Tascam HD-P2 Owner's Manual

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Tascam HD-P2 Owner's Manual Manual pdf 21 page image

TASCAM HD-P Owner's Manual 1TimecodeTimecodeOverviewThe HD-P2 has a wide range of timecode features.It can read incoming linear timecode (LTC) and hasmany functions including freewheeling, trigger onframe number, and timecode offset. The HD-P2 canalso resolve its audio clock to a range of sourcesincluding LTC in and video in.Very briefly, timecode operation works this way(details in the following sections):1. Enable timecode on the Project Menu/Settings screen.2. Adjust the timecode settings as needed.3. Go into timecode chase mode by pressing theTIMECODE key. The TIMECODE indicator will reflect thestate of incoming timecode (blinking if there is notimecode, solid with good timecode). The positionon the audio timeline is now controlled by the LTC.4. Start a timecode operation by pressing the PLAY orREC key. The REC indicator will blink until the op-eration is triggered by incoming timecode. Oncetriggered, any blinking light will stay on solid.5. The operation is stopped when the STOP key ispressed, or if power or storage space is low, or ifLTC has hit the end of its 24-hour timecode day. IfFreeWheel is not infinite (see below), then the op-eration will also stop if timecode is stopped.6. Leave timecode chase mode by pressing theTIMECODE key. The TIMECODE indicator goes out andthe transport keys and the SHUTTLE/DATA wheel onceagain control the position on the audio timeline.7. When timecode is disabled on the Project Menu/Settings screen, the TIMECODE key is no longer ac-tive.There are many variations to how timecode works onthe HD-P2, as controlled by the Timecode Settingsscreen.Timecode SettingsFigure 33 - Timecode Settings ScreenTimecode operation on the HD-P2 is disabled bydefault. You cannot access the Timecode Settingsmenu screen until timecode is enabled. Go to theProject Menu/Settings screen, select the Timecodemenu item and change it from DIS to EN to enabletimecode. Then select the Timecode Settings menuitem and press the SELECT key to enter the TimecodeSettings screen which looks similar to Figure 33.Clock SourceThis menu item is a duplicate of the Clock Source fieldon the Project Menu/Settings screen. There is only oneaudio clock source and changing either one affects theother. This menu is included in the Timecode Settingsfor convenience.The possible audio Clock Source values are:• Internal – The audio clock is crystal-controlledand generated by the HD-P2. Use this only if theHD-P2 is to be the audio clock master in your sys-tem, with its S/PDIF digital audio output used tosynchronize other audio gear.• Word – The BNC input can also be sent a standardTTL-level word clock for audio clock sync.• S/PDIF – The audio clock rate can also be derivedfrom an incoming S/PDIF digital audio signal.• LTC – The HD-P2 will lock its audio clock to theincoming LTC, always keeping it in sync to the LTCrate. Please note that even with the audio clock ratelocked to incoming LTC, the audio clock can still“drift” with respect to the LTC if it is discontiguousor if there is a mismatch between the expected andreceived LTC formats (e.g. drop vs. non-drop frame).• Video – A variety of video formats can be fed intothe BNC input and used for audio sync, includingcomposite or blackburst NTSC and PAL, and tri-level sync from HDTV systems. Note that theFrame Rate (described below) must be correctly setto match the incoming video material.The audio clock source and frame rate must be set cor-rectly and fed valid signals to avoid “drift” betweenthe LTC and the audio clock.Frame RateThis field lets you specify the expected incoming LTC(and video) frame rate, as well as frame encoding inDrop Frame (DF) and Non-Drop (ND) frame systems.• . – Some HDTV setups use a “pull-down” ver-sion of 24 frame-per-second video. While the video