Genlock Syncing
Genlock was first used in broadcasting when the need to use multiple video sources first arose. When switching cameras whilst live, they would experience a “jumping” effect. To overcome this jumping it was necessary to make sure field rates were all in phase with each other; they all had to be synchronized and in step.
Why is this important for 4D?
The Best Solution
The high end cameras used in all that we watch today, from film to live sports, usually have a way to externally control the sync clock. That being this process of “genlock” that I mentioned earlier. But as you would expect these cameras are expensive and usually of a substantial size. When using 21 cameras you can see how you would need to manage a budget and the amount of space on a rig. Thanks to the ZCAM we had no such worries in either department.
In New York we combined the ZCAMs on our 3D scanning rig for a fully integrated setup. We captured 4D Data and 3D scans of his body to provide as much data as possible. The final outcome by Passion Pictures is incredible; combined with a very catchy song we feel it is a landmark piece. Seeing how our work can be styled and manipulated creatively is always amazing to see. Special thanks to Dave Scanlon, Patrick Duguid and Dave Walker for allowing us to help on this shoot and all those at Passion Pictures and Flüg for their trust and continuing collaboration.
