Ambient ACC 501 User manual

experience quality.
Lockit Timecode
Controller
ACC 501
Rev. 1.10.0031

experience quality.
ACC501
Rev. 1.10.0031
www.ambient.de/en
1
Table of contents page
1. Introduction 1
2. Package Content 3
3. Firmware Update 3
4. Description 4
4.1 Lemo 5 pin, common industry TC standard 4
4.2 IR - Infrared Port 4
4.3 BNC, EXT. SYNC 4
4.4 BNC, WCLK 4
4.5 USB 1 4
4.6 USB 2 4
4.7 3.5mm Mini jack, TC in/out 5
4.8 Sub D 15 pin socket, accessory I/O interface 5
4.9 Keypad 5
4.10 Display 5
5. Getting Started 6
6. Menus 7
6.1 CONF menu 7
6.2 GEN menu 10
6.3 LTC menu 11
6.4 ASCII menu 12
6.5 MIDI menu 13
6.6 WCLK menu 13
6.7 TUNE menu 14
6.8 RTC menu 16
7. Technical Data: 17
8. Warranty & Approvals 18
8.1 Warranty 18
8.2 Approvals 19

ACC501
Rev. 1.10.0031
©2016, Ambient Recording GmbH
2
1. Introduction
Superseding the ACC101 the Clockit Controller ACC501 retains all its functions and serves as a general
purpose TC master unit which can read, generate and compare and tune to all kind of TC rates.
It offers a variety of addtional features such as word clock output, dual TC display, enhanced GPS
modes and multiple I/O ports including USB ports for PC/Mac connectivity and TC-conversion modes.
Although roughly half of the size of its predecessor the user interface has been vastly improved using a
graphical display and an enhanced keypad with dual navigational cursor pads for easy two-handed
operation.
Power can be provided over internal batteries, USB or an external source. One load of 4 good quality
alkaline AA cells should achieve over 24 hrs. of continuous use (depending on activity and brightness of
display backlight), and many days in a typical scenario of intermittent use. For increased battery lifetime
a special standby mode has been implemented. While the main MCU controls the main timecode
generator, keypad, display and memory functions, a special low-power MCU monitors the power
converters and an auxiliary generator is maintaining frame accurate timecode when put in standby for
the full battery life of the Controller (one week or more).
To allow for even more flexible implementation of future enhancements, the hardware has been
purposely designed to cater for new features without major hardware updates.
User-manageable software updates will become available from the product page on
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/105377880/Firmware/Firmware1.10.zip
so please check back for software updates and change logs.
Updating the software is done via a Windows PC over USB running a dedicated programming tool also
available from the aforementioned source.

experience quality.
ACC501
Rev. 1.10.0031
www.ambient.de/en
3
2. Package Content
ACC501 Clockit Controller
Pouch for the Controller, ACC-T
Timecode cable, TC-IN/OUT
3. Firmware Update
New in Firmware Version 1.10:
Works on Windows 7
Supports the hardware revision of the GPS module (2013)
How to update:
For upgrading, start ACC501 setup.
Scan port for ACC.
Load ACC 501 1.09.0030.bin
Check box “force upgrade all”
Wait until process is finished and restart the unit.

ACC501
Rev. 1.10.0031
©2016, Ambient Recording GmbH
4
4. Description
4.1 Lemo 5 pin, common industry TC standard
Pin 1 Ground
2 TC in, nominal level 100 mV min., DC decoupled
3 Aaton ASCII protocol in/out
4 Tune signal @ 1.92 MHz, (DC in 5 to 12 Volts for Rev. A boards)
5 TC out, TTL level
4.2 IR - Infrared Port
For setting compatible Lockit devices and data transfer using Aaton ASCII protocol without the need of
linking the units via 5 pin Lemo, typical range 4 ft
4.3 BNC, EXT. SYNC
This input will accept sync signals such as composite video PAL, NTSC or trilevel sync and analyze/
identify them providing vertical sync and field number signals in future software revisions.
In the current software revision, a PAL video signal can be used to tune the reference oscillator. Thus,
Lockit boxes can be recalibrated to match the speed of an OB van or house sync providing frame
accurate sync of hardwired and portable equipment. The total timecode drift and diversion of a
working system is minimized for most ease in edit.
4.4 BNC, WCLK
The word clock output is in sync to the internal timecode reference generator, which makes it most
useful when synchronizing equipment like stand alone audio recorders or DAWs.
44.1 kHz to 192 kHz with pull up and pull down are available.
4.5 USB 1
Used for programming new software or as serial interface for SMPTE/P2 conversion.
EXT power in, 5 Volts
4.6 USB 2
Serves as MIDI TC I/O interface for sending MTC (Midi timecode) to a DAW.EXT power in, 5 Volts
The Mini B USB ports follow the USB specification. It is recommended to have the Controller powered
on with the appropriate operation mode selected when establishing the connection to a computer.
Do not connect to two computers simultaneously!

experience quality.
ACC501
Rev. 1.10.0031
www.ambient.de/en
5
4.7 3.5mm Mini jack, TC in/out
Offers a separate LTC input/output carrying the same TC signal as the Lemo TC socket with a reduced
level of 1 Volt peak to peak.
Tip = LTC-OUT
Ring = LTC-IN
Sleeve = Ground
4.8 Sub D 15 pin socket, accessory I/O interface
This socket is for general access to the Controller and contains all connections needed to interface to
an external device including power. This socket can be used to connect the ACCSI (Ambient Serial
Interface) with attached GPS module. Various options like radio link transceivers etc. to follow.
Only connect approved accessories to avoid damage.
4.9 Keypad
The keypad is organized with the menu and command cursors on the right and general editing
cursors on the left. These keys can double as hold/log when logging on the fly.
There is a red escape key on the left which doubles as an on/off switch and a green enter key on the
right. Underneath there are 0-9 number keys in black with secondary functions in red and a shift key
on the left. The 4 domed Allen screws protect the keypad surface.
4.10 Display
The display is a 128 X 64 pixel graphic display with selectable contrast. The white LED backlight can be
adjusted in intensity and turned off completely for reducing the power consumption. The display is
organized with a menu bar at the top and a command bar at the bottom. Movement within these bars
is done by 4 cursor keys at the right of the display, two keys for left/right scroll for the menu bar at the
top and 2 keys, left/ right scroll for the command bar at the bottom. The relevant status of the
controller is shown in the remaining space between these bars.
A command is executed by selecting the respective command and then pressing ENTER or pressing
the relating numeric hot-key shown in the command bar.
ESC returns to the command line.
Battery symbol
This shows only the level of the internal 4xAA batteries, not the external source, for this see Power
Supply in the “Config”menu.
We welcome any comments or software ideas for this new controller. Please get in touch with us for
your suggestions.

ACC501
Rev. 1.10.0031
©2016, Ambient Recording GmbH
6
5. Getting Started
Take the Controller out of its pouch and open the sliding door on the left side. Insert 4 AA cells carefully
observing the polarity as indicated on the side panel, the 2 cells in the outer slot facing both positive
polarity outwards, the 2 cells in the inner tube positive polarity inwards. Then close the contact hinge
and slide the door shut.
The controller is designed to interface properly with other products of Ambient Recording's Lockit
range. When connecting to 3rd party’s equipment carefully consult the referring user manuals for
requirements to evaluate the possibility of proper interfacing. Follow the manufacturer´s instruction to
the letter and only use the designed inputs with certified cables. Ambient cannot be held liable for any
damage or malfunctions caused by improper set up and/or cabling.
SWITCHING THE UNIT ON AND OFF
A delay has been implemented to avoid inadvertent On/ Off switching.
POWERING ON
Press the ESC (On/ Off) key (red flash symbol) until the unit initializes displaying serial No. and software
version. After a few seconds the display changes to default with the timecode generator screen (GEN).
POWERING OFF
When switching off either standby or a complete power-down can be selected. In standby mode the
timecode is held in the auxiliary TC generator (AUXGEN) that runs off the accurate internal reference
while power-off helps to save battery life and is intended for long time no-operation.
Press the ESC key. After a short delay the switch-off select menu will appear.
Press ESC again:
Unit is powered off for maximum save of battery capacity, timecode is lost.
Press Enter:
Unit enters standby mode, AUXGEN holds TC until batteries are drained completely.

experience quality.
ACC501
Rev. 1.10.0031
www.ambient.de/en
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6. Menus
6.1 CONF menu
This is a general menu for the controller status and control and monitoring of peripherals.
Select option by pressing corresponding number.
1: Display:
Change display contrast and default backlight brightness and switch off time.
2: Infrared:
Displays transceived ASCII characters, allows for a test and reset.
3: Power supply:
Shows voltages at power inputs
4: System Info:
Shows the serial number of the unit and the software versions of the various modules currently loaded.
Upon start up, the ACC501 checks if a ACCSI (Ambient Serial Interface) is connected and displays the
firmware version:
Please note: From board revision “A” on the revision is displayed next to the serial
number.

ACC501
Rev. 1.10.0031
©2016, Ambient Recording GmbH
8
5: USB Port Settings:
USB Port 1 can be set to:
Standard mode (Ambient XDOP):
Used for programming and computer connection
Sony P2:
On the virtual COM Port that appears in your hardware settings when the ACC501 is connected, a Sony
P2 protocol is being emulated. Thus the ACC501 can be recognized by editing programs (AVID express,
Media Log) as a virtual machine and the timecode be used for logging etc.
Please note: The Com-Port drivers (PC) / extensions (Mac) matching your system need to
be installed to use option 2.
Download from:
http://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/pages/usbtouartbridgevcpdrivers.aspx
GPS NMEA –Serial Interface
A GPS module connected via the Ambient Serial Interface can be controlled from a computer through
USB 1.
Please note: Prior to use any GPS function always verify that the GPS receiver emits
valid data in menu CONF > 6: GPS.
Also, do not activate loop through by USB mode when planning manual GPS offset
control as per 6. or when using GPS to tune or set the generator.
6: GPS Extension:
When no ACCSI (Ambient Serial Interface)is connected to the ACC501, the message “No GPS Module
attached” is displayed in the fields for longitude and latitude:
If a ACCSI with GPS receiver is connected to the ACC501, it is powered off by default. “GPS module is
switched off” will be displayed in the fields for longitude and latitude:

experience quality.
ACC501
Rev. 1.10.0031
www.ambient.de/en
9
Please note: To save power the GPS module should only be switched on when needed.
After switching the GPS module on by pressing key 1, at first the message “Waiting for GPS NMEA data…
“ will be displayed.
Once the GPS antenna has established link with enough satellites to emit valid data, the fields for
longitude and latitude will be filled with values and refreshed permanently.
Using the command “8 – Edit UTC Offset”, the GPS time should be adjusted to the local time zone. The
offset can be adjusted in steps of 5 minutes, as some countries have an offset that is not full hours. The
offset is displayed on the top left (in the graphic above: UTC –14:45)