How to get hollywood in the backwoods?

August 4, 2010 9:01 AM

I'm looking for a low cost timecode slate. Which is this But instead of costing $1200 or so and being a dedicated piece of equipment. Maybe something more like this. Though I don't have an iPhone so that program is out. Does anyone know of one that runs on Windows, like a tablet PC? or maybe one that was self built from a microcontroller (arduino, stamp, etc) SMPTE can be read by the Arduino so it might be possible. Thanks.
posted by tropikal to Technology (4 answers total)

This program may do what you want. It's $29 but has a free demo, so you can see if it would fit your needs. Works on Windows or Mac.
posted by jedicus at 9:29 AM on August 4, 2010

Why not get an iPod Touch? They're pretty cheap, especially a generation or two old.
posted by inturnaround at 10:24 AM on August 4, 2010

You want one that you can actually jam to an external TC source? Is that the reason why the iPod/iTouch based ones don't work for you?

Just trying to determine which requirement is the problematic part, because in general I doubt you'll be able to build anything for less than the cost of an iPod Touch, if you factor in any non-zero value for your time.
posted by Kadin2048 at 11:17 AM on August 4, 2010

Well for one the iPod touch doesn't have a speaker. The whole point of a clapperboard is to have audio and video sync. Audio via a loud specific noise,video the frame count on the clapper. @jedicus Thanks for the link Ill have to look at that a bit, it may work.
This guy has made a time code slate, He might even be selling kits, so it is possible Though I'm looking for anyone else experience/ assistance before buying commercial.
posted by tropikal at 6:01 AM on August 5, 2010