syncMaker PRO
AVI - DV - WAV - MP3  Video and Audio Synchronizer

 

How to use syncMaker PRO (a step by step tutorial)
 

  1. Install Copy of syncMaker PRO on each Computer
  2. 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.
  3. Set Option to "MASTER" on one Computer
  4. All other Computers are Slaves. Set Option to "SLAVE"
  5. Choose Option Connection via LAN TCP/IP or Serial COM Port
  6. Make physical connections (see COM Connection or LAN Connection)
  7. Choose the Media File on each Computer. There is no need that the files have to bee the same length because:
  8. You can choose the IN-Point on each Computer using Trackbar and SET-IN Button
  9. If you change Position Trackbar at Master all the Slaves should follow now correctly at the same frames. If not adjust IN-Points again.
  10. 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. 
  11. 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.
  12. 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 
  13. Restart all syncMakers again.
Now you can forget the Slaves! Everything else can be controlled via the Master
  1. 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.
  2. 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 .
  3. Press Rewind to reset all Master/Slaves. Press start and see your movie synchronized. Note that all Slaves had received the Sync Points. 
  4. Adjust the Sync Time Trackbar to the speed of your Computers. Use Shorter Time (more left) on faster Computers. 
  5. Choose Loop-Mode and/or Fullscreen-Mode.  If you are in Fullscreen-Mode DblClick or <F4> will bring you back to the interface.
  6. 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). 
  7. Use Auto-Start Checkbox for installations. Use an Alias of syncMaker in your Autostart-Folder to  create full automatically boot-up. 
  8. Quit Master to save settings in syncMaker.ini.
  9. Don't forget to Register if you need this tool! Otherwise syncMaker will stop playback after a few minutes.
  10. 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:
 

  • Don't forget to disable "energy saving settings" on the computers. So there will be no shut down during the installation
  • Don't forget to disable "automatic change clock on Summer/Winter" in the clock setup.
  • 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)
  • 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. 
 

  1. 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. 
  2. 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.
  3. Locate Master IP in syncMaker (see IP Label)
  4. Enter Master IP in each Slaves IP-Box
  5. The IP of the Slaves should been listed automatic in Master List box now.
  6. Only close and restart Master and Slaves together. The slaves have no chance to reconnect if you close and start only the Master. 
  7. 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.