Expression Timecode playback

I've used SMPTE to fire cue lists on Expressions before but on a commercial using motion control the MOCON Tech said that his camera had genereated a frame count and that had fired cues off of an expression.

Example:  Camera records at 24 frames per second

 

At frame 120  Cue 1 fires

At frame 360  Cue 2 fires

 

Does this sound like Midi?

 

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  • No, it does sound like SMPTE.

    SMPTE provides a time signal that synchronises a clock in devices together. In the Expression, you can use input SMPTE to fire cues at a given time. SMPTE was not fitted to all Expression consoles, it is an extra option you need to have fitted.

    To configure your example:

    First enable SMPTE and set the SMPTE frame rate in Setup->Options Settings

     

    Next, configure the times you want cues to fire in Setup->SMPTE Events. Enter the time in Hours:Minutes:Seconds:Frames (so in your example, 120 frames / 24fps = 5 seconds, 360 frames / 24 fps = 15 seconds).

     

     

    You might also like to take a look at the timecode section of the user manual here : http://www.etcconnect.com/docs/docs_downloads/manuals/Expression_3_v3.1_User_Manual.pdf - page 297 onwards.

     

    Hope that helps

     

    ~Tom

  • Yesss.  I'm familiar with SMPTE play back.    I'm not familiar with Midi.  The trouble with SMPTE is that a Motion Control Rig doesn't generate SMPTE.  What was described to me was a program that the MOCON computer ran to.  Its probably Midi. 

    I've done SMPTE.  the sound department generated TC and botht he computer and the expression followed.   Trouble happense when the Visual Effects department wants to run at different frame rates.   I dont' think the TC generator can be programmed to run at different speeds - speed to order as it were.

  • Midi Time Code is very similar to SMPTE- in fact the same information in a different format- see:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI_timecode

    That page also lists a bunch of variations on time code- perhaps the MOCON computer is generating one of those and something is translating it into MTC or SMPTE.

    I'm pretty sure that triggering a lighting console via timecode would involve either MTC or SMPTE as they are the most prevalent formats.  I do think that you are correct that you can't alter the timecode frame rate on the fly- it is supposed to be a real-time reference- i.e. 30 frames at 30fps always equals 1 sec real time.

    If you are looking to control a console based upon different playback speeds, using MSC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI_Show_Control) would be the way to go, although I don't know how you could alter the rate at which a cue runs via MSC.

    -Todd

     

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  • Midi Time Code is very similar to SMPTE- in fact the same information in a different format- see:

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI_timecode

    That page also lists a bunch of variations on time code- perhaps the MOCON computer is generating one of those and something is translating it into MTC or SMPTE.

    I'm pretty sure that triggering a lighting console via timecode would involve either MTC or SMPTE as they are the most prevalent formats.  I do think that you are correct that you can't alter the timecode frame rate on the fly- it is supposed to be a real-time reference- i.e. 30 frames at 30fps always equals 1 sec real time.

    If you are looking to control a console based upon different playback speeds, using MSC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIDI_Show_Control) would be the way to go, although I don't know how you could alter the rate at which a cue runs via MSC.

    -Todd

     

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