Recommended Video Toaster frame syncs / TBCs

[triskalguilo]

So I quickly found out that video inputs connected to a Video Toaster must be externally synced (and, if they're from VCRs, time base corrected too).

I bought a 4-output blackburst generator:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/141014589183...84.m1439.l2649

And four frame synchronizers / time base correctors:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360698333039...84.m1439.l2649

So I connected it all up like this:
1) Connect each of the blackburst generator's outputs to a TBC's genlock input
2) Connect each of my input video sources to a TBC's composite input
3) Connect each TBC's composite output to a Video Toaster input

But after hooking it all up, the video comes out very very flickery. It's flickery whether I run the video through the Toaster, or if I skip the Toaster and connect to my 1084S monitor. If I skip all of the hardware, and connect the input video source directly to the monitor, it gives a perfect crystal-clear picture. I've looked through the manual for the TBCs, and I'm convinced that I've adjusted all of their settings correctly. Nothing can be adjusted on the blackburst generator, so I figure it's idiot-proof

So, I can only think of two possibilities: 1) I don't have the right hardware, or 2) I'm not hooking it up correctly.

In case of option 1, what hardware do you recommend for genlocking and frame syncing inputs for the Video Toaster? Ideally there would be one box that would accept four inputs, it would automatically genlock and frame sync them, and it would have four outputs that I'd connect to the Video Toaster's inputs.

In case of option 2, what advice do you have to offer for hooking all of this stuff up?

[source]

I assume that you have done the center frequency adjustment? As for my set up, I had a problem with my TBC IV giving a poor image with flickering video. It turned out to be poor connections with some of the socketed chips on the TBC. Do you get the same problem when you hook up a live camera to the Video toaster input?

[videofx]

If you connect a laserdisc player, live video camera, digital video camera directly to the toaster you can bypass the black sync and TBC. This way you will no if there is an issue with the toaster or TBC or connections

[triskalguilo]

Originally Posted by source

I assume that you have done the center frequency adjustment?

I have indeed. I found this page: http://www.rabayjr.com/Amiga/Flyer_F...ter/cfnew.html The voltage is -2.1VDC, on the dot.

Originally Posted by source

As for my set up, I had a problem with my TBC IV giving a poor image with flickering video. It turned out to be poor connections with some of the socketed chips on the TBC.

I opened up one of the TBCs before I saw your post, and I did see a couple of socketed chips in there. I'll try re-seating those at some point.

Originally Posted by source

Do you get the same problem when you hook up a live camera to the Video toaster input?

Nope, no flickering if I hook a camera directly to input 1 on the Video Toaster. And no flickering if I connect that camera through a TBC either, with the blackburst generator connected to the TBC's genlock input. It's only doing the flickering when I try running my Commodore 64 or my VCR through the TBC. Both of them look beautiful when connected directly to the monitor.

It's an odd kind of flickering, almost like the video is blanking every other frame. And the further up the screen, the more washed-out the colors. *scratches head*

[Magic]

I think in your case it's probably Option 2

If I recall correctly ALL of the (4) TBC's have to be sync'ed to the same genlock connection. IE loop the TBC Genlock connectors of all 4 to the toaster. This is a copy from Google (not my info) but the idea is the same.

SyrTran
06-20-2004, 08:41 PM
Just got back to this thread.

If all you are using is 'live' cameras, then you'd only need 3 TBCs for 4 cameras. The 1st cam would feed both the 1st TBC's sync input (genlock in on my TBC-IV) and Toaster input 1. The second cam would go to the 1st TBC's regular input. The output of the 1st TBC would go to the 2nd TBC's sync and Toaster input 2, and so on, and so forth.

Cam1 - TBC1 sync in - Toaster 1
Cam2 - TBC1 video in
TBC1 out - TBC2 sync in - Toaster 2
Cam3 - TBC2 video in
TBC2 out - TBC3 sync in - Toaster 3
Cam4 - TBC3 video in
TBC3 out - Toaster 4

I have the actual diagram in a DPS TBC IV manual somewhere. No doubt you could search out a PDF if you get stuck.

[triskalguilo]

Thanks for the tips

I tried this using just one live camera, a VCR, and one TBC. (I only have one live camera.)

I used an RCA y-cable from RadioShack to split the camera's output, and connected the y-cable to the TBC's genlock input and to the Video Toaster's input 1. I connected the VCR to the TBC's video input. I connected the TBC's video output to the Video Toaster's input 2.

No change

I'm starting to suspect that I either have a fundamental misunderstanding of this process, or that the TBCs are bad (even though the seller listed them as working).

Anyone else have any ideas?

[pandy71]

http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/2...Big-Voodoo-TBC
http://support.keywesttechnology.com...C%20Manual.pdf
http://support.keywesttechnology.com...0%20Manual.pdf

Use DVD (DVR) as a source, try to confirm that each device is operable and OK .

[triskalguilo]

Originally Posted by pandy71

http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/2...Big-Voodoo-TBC
http://support.keywesttechnology.com...C%20Manual.pdf
http://support.keywesttechnology.com...0%20Manual.pdf

Use DVD (DVR) as a source, try to confirm that each device is operable and OK .

Thanks for the links and tip, but I've already sent them back for a refund. I've ordered a DPS ES-2200S to replace them. Hopefully that will work