Ambient Master Lockit User manual

Firmware Version 8.0

02Lockit Users manual |
Table of contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 03
2. Unit Description . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 05
3. LED Blink Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 06
4. Powering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 07
5. Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 08
6. Basic Button Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 09
7. Operation Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
7.1 C-Jam Mode (Continuous Jam) ..................................10
7.2 TX Mode (Transceiver Mode) ...................................11
7.3 ACN Receiving Mode ..........................................13
7.4 Single Jam Mode .............................................13
8. Special: Wireless TC & Sync Oset. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
9. LockitToolbox . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
10. Useful Links. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
11. Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
11.1 ACN Channel Frequencies ....................................18
11.2 Connector Pinouts ...........................................19
11.3 Internal Buer Battery .......................................19

03Lockit Users manual |
1. Introduction
The Lockit (ACN-CL)
Lockit Timecode by Ambient
Since we released the very rst mobile timecode and sync generator ever
already in 1992 our devices became the industry standard for timecode and
synchronization on set. Lockits provide frame-accurate synchronized video
and audio clips for Hollywood blockbusters, TV series and independent
productions.
Highly Accurate Timecode and Sync Generator
Ambient Timecode is synonymous with precision and reliability. The Lockit
provides all timecode frame rates and sync (wordclock / genlock) formats
and full ACN compatibility.
Zero Drift (C-Jam)
Lockits are based on a highly accurate temperature-compensated crystal
oscillator. Once set, the Lockit boxes stay on time - and drift less than 1
frame apart within 24 hours. With active C-Jam (continuous jam) mode via
ACN, any drift is even completely excluded.
More Options
Two push-pull connectors: ACN (outputs Timecode & Metadata) and Sync
(outputs Timecode & Sync)
TX Mode
Lockits can be started in the so-called TX mode to become a timecode bridge.
The TX Master will automatically adapt its speed to the external timecode
source and broadcast TC start and stop via ACN to all other Lockits. This is
especially relevant if you want your audio recorder to be the master clock on
set, in playback situations or in virtual production setups.
Midi Timecode
Connect your Lockit via USB to your PC/Mac. The Lockit will show up as midi
timecode Interface - ready for use in any digital audio workstation (DAW). This
way you can broadcast playback timecode through ACN to other Lockits.

04Lockit Users manual |
Plug & Play
Instead of using the graphical menu of the Lockit or the LockitToolBox - feed
in timecode and frame rate externally. Just plug one Lockit to the TC Out port
of another device (e.g. your sound recorder) and it’s automatically set and
ready to sync – without any additional apps.
LED Display
No external app needed. Display menu easily operated via buttons.
ACN stands for Ambient Communication
Network and is our own wireless network.
It utilizes an extremely reliable, proprietary 2.4GHz network with
16 selectable channels for communication to minimize lag and
interference with other radio sources. All gathered information
is buered until it is successfully received and stored.
The ACN is used to interchange timecode related information
including time, frame rate and user bits as well as device meta-
data between Lockits or third-party devices with built-in Lockit
Module.
Learn more about the beauty of ACN here:
https://ambient.de/en/acn-technology

05Lockit Users manual |
2. Unit Description
Front
1 ACN antenna, SMA RP 2.4GHz, keep attached to unit
2 RGB status LED
3 OLED display
4 TC & ACN connector (LEMO-compatible)
5 TC & Sync connector (LEMO-compatible)
6 Power button
7 Red button
8 Green button
9 Battery door, NP-50 Li-Ion type batteries only
10 USB-C socket (Power & Midi timecode)
1
678
2
4
5
10
9
3

06Lockit Users manual |
3. LED Blink Code
Mode 1sec 2sec
ACN Jam (C-Jam, TX, Single)
Jam transmitted / sent
Jam received
Lockit, NanoLockit, LockitSlate Take2,
Lockit+ (in standby) or LockitModule
TC out mute; will start with preference
TC out mute; will start from fallback zero
TC out active
TC out active; output level reduced
TC out active; low battery
Lockit+ with WiFi active
TC out mute; will start with preference
TC out mute; will start from fallback zero
TC out active
TC out active; low battery
TX Mode Warnings
TC out mute; no initial LTC source
TC out active; LTC source lost/stopped
Charging Mode, Unit o
ext. Power, charging
ext. Power, fully charged
blinkash

07Lockit Users manual |
4. Powering
Only use certied NP-50 compatible Li-Ion batteries and power sources
in compliance with USB BC1.2 and EN 62368-1 for external power and
charging.
4.
3.
2.
1.

08Lockit Users manual |
5. Display
456
3
1
2
1 Timecode
2 Project Rate (FPS)
3 Battery Status / Ext. Power
4 Unit ID* / Unit Name
5 ACN Mode
6 ACN Channel
* Note: Unit ID can be set via
the ACN Radar of the Lockit+

09Lockit Users manual |
6. Basic Button Operations
Turn On: Press and hold Power until LED lights green to start unit.
Turn O: Press and hold Power for 5 seconds until power o menu
appears. Conm shutdown with Power.
Access Menu: While the unit is running you can access the menu
by pressing Red & Green simultaneously.
There you can easily set:
• Project Rate:
23.98 / 24 / 25 / 29.97 / 29.97 DROP / 30 / 47.95 / 48 / 50 / 59.94 / 59.94 DROP / 60 FPS
• Sync Output:
o / P / PsF / i / 48 kHz / 96 kHz / 192 kHz
• ACN Channel:
11 – 26 / o
• TC Start Preference:
RTC / RTC-12 / zero / one / manual
• LED Brightness:
1 – 10
• TC Out Level:
-68 / -58 / -50 / -6 / 0 / +6 dB
• Auto Power
• TC&SyncOset:
-10.00 ... +10.00 frames
Tap Red to decrease or Green to increase a parameter value.
Tap Red & Green simultaneously to conrm and proceed.
Tap Power to cancel or to leave the menu.
Applied settings will be persistent over a reboot until reset or changed.
Reset: When switched o, press and hold Red & Green
simultaneously to perform a factory reset of the Lockit Module.
Note: RTC-12 automatically sets Start TC to
RTC in the mornings or RTC-12 after 1pm.
Note:ndmoreinformationin
chapter 8.Special:WirelessTC&SyncOset

10Lockit Users manual |
7. Operation Modes
Within the ACN there is always one Lockit device acting as timecode transmit-
ter, broadcasting timecode and frame rate to the Receivers. You can choose
between C-Jam, TX and Single Jam Mode.
7.1 C-Jam Mode (Continuous Jam)
In C-Jam Mode we utilize our ACN network to completely prevent any drift. In
this mode one Lockit device acts as a C-Jam Master. It sends a pulse through
the ACN every six seconds to constantly align with all other Lockit boxes.
To start the unit as C-Jam Master press and hold Green, then tap Power.
Press and hold Green to conrm the timecode and start the C-Jam.
The icon on the display will switch to M.
All other Lockits (that are on the same ACN channel) will now automatically
follow the C-Jam Master and display an ACN icon at the lower right of the
display.
Since even in C-Jam Mode every unit still uses its own VCO (voltage-controlled
oscillator) to generate timecode (and sync), they don’t necessarily have to be
in range of the C-Jam master constantly to be accurate.
On the display you will see an (M)
appear, indicating that the device
is ready to go.

11Lockit Users manual |
Lockit devices that are powered up at a later point in time will automatically
follow the C-Jam Master and set their timecode and frame rate accordingly.
Note: Just one unit is allowed to be the C-Jam Master within an ACN channel. A
second master will be blocked and will also automatically follow the C-Jam Master
and display an ACN icon at the lower right of the display.
7.2 TX Mode (Transceiver Mode)
The TX Mode basically works like the C-Jam Mode, with the dierence that
the TX Master receives start/stop timecode and frame rate from an external
source via LTC or Midi. Main use cases are playback situations (e.g. music
video shootings), rec run setups (e.g. start/stop recording triggered by run-
ning timecode) or virtual production setups.
To start the unit as TX Master press and hold Red, then tap Power.
On the display you will see TX appear.
The TX master will automatically adapt its speed to the LTC-in timecode
source and broadcast the external source’s TC start and stop via ACN to all
other Lockits. They will display an ACN icon at the lower right of the display.
As soon as the external source stops sending timecode to the TX Master,
the timecode on all Lockits will freeze, and they will start ashing yellow.
As soon as the timecode starts running again, they’ll ash green again.
To make the TX Mode work, all Lockit Devices must run on the latest
rmware (7.xx) which is available for Lockit, NanoLockit, LockitSlate Take2
and Lockit+.

12Lockit Users manual |
Pro tip for VFX, Volume, 3D setup and projects
with high demand of genlock accuracy:
We recommended to project tune the ACN devices once.
The Project Tune feature is available within the ACN Radar
of the Lockit+.
Find more information here:
https://manuals.ambient.de/lockitplus
Computer
(Midi TC)
External TC source
Automatically adapts internal generator
speed to external timecode source
TX Mode
or or
Audio Recorder
(LTC)
TX master*
Lockit LockitSlateNanoLockit
Cable
Studio Master Clock
(LTC)
*Can be any Lockit device started up with Red + Power
We broadcast Start, Stop and Freeze Frame through ACN.
12:23:41:03
12:23:41:03
12:23:41:03
12:23:41:03
12:23:41:03
12:23:41:03
*Can be any Lockit device started up with Red + Power.
We broadcast Start, Stop and Freeze Frame through ACN.

13Lockit Users manual |
7.3 ACN Receiving Mode
All Lockit devices that are jammed via a C-Jam or TX Master automatically
switch to ACN Receiver Mode, indicated by the ACN logo in the lower right of
the display.
Lockit devices in ACN Receiving Mode constantly follow the current C-Jam or
TX Master.
To power up just long-press Power.
Lockit devices that are powered up at a later point of time will automatically
switch to ACN Receiver Mode after having received a jam via ACN. Their time-
code and frame rate will be set accordingly.
7.4 Single Jam Mode
In Single-Jam Mode you can send a one-time pulse through the ACN to sync
all Lockit devices. From then on, each Lockit continues to run autonomously.
This is perfectly ne for most occasions, as our Lockit devices are highly
accurate and drift less than a frame within 24 hours.
To power up just long-press Power.
All Lockit devices in this mode can send and receive a Single Jam. Choose
one of your Lockits and press Green for 3 seconds until the green LED
lights up twice.
This way timecode and frame rate gets broadcasted to the other Lockit box-
es in the same ACN channel.
Note:OnceaLockitdeviceisturnedothetimecodegeneratorstops.Afterturning
on again you must perform the Single Jam again.
That’s why we recommend C-Jam Mode over Single Jam Mode, as it
completely eliminates drift and is more convenient to use.

14Lockit Users manual |
Good to Know: Plug and Play Timecode
Instead of using the graphical menu of the Lockit (pressing
Red &Green simultaneously) – feed in timecode and
frame rate externally. Just plug one Lockit to the TC Out port of
another device (e.g. your sound recorder) and it’s automatically
set and ready to sync – without any additional apps.
Just plug the Lockit to the TC Out port of another device (e.g.
your Sound Recorder) and it will automatically take over time-
code and frame rate.
This only works if no Single Jam has been sent - or a C-Jam / TX
Master is active in the ACN channel. Indicated by the LED ashing
red and green alternately.
If the device is already jammed and you attach an external time-
code source, you can enter the “Compare Screen”. This displays
a potential timecode drift between external source and your
Lockit.

15Lockit Users manual |
This setting will oset timecode and sync on all outputs and the LockitSlate’s
timecode display. The OLED will still show the current running timecode with
an indication of the oset value.
This allows for compensation of frame processing delay on video walls,
cameras and further 3rd party equipment.
8. Special: Wireless TC &Sync Oset
Use Case 1: How to compensate processing delays in virtual production
ACN Settings
Lockit+ TX Master
ACN Radar
-02.00 -02.00
16:28:24:21
Wireless TC & Sync Offset
How to compensate processing
delay in virtual production
Studio Master Clock
(LTC)
LTC
SYNC
16:28:24:21
16:28:24:21
16:28:24:19
16:28:24:19
16:28:24:21
LED wall
LockitSlate
offset
Lockit
offset
Set offset for all
Lockit devices in ACN via
Lockit+ web interface
Virtual production
server with 2 frames
processing delay
Lockit+
TX Master

16Lockit Users manual |
Use Case 2: Adjust internal processing delays of cameras - classic setup
16:28:24:21
16:28:24:21
Sound Recorder
C-JAM
Master
Adjust TC & xync offset
for cameras with internal
processing delays
No offset needed
No offset needed
Adjust offset in
Lockit display menu
Wireless TC & Sync Offset
Classic set
16:28:24:21
16:28:24:21
Please check
ambient.de/en/downloads
for new rmware updates.
Firmware Updates are
distributed via the LockitToolbox,
available for Windows or Mac OS.
With the LockitToolbox you can
update your Lockit, set your RTC or
dene basic settings for your Device.
9. LockitToolbox

17Lockit Users manual |
•Timecode Cable Guide
https://faq.ambient.de/
hc/en-001/articles/4415083061650-Timecode-Cable-Guide
•ACN Technology
https://ambient.de/en/acn-technology
•Ambient FAQs
https://faq.ambient.de/hc/en-001
•LockitToolbox and Firmware Updates
https://ambient.de/en/downloads
10. Useful Links

18Lockit Users manual |
11. Appendix
11.1 ACN Channel Frequencies
The ACN is designed to allow for friendly coexistence of dierent systems on
the same channel. Still, equivalent ARRI remote focus equivalents listed to fur-
ther help avoiding interferences. The default ACN Channel is 18.
Learn more on https://ambient.de/en/acn-technology
ACN ARRI EMIP WRS
Channel Center Frequency (MHz) Channel
11 2405
12 2410 0
13 2415 1
14 2420
15 2425
16 2430 2
17 2435 3
18 2440
19 2445
20 2450 4
21 2455 5
22 2460
23 2465
24 2470 6
25 2475 7
26 2480

19Lockit Users manual |
11.2 Connector Pinouts
Blue ACN Connector and Yellow Sync Connector
Accept LEMO FGG.0B.305 and compatible push-pull plugs
Connectors carry TC in and out as per industry standard,
plus sync on one and ACN metadata on the other.
11.3 Internal Buer Battery
Your Lockit has an internal buer battery for the RTC (Real Time
Clock). It will only deplete when the unit is o with no NP-50 loaded and
last you a long time.
Once the Lockit doesn’t hold time it’s time to replace. The RTC allows you to set
the timecode to time of day.
First, get a CR2016 type battery. Remove NP-50 battery, slightly losen the
nut of the antenna socket by a half turn, and remove the 4 Torx 6 screws
on the back. Take o back cover, and slide out the covering lid as per print.
Replace battery and reassemble in reverse order.
Trilevel Sync Out Impedance 75Ω / Dual Load: 38Ω
LTC Out Impedance 1kΩ
LTC In Impedance 15kΩ
ACN SYNC (yellow cable)
1 GND GND
2 TC in TC in
3 ACN TX PPF out
4 ACN RX Sync out
5 TC out TC out
1
5
4
2
3

20Lockit Users manual |
Safety Instructions
For your own safety and trouble-free use, 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 conditions, even when powered o.
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. Ad-
missible ambience temperature for operation and storage is from +5° to +50°
Celsius. Power down before storing or shipping, detach external power sourc-
es, and, if applicable remove batteries.
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
included with the unit or supplied by an authorized dealer. Always observe
integrity and the pertinent compatibility with all units connected to.
Powering from external sources is exclusively limited to the use of LPS sourc-
es in compliance to part 2.5 of EN 60950-1 with correct polarity, voltage
range, and current rating. Disregarding recommended power requirements
may damage the product or even risk explosion of the internal backup cell or
inserted batteries.
Do not perform software updates in situations in which the integrity of mains
supply cannot be granted such as thunderstorms and remove connections
from and to all devices directly or in directly connected to mains.
When using the wireless connection, place it centrally and keep it distant from
sources of possible interference such as microwaves or electrical devices with
large metal surfaces. Only use the original external antenna directly and rmly
attached to the socket. Extension or use of 3rd party accessories is not per-
missible.
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.