If you need a wireless timecode generator, the Deity TC-1 has you covered pretty well. It's a recent release from the audio company and is a super nice alternative to the likes of the Tentacle Sync E, for example.
The TC-1 connects to a variety of cameras and multitrack field recorders such as the Zoom F8 and allows for jamming timecode to a camera (via a timecode port).
It can also send LTC audio timecode via the 3.5mm audio port on mirrorless cameras and DSLRs. What's pretty cool is that you can wirelessly jam the timecode from your phone or another wireless timecode generator box with the 2.4G radio (maximum range of 30 feet).
But navigating the timecode world can be difficult. To get you started, Deity has released plenty of tutorial videos to help creatives get synced.
Diety TC-1 Wireless Timecode GeneratorCredit: Deity
The Deity TC-1 at a Glance
Our very own Charles Haines has a nice deep dive into the Deity TC-1 and timecode in general. If you're just getting started, give it a read here.
But if you're all caught up, here's a quick recap of some important features that the Deity TC-1 brings to the table.
Key Features
- Locking 3.5mm timecode port.
- Supports all SMPTE timecode formats.
- Only 1 frame drift every 72 hours. (Wow!)
- Bluetooth 5.0 with a max range of 250 feet.
- Wirelessly control up to 20 TC-1 timecode generator boxes via Bit Connectify.
- 2.4G radio with a max range of 30 feet.
- USB-C charging; 2 hours to fully charged, up to 28 hours of battery life.
- LED status lights indicate power, TC sync, and wireless pairing.
- Includes Hook-N-Loop and DSLR cold shoe mount.
The Timecode Tutorials
The Deity TC-1 tutorials include cameras and devices such as the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K, URSA Mini Pro, Canon R & C70, Zoom F8, and MixPre-3. There are also workflow tutorials for getting this timecode into either DaVinci Resolve or Adobe Premiere Pro.
Credit: Deity
You can check out all the TC-1 tutorials on Deity's YouTube page. Here's a tutorial for using the Deity TC-1 with the BMPCC 6K. While there are a few steps, it's actually pretty easy to get the whole system going.
Do You Need It?
Some cameras do a great job of generating timecode, but not all have the option, especially if you shoot on mirrorless or older DSLR cameras. If your workflow includes recording external audio that you have to sync in post, timecode is absolutely mandatory if you want to keep your sanity. Especially if you're on a multi-cam shoot. The Deity TC-1 Wireless Timecode Generator is priced very affordably at $169 ($549 for a three-piece kit), and you can learn more and pick one up at Deity's site, where you can also have a variety of microphone products.
Deity TC-1 Wireless Timecode
- Generate/Jam All SMPTE Timecode Formats
- Bluetooth Wireless Control from Phone
- 2.4 GHz Wireless Control from Other TC-1
- Drift: <1 Frame per 72 Hours
- Locking 3.5mm Timecode Port
- Bright OLED Display
- Onboard Omnidirectional Microphone
- Works with Sidus Audio Mobile App
- 28-Hour Battery Life
- Range: 30' (2.4 GHz), 250' (Bluetooth)
The Deity TC-1 wireless timecode generator box is a really nice solution and super affordable. It will give you extremely accurate timecode across a wide variety of cameras and the audio recorder that your sound person may be using. The tutorials straight from the source are also a super nice touch.
If you want to check out the Tentacle Sync, it's a bit more expensive but has been around for a bit longer.
Tentacle Sync E MkII
- 2 x Timecode Generator Units
- 2 x Sync Software Licenses (macOS)
- iOS/Android App Bluetooth 5.0 Control
- Locking 3.5mm Tentacle Cable Clamp
- 23.98/24/25/29.97/30 fps TC Rates
- Master Clock & Jam-Sync Modes
- 3.5mm Mic Jack & USB Type-C Port
- Up to 35-Hour Runtime, 1.5-Hour Charging
- Precision TCXO, <1 Frame/Day Drift Rate
- Built-In Mic for Reference Sound
Let us know what you think of the Deity TC-1 and if you plan to use it on your project! If not, let us know why too.
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