Hello,

I'm still trying to understand if I need Sync Generator (Mini Converter Sync Generator) to get everything genlocked. I watched Youtube but still don't understand.

Do I need Sync Generator if everything keep connected like the following graph:
Please see the image. The blue lines are SDI cables. The cable from Video Assist 7 Inch 12G is 40 meters long. All other cables are max 1m. The red lines are internal connection (loopback/routing). The yellow one is not important but maybe you want to know that. This yellow lines are the "return signal" in case I want use Hyperdeck Studio 4K Pro as player and route the signal to another output in VideoHub Cleanswitch. This return signal is usually assigned to destination 1-4 on VideoHub (so its connected to ATEM Mini). The VideoHub has following configuration:

• Destination Port 12 get the Source from Port 5, thus the red line to output 12 of the videohub.

Hyperdeck got correct timecode created by Studio Camera 4K Pro, so its synced? Or do I still need Genlock to avoid the time drift even if all devices are connected by SDI the whole time and Hyperdeck got the timecode from the camera? I'm planning doing 8h streaming, and record everything.

Best regards
Floh

No, it doesn't seem like there would be much advantage to using a sync generator in that setup.

The cases where you absolutely need reference sync/genlock are when shooting 3D video or 360 VR video with multiple cameras where each camera needs to capture video frames at exactly the same time to avoid visual artifacts.

And then another situation where reference sync is important is when using a video switcher or video router (videohub) that does not have built-in frame synchronizers on the inputs. Then you need a common reference synchronization source for all of the video inputs and for the video switcher/router in order to achieve clean switching between sources. More discussion on using reference sync with videohubs/routers in this thread: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=149808

Since all of Blackmagic's ATEM switchers have built-in frame synchronizers on all of the inputs, you don't need a reference source/genlock for clean switching. And the Videohub Cleanswitch also behaves the same way and allows for clean switching without genlock (hence it's name). The main value of using a reference source with switchers that include frame synchronizers is that it can reduce latency through the switcher by up to 1 frame. But you also need to send the reference signal to all of the video inputs for this to work.

Hello,

thank you very much for your reply. My job is mostly to add videosignal from sign language interpreters, sometime I need to put together all medias (speaker, sign language interpreter, live subtitle and presentation/demos) in one video stream. So as I understand your explaination (thanx ) I don't need to genlock the video network except I have a long of "chain of devices" and then display the videomix on projector in same room where event happens to avoid some frame delays (as I understand each device may add one frame delay).

I assume the atem minis have all built-in frame synchronizers, am I right.

Best regards
Floh