Something that is rarely told in this kind of feature oriented reviews : repairability. When a tentacle sync-E battery dies, you can purchase a new one for 15€. When a Deity TC-1 battery dies, you can joyfully spread this new waste into the ambient...or convert it to a 199$ anal plug. My 2 cents.
Gosh dang it. I had to sub because I forgot to hit the record and said exactly what you did...in other words...but yeah you got me smashing the button before I can even finish first 30 sec of this review.
@@TylerEdwards They would need to get around the Zaxcom pattent...? I believe it is recording and transmitting which is hte issue... not sure how DJI and Rode got around it with the newest ones.
Could you elaborate on that? I got myself a Track E a while ago and when I wanted to buy the Sync Es afterwards, they were on backorder for multiple weeks and I also realized that Deity came out with the TC-1s. Couldn't I just use the TC-1 with the Track-E or are there any advantages/disadvantages coming with either of the systems by mixing them? In short: Couldn't I just use the TC-1 with the Track-E?
As a contract sound recordist/mixer, I don’t get to choose what editing software post production will use. Every shoot is different. I own tentacles and even then editors have problems. (Probably because they’re not using DaVinci Resolve)
We should have platform and framerate agnostic syncing solutions, regardless of the NLE used (something based on OpenTimelineIO for multicam). And something cheaper, too! :-)
Thank you for this video. I have a deity wireless mic system but went with the tentacle because I will be hiring editors from time to time and wanted that ability for them to use different software (even though I use DaVinci)
Maybe a quick add on: tentacle offers easy to replace repair kits for changing batteries. So long term investment maybe a plus. Also they are super chill company with great customer service here from germany and they really only focus on timecode.
Deity just rocks. Not to mention the pia, when you try to buy Tentacle. Almost everywhere - backoder. Deity works flawles, everything can be changed on the fly .
Reviewing this video again, have to mention I luv your subtle sense of humor which I now notice has been sparkled throughout. In this day when most u tubers are so prone to pontification, it's refreshing to see & hear someone who can take a step back & give us a good laugh. 😎😎
I have the TC-1 set of 3 and one Track E recorder. Is there a way to Jam the TC from the TC-1 into the Tentacle Track E ? I tried but no luck so far. Their website says you can do it via the mic input but that has not worked either.
I don’t have experience with the track e but on the sync e, how long you hold the power switch down determines what mode it is in (accept tc or generate tc).
@@TylerEdwards I think I found that the track E can only sync with the sync E, in fact does it wirelessly with the App. So I am getting a SyncE and then an MKE 600 mic with the TrackE in sync with the Komodo for a light setup with prof. audio 32 bit in sync with the Komodo. (Taking the TC from the SyncE wired)
So the Deity comes with three different cables for three units. If you wanted to use the same connector for all three devices you would need to buy at least two more of those connector types right? That would seem an important factor when breaking down potential total costs for each system.
You can get a two pack of 3.5mm cables on Amazon for like $8 which I would say is a pretty insignificant additional cost to the deity system. For tentacle, you’d have to buy those extra specialty cables which can be far more expensive. Thats they eat i look at it at least. 🤷♂️
Hey Tyler, great video! We went with the Tentacle because I edit off Final Cut Pro and the eagle eye view one the tentacle app on the computer was the convincing I needed.
@@philvfilms sure thing. We use an f6 recorder and that holds jammed TC. If you got a 2 cam setup I’d do the e sync x 2 the lav x 2. Tentacle sync still the coolest thing we bought all year. Helps the postproduction work big time.
@@hensbread thanks very much. For my one man band on the fly gimbal work I can’t have the zoom. Maybe they would work as jus the units? Or is there some time code unit needed to connect to my Sony fx3? I was thinking of using them as backup to my wireless go 2 on shoots. A 2 mic per person setup for no chance of drop out or peaking
@@philvfilms Got it, one man band show you're going to like the sync if you do multi cam stuff. If you are mostly 1 cam, and rode wireless go 2, id get 1 e-sync to connect cam and the tentacle lavs you need. The software does a lot of the heavy lifting.
Can you sync a Tentacle sync to a Diety TC1? I need time code and like the track E for audio, but like the screen on tc1 for cams. Great comparison video.
I'm trying to figure this out too (assuming you meant syncing a Track E to a TC-1). I have a Track E and I'm looking into timecode just now. The TC-1s seem to be the better option and the Sync Es are on backorder for a while too… Did you figure out an answer by now?
I was about to get the Deity TC-1 system on a Black Friday deal but after watching this I"m holding off for the Tentacle route as I usually need to batch sync a lot of files from a day of shooting. I edit in Final Cut so it seems like the Tentacle software is a game changer... looks like the $400 investment will do what my $99 Plural Eyes software used to :-(
How would one mix the two brands if needed? I already have a tentacle track e Lav that I bought a few years back, but I'm looking to up my workflow and use timecode. Am I locked in to buying the tentacle timecodes? Is there a way to sync my tentacle Lav to the Diety timecode units? The only reason I'm considering Diety is because the price point and added cables.
If the track e can either send or receive a timecode signal from the 3.5mm port, then you should be able to either jam tc I to the track e from tc-1 or vice versa.
Thanks Ron! You can jam the timecode signals between the two systems but I have not found a way to have all devices work in one app. But if you wanted to use the deity units as your main units and jam the tc into the sync e (or the opposite), that can certainly be done. Hope that answers your question 👍
Thanks Tyler.. this question was evading me. I just bought a 3rd Camera and need 1 more TC Device. I think I will buy 1 more Tentacle Sync E to stay in the same ecosystem but in the future if I have a need for 2 more, may get the Deity TC 1s My Zoom F6 has internal TC otherwise I will get 2 TC devices. 🚀🚀Update: Stuck with Tentacle 🐙 4 Cams with Sync E, 3 Tracks E and recently got an Instamic Pro for extra non scheduled Talent. Going to see how this works.
is there no option for 50/60 fps?`also how would i use a timecode device like one of the above with an external lavalier-mic recorder? i have a zoom F2 (32bit) recorder and the rode wireless go II set .. i would like to use the recording straigt from the units, as it is better quality! thanks
This is a helpful video on 50/60p. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-IiwcMukmdfI.html Not sure on those recorders as I’ve never used them.
Hi Tyler, thanks for sharing and just subscribed. Initially I was wary of Chinese tech, long term reliability and future availability, servicing, reliability etc. But, Deity and Aperture seem to have a good reputation and appear to be gaining traction and share, so nowadays I'm sold on Deity. I had previously bought and used Deity's wireless interview kit and like their many RU-vid 101 info/tips/training videos so believe Deity are serious about being a major player going forward. So, as a DaVinci convert, I just ordered a Deity TC kit. I had been 'on the fence' trying to decide Tentacle Sync vs Deity TC-1 but 3 units vs 2, screen displays (perceived usability), being a DaVinci user and growing confidence in brand Deity pushed me into just ordering a Deity TC kit. Now I need to start practicing. Hope that TC is all it's cracked up to be. Previously i had encountered occasional issues where DaVinci sync via waveform didn't always work on some audio files (probably poor operator technique ie me). I'm really an enthusiastic novice (also a GAS sufferer) who wants to learn more, grow and timecode just seems the smarter way forward and near essential with multi-cam shots. Also less kit hanging off my camera with separate dedicated sound recording seems a neater solution.
Using the tentacle additional software is a pain,just another step to deal with.I am told however that the Tentacle is more accurate?Still researching,thanks for the great info.
I just shot an hour and five minute interview using my Sync Es ran into a Fuji X-T3 mirrorless and my Sound Devices Mix Pre 6 II. The software was a breeze to sync the camera and recorder since it was to be edited in FCP X, which cannot use LTC like Resolve and AVID can. The Tentacle Studio software was simple and fast, took all of about :15 to output an FCP X compatible XML file. Sure, if you have to hand off video and sound files to clients for their own post, it can be challenging if client us editing on FCP X or Premiere, both require their own version of an XML file but the Tentacle Studio can output either version. Best is to shoot with pro cameras with TC inputs since all of the edit apps read TC metadata but if you have to use non TC capable cameras like I did with the X-T3, the Tentacle Studio software is almost magic, it's super easy and fast and did a perfect job, NO slippage in a two take, hour and five minute interview, at all. If you have to deliver to clients, you could bring a laptop to set and just use the software to output an XML for them quickly for your FCP X or Premiere clients. So if you are going to use non TC capable cameras like most mirrorless, Tentacle is superior just because of the software. I believe the Tentacle Studio can be used to also sync up TC-1 or other TC box footage and output an XML but you have to buy a software license if you didn't buy a Tentacle device. If you only deal with pro cameras with TC inputs, or only deal with Resolve or AVID for post, I see the appeal of the TC-1s, they look like a great value. I have four Tentacle Sync Es and will be buying a pair of Track Es for a project, the Tentacle stuff, in my experience so far, is bulletproof, stupid simple and just works and I can see all of them on my phone on set, which is super handy.
Is the audio-recorded timecode from the Tentacle Sync also able to read by Resolve (like the TC-1)? And is there an iOS video app that can use a TC-1 as a sync source? (like the REC app can use a Tentacle Sync)
No, Sidus audio controls the TC-1 unit. Dunno about a video app for iOS. I’d assume whatever app uses timecode in from tentacle sync could use TC-1 since it’s just a timecode signal but I’m not familiar with REC app.
LTC is LTC so yes, Resolve/AVID will read any LTC, doesn't matter what the source was for the TC. And you can use the Tentacle Studio software to sync TC-1 footage as well as Tentacle but you have to pay for the license whereas it's free when you buy the Tentacles. I think the Tentacles and the TC-1s are both great, just have some small differences that might cause you to lean one way or the other. The Deity TC-1s have a good cable pack and a display. The Tentacles just come with the 3.5mm to 3.5mm cable but they do come with the Tentacle Studio software free, which costs $160 if you have to buy a license. I have not used the Sidus Audio app but I do have the Sidus light app for my Aputure lights and it's ok.
Deity TC-1 would require purchase of extra cables for mirrorless cameras for longer shoots since the in cam clocks would drift. Wonder how much those cables cost.
Those are standard 3.5mm TRS to TRS cbles and technically you could use the cheap disposable ones from Dollartree or get soem higher quality ones that are coiled andmaybe even have a locking connector on one side. So the range for these cables goes I guess from $1-$20ish depending on brand and quality. Also good to have are 3.5mm TRS to BNC cables to connect to a wide variety of cameras that accept Timecode
@@JohnnyMotel99 genlock is definitely very useful for live production. With TC boxes continuously feeding TC into cams/audio devices, I’ve not seen drift on any shoots. The important thing is keeping them plugged in and not just jamming TC and unplugging it.
@@TylerEdwards I was going by a video from Doug Johnson Productions here on YT, he did a video on all this specifically. My thoughts are that some users may be lulled into thinking that TC is the absolute cure for drift, but it isn't always.