
sample rate, which in turn (where applicable)
controls the play and record speed.

Chapter 6: Additional Synchronization Information

73

Using just Word Clock, it is possible to create a

chain of digital devices in your studio by picking one source as the Word Clock master, and
configuring other sources as Word Clock slaves.

Strictly speaking, Bi-Phase/Tach signals are

clock reference signals, and do not contain positional information of their own. However, they
do contain enough information for the SYNC peripheral to calculate positional information.

Bi-Phase/Tach

Bi-Phase/Tach signals use two square waves to

generate pulses that can function as a clock reference. The two square waves are 90 out-ofphase, in a pattern that resembles this:

Bi-Phase and Tach are used with mag machine,16, 35, and 70 mm projectors, flatbed editing systems and other types of motor-driven
film equipment. Bi-Phase (sometimes called
Quadrature Sync) and Tach information are
similar, though they do differ.
Bi-Phase A Bi-Phase signal consists of two
square waves, which are generated directly by a
devices transport mechanism, and which are
90 out-of-phase with one another. As a BiPhase-generating device plays it outputs a
steady stream of square waves that the SYNC peripheral can use as its clock reference, at nearly
any speed including still/paused.

The SYNC peripheral uses the phase relationship between the two square waves to determine
the devices direction (forward or reverse).
However, this is relevant only when the SYNC
peripheral is using the Bi-Phase signal as a positional reference.
Tach A Tach signal is a variation of Bi-Phase.

With Tachs two signals, one is used only as the

direction indicator, while the other is used as
the velocity, or rate indicator. The SYNC peripheral uses this rate signal when resolving to Tach
as a clock reference.
There are several different standards for the
number of pulses-per-frame for Bi-Phase or
Tach devices. You can set the SYNC peripheral
to match the PPF rate of the external devices BiPhase/Tach encoder from Pro Tools, or using
the SYNC Setup software utilitys Pulse Per
Frame setting (Windows only).
74

SYNC HD Guide

Square
Wave A
Square Wave B

Bi-Phase/Tach signals

With a Bi-Phase signal, the SYNC peripheral can

deduce the direction (forward or reverse) of the
signal based upon which wave is read high relative to the other. For instance, with some film
equipment, when the device is running forward,
it will generate a Bi-Phase signal where the A
wave leads the B wavethat is, where the A
wave peaks before the B wave peaks. When the
device is in reverse, the B wave will lead the A
wave.
However, some film equipment works in the opposite manner, which is why the SYNC peripheral Input Signals option lets you make the appropriate selection (Fwd = A leads B, or Fwd = B
leads A).
Calculating the direction of a Tach signal is
slightly different. As you may recall, Tach also
uses two signals. The A signal is a square wave
that provides clock information; the B signal
is in a steady state (high or low) that indicates
the direction. Unfortunately, not all Tach-generating equipment uses the B signal in the same

way. Fortunately, the SYNC peripheral Input

Signals option allows you to choose the appropriate method (Tach: Fwd = B is Low, or Tach:
Fwd = B is High).

Please note that Pilot Tone contains no positional information; it is simply a clock reference. Most 1/4-inch machines have a center
track for timecode or pilot.

This explains how the SYNC peripheral can use a

Bi-Phase/Tach signal to deduce the direction,
and how it also uses the signal as a clock referenceas long as the SYNC peripheral is told the
starting frame of the first clock signal.

Pilot Tone
SYNC peripherals can resolve to an external Pilot Tone signal for synchronizing to (or transferring audio from) certain types of open-reel
audio tape recorders.
In general, Pilot Tone is a sine wave reference
signal running at the line frequency or mains
frequency, meaning the same frequency transmitted by the AC line voltage from the local
power utility.
Pilot Tone is used on location film shoots to establish a common synchronization reference between a film or video camera with a portable
1/4-inch analog ATR (such as those made by Nagra or Stellavox). On location, Pilot Tone is derived by clock referencing the camera to the local AC line frequency (which is 60 Hz or 50 Hz
depending on the country of origin), and this
same frequency is then used to clock-reference
the ATR. The result is that both the camera and
the ATR will run at the same speed.
You can think of Pilot Tone as a kind of inexpensive and readily available house sync for location production. Increasingly, its being replaced by timecode, since new-generation film
cameras as well as many portable DAT recorders
are timecode-capable.

Chapter 6: Additional Synchronization Information

75

76

SYNC HD Guide

Chapter 7: Technical Specifications

General
Nominal Sample Rates
Pull
Up/Down

Sample Rate
44100

48000

88200

96000

176400

192000

+4.1667%
and +0.1%

45983

50050

91967

100100

n/a

n/a

+4.1667%

45938

50000

91875

100000

n/a

n/a

+4.1667%
and 0.1%

45892

49950

91783

99900

n/a

n/a

+0.1%

44144

48048

88288

96096

176576

192192

0.1%

44056

47952

88112

95904

176224

191808

4.0% and
+0.1%

42378

46126

84757

92252

n/a

n/a

4.0%

42336

46080

84672

92160

n/a

n/a

4.0% and
0.1%

42294

46034

84587

92068

n/a

n/a

Chapter 7: Technical Specifications

77

General
Frame Rates

30 fps
30 fps drop-frame
29.97 fps
29.97 fps drop-frame
25 fps
24 fps
23.976 fps

Variable Speed Override

Burn-in Window

Dimensions

78

350 cents (58.25%)

Aging:

2 ppm/year typical

Position:

5 horizontal and vertical positions

Size:

Large and small text

Color:

Black or white text on white or black

background or keyed

Height:

1RU/1.75 (4.45 cm)

Width:

19.0 (48.26 cm)

Depth:

10.5 (26.67 cm)

Weight

5.0 lbs (2.27 kg)

Vibration Resistance

5 mm displacement, 10 to 55 Hz, each axis

SYNC HD Guide

General
Shock

5 G max

Operating Temperature

32 to 131 degrees F (0 to 55 degrees C)

Storage Temperature

-40 to 176 degrees F (-40 to 80 degrees C)

Relative Humidity

0 to 95%, non-condensing

Power Requirements

Voltage:

85 to 264 VAC

Frequency:

47 to 63 Hz autoswitching

Wattage:

9.5 W typical, 30 W maximum

Connector:

3-pin, AC and ground (IEC

950:320;3.2.4)

Agency Compliance

Meets FCC Part 15 Class A limits, CD EN 55022A, CE EN 60950,

CE EN 55081:1, UL 1419 and CSA 22.2

Chapter 7: Technical Specifications

79

Rear Panel Connectors

Connector
LTC In

LTC Out

Video (Main) In

80

SYNC HD Guide

Specifications
Format:

SMPTE/EBU 80-bit longitudinal, drop frame/nondrop frame

Connector:

3-pin XLR female per IEC 268-12

Speed Range:

1/30 to 80X play speed, forward or backward

Level:

24 dBu to +9 dBu, differential (pin 2 hot)

Impedance:

200K ohms

Format:

SMPTE/EBU 80-bit longitudinal, drop frame/nondrop frame

Connector:

3-pin XLR male per IEC 268-12

Speed Range:

10% of play speed

Level:

24 dBu thru +9 dBu RMS, differential (pin 2 hot)

Level Default:

0 dBu RMS, 1.52V p-p 10mV

Output Impedance:

5K ohms

Load Impedance (minimum):

100 ohms

Rise/Fall Time:

42us 1us measured between 10% and 90% p-p

S/N Ratio:

60 dB RMS at 0 dBu level

Format:

NTSC or PAL composite video

Level:

1V p-p

Termination:

75 ohms

Rear Panel Connectors

Connector

Specifications

Video (Main) Out

Level:

1V p-p

Source Impedance:

75 ohms

Format:

SMPTE 90-bit, drop frame/non-drop frame

Line Range:

10 to 40 (all-line mode), 10 to 22 (single-line mode)

Format:

SMPTE 90-bit, drop frame/non-drop frame

Line Range:

Two lines, 10 to 20

Format:

NTSC or PAL composite video

Level:

1V p-p

Termination:

100K ohms

Level:

1V p-p

Termination:

100K ohms

Description:

Passive loop-thru of Video Ref in

Level:

5 V p-p at 110 ohms (pin 2 hot)

Connector:

3-pin XLR female per IEC 268-12

Level:

5 V p-p at 110 ohms (pin 2 hot)

Connector:

3-pin XLR male per IEC 268-12

(VITC In)

(VITC Out)

Video (Ref) In

Video (Ref) Out

AES/EBU In

AES/EBU Out

Chapter 7: Technical Specifications

81

Rear Panel Connectors

Connector

Specifications

Word Clock In

Level:

0 to .5 V (low), 2.0 to 6.0 V (high)

Connector:

BNC Female

Level:

TTL (3.3 V typical)

Connector:

BNC Female

Level

0 to .5 V (low), 2.0 to 6.0 V (high)

Connector

BNC Female

Level:

TTL (3.3 V typical)

Connector:

BNC Female

Connector:

25-pin D-subminiature female (DB25)

Frequency Range:

0 to 76.8 KHz

Level:

4.5 to 12V, opto-isolated

Current:

10 mA max

Polarity (bi-phase):

Both inputs are software programmable

Polarity (tach):

Direction polarity is software programmable

Modulo Range:

2 thru 254

Word Clock Out

Loop Sync In

Loop Sync Out

Bi-phase/Tach/
GPI/Pilot

(Bi-phase/Tach In)

82

SYNC HD Guide

Rear Panel Connectors

Connector

Specifications

(Pilot In)

Level:

100 mV to 5.5 V p-p, differential

Frequency Range:

50/60 Hz nominal

Impedance:

200K ohms

Description:

Four opto-isolator inputs/returns

Level:

4.5 to 5.5 V

Current:

10 mA max

Frequency:

Frame-rate max

Latency:

Half frame max

Description:

Two TTL-level outputs

Level:

TTL (3.3 V typical)

Current:

15 mA

Frequency:

Frame-rate max

Latency:

Half-frame max

Description:

Four pairs of SPST contacts, normally open

Load (while switching):

.5 A max at 200 VDC

Load (continuous):

1.5 A max at 200 VDC

Operate/Release Time:

1 ms

Repetition Rate:

Frame-rate max

Latency:

Half frame max

(GPI In)

(GPI Out (TTL))

(GPI (Relay))

Chapter 7: Technical Specifications

83

Rear Panel Connectors

Connector
MIDI Timecode
(MTC) Out

Host Serial

84

SYNC HD Guide

Specifications
Current Rating:

15 mA current loop

Rate:

31.25 Kilobaud

Connector:

5-pin DIN female

Cable Length:

50 feet (15 meters) max

Format:

Apple Mac-compatible serial printer port

Connector:

8-pin mini DIN female

Cable Length:

50 feet (15 meters) max

Chapter 8: Wiring Diagrams and Pin

Assignments

LTC Connectors

If you are connecting an unbalanced signal to the

SYNC peripheral LTC In or LTC Out connectors:

SYNC peripheral LTC In and LTC Out connectors are balanced XLRs with Pin 2 wired + or
hot, Pin 3 wired or cold, and Pin 1 wired
to ground (shield). Depending on whether you
are connecting a balanced or unbalanced signal
to these connectors, different wiring configurations are recommended for optimum signal integrity, especially for long cable runs.

Connect only Pin 2 to the + signal;

Connect Pin 1 to ground at all inputs and outputs.
LTC In
1

N.C.

GND

Device

LTC Out

Wiring diagrams for the SYNC peripheral LTC In and

LTC Out connectors (unbalanced signal)

Device

LTC In

+
GND

If you are connecting a balanced signal to the

SYNC peripheral LTC In or LTC Out connectors:

Pin 1 and ground should be connected at the

input only (not at the output). This will
prevent ground loops between the shield and
the Pin 1 conductor.

Device
2

GND

N.C.
3

GND

Device

LTC Out

Wiring diagrams for the SYNC peripheral LTC In and

LTC Out connectors (balanced signal)

Chapter 8: Wiring Diagrams and Pin Assignments

85

Bi-Phase/GPI/Pilot Pin Diagram

VCC_P15V

VR1
8

VIN

VOUT

NC
GND1
GND2

NC
GND3
GND4

4
2
3

2
0.1UF

1.0UF

V.REG,78L12ACM,+12V,0.1A,S0-8
480508807-00
SOL8

Biphase/GPI/Pilot
GND

12V_OUT

J3
27

BIPHA_I

13
25
12
24
11
23
10
22
9
21
8
20
7
19
6
18
5
17
4
16
3
15
2
14
1

BIPHB_I
GPIN3
OPTRETURN
RET3
GPOUT3_B
GPIN2
GPOUT3_A
RET2
GPOUT2_B
GPIN1
GPOUT2_A
RET1
GPOUT1_B
GPIN0
GPOUT1_A
RET0
GPOUT0_B
PILOT_IN+
GPOUT0_A
PILOT_INGPOUT1
GPOUT0

XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=8
XREF=9
XREF=8
XREF=9
XREF=9

26
DB25F_RA
GND_C

Bi-Phase/GPI/Pilot

86

SYNC HD Guide

C4

C3

5
7
6

5V

FB33
DSS306_55Y271M
FILTER_EMI
270101433
L_3P

GND_C

Bi-phase/Tach OptoCoupler Input

GND_C

5V

R49
1K

R79

1K

U6

XREF=9

BIPHA_I

R47

634

EN

2
3

VCC

6N137_DP
IC, OPTOCOUPLER
320003987
DIP8
C27

BIPHA

GND

0.1UF

GND

5V
1K

R77

U5

XREF=9
XREF=9

BIPHB_I
OPTRETURN

R46

634

XREF=13

2
3

VCC

EN

6N137_DP
IC, OPTOCOUPLER
320003987
DIP8
C25

GND

BIPHB

XREF=13

0.1UF
GND

Bi-phase/Tach

Chapter 8: Wiring Diagrams and Pin Assignments

87

GPI Relay Outputs

K4

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPOUT3_A
GPOUT3_E2

1
3

7
5

RELAY
RLY_SIP4_DG1A_BW

GPOUT3_B

XREF=9

GND

K3

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPOUT2_A
GPOUT2_E2

1
3

7
5

RELAY
RLY_SIP4_DG1A_BW

GPOUT2_B

XREF=9

GND

K2

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPOUT1_A
GPOUT1_E2

1
3

7
5

RELAY
RLY_SIP4_DG1A_BW

GPOUT1_B

XREF=9

GND

K1

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPOUT0_A
GPOUT0_E2

1
3

7
5

RELAY
RLY_SIP4_DG1A_BW

GPI Relay Output

88

SYNC HD Guide

GPOUT0_B

GND

XREF=9

XREF=13
XREF=13

XREF=4
XREF=13
XREF=13
XREF=13
XREF=13

GND

5V

GPOUT1_O
GPOUT0_O

MIDI_OUT
GPOUT3_E
GPOUT2_E
GPOUT1_E
GPOUT0_E

20

1
19

9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2

GND

Y7
Y6
Y5
Y4
Y3
Y2
Y1
Y0

C85

326904606

10

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

0.1UF

74FCT2541_SL

VCC

OE1
OE2

D7
D6
D5
D4
D3
D2
D1
D0

U26

GND

NC

GPOUT3_E2
GPOUT2_E2
GPOUT1_E2
GPOUT0_E2

GND

XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9

221R

GND

221R

R119

221R

R121

R4

GND_C

FB29
DSS306_55Y271M
FILTER_EMI
270101433
L_3P

GND_C

FB21
DSS306_55Y271M
FILTER_EMI
270101433
L_3P

NC
NC

J10

GPOUT0

XREF=9

DIN5F_DIN5
DIN_5F_PIN
210401223
DIN5
GND_C

1
3
5

MTC OUT

GND_C

GPOUT1

GND_C

FB30
DSS306_55Y271M
FILTER_EMI
270101433
L_3P

2
4

XREF=9

GND_C

FB20
DSS306_55Y271M
FILTER_EMI
270101433
L_3P

R3
221R

5V

GPI (TTL)/MTC Outputs

C87
220PF

C86
220PF

GPI TTL/MTC Output

Chapter 8: Wiring Diagrams and Pin Assignments

89

GPI (opto) Inputs

5V
R56

1K

1K

R88

U11

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPIN3

392

R55

RET3

EN

+
-

6N137_DP
IC, OPTOCOUPLER
320003987
DIP8

VCC

GND

GPIN3_I

XREF=2

0.1UF

C36
5V

1K

R87

GND
7

U10

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPIN2

392

R54

RET2

EN

+
-

6N137_DP
IC, OPTOCOUPLER
320003987
DIP8

VCC

C35

GND

GPIN2_I

XREF=2

0.1UF

5V
R86

1K
GND
7

U9

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPIN1

392

R53

RET1

EN

+
-

6N137_DP
IC, OPTOCOUPLER
320003987
DIP8

VCC

C34

GND

GPIN1_I

XREF=2

0.1UF

5V
R85

1K
GND
7

U8

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPIN0
RET0

R52

392

2
3

EN

+
VCC

6N137_DP
IC, OPTOCOUPLER
320003987
DIP8
C33

GND

GPIN0_I

0.1UF

GND

GPI (opto) Input

90

SYNC HD Guide

XREF=2

Connector Pin Assignments

Mac Serial Port Connector Pin Assignments
Mac Serial Port
Pin #

Name

Description

Mac Connection

NC

No connection

Pin 2 (HSKiB)

RTS_IN

Request To Send (input to SYNC peripheral)

Pin 1 (HSKoB)

RX_OUT

Transmitted data (output from SYNC peripheral)

Pin 5 input (RXDB)

GND

Chassis ground

Ground

TX_IN

Received data (input to SYNC peripheral)

Pin 3 output (TXDB)

GND

Chassis ground

Pin 8 input (RXDB+)

CTS_OUT

Clear To Send (output from SYNC peripheral)

Pin 7 input (GPiB)

NC

No connection

Pin 6 (TXDB+)

GND

Chassis ground

Ground

Shell

Chapter 8: Wiring Diagrams and Pin Assignments

91

Bi-phase/Tach/GPI/Pilot Port (Accessory Port) Connector Pin Assignments

Pin #

92

Name

Description

GPOUT0

GPI TTL-level output 0

GPOUT1

GPI TTL-level output 1

GPOUT0_A

GPI Relay 0, contact A

GPOUT0_B

GPI Relay 0, contact B

GPOUT1_A

GPI Relay 1, contact A

GPOUT1_B

GPI Relay 1, contact B

GPOUT2_A

GPI Relay 2, contact A

GPOUT2_B

GPI Relay 2, contact B

GPOUT3_A

GPI Relay 3, contact A

10

GPOUT3_B

GPI Relay 3, contact B

11

OPTRETURN

Return from Bi-phase/Tach opto-isolators

12

BIPHB_I

Input to Bi-phase/Tach opto-isolator B

13

BIPHA_I

Input to Bi-phase/Tach opto-isolator A

14

GND

Chassis ground

15

PILOT_IN

Pilot tone input, negative

16

PILOT_IN+

Pilot tone input, positive

17

RET0

Return from GPI opto-isolator 0

18

GPIN0

Input to GPI opto-isolator 0

19

RET1

Return from GPI opto-isolator 1

20

GPIN1

Input to GPI opto-isolator 1

21

RET2

Return from GPI opto-isolator 2

22

GPIN2

Input to GPI opto-isolator 2

23

RET3

Return from GPI opto-isolator 3

24

GPIN3

Input to GPI opto-isolator 3

25

VDD

+12V DC

Shell

GND

Connected to chassis ground

SYNC HD Guide

SYNC Peripheral Cable Pin

Assignments
SYNC Peripheral DigiSerial
Cable
A 12-foot Serial cable is included with the SYNC
peripheral to support connection of the SYNC
peripheral to the DigiSerial port on a Avid HDX,
HD Accel Core, HD Core, or HD Native card.
If you need to make a custom DigiSerial cable,
refer to the following pin assignment table for
the SYNC-to-DigiSerial port cable.
SYNC-to-DigiSerial cable
Mini DIN 8-pin Male to Mini DIN 8-pin Male

SYNC Setup Software Utility

Cable
(Windows Only)

The following table shows the pin assignments

needed for a SYNC-to-COM port cable to support the SYNC Setup software utility on a Windows computer.
SYNC-to-COM cable (Windows)
Mini DIN 8-pin Male to 9-pin D-Sub Female
2

Shell

Shell

1, 6, 8 none

1, 4, 6, 9 none

Chapter 8: Wiring Diagrams and Pin Assignments

93

Bi-phase/Tach/GPI/Pilot Port
Interfacing Notes
The six opto-isolators are 6N137 devices. The
four GPI input ports pass through 390 ohm series resistors to the cathode. The two BiPhase/Tach inputs pass through 634 ohm series
resistors to the cathode.

The two TTL-level GPI outputs are driven by a

74FCT541. Each output passes through a 220
ohm series resistor.

12 volts is supplied at the connector for the

purpose of driving the opto-isolators in film
tach applications. It is regulated and can supply
up to 100mA.
For Tach, the rate input is BIPHA_I and
the direction input is BIPHB_I. The polarity
of BIPHB_I is software programmable and defaults to low for forward.
For Bi-phase, the default polarity relationship
between A and B is software programmable. The
default setting for forward is A leads B. This
means that the rising edge of A (0 phase) must
precede the rising edge of B (90 phase).
For highest signal quality, use a 25-pin cable
with individually shielded conductors.

GPI Relay Wiring for Fader-Start

SYNC peripherals have a total of four Relaylevel GPI outputs on pins 3/4, 3-10 of the DB25
connector (see the circuit diagram GPI
(TTL)/MTC Outputs).
The GPI Relay outputs are intended to drive Relay loads only.

94

SYNC HD Guide

GPI Triggers

GPI output signals information:

0 (relay) = Play
1 (relay) = Record Ready
2 (relay) = fader start #1
3 (relay) = fader start #2
4 (TTL) = Stop
5 (TTL) = Record
Logical GPI numbers 0 through 3 are associated
with GPI relay outputs 0 through 3 (pins 3
through 10). GPI numbers 4 and 5 are associated
with GPI TTL outputs 0 and 1 (pins 1 and 2).
GPI TTL WIring

The circuit can drive approximately 2 mA

through a load of 1.6K and maintain a logic high
level of 3.3V. In an application where the equipment being controlled has more demanding
power requirements, an external buffer or relay
circuit mst be used. This would typically be constructed as part of a custom electrical interface.
Each GPI TTL output is fully short-circuit protected via a 220-ohm series resistor.
Before attempting to wire any type of
custom interface, always check the electrical
specifications provided by the equipment
manufacturer, including voltage levels,
current, loading and polarity. Incorrect
wiring may damage your equipment, the
SYNC peripheral, or cause personal injury.

AvidHDX ProTools|HD
HDNative ProToolsHD
Avid SYNC SYNCHD
SYNCI/O

SYNC Pro Tools

SYNC

SYNC Setup
Windows
SYNC

SYNC Setup
Windows

SYNC

Pro Tools SYNC

Avid HDXPro Tools|HD HD Native

Avid HDX ProTools|HD HDNative

Pro Tools
SYNC
SYNC
Pro Tools
SYNC

SYNC

SYNCSYNC SYNCI/O
ProTools

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SYNC Setup

SYNC
SYNC ProTools HD
44.1 48 88.2 96 176.4 192kHz

SYNCHD SD
HD
SYNCI/O SD

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95

LTC
VITC

LED

ProTools

SD
HD SYNCHD

ProTools

GPI

SYNC Setup
Windows

SYNC I/O
SYNCHD

AES/EBU AES-11 DARS

/
LTC

Avid Super Clock 256x
1x
AES/EBU AES

VITC
LTC
MIDI MTC
9- Sony P-2
1
ProTools MachineControl

96

SYNC HD

SYNC

SYNC
SYNC Setup
Windows SYNC

S Y N C S e t u p
Windows SYNC

VSO Variable Speed Override

Pro Tools
SYNC Setup

125
/


SYNC ProTools

ProTools SYNC

SYNC Windows
COM
9 -8

Avid HDX ProTools|HD HDNative

Avid
ProTools

SYNC Setup
Pro Tools

HDX HDAccelCore
HDCore HDNative
DigiSerial

Windows

SYNC ProTools
DigiSerial 8 -8

ProTools SYNC

100ft

173

SYNC Setup

Avid

www.avid.com/compatibility

SYNC Setup
Windows

SYNC Setup

Windows
SYNC
COM
SYNC Setup
Pro Tools DigiSerial

97

ProTools

SYNCHD SYNCI/O
10.0 ProTools

ProTools 7.3 SYNCI/O

SYNCHD
SYNCI/O
Avid
www.avid.com

File>

File

Save

Save

Control+N

Control
N

Control-

Control

98

SYNC HD

www.avid.com
Avid Web www.avid.com ProTools

Avid Customer Success

ProTools

ProTools

A v i d ?

Avid
ProTools

Pro Tools SYNC

SYNC

AC

2 SYNC
Host Serial

ProTools HDX HDAccelCore

HD HDNative DigiSerial
Windows

3 ProTools DigiSerial

ProTools
9- ProTools MachineControl

AC
SYNC AC AC
SYNC
100V 240V
AC

ProTools

DigiSerial

SYNC Setup

Windows

SYNC Setup
SYNC
SYNC peripheral
Windows
97

SYNC Setup
DigiSerial SYNC

Pro Tools Core

SYNC Setup
Windows SYNC

Pro Tools SYNC

ProTools

1 9- /8-
181
SYNC Setup

99

3 SYNC Host Serial

COM
4 SYNC

ProTools

HD
SYNC Loop Sync

SYNC
INTERNALLY
TERMINATED

IN
964530300294856
SERIAL NUMBER
OUT
BI-PHASE / TACH / GPI / PILOT

VIDEO REF

HOST SERIAL

L
T
C
I
N

VIDEO

L
T
C
O
U
T

A
E
S
I
N

MTC OUT

A
E
S
O
U
T

AC 100-240V, 50-60HZ, .5A 30W

IN

IN
9-PIN OUT 1

OUT

OUT
WORD CLOCK (1x,256x)

9-PIN OUT 2

LOOP SYNC

SYNC Loop Sync

HD

ProToolsHD
Loop Sync

SYNC Loop Sync

Loop Sync
Loop Sync ProTools HD
SYNC

HD
Pro Tools|HD Loop Sync

MachineControl
MachineControl ProTools

Pro Tools HD SYNC

SYNC

1 BNC SYNC
Loop Sync Out HD
Loop Sync In

ProTools

2 BNC SYNC Loop

Sync In ProTools HD Loop
Sync Out
SYNC

INTERNALLY
TERMINATED

IN
964530300294856
SERIAL NUMBER
OUT
BI-PHASE / TACH / GPI / PILOT

VIDEO REF

HOST SERIAL

L
T
C
I
N

VIDEO

MTC OUT

L
T
C
O
U
T

A
E
S
I
N

A
E
S
O
U
T

AC 100-240V, 50-60HZ, .5A 30W

SYNC 9-

IN

IN
9-PIN OUT 1

OUT

OUT
WORD CLOCK (1x,256x)

MachineControl

9-PIN OUT 2

LOOP SYNC

ProTools

HD
SYNC 96 I/O Loop Sync

100

SYNC HD

SYNC

SYNC 9-pin Out

9- 9-

SD HD

SYNC 9-pin Out

SYNC

2
1 ProTools

SYNC Video Ref

SYNC 9-

Video Ref

2 Video Ref

MachineControl

75

9-

9-

MachineControl
MachineControl

BNC

SYNC SD

SD SYNC Video In

SYNC Video In
SD

SYNCHD VideoRef
HD

SD VideoIn

SYNC

1 SD SYNC Video In

2 SYNC Video Out

101

LTC

SYNC LTC

LTC SYNC
SYNC

LTC SYNC LTC In

147

LTC SYNC
SYNC LTC Out

AES/EBU

AES/EBU SYNC

SYNC
DAT
DA-88 1x
SYNC

ProTools HD

ProTools

AES/EBU SYNC
AES/EBU In

SYNC AES/EBU

SYNC AES/EBU OutDAT

AES/EBU
AES/EBU
176.4kHz 192kHz

SYNC

SYNC
Word Clock In

MIDI
SYNC MTC Out MTC

LTCVITC
MTC MIDI

SYNC

SYNC Word Clock Out

SYNC Word Clock Out

1x

102

SYNC HD

MTC Out MIDI

SYNC
SYNC
MTC MTC

SYNC MTC MTC

SYNC

SYNC MTC Out MIDI

MIDI

SYNC DigiTest

SYNC
Pro Tools MTC

ProTools SYNC Host Serial

SYNC MTC
MIDI
ProTools
ProTools
MTC MIDI

MTC SYNC
MTC
LTC
145
MTC

1 SYNC

SYNC ProTools
HDX HDAccelCore
HDCore HDNative
DigiSerial

ProTools Windows

COM 1

2 Pro Tools
3 Avid DigiTest
4SYNC Firmware
5 DigiSerial
HDXHDAccelCore
HDCore HDNative

ProTools

SYNCSetup
Windows

6 SYNC DigiSerial
COM

SYNC

SYNC ProTools
SYNC
ProTools

SYNC

Pro Tools
ProTools

7 SYNCHD
SYNCI/O
8Begin Update

9
Open
10
SYNC
11
SYNC

www.avid.com
2

103

12

13Quit DigiTest

SYNC Setup
SYNC
Windows

SYNC
SYNC Setup
SYNC

www.avid.com

SYNC Setup
Windows
1 SYNC
COM
99 SYNC Setup

2 SYNC Setup

SYNC HD SYNC I/O

1 Set Up Down
dEuicE id Device ID
2 Set LED
SYNCHD
IDSYncHD
SYncIO SYNCI/O
3 Up Down ID
SYNC I/O
SYncIO
4 Set

ProTools SYNC

ProToolsHD ProTools SYNC

SYNC ProTools HD
Loop Sync
Loop Sync
ProTools HD
SYNC

3
Loop Sync

ISYNC /O
SYNC

HD

7.4 ProTools SYNCHD

ProTools SYNC
HD

7.3 ProTools SYNCHD

SYNCI/O
SYNCHD

104

SYNC HD

ProTools SYNC DigiSerial

SYNC
ProTools

SYNC
SYNC

Pro Tools SYNC

1 Pro Tools SYNC

Pro Tools
2 Setup > Peripherals

Synchronization

SYNC

SYNC Loop Sync

SYNC
SYNC

Synchronization Device
3

SYNC HD
Enable SYNCHD
SYNCHD
SYNC
Enable SYNC

Peripheral SYNCI/O

SYNC

Pro Tools

Clock
SYNC

ProTools DigiSerial SYNC

ProTools
DigiTest

103 SYNC

Source

Loop Sync
SYNC ProTools HD

SYNC

105

Loop Sync

ProTools HD

SYNC
SYNC
Loop

Sync

LTC
LTC

SYNC

Clock

129 LTC

Ref

SYNC

SYNC
SYNC

Session Setup
ClockReference

SYNC

SYNC
SYNC
SYNC

SYNC

/VSO
Video In
SD
SYNC HD
HD
LTC


AES/EBU


106

SYNC

SYNC HD

 Loop Sync

Session Setup
ClockSource

Loop Sync

ProTools HD

147

Ref

Present

HD OMNI

HD

I/O

LockedSYNC

Pro Tools
Pro Tools

Cal

Speed

AES S/PDIF Optical

SYNCHD

SYNC

SYNC

LED

0.025%
SYNCHD

0.025% 4%

SYNCHD

0.025% 4%

SYNCHD

4%

SYNC HD

4%

SYNCHD

107

Positional

Ref

SYNC Setup
SYNC

PositionalReference

LTC/VITC
LTC
VITC

ProTools 4.167%
4.0%

ProTools
S M P T E

Pro Tools HD 4.167%

4.0% 176.4kHz 192kHz

SYNC
ProTools

SYNC SYNC
Setup Windows

LED

ProTools Avid HDX

ProTools|HD HDNative
SYNC

Timecode

Rate

ProTools SYNC

SYNC

SYNC
SYNC Setup
Windows

108

SYNC HD

SD

Session Setup
Video Ref

Format
PAL NTSC

SD

HD
Session Setup
Video Ref

Format

Slow PAL - 23.976

Slow PAL -24
720p - 23.976
720p - 24
720p - 25
720p - 29.97
720p - 30
720p - 50
720p - 59.94
720p - 60
1080i - 47.95/1080psf - 23.976
1080i - 48/1080psf - 24
1080i - 50/1080psf - 25
1080i - 59.94/1080psf - 29.97
1080i - 60/1080psf - 30
1080p - 23.976
1080p - 24
1080p - 25
1080p - 29.97
1080p - 30
1080p - 50
1080p - 59.94
1080p - 60

HD

SYNC

HD

HD SYNCHD

NTSC PAL

24 48

HD

109

Avid
HD

Slow PAL - 23.976

NTSC

Slow PAL - 24

PAL

720p - 23.976

NTSC

720p - 24

Avid
ProTools

PAL
NTSC

MachineControl

720p - 25

PAL

720p - 29.97

NTSC

720p - 30

NTSC

720p - 50

PAL

1 Setup> Peripherals

720p - 59.94

NTSC

Synchronization

720p - 60

NTSC

1080i - 47.95/1080psf - 23.976

NTSC

1080i - 48/1080psf - 24

PAL
NTSC

MachineControl

MachineControl

SynchronizationSYNC
2
DigiSerial

Machine Control
3

1080i - 50/1080psf - 25

PAL

9-pin Machine Control

49-
9-
9-pin Remote

1080i - 59.94/1080psf - 29.97

NTSC

1080i - 60/1080psf - 30

NTSC

1080p - 24

PAL
NTSC

110

1080p - 25

PAL

1080p - 29.97

NTSC

1080p - 30

NTSC

1080p - 50

PAL

1080p - 59.94

NTSC

1080p - 60

NTSC

SYNC HD

ProTools
ProTools

ProTools

LED

SYNC

LED

SYNC

SYNC
Pro Tools

SYNC Setup

Windows

Windows SYNC Setup

1 SYNC 99

2 SYNC Setup

3 SYNC Setup
SYNC Setup> Preferences

ProTools HD

147

4 SYNC

5 SYNC Setup
SYNC

111

SYNC Keep SYNC SYNC

SYNC

SYNC

SYNC

NTSC PAL

Pro Tools SYNC

MTC
SYNC

DigiSerial

SYNC

MTC Use MTCSYNC

MTC MIDI

MTC CPU

112

SYNC HD

 3 SYNC

SYNC

LED

LED

LED

LED

LED

LED

1. SYNC HD

SYNC

SYNC

LED SYNC

SYNC
LED

LED.

SYNC

LED

SYNCHD = SD = HD
SYNCI/O SD
Video In
LTC Linear Timecode

SYNCHDWord/AES = Word =
AES/EBU
SYNCI/O Word AES/EBU

/
/VSO

3 SYNC

113

 1.

44100

48000

88200

96000

176400

192000

+4.1667%
+0.1%

45983

50050

91967

100100

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45938

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139

 LTC
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147

148

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L7C
1 Set
LTC Level/SYNCHD L7CGAI
LEUL
LTC Gain/SYNCI/O

2 Set LED
dBu

3 Down Up

4 Set

LTC
5

ProTools

0000LTC 0 - LTC

-0001LTC 1

SYNC
LTC

SYNC

-0002LTC 2 -

-0003LTC 3
-0004LTC 4 - LTC

6 10

ProTools

SYNC

Down
Up
PICH
1 Set
HLd Pitch Hold

2 Set
3 Down Up

LTC

4 Set

Down
Up
SErVo
1Set
Gn Servo Gain

2 Set
3 Down Up

4 Set

153

PAL
SECAM
PAL

SYNC

1 Set Down Up
bIPHPPF Bi-Phase/Tach Pulses Per Frame

1 Set Down Up
VIdEo SY Video System

2 Set

2 Set

3 Down Up

3 Down Up

4 Set

/
/

n75C NTSC
PAL PAL
4 Set

HD
SYNC

HD

HD

137 /

NTSC PAL

NTSC

154

SYNC HD

Slow PAL 23.976

Slow PAL 24
720p - 23.976
720p - 24
720p - 25
720p - 29.97
720p - 30
720p - 50
720p - 59.94

720p - 60
1080p - 23.976
1080p - 24
1080p - 25
1080p - 29.97
1080p - 30
1080i - 47.95
1080i - 48
1080i - 50
1080i - 59.94
1080i - 60
1080p - 50
1080p - 59.94
1080p - 60

HD

ID

SYNC

HD

SYNCHD ID SYNCHD(ProTools 7.4

SYNCI/O ProTools 7.3

104 ISYNC /O

USD
SYNC

I/O

ProTools MIX
USD
USD Universal Slave Driver

Down
Up
Hd
1 Set
UidEo HD Video

2 Set
3 Down Up

4 Set

Pro Tools

MTC

MTC SYNC

LTC

SYNC 2 TTL 4
6 GPI

181
GPI

145 MTC

Pro Tools
2 AUX
GPI 0 1

155

CD CD
ProTools AUX
AUX
-120dB CD

-120dB

SYNC

SYNC

/VSO SYNC

SYNC

+/-5ppm 100 1

Pro

Tools

SYNC

5ppm

Pro Tools

1 New Track
2 AUX
AUX
1 2

2 ProTools 1
AUX -120dB
GPI 3
#1

SYNC

157

ProTools 2
AUX -120dB
GPI #4
#2

ProTools

2 GPI

GPI 181
GPI

156

SYNC HD

SYNC
64 1 SYNC
ppm 1/3ppm 100 0.33

1 1ppm

20 50ppm
SYNC

 SYNC

SYNC
5

3 ppm

SYNC 30

SYNC

SYNC

VIdEo SY
Video System
1 Set
LED Up

2 Up
Clock Reference
LED
OSCCAL

SYNC

1 SYNC
10
2 UpDown
SYNC
FAC-CFG
Up Down
SYNC

156 SYNC

SYNC

Default
01:00:00:00

3 Set LED

AES/EBU

-0999 0999

44.1kHz

VITC

On

Off

1x

4 SYNC

Oscillator Calibration

5 Down Up

VITC

All

VITC

1416

Set
SYNC

LTC

+3dBu

7 Set LED
O5C CAL

0000

Off

8 Down OSC CAL

157

SYNC

Default

0100

A B

/ NTSC
MTC Idle MTC
Enabled

On

20%

VSOVariable Speed Offset Off

SD

SYNC 2
Video InVideoRef

VITC

158 VITC

VCR
SYNC Video Ref

VCR
SYNC Video In
SYNC Video Out
VCR

158

SYNC HD

VITC

VITC

159 3
2
1
Generate
VITC
Video Ref

VITC / LTC / CG

159 3
Route A

Video In
VITC
Video In

SYNC VITC
2 VCR

VITC 159
3 Route B

 3.

159

160

SYNC HD

VITC

SYNC

Pro Tools

VCR

1 2 VTR Pro Tools

SYNC

VITC

VITC

VITC
Video In

Video Ref

VITC

VITC

VITC

VITC

VITC

VITC
3/4 U VTR
LTC
VTR SYNC

SYNC

161

LTC
LTC
LTC
LTC
SYNC

LTC
LTC
LTC

1/80

SYNC -12dBu 0dBu

+3dBu LTC
LTC

LTC/VITC SYNC 2

LTC VITC

LTC
LTC
Pro Tools

VITC
VTR

VITC
VTR
LTC ATR VTR

LTC

LTC/VITC

SYNC ProTools
SYNC
LTC
153

VITC
SYNC
LTC

24
24 -10dBu
23

ATR
SYNC

162

LTC/VITC

SYNC HD

LTC
SYNC
VITC

LTC VITC
SYNC
75%

75% LTC 75%

VITC
SYNC

SYNC

AES/EBU S/PDIF

S/PDIF

SYNC AES/EBU

AES/EBU

AES/EBU
AES/EBU

AES/EBU
SYNC

SYNC AES/EBU
AES/EBU
176.4kHz 192kHz

SYNC

DAT
AES/EBU


AES/EBU

Word Clock

Tascam DA-88

1x

DA-88

/
163570mm

2

90

/
SYNC

SYNC 2

SYNC

163


2 1
1

SYNC

SYNC /
P P F
ProTools SYNC Setup
Pulse Per FrameWindows

SYNC

/ 2

2 90

SYNC

SYNC A B
A B

B A

SYNC
= A B = B A

164

SYNC HD

2 A

B
SYNC
= B
= B

SYNC
SYNC
/

SYNC

AC

1/4 ATR Nagra Stellavox

AC 60Hz 50Hz

ATR

ATR

DAT

1/4

44100

48000

88200

96000

176400

192000

+4.1667% +0.1%

45983

50050

91967

100100

n/a

n/a

+4.1667%

45938

50000

91875

100000

n/a

n/a

+4.1667% +0.1%

45892

49950

91783

99900

n/a

n/a

+0.1%

44144

48048

88288

96096

176576

192192

0.1%

44056

47952

88112

95904

176224

191808

-4.0% +0.1%

42378

46126

84757

92252

n/a

n/a

-4.0%

42336

46080

84672

92160

n/a

n/a

4.0% 0.1%

42294

46034

84587

92068

n/a

n/a

30fps
30fps
29.97fps
29.97fps

25fps
24fps
23.976fps

165

VSOVariable Speed
Override

166

350 58.25%

2ppm/

1RU/1.754.45cm

19.048.26cm

10.526.67cm

5.0lbs2.27kg

5mm10-55Hz

5G

32-131F0-55C

-40-176F-40-80C

0-95%

SYNC HD

85-264VAC

47-63Hz

9.5W 30 W

3 ACIEC 950320;3.2.4

FCC 15 A CD EN 55022ACE EN 60950CE EN 55081

1UL 1419CSA 22.2

LTC In

SMPTE/EBU 80 LTC
/

IEC 268-12 3- XLR

1/30-80X

-24dBu +9dBu 2

200K

SMPTE/EBU 80 LTC
/

IEC 268-12 3 XLR

10%

-24dBu thru +9dBu RMS 2

0dBu RMS1.52V p-p 10mV

5K

100

Rise/Fall

42us 1us10% 90% p-p

S/N

0dBu -60dB RMS

LTC Out

167

VideoMainIn

NTSC PAL

1V p-p

75

1V p-p

75

SMPTE 90 /

VideoMainOut

VITC

In

(VITC Out)

VideoRefIn

VideoRefOut

168

SYNC HD

10 4010
22

SMPTE 90 /

2 10 20

NTSC PAL

1V p-p

100K

1V p-p

100K

Video Ref In

AES/EBU In

110 5V p-p 2

IEC 268-12 3- XLR

110 5V p-p 2

IEC 268-12 3 XLR

0 .5V2.0 6.0V

BNC

TTL 3.3V

BNC

Level

0 .5V2.0 6.0V

BNC

TTL 3.3V

BNC

25 D- DB25

AES/EBU Out

Loop Sync In

Loop Sync Out

Bi-phase/Tach/
GPI/Pilot

169

Bi-phase/Tach

In

0-76.8KHz

4.5 12V

10mA

Pilot

GPI

GPI

170

In

In

Out TTL

SYNC HD

2 254

100mV 5.5V p-p

50/60Hz

200K

4 /

4.5 5.5V

10mA

1/2

2TTL-

TTL 3.3V

15mA

1/2

GPI

MIDI Time Code

MTCOut

SPST 4

200VDC 1.5A

200VDC 1.5A

Operate/Release

1ms

1/2

15mA

31.25

5 DIN

50 15

Apple Mac

8 DIN

50 15

171

172

SYNC HD

SYNC LTC InLTC Out

LTC
SYNC LTC In LTC Out
3 -
2 +
1
XLR

2 +
1

LTC In
1

+
GND

N.C.

SYNC LTC InLTC Out

LTC In
1

LTC Out

SYNC LTC InLTC Out

GND

N.C.
3

GND

GND

LTC Out

SYNC LTC InLTC Out

173

 /GPI/

VCC_P15V

VR1
8

VOUT

NC
GND1
GND2

NC
GND3
GND4

4
2
3

2
0.1UF

1.0UF

V.REG,78L12ACM,+12V,0.1A,S0-8
480508807-00
SOL8

Biphase/GPI/Pilot
GND

12V_OUT

J3
27

BIPHA_I

13
25
12
24
11
23
10
22
9
21
8
20
7
19
6
18
5
17
4
16
3
15
2
14
1

BIPHB_I
GPIN3
OPTRETURN
RET3
GPOUT3_B
GPIN2
GPOUT3_A
RET2
GPOUT2_B
GPIN1
GPOUT2_A
RET1
GPOUT1_B
GPIN0
GPOUT1_A
RET0
GPOUT0_B
PILOT_IN+
GPOUT0_A
PILOT_INGPOUT1
GPOUT0

XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=8
XREF=9
XREF=8
XREF=9
XREF=9

26
DB25F_RA
GND_C

/GPI/

174

SYNC HD

C4

C3

5
7
6

VIN

5V

FB33
DSS306_55Y271M
FILTER_EMI
270101433
L_3P

GND_C

 /
GND_C

5V

R49
1K

R79

1K

U6

XREF=9

BIPHA_I

R47

634

EN

2
3

VCC

6N137_DP
IC, OPTOCOUPLER
320003987
DIP8
C27

BIPHA

GND

0.1UF

GND

5V
1K

R77

U5

XREF=9
XREF=9

BIPHB_I
OPTRETURN

R46

634

XREF=13

2
3

EN

+
VCC

6N137_DP
IC, OPTOCOUPLER
320003987
DIP8
C25

GND

BIPHB

XREF=13

0.1UF
GND

175

GPI
K4

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPOUT3_A
GPOUT3_E2

1
3

7
5

RELAY
RLY_SIP4_DG1A_BW

GPOUT3_B

XREF=9

GND

K3

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPOUT2_A
GPOUT2_E2

1
3

7
5

RELAY
RLY_SIP4_DG1A_BW

GPOUT2_B

XREF=9

GND

K2

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPOUT1_A
GPOUT1_E2

1
3

7
5

RELAY
RLY_SIP4_DG1A_BW

GPOUT1_B

XREF=9

GND

K1

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPOUT0_A
GPOUT0_E2

1
3

7
5

RELAY
RLY_SIP4_DG1A_BW

GPI

176

SYNC HD

GPOUT0_B

GND

XREF=9

XREF=13
XREF=13

XREF=4
XREF=13
XREF=13
XREF=13
XREF=13

GND

5V

GPOUT1_O
GPOUT0_O

MIDI_OUT
GPOUT3_E
GPOUT2_E
GPOUT1_E
GPOUT0_E

20

1
19

9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2

GND

Y7
Y6
Y5
Y4
Y3
Y2
Y1
Y0

C85

326904606

10

11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18

0.1UF

74FCT2541_SL

VCC

OE1
OE2

D7
D6
D5
D4
D3
D2
D1
D0

U26

GND

NC

GPOUT3_E2
GPOUT2_E2
GPOUT1_E2
GPOUT0_E2

GND

XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9
XREF=9

221R

GND

221R

R119

221R

R121

R4

GND_C

FB29
DSS306_55Y271M
FILTER_EMI
270101433
L_3P

GND_C

FB21
DSS306_55Y271M
FILTER_EMI
270101433
L_3P

NC
NC

J10

GPOUT0

XREF=9

DIN5F_DIN5
DIN_5F_PIN
210401223
DIN5
GND_C

1
3
5

MTC OUT

GND_C

GPOUT1

GND_C

FB30
DSS306_55Y271M
FILTER_EMI
270101433
L_3P

2
4

XREF=9

GND_C

FB20
DSS306_55Y271M
FILTER_EMI
270101433
L_3P

R3

221R

5V

GPITTL/MTC

C87
220PF

C86
220PF

GPI TTL/MTC

177

GPI
5V
R56

1K

1K

R88

U11

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPIN3

392

R55

RET3

EN

+
-

6N137_DP
IC, OPTOCOUPLER
320003987
DIP8

VCC

GND

GPIN3_I

XREF=2

0.1UF

C36
5V

1K

R87

GND
7

U10

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPIN2

392

R54

RET2

EN

+
-

6N137_DP
IC, OPTOCOUPLER
320003987
DIP8

VCC

C35

GND

GPIN2_I

XREF=2

0.1UF

5V
R86

1K
GND
7

U9

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPIN1

392

R53

RET1

EN

+
-

6N137_DP
IC, OPTOCOUPLER
320003987
DIP8

VCC

C34

GND

GPIN1_I

XREF=2

0.1UF

5V
R85

1K
GND
7

U8

XREF=9
XREF=9

GPIN0
RET0

R52

392

2
3

EN

+
VCC

6N137_DP
IC, OPTOCOUPLER
320003987
DIP8
C33

GND

GPIN0_I

0.1UF

GND

GPI

178

SYNC HD

XREF=2


Mac

Mac
#

Mac

NC

2HSKiB

RTS_IN

SYNC

1HSKoB

RX_OUT

SYNC

5 RXDB-

TX_IN

SYNC

3 TXDB-

8 RXDB+

CTS_OUT

SYNC

7 GPiB

NC

6TXDB+

Shell

179

 / /GPI/

180

GPOUT0

GPI TTL 0

GPOUT1

GPI TTL 1

GPOUT0_A

GPI 0 A

GPOUT0_B

GPI 0 B

GPOUT1_A

GPI 1 A

GPOUT1_B

GPI 1 B

GPOUT2_A

GPI 2 A

GPOUT2_B

GPI 2 B

GPOUT3_A

GPI 3 A

10

GPOUT3_B

GPI 3 B

11

OPTRETURN

12

BIPHB_I

/ B

13

BIPHA_I

/ A

14

15

PILOT_IN

16

PILOT_IN+

17

RET0

GPI 0

18

GPIN0

GPI 0

19

RET1

GPI 1

20

GPIN1

GPI 1

21

RET2

GPI 2

22

GPIN2

GPI 2

23

RET3

GPI 3

24

GPIN3

GPI 3

25

VDD

+12V DC

Shell

SYNC HD

SYNC

/ /GPI/

SYNC DigiSerial

6 6N137 4
GPI 390
2 /
634

SYNC Avid HDX HDAccel Core

HDCore HDNative DigiSerial
12

DigiSerial
SYNC DigiSerial

SYNC-to-DigiSerial
DIN8 DIN8
1

SYNC Setup

Windows

Windows SYNC Setup

SYNC
COM

2 TTL GPI
74FCT541
220

12
100mA

BIPHA_I
BIPHB_I
BIPHB_I

A B

A B
A 0 B
90

25

GPI

SYNC 3/4 DB25

3-10 4 GPI
GPI TTL /MTC

SYNC COM Windows

DIN8- 9- D-Sub
2

Shell

Shell

168

1469

GPI

181

GPI

GPI
0 =
1 =
2 = #1
3 = #2
4 TTL =
5 TTL =
GPI 0 3 0 3 GPI
3 10 GPI 4
5 0 1 GPI TTL 1 2

GPI TTL
1.6K 2mA
3.3V

GPI TTL 220

SYNC

182

SYNC HD

Appendix A: Compliance Information

Environmental Compliance
Disposal of Waste Equipment by Users
in the European Union

Proposition 65 Warning
This product contains chemicals, including lead, known
to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects
or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

Perchlorate Notice
This product may contain a lithium coin battery. The State of
California requires the following disclosure statement: Perchlorate
Material special handling may apply, See
www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate.

Recycling Notice
This symbol on the product or its packaging indicates that this
product must not be disposed of with other waste. Instead, it is
your responsibility to dispose of your waste equipment by handing
it over to a designated collection point for the recycling of waste
electrical and electronic equipment. The separate collection
and recycling of your waste equipment at the time of disposal
will help conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled
in a manner that protects human health and the environment.
For more information about where you can drop off your waste
equipment for recycling, please contact your local city recycling
office or the dealer from whom you purchased the product.

Appendix A: Compliance Information

183

EMC
(Electromagnetic Compliance)
Avid declares that this product complies with the following standards
regulating emissions and immunity:
FCC Part 15 Class A
EN55103-1 E4
EN55103-2 E4
AS/NZS CISPR 22 Class A
CISPR 22 Class A

FCC Compliance for United States

Communication Statement
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class A digital device, pursuant to part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable
protection against harmful interference when the equipment
is operated in a commercial environment. This equipment
generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if
not installed and used in accordance with the instruction manual,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
Operation of this equipment in a residential area is likely to cause
harmful interference in which case the user will be required
to correct the interference at his own expense.
Any modifications to the unit, unless expressly approved by Avid,
could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.

Argentina Conformity

Australia and New Zealand EMC

Regulations

Canadian Compliance
This Class A digital apparatus meets all requirements of the
Canadian Interference-Causing Equipment Regulations.
Cet appareil numrique de la classe A respecte toutes les
exigences du Rglement sur le material brouilleur du Canada.

European Union Declaration of

Conformity
(EMC and Safety)

Avid is authorized to apply the CE (Conformit Europnne) mark

on this compliant equipment thereby declaring conformity to EMC
Directive 2004/108/EC and Low Voltage Directive 2006/95/EC.

Korean EMC Regulations

184

SYNC HD Guide

Safety Compliance

11) Only use attachments/accessories specified by the

manufacturer.

Safety Statement

12) For products that are not rack-mountable: Use only with a cart,
stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer,
or sold with the equipment. When a cart is used, use caution
when moving the cart/equipment combination to avoid injury
from tip-over.

This equipment has been tested to comply with USA and Canadian
safety certification in accordance with the specifications of UL
Standards: UL60065 7th /IEC 60065 7th and Canadian CAN/CSA
C22.2 60065:03. Avid Inc., has been authorized to apply the
appropriate UL & CUL mark on its compliant equipment.

Warning

13) Unplug this equipment during lightning storms or when unused

for long periods of time.
14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is
required when the equipment has been damaged in any way,
such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been
spilled or objects have fallen into the equipment, the equipment
has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally,
or has been dropped.
15) For products that are a Mains powered device:
The equipment shall not be exposed to dripping or splashing
and no objects filled with liquids (such as vases) shall be placed
on the equipment.

Important Safety Instructions

Warning! To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose

this equipment to rain or moisture.

1) Read these instructions.

16) For products containing a lithium battery:

CAUTION! Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced.
Replace only with the same or equivalent type.

2) Keep these instructions.

3) Heed all warnings.
4) Follow all instructions.
5) Do not use this equipment near water.

17) For products with a power switch:

The main power switch is located on the front panel of the SYNC HD
or SYNC I/O It should remain accessible after installation.
18) The equipment shall be used at a maximum ambient
temperature of 40 C.

6) Clean only with dry cloth.

7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance
with the manufacturers instructions.
8) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat
registers, stoves, or other equipment (including amplifiers) that
produce heat.
9) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or groundingtype plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than
the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third
grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided
for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet,
consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet.
10) Protect power cords from being walked on or pinched
particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point
where they exit from the equipment.

Appendix A: Compliance Information

185

186

SYNC HD Guide

Avid

Technical Support (USA)

Product Information

2001 Junipero Serra Boulevard

Daly City, CA 94014-3886 USA

Visit the Online Support Center at

www.avid.com/support

For company and product information,

visit us on the web at www.avid.com