Beaulieu 6008 Crystal Sync Question

[Guest]

The other day, while browsing Beaulieu-related sites, I noticed a picture of a Beaulieu 6008 PRO. On the back of this camera and below the eyepiece, there was a switch labeled "SQ", and it could be switched between the left option of "24" (which had a little orange box next to it), or "25". Here's my question...will this switch allow the camera to run at crystal speed of 24 or 25 FPS, or does this simply switch between non-crystal speeds of 24 and 25 FPS? The reason I found this confusing is because the speed control appears to be on the side of the camera, so unless it controls crystal speeds, I don't understand why this switch would be on the camera.

Also, as a more general question, were any 6008 S or 6008 PRO cameras built with integrated crystal frame rate option, or is a crystal frame rate of 24 FPS possible only if the camera has that "SQ 24"/"Quartz 24" module with the sync output jack?

-Karl

[Guest]

The 6008S doesn't have a crystal option. The 6008PRO (and 7008PRO) came with crystal-sync factory-installed. There are two crystal modules available: one that is 24/25SQ, which is what you saw, and one that is 24/24SQ. "SQ" stands for Synchro-Quartz (and if it doesn't, it's a close-enough translation). Both crystal modules provide for 24fps wild, and then 24 or 25 crystal-controlled. So, if you're in PAL land, you want the 24/25 module. If you're in NTSC territory, you want the 24/24SQ module. In answer to your second question, yes, the only way to get crystal 24 is to have the 24/24SQ module, then set the camera speed dial to SQ and then set the switch on the crystal module to 24SQ.

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply to my questions! I think I understand the Beaulieu crystal sync situation much better now, but I still have a few questions...

-The 6008S wasn't manufactured with crystal sync, but is it possible to add crystal sync to the camera by installing a crystal sync module? Or can the 6008S not run crystal sync at all, with or without a Beaulieu module?

-It sounds like all 6008 PRO cameras came with at least one crystal speed, either 24 FPS or 25 FPS, and apparently the quartz speed was indicated by "SQ" (schro-quartz). This makes sense, until I look at that optional 60 Hz sync module for the 6008 PRO and 7008 PRO cameras. This is the module that has the sync output for an audio recorder. On the 60 Hz module, the switch allows the user to switch between "SQ 24" and "quartz 24". So if "SQ 24" runs the camera at 24 FPS synchro-quartz, what is the "quartz 24" setting? In other words, what's the difference between running the camera at "SQ 24" and "quartz 24", or the difference between "synchro-quartz" and "quartz"?

-Finally, one last question about an issue I brought up in my initial post. I mentioned that I saw a 6008 PRO which had a switch under the eyepiece, and the switch was labeled "SQ". The left side of the switch was simply labeled "24" and had an orange square to the left of the "24", and the right side of the switch was labeled "25" and didn't have an orange square next to it. So since the switch was labeled "SQ", does this mean that that particular camera can run both 24 FPS and 25 FPS synchro-quartz? The reason I'm a little confused is because someone mentioned that there's a 24/24SQ module and a 24/25SQ module, but on the camera I saw, neither of the speeds are labeled with an "SQ". The switch itself is labeled as "SQ", but neither the left "24" nor the right "25" are labeled as "SQ".

Again, thanks to anyone who can answer my questions. There's a lot to learn about Beaulieu cameras, so it's great to have a forum like this where knowledgeable people help out.

-Karl

[Guest]

Hi Karl,
I do not know the particular labeling of the menioned models (6008, 7008, 9008), but I believe that the general way of working is always the same, no matter what lable design you have:

PRO-models (6008, 7008, 9008):
This are cameras without magnetic sound drive. They come with an (empty) slot for a customer´s crystal unit. Without crystal unit, they run with conventional tacho regulation. With crystal unit inserted, you can run it at 24 or 25 fps, depending on the crystal unit used. For this, you set the main framerate selector to SQ or whatever is on the lable. Then switch on the crystal unit at it´s own switch and the camera will run crystal synced at the framerate of your used crystal unit.

S-models (6008, 7008, 9008):
have magnetic sound drive and cannot be used crystal synced by the user. The sound amp cannot be exchanged with a crystal unit!
But the Beaulieu service can apply a special crystal unit into S-models. The unit integrates totally into the camera body. There is an additional switch close to the viewfinder. When this switch is activated and the main framerate selector is in "24" position, the camera will run with the crystal framerate (24 or 25 fps, depending on what had been ordered).

Pedro

[Bjorn Andersson]

If you have a S model camera it´s a good idea to have it modifyed totaly to a PRO model. In the same time it will be perfectly serviced.
For PRO models there is 3 different quartz modules and the 24/25SQ switch board which has to be in the slot. The camera will not work without it. All PRO cameras was delivered from Beaulieu factory with this 24/25SQ board. When the camera then was sold to a customer, the customer sometimes decided to bye as accessories a Quartz module. The 3 models still is: 25f/sec quartz controlled and 50Hz pilot-tone (48Hz at 24f/sec) 24f/sec Quartz controlled and 60Hz pilot-tone, 24f/sec Quartz controlled but with a 48Hz pilot-tone.

[Pedro]

and I found out, that the SQ switch in the "empty" slot for the crystal lets you decide, if you want to run the camera at 24 or 25 fps, both without crystal control. Crystal control only takes place, when exchanging the slot cover with the 24/25 switch by the crystal module of your choice. When putting in f.e. a 25fps crystal modul, you have another switch on that crystal module, that lets you decide between 25 fps crystal controled and 24 fps conventional controlled.
The crystal conversion of S models (without removing the sound drive) can be done, but the camera becomes very "full" inside, specially when it also has the 200 ft control board and the declutch button. It simply becomes very hard to be serviced!
Pedro