Ambient ACL 203 User Manual

THE TRILEVELSYNC LOCKIT BOX

Timecode, Videosync, Trilevelsync, Wordclock,

AES-3 Black Audio Generator

ACL 203

Description and instructions for use

AMBIENT RECORDING GmbH

Schleissheimer Str 181 C,

D-80797 Munich Germany

Te+49 89 6518535 Fax[phone]

Email: [e-mail]

internet: www.ambient.de

1

The Lockit synchroniser ACL 203

Description

The Ambient Lockit ACL 203 is a highly accurate portable timecode and video
sync generator. Audio and video machines such as DAT, harddisc and DVD
recorders and HD and Digibeta cameras can be synchronised to the Lockit box,
thus giving very low drift between machines, allowing multicamera shoots to be
carried out without cables or timecode radio links.
Typically, the drift will be less than one half frame a day, giving problem free
editing and syncing in post production.
The Lockit can be used in any recording situation where the accuracy of the TC
generators in the different machines is not known and where a cable connection
is not possible. Each machine is jamsynced and Genlocked, (if possible,) to its
own Lockit which is synced to a common source before the machines start. The
Lockit can be jam synced with external timecode, set using the Ambient
Controller ACC501 via ASCII through cable or Infra Red, or set by Aaton
"OrigenC" ASCII code.

Special Features

• Clockit tunable reference oscillator for timecode generation gives typically
less then one half frame a day timecode drift.

• Hightly accurate DTCXO reference oscillator. Can be calibrated in the field
to 0.2ppm using Clockit Controller ACC101 or ACC501.

• Crystal oscillator for video and trilevelsync locked to reference oscillator
low jitter high stability signals.

• 24, 23.98, 25, 29.97, 30 Frame Timecode locked to PAL, NTSC and HD
formats (SMPTE 296M and SMPTE 274M), Wordclock or AES-3 black audio
in all standard sample rates with pull-up and pull-down.

• Drop frame timecodes can be selected

• Extensive unit monitoring through 2 LEDs

• DC/DC converter for long life. Please refer to 1.4 for battery lifetime and low

battery reference.

2

1.1 Controls

All changes of the settings take effect only after reboot of the unit.
Exception: TC-lockout / userbit insert with dip switch 1

Yellow Switch: Main On/Off

Rotary encoder switches with 16 positions behind the battery lid:

Switch 1: Type of sync signal:
This switch determines what type of signal is present on the BNC connector next
to the edge of the unit.
Pos. A turns off the video signal / audio generator if used as time code genearator
only to save battery life.
Pos. E allows to set the unit by USB, ignoring switch settings.
Pos. F is for firmware upgrade via USB.

Switch 2: picture rate of genlock signal or sample rate of word clock / black audio,
depending on setting of SW 1:
The right video format or sample rate are selected here.

Switch 3: time code frame rate:
Select the required frame rate. Please mind that invalid settings, like a integer fps
rate with a pull down picture rate will not work together.

Switch 1: Sync Signal

Type
Pos. Mode Video Word Clock / Audio FPS
0 Video SD 23.98 (HD) 32000 23.98
1 Video HD 720P 24 (HD) 44100 24
2 Video HD 1080I/PsF 25 (SD & HD) 48000 25
3 Video HD 1080P 29.97 (SD & HD) 88200 29.97
4 Word Clock 1000/1001 30 (SD & HD) 96000 30
5 Word Clock 50 (HD 720P only) 176400 29.97 drop
6 Word Clock 1001/1000 59.94 (HD 720P only) 192000 30 drop
7 Black Audio 1000/1001 60 (HD 720P only)
8 Black Audio AES-3
9 Black Audio 1001/1000
A Audio/Video off
B
C
D
E USB
F Recovery

Switch 2: Sync Signal Frame / Sample Rate Switch 3: Time

Code frame rate