Modular Multitrack Recorder - Tascam

Timecode and Video Reference Signals
To accurately synchronize the MMR-8 to film or video, or with other audio playback equipment, some
method of providing a stable timing reference must be used. Because the MMR-8 is very flexible, there
are numerous methods one could use to connect film and video equipment. The best method depends
upon the chosen method of sync, the other equipment that is being controlled, and whether the MMR-8
will be the master or a slave to the other equipment. This section covers the various reference signals
available on the MMR-8 system and their applications.
Video In/Out
Most video post houses have a common house sync signal to lock all the audio and video equipment in
the facility to a standard video reference signal. This insures that all devices receiving the house sync
signal will lock together to the edge of the video frame. The house sync signal can be black burst,
composite sync, or color bars in NTSC or PAL format. The house sync video reference signal should be
connected to the VIDEO IN connector on the back of the MMR-8. To loop the connection through the
MMR, connect the MMR VIDEO OUT to the next device that will use the house sync signal. If there is
not a loop through connection then the VIDEO OUT may need to be terminated, depending upon the
facility signal design. To set the MMR frame reference to use this video input, choose setup menu 001,
Frame Reference, and set the value of this parameter to be Video Reference.
SMPTE/EBU Time Code In/Out
The MMR has two stereo phone jack connections using ¼” Tip/Ring/Sleeve connectors (with the tip
being + and the ring being - on a balanced signal) for synchronizing the operation of the MMR to other
devices using SMPTE/EBU Longitudinal Time Code (LTC). To synchronize the MMR to an external
device which outputs SMPTE/EBU LTC, connect the time code audio output of the master device to the
MMR TIME CODE IN jack. The MMR-8 can also generate a stable SMPTE/EBU time code output
(equivalent to a time code track signal) that can be used to synchronize external equipment or to stripe
time code onto tape. The TIME CODE OUT jack will always output SMPTE/EBU LTC when the MMR
is playing.
VITC In
Many videotape formats can record time code within the vertical interval space between each frame of
video. This type of time code recording is known as Vertical Interval Time Code, or VITC. The
advantage of this method is that a valid time code signal can still be generated even when the tape is
paused to show a single frame of picture, since the helical scan heads of the tape machine are continually
scanning the picture (and thus the VITC signal). The MMR-8 has a 75-ohm connection, using a BNC
connector to receive VITC. To use VITC time code with the MMR, connect the video machine’s VITC
output to the VITC IN connector on the MMR-8.
MMR-8 Tascam MMR-8 Owner’s Manual • Chapter 2 • Installation 23