When managing video systems, especially in church production, keeping everything in sync is crucial for delivering a smooth and professional live worship experience. Issues like visual drift, misaligned frames, or lip sync problems often stem from timing discrepancies between different devices. Understanding frame sync, genlock, and reference signals can help avoid these headaches and ensure everything aligns perfectly.

In video production, just like in audio, timing is everything. When working with digital video signals, devices need to start processing frames at exactly the same time. If devices are out of sync, you’ll see visual artifacts like split images or video drifting across the screen. To avoid this, a reference clock or genlock signal is used to ensure that all devices, like cameras, switchers, and routers, are working in sync with each other.

Genlock, blackburst, and tri-level signals are all types of reference signals that help synchronize video equipment. These signals don’t carry video data but act as a timing pulse, telling devices when to start their frames. In smaller systems, the video switcher can act as the master reference, but larger setups often require a dedicated timing device. Frame syncs can be used to compensate for devices that don’t accept genlock, but keep in mind that this may add some latency, which could cause a slight delay in the video.

While timecode is helpful for tracking specific moments within video for post-production, it’s not used to sync devices in real time. Timecode is often embedded in video signals for editing purposes, while genlock and sync signals ensure that all your devices are working together without delay. By using the right reference signals, you can avoid sync issues that might impact both live broadcasts and streaming services.

Ensuring your video system is well-synced can prevent costly mistakes during services, ensuring that your live stream and worship experience are seamless and professional.