Tentacle Sync Sync E Timecode Generator with Bluetooth, Dual Set

I really like the Tentacle line of products for getting timecode into my Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K and the Zoom F6 32 Bit audio recorder I use on set. A great trio for recording great footage with maximum latitude in post-production. The Tentacle App is super easy to use and monitor the sync status of every device connected to the Tentacle Sync Es. Well worth the price if you care about time code (and your time in post).

These guys are amazing in how long they last. They work perfectly out of the box. The only thing I had an issue with is that one of them is missing the velcro on the back. Not a huge deal but would have been nice if both came the way they were supposed to.

I was a bit skeptical purchasing these but they are super easy to use and monitor with the Bluetooth functionI only wish that they were compatible with the Wingman application so to be able to be jammed remotely through it but can’t really complain due to the ease of use and the lack of timecode driftAlso the battery lasts an amazingly long time and charge completely within a couple of hours

The folks @ Tentacle thought about everything in favor of the production crew, when the dreamed up the Sync E. Small, intelligent, rugged, adaptable, well designed. Everything about is pleasant and all the write up about it’s operation is true indeed. I am extremely glad I found them before making any other choice which would be a colossal mistake. They are certainly worth the money.

Love these sync boxesEasy to sync multiple boxes with an app!Super accurate and reliable

Works great, keeps accurate timecodes and syncs with my mix pre10T.

What’s not to like about German engineering? Well, turns out the Germans are beast at making things, but not so much in the documentation world.These devices are pretty intuitive and easy to use. The new BlueTooth feature makes setup and monitoring a snap. However, if you do have questions, don’t go to the web page. Clearly this company spends all their time and resources on product development and very little on things like webpages, documentation, advertising, web videos, manuals, etc. The basic operation of the tenctacles is pretty straight forward, but the some extra features such as “user bits” are a mystery to me.I’m not going to go into too much detail about tbe devices themselves, because chance are if you’re getting ready to drop $500 on a timecode device, you’ve already done some research. However, I am going to mention some things that there’s really no way to gain info on unless you’ve purchased these.First, by buying one and more units, you gain access to Tentacle Studio. You can download this program by itself form their website for like $100 or so, but it come “free” with any tentacle purchase. I’m pretty sure the TC can be used with many other programs, but I use the Studio. The Studio is pretty straight forward and can be used by drag and drop. The software automatically syncs up the tracks. Now, here’s where the fun begins. I pretty much have found zero documentation for Tentacle Studio. It’s all been pretty much trial and error after the syncing. What type of export and the fifteen options on that. How to sync, what to sync... so basically this is a pretty powerful tool with tons of options and very little (well none) instruction on how to use any of it. Maybe there’s a manual in German somewhere. I mean but seriously, this can do multi cam, multiple tracks, exports (ProRes, XML) and a ton of other cool features, you just need to spend hours fumbling around trying to figure it out. Oh, and that is at least one thing the website does do, list all the cool features. It just fails to tell you you’ll need to figure it out on your own.Concerning the units themselves, they’re a pretty big improvement over the last model. One design improvement that could have been better is the “lock” for the jack. For some inexplicable reason, there’s a groove on one side that semi secures the lock. Had the designers put a groove on both sides, the lock would have been 50x more secure. As it is, it’s more protection than not, but I just don’t even waste my time fiddling with it. Honestly, I think the omission of a second groove was purely ascetic... I mean, as long as it looks cool who cares if it functions.The other “promise” I’d like to point out is the “user replaceable battery”. Now, time will tell if there’s even a need to replace the battery, but Tentacle Sync also promised this same feature on the last model, and well, let’s just say we’re still waiting. $500, batteries die... mo money.So here’s the truth of it all. I absolutely love these units. They’re simple to setup and use (as long as you’re not over 30fps), they come with free powerful software, they’re super small and rugged, and they just work. But here’s the big caveat. At the speed of technology and the way things are going, I’d expect BlueTooth TC to be built into many future cameras, making these somewhat obsolete. But maybe not for dslr shooters, who knows. For me, I need them now. Oh, I forgot to mention the app. So ez a raccoon could use it and it works great. Easy monitoring and setup of all your tentacles.Well, that’s all I have to say about that. Minus 1-star for trash documentation. Think a manual would have added another $100

These units are compact, long-lasting on a charge, and just simply work! Great way to add timecode to the audio track on any camera.