SP card sync issue

[AndyW69]

I have been using an SP card for HD monitoring, using dvcam, HDV and xdcamHD.

I had a job last Friday where I was editing a TV show shot as live, the decision was made to feed me component, I plugged the system in but never achieved a stable picture, the production monitor showed a rolling unstable image and the settings panel showed a red no sync message, I tried all 3 options ref (with a BB sygnal) input ref and no ref, same result, the capture window never showed an image apart from a still when opening the settings window. I tried the component signal into a monitor and it was fine, I then tried a composite signal, same issue. We ended up recording the show to dvcam tape in part chunks and I captured those, I don't know if this is a simple settings problem or a faulty board?

Andy

edius broadcast 4.24, HP 8200

[antonsvideo]

what player was used as the feeder? did it get the same BB signal as the SP card?

[AndyW69]

Hi Anton, the feed was coming from an OB truck directly from a DA, the BB was the same for all the truck.

I forgot to mention I also tried to plug a DVD player in via component, same issues. I do not have a BB generator at home though so was trying the dvd player with sync to input.

I appreciate component can be tricky, but I would have expected the composite to be happy to sync

Andy

[antonsvideo]

unfortunately, the SP card does not support capture if there is no BB signal applied to the ref in connector and the stetting must be on external ref during capture with a tick in the input sync option just below that, this applies to composite, Y-C and component (if you ask me, this needs some overhaul by the makers)

once captured, switch back to internal ref, otherwise editing will be a nightmare (if you ask me, this needs some overhaul by the makers)

[AndyW69]

Hi, have you ever had any success using a standard composite signal as a ref?

[biopic]

Never had a problem capturing composite or Y/C without BB

[antonsvideo]

Never had a problem capturing composite or Y/C without BB

maybe you have a newer card and they fixed something?

in my case, I can't capture composite, Y-C or component without an external ref input, if I try, the picture rolls continuously

[biopic]

Hi Anton
Just checked this again to make sure I wasn't being paranoid. Composite and Y-C definitely no problem. The sync in "Hardware Settings" is left on "OFF (free run)". I certainly agree with you that any other sync setting slows editing performance right down. I doubt whether it's a new revision of the card; I got my SP/HDV about the same time as you, and it was I believe one of the first available in the UK.

[biopic]

The sync in "Hardware Settings" is left on "OFF (free run)".

And I should have added that the "use Input Sync while capturing" box is ticked. Also I am on Edius Broadcast 4.10, since the audio mixer is screwed up with 4.23.

[antonsvideo]

in my case, use Input Sync while capturing is also ticked

if I leave sync on free run, the picture in the preview window rolls vertically and the vector scope goes looney

all my tape decks have broadcast TBC's so the source signal is rock solid

I also tested with my Sony DXC D35WSP camera live composite and live Y-C to the SP card and it also fails

it only works when I connect a BB signal to ref in and set sync to "Ref Input Sync", it also works if I set sync to "Input Sync" in dropdown, because all my video signals are stable, the SP card will lock to the incoming video

so, this may also work for the original poster

basically, the moral of the story is that ticking "use Input Sync while capturing" is as dead as a doornail

[biopic]

Very strange. I wonder if any other SP/HDV users can offer any comment, and what the view from Canopus is.

[AndyW69]

Hi, I have had no success with any analogue signal on any of the ref settings, I do not usually need to worry as I work 95% of the time with DVCAM and XDCAM HD, I also have a J3 for digibeta input thru an SD card.

The signal from the truck may have been a problem as the cable run was 160 feet, we didn't have time on the day to problem solve the situation as time was a pressure, we tried composite with no success aswell. I have tried the component from a DVD player aswell now with the same issues.

I occasionally use my DV deck to do a conversion to DV from S or composite so this issue will not cause too many problems, I will try to get hold of an SPG to try again some time soon

Andy

[antonsvideo]

what exactly happens when you try and capture from the component of your DVD player? does the picture roll vertically in the preview monitor? if not, your problem is something else, like maybe the SP card stuck in NTSC mode

you may want to start the ADVC controller and switch to ADVC mode, then do a test with component connected to the input and a monitor connected to the output, what do you see?

then switch back to Edius mode

[AndyW69]

What I see is A rolling image on the external monitor (SP card) and black on the preview screen in Edius. It will not capture, the waveform does show an image.

I will try the other suggestions tomorrow as I have a job this pm

Andy

[antonsvideo]

if you don't connect external ref, here is one way that it must work

http://www.videoproductions.com.au/edius4/SP/input-sync.gif

if this does not work, I eat a broom or you got a faulty SP card