Ambient Lockit / Denecke SB-2 ?

I recently worked with an Ambient Lockit System - Control Box and two
individual Lockit Boxes for Video Cameras.....
easy to figure out, and certainly a fine complement of gear.....

In the past, I've done many a successful (no complaints...!) timecode
lock for multiple cameras using a Denecke GR-1 to jam
one to three SB-2s, then attaching the SB-2s to cameras, using output to
feed identically jammed TC to the camera generators....

I've not priced the Ambient System, and certainly respect it's design,
engineering, and apparent durability... I imagine it is quite a bit more
expensive..
In addition, it features Tri-Level Sync for HD projects, and the
individual boxes have Word Clock outputs for whatever digital one might
be feeding....
Denecke does have a similarly capable box which I'll also be looking
into....

The question, finally....... does anyone have any insight into any
appreciable difference between the Ambient Lockit boxes and the standard
Denecke
SB-2 SyncBoxes for straight and simple TC lock for the average simple
NTSC SMPTE 29.97 Betacam DigiBetaCam multicamera shoot?
(Save for rejamming the SB-2s at around 3.5-4hrs)

thanx in advance...

MF
Michael Filosa, CAS
Atlanta Field Production, Inc.

"Michael J. Filosa" <mikefilosa.RemoveThis@mindspring.com> wrote in message news:<3F25F475.DD97804F.RemoveThis@mindspring.com>...
> I recently worked with an Ambient Lockit System - Control Box and two
> individual Lockit Boxes for Video Cameras.....
> easy to figure out, and certainly a fine complement of gear.....
>
> In the past, I've done many a successful (no complaints...!) timecode
> lock for multiple cameras using a Denecke GR-1 to jam
> one to three SB-2s, then attaching the SB-2s to cameras, using output to
> feed identically jammed TC to the camera generators....
>
> I've not priced the Ambient System, and certainly respect it's design,
> engineering, and apparent durability... I imagine it is quite a bit more
> expensive..
> In addition, it features Tri-Level Sync for HD projects, and the
> individual boxes have Word Clock outputs for whatever digital one might
> be feeding....
> Denecke does have a similarly capable box which I'll also be looking
> into....
>
> The question, finally....... does anyone have any insight into any
> appreciable difference between the Ambient Lockit boxes and the standard
> Denecke
> SB-2 SyncBoxes for straight and simple TC lock for the average simple
> NTSC SMPTE 29.97 Betacam DigiBetaCam multicamera shoot?
> (Save for rejamming the SB-2s at around 3.5-4hrs)
>
> thanx in advance...
>
> MF
> Michael Filosa, CAS
> Atlanta Field Production, Inc.

Hi Michael,

I ran into an issue a couple of years ago that illustrated the
difference between the 2 boxes which sold me on the Ambient/more
expensive version.
We did a pilot on digibeta with 2 cameras that kept doing their
typical TC burps so the AC demanded we sent TC via a DA from video
village. I voiced my objections but let him fail and sat through lunch
the next day w/ the post supervisor. The Avid stopped digitizing after
a minute or so as the TC and video sync was not lined up together as I
understood it and it couldn't deal with it.
The next day we went w/ the Denecke boxes and the same thing happened
with the Avid. Another lunch visit. I am supposing a short delay type
system could relove this but who knows the delay time or if the
machine can automatically adjust to have external none sync referenced
TC.
Regardless, the ambient boxes completely solved our issues in this
situation once the AC, very bullheaded type, was allowed to bury
himself.
Apparently, I am no expert here, the TC and sync need to be lined up
so that the sync and TC line up. Think of it as having the change of
TC occuring at the peak of a sine wave when they are in sync. If one
is delayed they aren't lined up and there are issues.
This is probably not the best expanation but it is how I basically
understand it 3 years after the version that I heard.
I have to say that I love the Ambient boxes on many levels. I feel
very confident jamming them and not thinking about TC for the rest of
the day. The clock in them rock. They work great on PD 150 cams and
the like that don't have TC so now I lay down TC an audio ch2 and run
double system. Less wireless,better sound and I don't have $2500 of
receivers getting bashed around or turned off etc.
They are a great investment given what they cost and what they rent
for, they are one of the most profitable items in my package. And it
is an easy item to justify as post loves them and the time and money
saved ofsets many times over the rental for them.
The Denecke boxes are great but the SB2 doesn't have sync. This is
fine for many situations but there are shortcomings for others.
Denecke does have a new box that has sync and is basically the same as
the Ambient lockit. I haven't dealt with it but I'm sure it is a great
box also.
Hope this addresses some of it
Best,
Scott Harber CAS
PS- Your 106 is still kickin'