Tightest video synch in ProTools without HDX

[Goombot]

Is there some video option besides using Synch X and HDX that is a tighter video synch than the native video engine?

[its2loud]

This is one option

https://non-lethal-applications.com/...5/video-sync-5

Not sure it provides frame edge sync without HDX and Sync X but it does take the load off of Pro Tools and can run on the same system.

You can run a leaner Pro Tools session and turn off the Avid Video Engine and have Video-Sync 5 handle the video portion. I believe it uses the built in Pro Tools Satellite feature to sync up to PT.

[BScout]

Video Sync uses Avid Satellite to link. However, Avid's Video Engine process does the same. So if one is a tighter sync than the other is going to simply depend on the video engine and how well it is written for the codec in question.

However, as others have measured, using video hardware (like the mini video outputs from Blackmagic) improves the sync. Or, more accurately, makes the video delay more consistent so it can be offset in the Pro Tools setting. With a consistent offset, you can get it near frame accurate every time.

2 other things:
Interframe compression codecs (h264, h265) are less accurate than intraframe compression codecs (ProRes, DNxHD/DNxHR). So convert video to an intraframe code if you want tighter accuracy.
The only way to get guaranteed frame edge accuracy is with the SyncX or SyncHD using genlock and tri-level sync (will need a generator with the SyncHD) and then an output card that uses genlock and then, hopefully, a display/projector that uses genlock.

[Frank Kruse]

Originally Posted by Goombot

Is there some video option besides using Synch X and HDX that is a tighter video synch than the native video engine?

Depends on what you consider "tighter". Technically speaking the *only* way to achieve frame edge lock is with AVID hardware (HDn/HDx cards plus SYNC HD or X) and a genlockable video hardware (which includes non-lethal plus a card with genlock input). Everything else will only get you close. The AVID video engine will then lock to the common ref.

[Goombot]

Ok thanks for all the info. It's really silly that Avid is creating a new product (Synch X) that relies on a decade old technology.