Ambient Recording ACL 204 User manual

Clockit Time Code
Lockit
ACL 204
Rev. 3.11

MADE IN GERMANY
ACL 204
www.ambient.de/en
3
1. Introduction 5
2. Package Contents 6
3. Safety instructions 6
4. Powering 7
5. Description 8
6. Setup Menu Diagram 9
7. Menu Description 11
MAIN DISPLAY 11
MAIN MENU 11
GEN MENU 12
GEN > JamTC 12
GEN > EDIT 13
GEN > OFFSET 13
GEN > UB 14
JamUB 14
Edit-UB 14
EXIT 14
SYNC MENU 15
SYNC > VIDEO 15
SYNC > AUDIO 17
SYNC > PPF 17
SYNC > OFF 17
TC MENU 18
TC > FPS 18
TC > MTC 18

ACL 204
©2014, Ambient Recording GmbH
4
SYS MENU 19
SYS > CONFIG 19
SYS > CONFIG>DISPLAY 19
SYS > CONFIG>BNC 20
SYS > CONFIG>USB 20
SYS > CONFIG>BAT 20
SYS > INFO 20
SYS > Factory Reset 20
ACN MENU 21
ACN > JAM 21
ACN > JAM>ANT 21
ACN > JAM>PWR 22
ACN > JAM>SYNC 22
ACN > TX / RX 24
EXIT 24
8. LED Indications 25
9. Firmware Update 25
10. Physical Specifications 26
11. Warranty & Approvals 27

MADE IN GERMANY
ACL 204
www.ambient.de/en
5
1. Introduction
The Ambient ACL 204 Lockit box continues the line of our highly accurate portable
synchronizers, which have become an indispensable tool in modern workflows where
multi camera shoots and dual system sound is the rule.
Like its predecessors, it provides time code with a deviation of less than +/- 0.1 ppm of
a given reference and a sync signal locked to this. The Clockit time code products can
be calibrated to this reference in the field using the Clockit Controller ACC501,
providing the same accuracy still after years, compensating the usual aging of the
crystals, and opening possibilities which are unique to the Clockit approach.
What counts on a set is that all recording devices run on the same speed, and with the
Clockit method of being able to tune the devices, this goal can be achieved.
The reference for tuning may be a GPS signal, but just as well the time code of the
master recorder or camera or a video reference signal generated by the studio / OB-
truck’s synchronizer.
In addition to those classical features of the Clockit product range, the ACL 204
features a wireless network module and a serial data port, so the status of each unit
on set can be monitored and metadata of the connected devices can be
communicated to the Ambient Clockit Network ACN Master. ACN also permits to sync
the ACL 204 remotely and write back metadata to the recorders.

ACL 204
©2014, Ambient Recording GmbH
6
2. Package Contents
-ACL204 synchronizer
-ACL-T204, protective leather pouch
-LTC-OUT cable, Lemo JGG.305 to BNC right angle connector
-BNC cable, BNC to BNC right angle connector
-Manual
3. Safety instructions
For your own safety and trouble-free use of your Lockit ACL 204 please carefully read
through the instructions below. Always keep a copy of these instructions and hand
them out with the unit to other users.
This unit is exclusively intended for indoor use. Keep it safe and away from water, rain
and humidity and dry under all circumstances even when powered off. Clean gently
with a slightly moistened cloth and never let water, detergents or liquids of any kind
get into the unit as this will imply the risk of short circuits and electrical hazard.
Keep distant from sources of heat and never expose to direct sunlight. Admissible
ambience temperature is from +5° to +50° Celsius.
Do not throw or expose to mechanical impact and keep it safe from hard vibrations.
Only use genuine accessories such as cables antennae etc. which have been supplied
by an authorized dealer. Always observe integrity and the pertinent compatibility with
all units connected to.
Do not perform software updates in situations the integrity of mains supply can not
be granted such as thunderstorms and remove connections from and to all devices
directly or in directly connected to mains.
Only use intended batteries type Mignon AA with 1.5V. Watch correct polarity when
inserting the batteries, instructions can be found in the manual and on the device
itself. Disregard of handling may cause battery leakage or even risk of explosion.
To maintain secure electrical contact the batteries are loaded with high spring tension
and can shoot out of the compartment if opened without attention.
Always secure the outer battery contact and release slowly when accessing the
compartment.

MADE IN GERMANY
ACL 204
www.ambient.de/en
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Proper recycling of used batteries might mandatory be instructed by local law. Please
check for requirements and dispose at foreseen institutions. With regard to
environment only dispose completely discharged batteries.
When powering from external sources remove the batteries and put the power switch
into the "OFF" position. Pay attention to the use of LPS sources in compliance to part
2.5 of EN 60950-1.
When using the wireless connection of the Lockit ACL 204 place it centrally and keep it
distant from sources of possible interference such as microwaves or electrical devices
with large metal surfaces.
If possible always use the integrated antenna. If the application of an external
antenna seems mandatory only use the original part directly attached to the socket.
Extension or use of 3rd party accessories is not licit.
Never open the unit. Inappropriate and unauthorized access will void the warranty
and imply possible risk of harm to the user.
When disposing the unit follow the legal requirements for recycling electronic
equipment.
4. Powering
The ACL 204 can be powered:
-by 2 pcs. Type Mignon AA batteries (Alkaline, NiMH rechargeable or Li-Ion). Set
correct battery type in configuration for reliable low voltage warning.
Pay attention to insert with correct polarity as shown on label, insert outer
with “+” first, inner with “-“ first. Push down battery hinge and close slider.
-5 to 18 Volts DC via pin 4 of Lemo “A” socket
-5 Volts DC via the USB socket.
-If powered from external, the power switch is bypassed
-powered from internal battery
-powered from external, Lemo socket A pin 4
-powered from USB
-power present on Lemo and USB
Note: current time code is lost when power is removed. The settings are stored, the
unit will power up with the last configuration used. Should power be removed while in
SYNC menu with invalid settings chosen, the ACL 204 will power up with the last valid
configuration.

ACL 204
©2014, Ambient Recording GmbH
8
5. Description
①Battery compartment slider to be pushed left/right for access to switches or batteries
②USB socket type Mini-B 5-pin
③Configuration switch (further “config switch”, ↓ for pushing in, ↔ for toggle left/right)
④Power switch
⑤IR transceiver, used to set and check the ACL 204 from the ACC501 controller
⑥Display
⑦Signal LEDs
⑧External antenna connector
⑨Sync signal connector
⑩Lemo 5-pin socket “B”: time code in, out / serial port tx-rx / DC-out
⑪Lemo 5-pin socket “A”: time code in, out / ascii / tune signal / DC-in
① ② ③ ④ ⑤⑥⑦
⑧
⑩
⑪
⑨

MADE IN GERMANY
ACL 204
www.ambient.de/en
9
6. Setup Menu Diagram
When entering a menu, the active parameter setting is highlighted.
MAIN DISPLAY, showing time code, frame rate, sync rate, jam mode, network channel, battery status
↓push select switch down to enter main menu and to select options, toggle left/right to navigate
↓
GEN
↓
JamTC Edit Offset
↓
JamTC:
AUTO OFF manual/once
↓
Edit:
HH:MM:SS:FF
↓
Offset:
+/- 00.05 frames
↓
UB
JamUB Edit-UB EXIT
↓
JamUB:
normal manual insert
Edit-UB:
00:00:00:FF
EXIT:
back to main menu
↓
SYNC
↓
AUDIO VIDEO OFF
↓
AUDIO:
Wordclock Black Audio
↓
Sample Rate: 32000 … 48000…192000
↓
VIDEO:
PAL NTSC… 1080i…1080psf
↓
Frs: 23.976 24… 59.94 60
↓
OFF:
NO SYNC OUTPUT
↓
TC
↓
FPS MTC
↓
FPS
FPS: 23.976 24 25 29.97 30 29.97D 30D
↓
MTC
MTCout MIDI>LTC LTC>MIDI
↓
SYS
↓
Config INFO Factory Reset
↓
Display BNC USB BAT
↓
Display:
Brightness: 0… 5…10
↓
AutoOff: never 5sec … 5min
↓
BNC:
BNC Load: Single Dual/3D
↓
USB
USB Port: MTC COM
↓
BAT
Battery type: Li Alk NiMH
↓
INFO: displays device information: serial no., firmware version, mac address version,
mac address
↓
Factory Reset: loads default
settings

ACL 204
©2014, Ambient Recording GmbH
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↓
ACN
↓
MODE
↓
OFF ↔ JAM ↔C_JAM ↔TX ↔RX
↓
↓
MODE↔CHNL↔ANT↔PWR↔SYNC
MODE
Back
one
level to
mode
select
Back one level to mode select
↓
↓
JAM
Mode for remote jamming of ACL 204
CHNL
Select ACN channel 11 to 26
↓
↓
C-JAM
Mode for continuous jam / autosync
ANT
Select antenna internal ↔ external
↓
↓
TX / RX
Mode to transmit external recrun
TC
PWR
Select RF output power 8 to 18 dBm
Mode to receive free- or recrun
TC
↓
SYNC
Send sync broadcast: yes ↔ no
Start continuous jam: yes ↔ no (C-JAM)
(not available in TX / RX)
↓
EXIT
Return to main operation display

MADE IN GERMANY
ACL 204
www.ambient.de/en
11
7. Menu Description
MAIN DISPLAY
The main display is the normal operation mode. It displays
the most important status information. These are the time
code momentarily running, the sync signal type and rate,
the time code frame rate, and various additional
information:
“X” next to the Fps indication indicates a cross-jam mode,
i.e. the time code rate is not consistent with the sync rate,
but compatible and in sync at each second’s transition.
“A” in upper left corner indicates the jam mode “auto”, the
lock symbol indicates “off” – no external jamming available, “M” indicates manual / once.
“+00:00” top right beside the battery indicates the offset.
“COM” or “MTC” show the status of the USB port.
Information related to ACN will be displayed once it is activated (on above screen shot it is in “Jam”
mode, channel 20, external antenna and LNA activated).
If the display is switched off (power save), pushing the config switch once will turn it on again without
doing any changes. Also, external time code jam activates the display.
MAIN MENU
Pushing the config switch once enters the main menu
screen. The main operation parameters are further
displayed. In this screen, you can select the different
settings by pushing the config switch. Navigate by toggling
the config switch left or right.
Pushing the config switch when EXIT is highlighted exits to the main screen.
If no action is done, the unit will return to the main screen as well.