Eclair ACL Muffling the Many Milliframe Misconceptions Muttered

[Clive Tobin <clivetobin@acer-access.com>]

Hello,
Some rather uninformed speculation has been posted here lately, which I 
would like to clear up.

The first Tobin Milliframe Controller model, TMC-55, was initially made 
to interface only with Arri cameras having the 3200 PPF (pulse per 
frame) signal input. This is a TTL/CMOS 5 volt p-p signal, negative 
ground. The Controller is powered by the camera, receiving a constant 12 
volt DC as long as the battery is connected. This voltage must be 
applied before the camera is started up. When the two-color decimal 
point changes from flashing red to a steady green, it is safe to start 
the camera. This model came with a permanently attached 11-pin Fischer 
cable.

Later, when we discovered that the Arri 16-SR High Speed required 
instead a 1600 PPF input, this signal was added.

At the same time, we added the 100 PPF signal to suit the Aaton cameras, 
which used a different connector, the 9-pin WPI Tiny Tim (formerly 
Amphenol.) These two changes required a detachable cable to suit the 
various models, resulting in the model TMC-55Aa. Some of our own crystal 
control motors were designed to use less expensive connectors than the 
Fischer. The actual signals, however, were the same 100 or 3200 PPF 
frequencies as used with the standard Arri and Aaton. (As an aside, 
frequencies of 25, 50, 200 and 400 PPF were also available from the 
TMC-55Aa, but no equipment was ever made to use any of them, so they 
were deleted from subsequent models.)

Since some users needed only the 23.976 and 29.970 FPS NTSC speeds, we 
then introduced the Tobin Videoframe Controller TVC, which used the same 
cables as the TMC-55Aa.

The next generation Milliframe, the TMC, uses essentially the same 
circuit as the TMC-55Aa but in a more compact box. To enable the 
addition of a Run-Stop switch, and a footage counter in the TMC2, the 
output connector was changed from 9-pin female to a 9-pin male. This 
prevents camera or controller damage from using the wrong cable. The 
footage counter divides the 5 volt frame pulses from the camera by 16 or 
40 to display 35mm or 16mm feet respectively. The available output 
signals remain 100, 1600 and 3200 PPF as in the original model.

The Videoframe Controller was revised to also include the Run-Stop 
switch, as the TVCe, and it was also changed to use the same cables as 
the TMC2.

The TMC2 and TVCe units can be seen on the Tobin website in the Catalog 
section, at http://www.tobincinemasystems.com . The instruction manuals, 
including pin connections, are posted oddly enough in the Instruction 
Manuals section.

To compute the frequency, multiply the FPS by the PPF. That is, for 24 
FPS the reference frequency is 76,800 Hz for the Fischer and 2400 Hz for 
the WPI.

Clive Tobin
info at tobin cinema systems dot com
www dot tobin cinema systems dot com
Clive Tobin
www.tobincinemasystems.com

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