• Home
  • Courses

    About Courses

    • All Courses
    • Production Sound
    • Script Supervising
    • Filmmaking
    • DIT

    Newest Course

  • Blogs
  • Contact
RegisterLogin
Video Mantis
  • Home
  • Courses

    About Courses

    • All Courses
    • Production Sound
    • Script Supervising
    • Filmmaking
    • DIT

    Newest Course

  • Blogs
  • Contact

Blog

Home » Blog » New in the Vault » How does a Satellite in Space and a Dish Time Code Box Really Work?

How does a Satellite in Space and a Dish Time Code Box Really Work?

  • Posted by Video Mantis
  • Categories Blog, First Look, How To, New in the Vault, Reviews, Time Code, Trade Shows
  • Date May 1, 2020
  • Comments 0 comment
Dish and Dish Pro Time Code Boxes sync don't need sync. They get it from space.

Picture a time code box that jams itself and never needs to be re-jammed. Sounds futuristic, right? Well, not anymore, thanks to the Dish Time Code Box lineup.

These Time Code Boxes are different than any other Time Code device on the market because they get its signal from satellites with high precision clocks in outer space.

The Dish Satellite Time Code BoxHow is Dish Different?

Besides the cool space part? Simple.

Dish Time Code boxes don’t need to be jammed. They don’t need to really be checked either. There is no re-jamming, or wondering if you accidentally forgot to jam a box… All that goes away.

These devices use public radio signals from atomic clocks to embed precise timecode into our cameras and audio recorders.

Since the satellites and the powers at be are so accurate, it allows us production folk to reap the benefits of their insane accuracy.

When it comes to operation, it is as simple as turning it on and waiting for the LED to blink green. It usually only takes a few moments. Then, connect the Dish to the camera’s time code input.

No Drifting

The Dish is a device that doesn’t really drift. It can’t. It is always re-jamming with the satellites to stay in constant sync.

Even if you lose connection with the satellite feed, the Dish will begin generating Time Code on its own until it links up with the satellites again.

The amount of drift, if any, would be minuscule and fixed immediately never causing an issue.

How would you like to get your Time Code from Outer Space on your next project?

According to the Dish.TC Website:

The satellite signal is accurate to about 60 nanoseconds. By comparison, a 30fps frame is 33 milliseconds long. Satellite timing error is one half-millionths of a frame.

But what if I am working underground or can’t get a signal?

If the Dish needed to be used in a mine shaft or somewhere that it simply can’t get a signal from satellites, it will be able to run on its own internal clock and report accurate timecode.

The built-in TCXO clock keeps accurate time between signal acquisitions. This means you need to turn on the device when you have signal BEFORE you go in your mineshaft or to the center of the earth.

Ok, but seriously, why is there no screen?

I know. Weird right? How confident a little box needs to be to eliminate the screen entirely from the device. Must not want you to deal with the little things that might mess up your shoot and the post process.

The Dish and Dish Pro ONLY run on UTC. All Dishes everywhere in the world report the same time-of-day timecode, in UTC (more specifically, in International Atomic Time).

This means that you don’t have to worry about the devices not being in sync when they are on, because they are in sync as soon as they are turned on.

There are no settings to change.

It. Just. Works.

The Basic Dish

The basic Dish comes with a stereo mini out that allows it to connect with any camera on the market. Using either adapter cables, or plugging a stereo mini cable into a DSLR camera will send an audible time code stripe to the camera.
This stripe sounds very weird to anyone that hasn’t heard it before. Every time it ticks the numbers are being incremented in the stream.

The Basic Dish mounted on a DSLR Camera

Scratch Audio with the Dish

Many DSLRs disconnect onboard microphones for capturing ambience in the field. IF you plug something into the microphone input on the camera, however, it will kill the microphone on the DSLR in favor of whatever is plugged in externally.
Because of this, the Dish has its own internal microphone that can be used to send scratch audio to the camera. Because there are two channels of audio on these types of DLSR cameras, the Dish will send Time Code to the Left and Scratch Audio to the right.

The Dish Pro Time Code box has a Frame Rate Selector and a BNC Output

The Dish Pro

The Dish Pro unit offers a BNC port as well as the selector option to change the frame rate. This allows you to plug the Dish into professional cameras with BNC inputs. On these jobs, you will need to adjust the frame right to the correct time of the shoot.

I had the opportunity to speak with a good friend of mine, Paul Katzman, who has been a long time advocate from when the Dish Time Code boxes were on Kickstarter

” They are really great. You turn it on and you are good to go. Just make sure to select your frame rate and connect it to your device devices that require time code. It has interesting applications for pro-level usage with crews that are spread out and cannot take a time code feed at the beginning of a shoot.

It is also a huge ally for people that are not 100% time code savvy. There is nothing to screw up. Turn it on, it blinks green, and you’re good!”

~Paul Katzman

 

What about batteries?

The Dish and Dish pro work on AA Batteries. This allows you to use whatever capacity batteries you need for your shoot. A pair of fresh, high-quality alkaline AAs will lasts about 40 hours of run time. Lithium Energizers will easily go 2 days.

We recommend getting some recommend rechargeable NiMH AAs which will easily get you through your shoot each day.

One big advantage of AAs is that you can always replace them. If your PA forgot to charge the built-in lithium, you’re out for half a day.

When is it too good to be true?

Satellite signals cannot penetrate underground or underwater. Additionally, US export regulations restrict satellite receivers over certain altitudes and over certain speeds. So if you’re shooting on a nuclear submarine, or in a missile silo, or on a missile in flight, Dish can’t get accurate time.

Sounds like an interesting shoot! Make sure you turn your Dishes on and get a signal before you go underground. Your Dishes continue to run on internal TCXO clocks. Your Dish will tell you if it drifts enough to need a re-sync with the satellite.

Futurology

In the future, the dish will be able to connect remotely via software. This software will be able to change the frame rate as well. We will keep you updated when that happens.

A few years ago, Tentacle Sync really stirred the pot with their bluetooth sync modules. This proves to be an entirely different way of doing time code.

What do you think about the Dish Time Code boxes? A new way to do things? Or is it just another gimmick?

  • Share:
Video Mantis
Video Mantis

Video Mantis is an educational website created by Thomas Popp. Our goal is to create the best production resource available for all departments in the world. We are sponsored by Trew Audio. Our links are affiliated with Trew Audio and Amazon. By clicking on our links you are supporting the growth of this site so we can continue making more content.

Previous post

Lectrosonics announces new IFBR1b and Charging Dock System
May 1, 2020

Next post

Tentacle Sync E Tutorial: Learn How to Use a Time Code Box
May 6, 2020

You may also like

Lectrosonics Digital SM Transmitters
Lectrosonics DBSM and DBSMD Digital Transmitters
20 June, 2021
DPA 4466 4488 Headset Microphone
DPA 4466 and 4488 Core Headsets
6 June, 2021
Sound Devices Frame.IO Camera to Cloud Walkthrough
Sound Devices and Frame.IO Breakdown of Camera to Cloud
21 May, 2021

Leave A Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

  • Become a Mentor

Search

Categories

  • Announcements
  • Antennas
  • Blog
  • Business
  • ENG Bags
  • Expendables
  • Firmware Update
  • First Look
  • Health
  • How To
  • Lavalier Accessories
  • Mantis Discussions
  • Microphone Accessories
  • Microphones
  • Movies
  • New in the Vault
  • Production Sound Mixer
  • Production Sound Supervisor
  • Quick Tips
  • Recorders
  • Reviews
  • Safety
  • Seminars
  • Sound Accessories
  • Sound Utility Technician
  • Time Code
  • Trade Shows
  • Vault Talk
  • Wind Protection
  • Wireless
  • Wireless Accessories
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Cookie Policy
  • Sitemap

Our Company

  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Contact

Links

  • Courses
  • Events
  • Gallery

Support

  • FAQ
  • Have a Question?
  • Become a Mentor

Recommend

  • ThomasPopp.com
  • PoppSound.com
  • TrewAudio.com

COPYRIGHT 2021 - VIDEO MANTIS PRODUCTIONS INC - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Login with your site account

Lost your password?

Not a member yet? Register now

Register a new account

Are you a member? Login now

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Bugs and Cookies

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Powered by CookieYes Logo
Go to mobile version