NewTek tricaster advanced edition, User Manual, Page: 105 / 339

Page | 89

Supplying the same sync source to TriCaster’s Genlock input ensures a match between TriCaster output
and any downstream video devices required to handle both it and other (genlocked) sources.
Note: Digital audio is less tolerant in certain respects than analog. Some devices require SDI sources to be
genlocked when mixing digital audio (whether for recording or live production).
TriCaster, however, includes dynamic audio re-sampling for each input. Genlocking of SDI audio/video
sources is not a requirement. Still, genlocking sources and TriCaster to a house reference signal, or
genlocking the cameras directly to the TriCaster output is encouraged (to genlock cameras, see your
camera manual).
Genlock settings are hosted in a tab by the same name in the Hardware Configuration panel (Figure 8-22).
V
ERTICAL
P
OSITION
, H
ORIZONTAL
P
OSITION AND
P
HASE
FIGURE 8-22
Locking all devices to house sync is important, but this alone does not actually ensure a perfect downstream
match. Consider an army marching along: each step the soldiers take occurs at precisely the same moment,
so we could say their timing is synchronized.
Even so – problems result if one soldier leads with the left foot while everyone else is on the right. Or perhaps
everyone is evenly spaced and perfectly aligned but for one misfit who ‘tailgates’ the soldier ahead of him
and keeps stepping on his heels.
This is essentially why TriCaster provides several adjustments in its Genlock section. The Horizontal and
Vertical Position settings pin the image in the proper space in the frame, and in doing so could be likened to
making sure each marching soldier is in position relative to his fellows (as viewed from above).
The Phase setting ensures proper color alignment, corresponding to making sure everyone is on the left or
right foot at the same time.