syncMaker
PRO
AVI
- DV - WAV - MP3 Video and Audio Synchronizer
How to use syncMaker
PRO (a step by step tutorial)
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Install Copy of syncMaker PRO
on each Computer
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If you have registration numbers
register the copy on each computer (About-Button). Note: you need different
numbers for each copy of syncMaker running at the same time.
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Set Option to "MASTER" on one
Computer
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All other Computers are Slaves.
Set Option to "SLAVE"
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Choose Option Connection via
LAN TCP/IP or Serial COM Port
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Make physical connections (see
COM
Connection or LAN Connection)
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Choose the Media File on each
Computer. There is no need that the files have to bee the same length because:
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You can choose the IN-Point
on each Computer using Trackbar and SET-IN Button
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If you change Position Trackbar
at Master all the Slaves should follow now correctly at the same frames.
If not adjust IN-Points again.
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Check Test if you want the Master
stepping thru his frames. All slaves should follow relative to their IN-Points.
The "Receive" LED should blink on receiving.
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Set Lock on each Slave to Lock
you settings if you like. This is not necessary. It will only save your
settings if you don't want people to change your settings.
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Close each syncMaker to save
the settings. Everything is stored in the syncMaker.ini File. You can edit
it with a Text-Editor. You can use different settings by copy syncMaker.ini
files in the folder of syncMaker.exe
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Restart all syncMakers again.
Now you can forget the Slaves!
Everything else can be controlled via the Master
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Choose Sync-Points and put them
into the Sync List using the Position trackbar and the SET
Sync Button. On this Points the Master and Slaves stops. After the Sync-Time
(1-2500ms) the Master initiates a new start at this point for himself and
each Slave.
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Set the last Sync-Point as the
Out-Point of the movie. On this Point there is no Synchronization. If you
want a synchronization at the End/Beginning of a loop you have to set a
"0" Sync Point at the beginning of the List. Because the list entries
are relative to the In-Points all Slaves have the same relative Sync-Points
now .
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Press Rewind to reset all Master/Slaves.
Press start and see your movie synchronized. Note that all Slaves had received
the Sync Points.
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Adjust the Sync Time Trackbar
to the speed of your Computers. Use Shorter Time (more left) on faster
Computers.
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Choose Loop-Mode and/or Fullscreen-Mode.
If you are in Fullscreen-Mode DblClick or <F4> will bring you back to
the interface.
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You can use Hot-Keys
(also during Fullscreen-Mode) to Start/Stop and Scroll thru the movie (Important
if you like to make Photos of your installation).
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Use Auto-Start Checkbox for
installations. Use an Alias of syncMaker in your Autostart-Folder to
create full automatically boot-up.
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Quit Master to save settings
in syncMaker.ini.
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Don't forget to Register if
you need this tool! Otherwise syncMaker will stop playback after a few
minutes.
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Have fun !
Some Hints
If you plan to make an Video-Installation
with Beamers you should have some TEST-Frames at the beginning of your
movies. Together with the HOT-Keys it allows very nice
and easy configuration of your beamers. If you sets the IN-Points after
the TEST-Frames the frames doesn't appear during normal playback (Press
<F3> to rewind than press <F5> to step behind the IN-Point to see
the TEST-Frames.
If the movie drops frames
please check if you enable DMA Mode for your hard disk in the System
Setup.
If you like to change specific
COM, LAN, Times Settings or some other useful things please take a look
at syncMaker.ini with a text editor.
Please be sure to have the
*.Lng files in the same folder like your syncMaker Copy. Otherwise syncMaker
will shut down. If you like to translate syncMaker in other languages,
please feel free to edit one of the *.lng Files. Please send
us a copy of the new language file. If we don´t have this language,
we will give you one syncMaker Licence for free!
If you plan an running an
art installation witch has to start and run automatically over a long period:
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Don't forget to disable "energy
saving settings" on the computers. So there will be no shut down during
the installation
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Don't forget to disable "automatic
change clock on Summer/Winter" in the clock setup.
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If you like you can use Tweack-UI
(you'll find it on the net) to allow automatic log in on startup of Windows.
With Tweack-UI you can manage the boot-up of your computer. (e.g. No Scan-Disk)
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Use "Start on Power fail" settings
in your BIOS setup
Try to use syncMakers
over the Internet if you like! We didn't test this but it should work if
no proxy is installed. Please inform us about
your experience.
About the Serial Connection
via COM
The easiest way to connect
several syncMakers is using the COM-Interface that every PC have installed.
Set COM-Option on each running syncMaker. Use a NULL-Modem Cable that you
can buy in computer shops. Or build the cable by yourself:
9 Pin Female connection:
Master
Slave
5 GND
---- 5 GND
3 TXD
---- 2 RXD
2 RXD
---- 3 TXD
If you want to use more than
one Slave build up a Slave row using e.g. COM1 for Input and COM2 as a
thru port. In that case the Thru LED (Slaves) should blink on receiving
data.
If you only have one COM
Port available on your systems you have to build up T-Cables. No warranty
if this will work with your system! Better you use LAN-Connection
instead.
If you use Notebooks give
the Infrared Port a chance! Cool wireless synchronization!
About the LAN Connection
via TCP/IP
You can connect as many syncMakers
as you like using LAN-Connection. Set LAN-Option on each running syncMaker.
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If you have a LAN running don't
change Network settings before you give syncMaker a try. Start Master and
look if the Server gives an OK message.
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If not, please install TCP/IP
Network, set fix IP Address for each Computer (e.g. 192.168.0.1 for Master
and 192.168.0.x for Slaves). See Windows Network Help if you are unsure
what this means. Use COM-Connection if this appears
to strange for you.
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Locate Master IP in syncMaker
(see IP Label)
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Enter Master IP in each Slaves
IP-Box
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The IP of the Slaves should
been listed automatic in Master List box now.
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Only close and restart Master
and Slaves together. The slaves have no chance to reconnect if you close
and start only the Master.
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If you have to adjust the Port
Number please edit the syncMaker.ini File. The default port is: 8234.
The HOT Keys
<F1> = Start
<F2> = Stop
<F3> = Rewind
<F4> = Toggle
Fullscreen
<F5> = 25 Frames
Rewind
<F6> = 25 Frames
Forward
<F7> = 1 Frame
Rewind
<F8> = 1 Frame
Forward
<!> = Release Lock-Mode
<Q> = Quits syncMaker
<SPACE> or DblClick
on
splash screen during program start will close the countdown.
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