Re: syncing sound on super-16mm

From: Todd Eacrett (email suppressed)
Date: Mon Feb 02 2009 - 20:28:34 PST


Last spring, Zach Poff posted here about a free application he wrote called Film-O-Sync, available at...

http://www.zachpoff.com/site/software/software.html

Basically you modify a projector to output a tachometer signal. The Film-O-Sync software (running on a Mac computer) slaves to the tach signal and plays an AIFF or WAV file in sync.

Haven't tried it yet, but it seems like a simple and elegant solution. Kind of like shooting with pilot sync. Nothing needs to be crystal or mains synced -- the software makes the audio adjust to the speed variations of the projector.

(Or you could "sync" two projectors by running both from a single motor -- one S16 for picture, the other R16 for optical sound.)

Good luck,

Todd Eacrett
Victoria, BC, Canada

----- Original Message -----
From: marco poloni <email suppressed>
Date: Monday, February 2, 2009 8:25 am
Subject: syncing sound on super-16mm

> Dear Frameworkers,
>
> I am embarking on a technical endeavour which consists of
> attempting to sync super-16mm film with sound at the projection
> stage. As you well know S-16mm is a camera film. It has no space
> for an optical track between the image frames and the sprocket
> holes. I contacted Martin Sawyer in London, who did a good amount
> of research in adding a very fine optical track. He got good
> results, but said it was very difficult to find labs that would
> process this footage. If I am not mistaken, he abandoned this.
>
> I'd like to attempt exploring another route. The idea is first to
> modify an existing 16m projector by widening the gate's aperture to
> the &#65533;W&#65533;type gate of S-16mm. That's the not-too-difficult part.
> Second, I would have to find someone to crystal-sync the motor via
> an external "master" device that will also pilot the sound of a CD,
> MP3 or solid state player to ensure perfect sync.
>
> I have done quite some research and have some very technical
> questions. I am writing in the hope that someone might provide
> feedback.
> 1. It seems that syncing DC motors is fairly easy, whereas syncing
> AC motors would be difficult and costly. A friend recommends using
> a Bauer P8 projector which uses a DC motor. I am a big fan of
> Eiki's and am not ready to swap brands. I was wondering if anyone
> knows whether their drive motors are AC or DC?
>
> 2. More specifically, should this be feasible with an Eiki, does
> anyone have a scanned service manual for an Eiki EX-300SL (or EX-
> 2000)with the electric circuitry? (350W xenon lamp)
>
> 3. I have been looking for an Eiki EX-300SL through the usual
> channels (ebay, ...). It is very difficult to find... Much harder
> than the more common SSL's. Does anyone know of a place that could
> have a couple for sale?
>
> Thanks a lot beforehand for your input!
>
> Best,
> Marco
>
>
> ------------------------------------------------
> Marco Poloni, Kors&#65533;rer Strasse 1, D-10437 Berlin
> gsm +41.78.6322028, skype marcopoloni
>
>
> __________________________________________________________________
> For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at <email suppressed>.
>

__________________________________________________________________
For info on FrameWorks, contact Pip Chodorov at <email suppressed>.