Ambient Recording GmbH Schleissheimer Strasse 181c D – 80797 Munich Tel.: +49 89 3605510-0 Fax: +49 89 651855 info@ambient.de www.ambient.
Table of contents page 1. Introduction 2 2. Package Contents 3 3. Safety instructions 3 4. Powering 4 5. Description 5 6. Setup Menu Diagram 6 7. Menu Description 8 7.1 Generator: Jam, TC, UB Settings 9 7.2 Sync Settings 12 7.3 Time Code Setting 15 7.4 System Settings 16 7.5 ACN Ambient Clockit Network 18 8. LED indications 22 9. Firmware update 22 10. Physical specifications 23 11. Warranty & Approvals, CE, FCC 24 ff www.ambient.
1. Introduction The Ambient ACL 204 Lockit box continues the line of our highly accurate portable synchronizers, which have become an indispensable tool in modern workflows where multi camera shoots and dual system sound is the rule. Like its predecessors, it provides time code with a deviation of less than +/- 0.1 ppm of a given reference and a sync signal locked to this.
2. Package Contents - ACL204 synchronizer ACL-T204, protective leather pouch LTC-OUT cable, Lemo JGG.305 to BNC right angle connector BNC cable, BNC to BNC right angle connector Manual 3. Safety instructions For your own safety and trouble-free use of your Lockit ACL 204 please carefully read through the instructions below. Always keep a copy of these instructions and hand them out with the unit to other users. This unit is exclusively intended for indoor use.
When powering from external sources remove the batteries and put the power switch into the "OFF" position. Pay attention to the use of LPS sources in compliance to part 2.5 of EN 60950-1. When using the wireless connection of the Lockit ACL 204 place it centrally and keep it distant from sources of possible interference such as microwaves or electrical devices with large metal surfaces. If possible always use the integrated antenna.
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6. Setup Menu Diagram When entering a menu, the active parameter setting is highlighted. MAIN DISPLAY, showing time code, frame rate, sync rate, jam mode, network channel, battery status ↓ push select switch down to enter main menu and to select opYons, toggle leO/right to navigate ↓ GEN JamTC ↔ Edit ↔ Offset ↓ ↓ JamTC: AUTO ↔ OFF ↔ manual/once ↓ HH:MM:SS:FF Edit: ↓ +/- 00.
↓ ACN ↓ ↓ JAM ↓ C-JAM ↓ TX / RX ↓ EXIT MODE ↓ OFF ↔ JAM ↔ C_JAM ↔ TX ↔ RX ↓ ↓ MODE↔CHNL↔ANT↔PWR↔SYNC MODE ↓ Mode for remote jamming of ACL 204 CHNL ↓ Mode for continuous jam / autosync ANT ↓ Mode to transmit external recrun TC PWR Mode to receive free- or recrun TC ↓ SYNC Back one level to mode select Select ACN channel 11 to 26 Select antenna internal ↔ external Select RF output power 8 to 18 dBm Send sync broadcast: yes ↔ no Start continuous jam: yes ↔ no (C-JAM) (not available in TX / RX) Return to
7. Menu Description MAIN DISPLAY The main display is the normal operation mode. It displays the most important status information. These are the time code momentarily running, the sync signal type and rate, the time code frame rate, and various additional information: “X” next to the Fps indication indicates a cross-jam mode, i.e. the time code rate is not consistent with the sync rate, but compatible and in sync at each second’s transition.
GEN MENU In the GENenrator menu, you can edit the jam mode, edit the time and set an offset of the time code output against the jammed time. Under UB, you can display and manage User Bits. GEN > JamTC In the JamTC settings, you can select from different jam behaviors: Navigate toggling left/right, push to select. “AUTO” – the ACL 204 will behave as used to from the former Lockit boxes. It will jam once time code is detected, but not re-jam while time code is continuously present.
GEN>EDIT In this screen, you can edit a time code value manually. Decrease or increase by toggling left/right. Holding left/right is fast backward/ forward. Push to select. Pushing the config switch while on the frames position sets the time. To avoid inadvertently changing the time code, you will be asked: Pushing the config switch while “old” is highlighted discards the changes and returns to the main menu. Pushing the config switch while “new” is highlighted will set the generator to the selected value.
GEN > UB In the GEN > user bit menu, the user bits are being displayed. The user bits can be edited manually, and the jam behavior managed. JamUB Under JamUB, the jamming behavior is managed: normal: the user bits are being taken from external time code manual: the user bits are not being overwritten by external time code. This mode is to be used if you want a custom entry, like date and camera Id for instance. insert: user bits can be inserted “on the fly”.
SYNC MENU The SYNC menu lets you set the sync signal format, type and rate. Select the different settings by pushing the config switch. Navigate by toggling the config switch left or right. “VIDEO” – selects a genlock video sync signal. Use this to clock video cameras (and some advanced audio recorders) “AUDIO” - selects a wordclock or black audio sync signal. Use this to clock most professional audio recorders. “PPF” is a pulse per frame to trigger certain cameras.
If the selected video format is incompatible to the currently set time code value, a message appears: You have no choice but to press the config switch and are automatically taken to the time code rate setting: While the time code is inconsistent with the video rate, a “!” is shown next to the time code Fps indication. Select a frame rate that matches your video signal. Again, you will be asked to confirm the new frame rate. Navigate to “new” and push the config switch.
SYNC>PPF The “pulse per frame” is a trigger for the sensor of certain cameras. The signal is present on pin 3 of Lemo socket A. 1, 2, 4 periods per frame are available, and selection if the signal shall start with a rising or falling edge. As with any change of the sync settings, the user is asked to confirm. SYNC>OFF The FPGA chip is powered off, no sync signal is generated. Use this in time code only applications to save battery life. Confirm by navigating the curser to “new”. www.ambient.
TC MENU Enter the TC menu to adjust the time code frame rate. Next is the selection for the TC frame rate and the Midi Time Code setting: TC > FPS Select “FPS” Adjust by toggling the config switch left/right, push in to select new frame rate: Rates: 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 29.97D, 30D fps (D = drop frame) If settings are changed, confirmation is required: Pushing the config switch while “old” is highlighted, discards the changes and returns to the main menu.
MTCout: this is the default mode. The ACL 204 always puts out MTC, unless the USB port is set to COM (see SYS > Config > USB). MIDI>LTC: MTC received through USB will be converted into LTC and put out on both Lemo sockets, pin 5. LTC>MIDI: LTC received on Lemo/TC pin 2 will be converted and put out as MTC via USB. SYS MENU The SYS menu serves to configure various parameters, in this release version the display behavior and the BNC sync signal impedance are set. Push the config switch to enter.
SYS > CONFIG>BNC Determine the output impedance for the video sync signal: Single: 75 Ohms for connecting to one video camera’s genlock input. Dual/3D: 37.5 Ohms for splitting to two cameras’ genlock input. Select by toggling the config switch left/right. Push in to select mode. SYS > CONFIG>USB Default setting is MTC, the ACL 204 is recognized as Midi/Audio interface when connected to computer. Set to COM for updating.
ACN MENU The ACN menu accesses the Ambient Clockit Network configuration. When coming from “off” setting, first the mode must be selected. In present firmware version 3.10, new modes have been added: Jam – the former “BASIC” used for wireless manual jamming; C-Jam – the “continuous jam”; TX-RX for transmitting a record-run time code from external source. ACN > JAM The JAM mode allows to send a sync command to other ACN-TL or ACL 204 devices, or receive sync command from them.
ACN > JAM>PWR PWR lets you increase the output power of the transmitter. Default is 8 dBm, up to 18 dBm is possible. Again, the PIN is required. ACN > JAM>SYNC Selecting SYNC opens the screen for sending a sync command to all ACN-TL or ACL 204 in reach which are on the same channel and in JAM mode. Syncing is only possible from a device that has a valid time code (jammed or set manually), signaled by green flashing LED. Default is on no, toggle to yes and push to enter.
For user bits: - if the GEN>UB>JamUB is set to “manual” ACN > C- JAM C-JAM is a continuous jam mode. Set up channel, antenna, RF power and LNA as above in JAM mode. When done, select SYNC. In the next display, the continuous jam is initiated. The device used for sending the continuous jam command is master. After sending the continuous jam command, the jam success or fail of other devices ACL 204 or ACN-TL is displayed. Condition for fail is as in JAM mode, see above.
ACN > TX / RX TX is a wireless transmission of external time code present on the Lemo/TC input. This is intended for transmitting a record-run time code to another ACN-TL or ACL 204 which is in RX mode. Set up channel, antenna, RF power and LNA as above in JAM mode. Once progressing time code is detected, the ACL204 jams to it and sends a jam command to the slaves. When external time code stops, a stop command is sent to the slaves.
8. LED Indications As used to from former devices of the Clockit Time Code family, the ACL 204 has a red and a green flashing LED to display operation and battery status: 0 1 2 3 4 seconds: ● ● ● ● ● red flashing in 1 second intervals: running, but not jammed or set. ● ● ● ● ● green flashing in 1 second intervals: running, jammed or set manually. This is the normal operation mode. ● ●● ●● red double flash every 2seconds: battery low, not jammed or set.
10. Physical specifications Dimensions: (L / W / H): 100 x 74 x 36 mm Weight: 0.25 Kg (no batteries) Power consumption: 90 mA (3 Volts, typical) Connectors: “A”: Lemo series 0B 5-pin (matching connector FGG/JGG.0B.305.CLADxx) pin 1: pin 2: pin 3: pin 4: pin 5: “B”: ground LTC IN ASCII IN / OUT Tune reference 1.92 MHz out / DC-IN 5 to 18 Volts LTC OUT Lemo series 0B 5-pin (matching connector FGG/JGG.0B.305.
11. Warranty & Approvals Warranty Ambient Recording GmbH warrants the Clockit ACL 204 synchronizer against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of ONE (1) year from date of original retail purchase. This is a non-transferable warranty that extends only to the original purchaser. Ambient Recording GmbH will repair or replace the product at its discretion at no charge. Warranty claims due to severe service conditions will be addressed on an individual basis.
CE Conformity Statement: Declaration of Conformity According to ISO/IEC Guide 22 Manufacturer’s Name: Ambient Recording GmbH Manufacturer’s Address: Schleissheimer Str. 181 C, DE – 80797 Muenchen, Germany declares that the product: ACL 204 Synchronizer is in conformity with: - EN 60950-1:2006 + A11:2009+A1:2010+A12:2011+AC:2011 - EN 300 440-1 V1.6.1 - EN 300 440-2 V1.4.1 - EN 301 489-1 V1.9.2 - EN 301 489-3 V1.4.1 which is indicated and affirmed by the applied CE marking.
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: —Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. —Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. —Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. —Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Ambient Recording GmbH Schleissheimer Strasse 181c D – 80797 Munich Tel.: +49 89 3605510-0 Fax: +49 89 651855 info@ambient.de www.ambient.
