Tentacle Sync E User manual

TENTACLE SYNC E!
OPERATING MANUAL V1.0
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OVERVIEW 3
GETTING STARTED 4
OPERATING MODES
SETUP APP FOR IOS & ANDROID
-WIRELESS SYNCHRONIZATION VIA BLUETOOTH
SYNCHRONIZATION VIA CABLE
SYNCHRONIZATION TO EXTERNAL TIMECODE
PERFORMING A FIRMWARE UPDATE
TENTACLE SETTINGS 6
BLUETOOTH CONNECTION AND STARTING THE APP
MONITORING VIEW
WIRELESS SYNC
DEVICE WARNINGS
SETUP EACH TENTACLE UNIT
TIMECODE DISPLAY / SETTING A CUSTOM TIMECODE
CUSTOMIZE NAME AND ICON
OUTPUT VOLUME MIC / LINE
SET FRAME RATE
AUTO POWER OFF TIME
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TENTACLE UNIT
USER BITS
CONNECTION TO RECORDING DEVICES 10
USING THE CORRECT ADAPTER CABLE
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS 11
RECHARGEABLE BATTERY
BUILT-IN MICROPHONE
TENTACLE CLAMP
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OVERVIEW
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You can download the quick start guide, setup app and more information
about how to connect to dierent devices on our website:!
www.tentaclesync.com/download

GETTING STARTED
OPERATING MODES
-Tentacles have two operating modes:
•Red Mode: In this mode the Sync E is not outputting Timecode. It is waiting to be jam-synced
by an external timecode source.
-Green Mode:In this mode Tentacle is outputting Timecode through the 3.5mm jack. Make sure
that all Tentacles are synchronized with each other, either by the Setup App or via
cable (more information on page 5).
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SETUP APP FOR iOS &ANDROID
The Tentacle Setup App for mobile devices allows you to synchronize, monitor, setup and
change basic parameters of your Tentacles (see page 7). You can download the Setup App here:
www.tentaclesync.com/download
Enable Bluetooth on the mobile device!
The Setup App will need to communicate with your SYNC E devices via Bluetooth. Make sure
Bluetooth is activated on your mobile device.
Switch on your SYNC E
Select the Mode of Operation !
When the app is started for the first time select „Tentacle SYNC E - Bluetooth Setup“
Add a new Tentacle to the monitoring list!
After selecting Bluetooth Setup the app will scan for available Bluetooth devices. Tap on Add
New Tentacle. This will show a list of available Tentacles. Select the one you like to add to
your monitoring list. Hold your Tentacle close to your phone to finish the procedure. SUCCES!
will appear when the SYNC E is added to the list. This ensures that only you have access to
your Tentacles and not someone else nearby.
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Power switch
slide direction

-WIRELESS SYNCHRONIZATION VIA BLUETOOTH
Firmware version 2.0 of the Setup Software for Tentacle SYNC E allows to wirelessly sync a
number of Tentacle SYNC E boxes with each other.
Synchronizing ALL Tentacles:
To do the Wireless Sync, just open the Setup App on a mobile device and link all Tentacle
SYNC Es with that device (see page 8 Add new Tentacle) In the monitoring view of the
Setup App you will find the button Wireless Sync.
1. Tap on Wireless Sync and a small window will pop up.
2. Click on the frame rate and select one from the pull down menu.
3. Set a starting time for the timecode. If no time is set, it will start with time of day.
Press Start and all Tentacles will synchronize within a few seconds.
SYNCHRONIZATION VIA CABLE
-Start one Tentacle in Green Mode (Master). For that slide the power button down until the
Status LED is flashing green (-> 3sec.). Tentacle starts generating and outputting timecode
through the 3.5mm jack.
-Start all other Tentacles in Red Mode (JamSync). For that, slide the power button down shortly
(approx. 1sec.), the status LED is flashing red now. Tentacle now waits for external timecode
from the 3.5mm jack.
-Connect all Tentacles in Red Mode to the one Tentacle in Green Mode via the included mini jack
sync cable. Each Tentacle connected to the „Master“ will change from Red into Green Mode.
After that all Tentacles are in sync and flashing green simultaneously.
SYNCHRONIZATION TO EXTERNAL TIMECODE
Start Tentacle in Red Mode (Jam-Sync).
Connect the Tentacle briefly to the timecode source you would like to jam-sync it to. In most
cases the timecode source will be a sound recorder acting as a timecode master. For this you
need the appropriate adapter cable e.g. the „LEMO 5-Pin to Tentacle cable“. Once the device
has been jammed from an external source, it automatically switches to Green Mode. This is
indicated by a rhythm of 3 short green flashes. Unplug the Tentacle from the cable and it
flashes green 1/sec (1st frame). Now it outputs the jammed timecode via the 3.5mm jack.
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PERFORMING A FIRMWARE UPDATE
The latest setup app for macOS and Windows also contains the latest firmware for your
Tentacle. (You can download it here https://tentaclesync.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/sections/
115001522105-Setup-Software) It will automatically check the firmware version when you
connect a Tentacle via USB. If there is a more recent version available it will ask you to update
the firmware. If you agree to the update, the setup app will activate the Bootloader mode on the
Tentacle. On a Windows computer it may take some time, because Windows might have to
install a Bootloader driver first.
During the firmware update ensure that your laptop has suicient battery life or is connected to
the mains. Also ensure you have a proper USB connection during a firmware update. In the
unusual case that the firmware update fails, your device just needs to be restored. In this case
please contact [e-mail]
TENTACLE SETTINGS
With the setup app it’s possible to control all Tentacles and set each units parameter. This
includes setting the timecode, frame rate, device name, output volume, time, checking battery
state, user bits and more.
BLUETOOTH CONNECTION AND STARTING THE APP
Make sure Bluetooth is switched on!
The Setup App will need to communicate with your SYNC E devices via Bluetooth. Make sure
Bluetooth is activated on your mobile device. You must grant the app the necessary
permissions as well. The Android version also asks for a ‚location permission‘. This is only
needed to receive Bluetooth data from the Tentacle. We do not use or store your current
location data in any way.
Switch on your SYNC E devices!
Before starting the app it is recommended to switch on your SYNC E devices first. During
operation, the Tentacles constantly transmit timecode and status information via Bluetooth.
Select the Mode of Operation !
When the app is started for the first time, the type of
connection must be selected. Select „Tentacle SYNC E -
Bluetooth Setup“ here by tapping on the SYNC E icon or
bluetooth button.
Please note: SYNC E devices can only be connected via Bluetooth or USB (macOS/Windows).
They cannot be connected to a mobile device via cable to do the Setup like the Original
Tentacles (1st generation 2015-2017)
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MONITORING VIEW
Add a new Tentacle to the monitoring list!
After selecting Bluetooth Setup the app will scan for available Bluetooth devices. If you are
using the app for the first time, you can add new SYNC E devices to the monitoring list by
tapping on the plus sign Add New Tentacle. This will show a list of available Tentacles. Select
the one you like to add to your monitoring list. Hold your Tentacle close to your phone to
finish the procedure. SUCCES! will appear when the SYNC E is added to the monitoring list.
This ensures that only you have access to your Tentacles and not someone else nearby.
Please note: Tentacles can be linked to up to 10 mobile devices at the same time. If you link it
to the 11th device, the first (or oldest) one will be dropped and has no longer access to this
Tentacle. In this case you will need to add it again
Remove a Tentacle from the monitoring list!
You can remove eachTentacle from the monitoring list by swiping to the left (iOS) or long-
pressing (more than 2 sec.) on the Tentacle icon (Android).
Monitoring screen!
In the monitoring list you can check the timecode and status of all SYNC E boxes in range
simultaneously. If a Tentacle is out of range for a less than a minute the status and timecode
of it will be maintained. If the app does has not received any updates for more than one
minute it will show this with the info Last seen … ago.
WIRELESS SYNC
Synchronizing ALL Tentacles:
To do the Wireless Sync, just open the Setup App on a mobile device and link all Tentacle
SYNC Es with that device (see page 8 Add new Tentacle) In the monitoring view of the
Setup App you will find the button Wireless Sync.
1. Tap on Wireless Sync and a small window will pop up.
2. Click on the frame rate and select one from the pull down menu.
3. Set a starting time for the timecode. If no time is set, it will start with time of day.
4. Press Start and all Tentacles will synchronize within a few seconds.
Synchronization with ONE Master Tentacle:
If one Tentacle is to be jam-synced from another timecode source and then act as a
master, please do the following:
1. Select the "Master" Tentacle in the monitoring view and go into the settings menu.
2. Scroll all the way down in the settings menu and press Wireless Master Sync.
3. A window will pop up and you can choose between Sync All and Sync only Red Mode.
The Tentacles will synchronize to the "Master" Tentacle.
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DEVICE WARNINGS
•Cable unplugged: This warning appears if the device is running
in Green Mode but no cable is plugged into the 3.5mm jack.
Please note that this will not test the actual electrical
connection but only the physical presence of a 3.5mm cable
plugged into the timecode output.
•Inconsistent frame rate: This indicates two or more Tentacles
in Green Mode outputting timecode with mismatching frame
rates.
•Not in sync: This warning message is displayed when
inaccuracies of more than 1/2 frame occur between all devices
in Green Mode. Sometimes this warning can pop up for a few
seconds when starting the app from background. In most cases
the app just needs some time to update eachTentacle.
However, if If the warning message persists for more than 10
seconds you should consider re-syncing your Tentacles.
SETUP EACH TENTACLE UNIT
Pressing shortly on a Tentacle in the monitoring screen, will start a connection to this device
and allows you to set timecode, frame rate, user bits and more. The general parameters are the
same across all setup apps for the dierent operating systems. An active Bluetooth connection
will be indicated by a pulsing blue LED at the SYNC E front.
TIMECODE DISPLAY / SETTING A CUSTOM TIMECODE
The currently running timecode of the connected Tentacle is
displayed here. The color of the displayed timecode indicates the
state of the Tentacle analog to its status LED:
RED: Tentacle has not yet been synchronized and is waiting
for external timecode to jam-sync.
GREEN: Tentacle has been synchronized or is outputting
timecode.
You can set a custom timecode by tapping or clicking on the
timecode display.
Please note: The timecode display of the individual device setup menu is for informational
purposes only. It is not guaranteed to be 100% frame accurate with the timecode running on the
device.
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CUSTOMIZE NAME AND ICON
Changing the device icon (iOS/Android)!
You can set a new icon by tapping on the device icon. Choosing dierent icons for your
Tentacles will help to better identify dierent Tentacles in the monitoring screen.
Changing the device name!
For a better differentiation of multiple Tentacles the name of each Tentacle can be changed
individually. Simply click on the name field, change the name and confirm with Return.
OUTPUT VOLUME MIC / LINE
Here you can smoothly set the output level of the timecode signal between MIC and LINE.
Professional cameras with a dedicated TC-IN connector demand timecode with LINE-level.!
Tentacle can also be used with cameras and recorders without a dedicated TC-IN connector.
Here you need to record the timecode signal as an audio signal on an audio track of that device.
Some devices only accept MIC-level audio, so you have to adjust the output level through the
setup app so that the timecode signal does not distort.
Auto Mic Level:!
With Auto Mic Level enabled the Tentacle switches the output volume to mic-level when
plugged into a device with plugin power (for 3.5mm mini jack inputs like 5D or GH4 or
BMPCC) or phantom power (for XLR inputs). This helps to prevent distortion on mic inputs if
you forgot to set the output level to mic.
SET FRAME RATE
Choose the correct frame rate by selecting the appropriate one in the pulldown menu. Tentacle
generates the following frame rates: 23,98, 24, 25, 29,97, 29,97 DropFrame, 30fps.
AUTO POWER OFF TIME
If no cable is plugged into Tentacle’s mini jack, it switches oautomatically after the set time
period. It prevents an empty battery the next time it is used, if it has not been switched oafter
a shooting day.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TENTACLE UNIT
Firmware: shows the current firmware version running on the device.
Serial Number: shows the serial number of your Tentacle.
Calibration Date: shows the date of the last TCXO calibration.
RTC Time: shows the current time and date of the real time clock."
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USER BITS
User bits enable you to embed additional information into the timecode signal such as the
calendar date or a camera id. These bits usually consists out of 8 hexadecimal digits which are
able to handle values from 0-9 and a-f.
Currently active User Bits: The currently running SMPTE timecode user bits are displayed
here.
User Bits Preset: Here you can select a preset for the user bits. The selected Preset will be
set and saved to the device for recall when powering up next time. Selecting Set to Value sets
the user bits to a static value which you can edit in the input box nearby. When selecting
Use RTC Date the user bits will be generated dynamically from the build-in RTC. You are able
to change the format of the date via the pulldown menu nearby.
Take over User Bits of source: When this checkbox is enabled Tentacle takes over incoming
user bits from other devices during jam sync in Red Mode. The user bits will then be output
when the device switches over to Green Mode after syncing was successful.
CONNECTION TO RECORDING DEVICES
-Tentacles are very versatile and can be used in dierent ways. Basically, the equipment can be
divided into two groups:
Equipment that has a built-in timecode generator with the possibility to feed external
timecode into the device through a TC IN connector. This equipment includes mostly
professional cameras with a TC IN over BNC or special LEMO connectors. Here the timecode
is processed inside the device and written into the media file in form of metadata.
Any other equipment that has not the possibility to feed external timecode into the
device through a TC IN connector. This equipment includes mostly semi-professional and
equipment like DSLR cameras or low cost audio recorders.!
!
To use timecode on this devices, you have to record the timecode signal onto one free audio
track. To make use of this recorded timecode later in editing you need either an editing
system that has support for so-called audio timecode or you can use our included software to
translate audio timecode to standard metadata timecode. Because timecode is recorded as an
audio signal, you have to set the output volume of your tentacle to a proper value (mic level
vs. line level) so that the mic input of the camera/recorder will not distort the signal.
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