FEATURES

Ultimate synchronization quality

Syncaila offers the best synchronization quality in the world as a result of unique algorithms that simulate human logic and the working process of the video editor. It has been developed by professionals working in the video production field.

Three simple steps and one-click synchronization

Syncaila works with just three steps: open, synchronize, save.

Attention to chronology

With Syncaila, you get maximum accuracy in the order and chronology of the synchronized project. Knowing that computers do not have the human intuition to handle the endless situational variations that the editor may conceive correctly, Syncaila still does the utmost to produce a human-like result. Any possible errors in the operation of synchronization algorithms are rare, exceptional and are going to be fixed sequentially from version to version.

Unique placement of unsynchronized clips

It is a common thing to work with media files that have very low sound quality or are shot in very noisy conditions or even without any audio track. You do not have to search for such files at the end of the sequence or discover them in unexpected places. Syncaila offers a unique placement of files-exceptions with the inaccuracy of less than a second.

High speeds

Syncaila offers three speed qualities:
1) Multi-core processor support.
2) Media Caching – accelerated processing of sequences with the same footage and almost instant re-synchronization.
3) Saving human resources. Save up to several hours or days of work while running the project.

Great for big projects

Syncaila processes multi-hour footages from multiple cameras and recorders of various models and formats. Splitting a big project into small ones is not required.

Speed-Quality Shifter

Customize Syncaila based on your needs. There are five modes of operation with the choice to prioritize quality or speed.

Special interface

Syncaila presents a streamlined, intuitive and informative interface specially designed for synchronization tasks.

30-day free Trial

Syncaila has a trial period of 30 days with no limitations on the functions and capacity of synchronization. During this time, you can evaluate the Syncaila quality while synchronizing your projects.

Free 30 clips

As a gift to each user, Syncaila provides the synchronization of up to 30 clips on two tracks absolutely free and forever.

Flexible and economical licensing

We offer four types of licenses based on your needs and synchronization capacities. Save with Syncaila!

COMPATIBILITY

OS:

• WINDOWS 64-bit: Vista, 7, 8, 10
• MacOS: 10.8 (Mountain Lion) and above

Editing software:

• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Final Cut Pro X, Final Cut Pro 7
• DaVinci Resolve

With conditions:

• Vegas Pro
• LightWorks Pro
• Edius

Note. Currently, Final Cut Pro 7 XML (*.xml) and Final Cut Pro X XML (*.fcpxml) formats are supported. So, in theory, Syncaila can work with all editing software supporting import/export to this format. But in practice, there may be some specifics of a particular editing program. We will announce compatibility with other editing systems once we finish the tests. Since there are a lot of editing programs and they are frequently updated, compatibility issues are sometimes possible.

Adobe Premiere Pro

Syncaila provides correct interaction with Adobe Premiere Pro CS 5.0, CS 5.5, CC 2014-2019

We recommend: Adobe Premiere Pro СС 2014-2019

Adobe Premiere Pro CS 6.0 and CC 7.0 incorrectly interpret audio channels when importing and exporting XML, and are not recommended for Syncaila.

Adobe Premiere Pro CS 5.0 and CS 5.5 split stereo tracks into mono tracks while importing and exporting XML. This creates a cumbersome sequence.

Below is a table of interaction with various versions of Adobe Premiere Pro.

Final Cut Pro X

Final Cut Pro X and Syncaila can work together by export/import to Final Cut Pro X XML (*.fcpxml).

Final Cut Pro 7

Final Cut Pro 7 and Syncaila can work together by export/import to Final Cut Pro 7 XML (*.xml). Tested with last Final Cut Pro 7 version.

DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve and Syncaila can work together by export/import to Final Cut Pro 7 XML (*.xml) or Final Cut Pro X XML (*.fcpxml). Tested with 14 and 15 version.  Use the Final Cut Pro X XML (*.fcpxml) format to avoid the problem of converting stereo to mono after importing XML to DaVinci Resolve.

Vegas Pro

From version 12 and higher.

Vegas supports both Final Cut Pro 7 XML (*.xml) and Final Cut Pro X XML (*.fcpxml) formats, but with some limitations.

Vegas Pro 12-15 writes to XML the file names instead of absolute file paths, so when you open XML from Vegas, Syncaila can’t detect locations of all media files. Starting with Vegas Pro 16 this issue is addressed, but there is a new issue when exporting to Final Cut Pro 7 XML (*.xml) if a project has files with the same name.

If you use Vegas Pro 12-15, then there are 2 options:

1. Starting with Syncaila 1.3. Uncheck the Include Media option during the export to XML. Vegas will export the XML file only. You can fix all file paths in Syncaila.
2. Up to Syncaila 1.2.5. Leave the Include Media option enabled during the export to XML. Vegas will copy all media files to the directory root with the XML file. Syncaila will check this folder and open the files.

We recommend to use Vegas Pro 16 with Syncaila 1.3.3 and above, import and export to Final Cut Pro X XML (* .fcpxml) and uncheck the Include Media option. Thus, you will not need to wait for the sources to be copied or to fix the invalid file paths.

Also, Vegas splits stereo tracks to mono tracks when importing Final Cut Pro 7 XML, and unlink audio and video when importing Final Cut Pro X XML (*.fcpxml).

LightWorks Pro

LightWorks Pro and Syncaila can work together by export/import to Final Cut Pro 7 XML (*.xml). Tested with the 12.6 version. The 14 version of LightWorks is unstable in terms of XML import/export.

EDIUS

Edius does not support the export to Final Cut Pro 7 XML.

So, if you want to import a sequence to Syncaila, you should use another editing program, that supports export to Final Cut Pro 7 XML.

Edius splits stereo tracks to mono tracks when importing XML.

HOW TO USE – QUICK START

Step 1.  Export a sequence to XML

At the very beginning, you should start working with Syncaila the same way you do with other editing software: create a project, sequence, and import media files. Place the files from the cameras and recorders on separate tracks.

Export a sequence to Final Cut Pro XML interchange format. Typically, the corresponding function can be found in the File > Export menu.

Note 1. Do not perform manual synchronizing, editing, or other processing before exporting the data to XML. The Syncaila does not process the editing and does not save it.

Note 2. You should be careful while exporting XML to avoid any further confusion. You should decide if this export for the whole project or a single sequence.

How to export XML from NLE

Step 2. Synchronization in Syncaila

Open Syncaila and perform three simple actions on the Sync toolbar, from left to right.

Button 1. Open XML.

Click to open saved XML file.

Note. If you have exported the whole project from your editing software, you can select a sequence in Syncaila.  Learn more

Button 2. Synchronization.

Click to synchronize the sequence. Wait until the process is complete.

Note 1. Before launching the synchronization, you can switch the Speed-Quality Shifter. Learn more

Note 2. You can stop the process of synchronization and reset the sync results. Learn more

Note 3. Synchronization time depends on the storage devices speed, and it is proportional to total footage duration.

Button 3. Save XML.

Click to save the synchronized sequence.

Note. You can save only one sequence in a single XML file. If you have imported and synchronized several sequences, please, make sure to save each one separately.

Step 3.  Import synchronized XML into the editing software.

Go back to your editing software and import the saved XML file. Usually, you can find the corresponding import function in the File → Import menu. Wait until the import is completed, and open the imported sequence.

How to import XML to NLE

SYNC RECOMMENDATIONS

Syncaila performs very complex computations for automatic synchronization in one click and is improved with each version, but any automation requires some rules to perform better.  Follow these recommendations for the best result.

1. Use original media if possible. Syncaila synchronizes by audio content but additionally also uses meta information from files, in particular, a date and time of recording. This helps to correctly organize media on the timeline and greatly speeds up the process. If you render proxies before editing, we recommend to sync the original media at first and replace them with proxies after that.
2. Check how your footage was copied from the flash drive or when transferring files from one storage to other.  In some cases, when move/copy operations are performed, original modification timestamps are replaced with a time of copying. Try to find another way to transfer files. Less info in the files – slower the synchronization, worse the quality.
3. Exclude Blu-ray playlists. Currently, Syncaila doesn’t support Blu-ray playlists. So, if you have a media in MTS format, then copy only *.mts files from flash drive. Do not make a copy of all directory tree (PRIVATE\AVCHD\BDMV\STREAM\). In this case, your editing program will handle each file as separate, and Syncaila will correctly handle all info from XML. Syncaila will support Blu-ray playlists in the future.

What if all items are met, but sync result leaves much to be desired?

1. 1. Try another sync level. It is located on the left of the Synchronize button. The repeated process will pass quickly and in some cases can give a better result.
   2. Try to split the project. Complex projects may contain the files with duplicate or very similar audio fragments. Because of this, the program may be mistaken. There may also be many other causes, which affect the sync result. Just split the project. Re-synchronization will perform much faster.
   3. Report the problem to support@syncaila.com, if none of the above does help. In some cases, the issues are resolved in one or a few days with releasing of special beta-version, so that you can continue to work with Syncaila. Therefore, this will help to improve Syncaila much faster.

INTERACTION WITH NON-LINEAR EDITING SOFTWARE

Final Cut Pro X

Export to Final Cut Pro X XML

To export to Final Cut Pro X XML, use the menu item File → Export XML… The Export XML window will open.

Import of Final Cut Pro X XML

To import a Final Cut Pro X XML file use the menu item File → Import → XML… Select the Final Cut Pro X XML (*.xml) file in the opened window and click Import.

In this format, Syncaila also automatically saves a multicam clip, which can be found in the project among other clips after importing the synchronized XML, or saved as a separate XML file (if you use the first versions of Final Cut Pro X).

Adobe Premiere Pro

Export to Final Cut Pro 7 XML

Adobe Premiere Pro exports the entire project by default.

To export a single sequence, select it (by clicking on it) in the Project window. If you want to choose multiple sequences, just hold the Ctrl key and select.

To export to Final Cut Pro 7 XML, use the menu item File → Export… → Final Cut Pro XML… The Save Converted Project As window will open.

Import of Final Cut Pro 7 XML

To import a Final Cut Pro 7 XML file use the menu item File → Import… Select the Final Cut Pro XML (*.xml) file in the pop-up window and click Open.

Vegas Pro

Vegas Pro 12-15 writes to XML the file names instead of absolute file paths, so when you open XML from Vegas, Syncaila can’t detect locations of all media files. Starting from Vegas Pro 16 this issue is addressed, but there is a new issue when exporting to Final Cut Pro 7 XML (*.xml) if a project has files with the same name.

We recommend to use Vegas Pro 16 with Syncaila 1.3.3 and above, import and export to Final Cut Pro X XML (* .fcpxml) and uncheck the Include Media option. Thus, you will not need to wait for the sources to be copied or to fix the invalid file paths.

If you use Vegas Pro 12-15, then there are 2 options:

1. Starting with Syncaila 1.3. Uncheck the Include Media option during the export to XML. Vegas will export the XML file only. You can fix all file paths in Syncaila.
2. Up to Syncaila 1.2.5. Leave the Include Media option enabled during the export to XML. Vegas will copy all media files to the directory root with the XML file. Syncaila will check this folder and open the files.

Export to Final Cut Pro 7 XML

To export to Final Cut Pro 7 XML, use the menu item  File→ Export… → Final Cut Pro 7/DaVinchi Resolve (*.xml)…

Import of Final Cut Pro 7 XML

To import a Final Cut Pro 7 XML file use the menu item File→ Import… → Final Cut Pro 7/DaVinchi Resolve (*.xml)… Select the Final Cut Pro XML (*.xml) file in the opened window and click Open.

Export to Final Cut Pro X XML

To export to Final Cut Pro X XML, use the menu item  File→ Export… → Final Cut Pro X (*.fcpxml)…

Import of Final Cut Pro X XML

To import a Final Cut Pro X XML file use the menu item File→ Import… → Final Cut Pro X (*.fcpxml)… Select the Final Cut Pro XML (*.fcpxml) file in the opened window and click Open.

EDIUS

Export from Edius to Final Cut Pro 7 XML is not possible.

In this case, you should use another editing software, which supports the export to Final Cut Pro 7 XML.

Import of Final Cut Pro 7 XML

To import a Final Cut Pro 7 XML file use the menu item File→ Import Project… → FCP XML… Select the Final Cut Pro 7 XML (*.xml) file in the opened window and click Open.

Sequence selection

Once you export a project with multiple sequences from the editing software, you can navigate through these sequences and synchronize each of them separately. To do so, you can use the small buttons on the information block in the sync panel: Previous sequence and Current sequence. Each synchronized sequence should be saved in a separate XML file.

Speed-Quality Shifter

The Syncaila engine provides five operational modes, where you can switch between speed and quality.

.

• Max speed
• Speed priority
• Medium
• Quality priority
• Max quality

The switch is set to Quality Priority by default, as this is optimal for large projects and modern computers. You can choose another mode before launching the synchronization.

Please, note that synchronization depends mostly on the storage devices speed (for example, reading from the SSD will be much faster than with the HDD), and to a much lesser extent depends on the computing power of the processor. That’s why Speed-Quality Shifter can slightly speed up the synchronization or improve its quality. Also, you should note that in some rare and complex situations the fast mode can give you better results, due to the nonlinear logic of algorithms. Thus, if you are not satisfied with the results obtained in the selected mode, you can try switching to another mode and run the synchronization again, which due to caching (if enabled) will run several times faster or even in a few seconds.

Stop the synchronization

You can stop the synchronization by pressing the STOP button on the sync panel.

Note. At some stages of synchronization, the process can not be stopped immediately, but it will be stopped after the current operation is completed.

Reset the results of synchronization

The synchronization results can be reset by pressing the RESET button on the sync panel. After this, the sequence returns to the state immediately after loading XML.

Note 1. Resetting the synchronization results affects the current sequence only. If the project has other synchronized sequences, the results of synchronizing of these sequences will not be affected.

Note 2. After saving XML, you can check the synchronization results in the editing software. If you are not satisfied with the synchronization results, you can press a RESET button, set the Speed-Quality shifter to another position and start the synchronization again. It will run much faster due to caching (if enabled), and you can get better results.

Synchronization Log

Syncaila maintains a synchronization log to record the key events occurring during the process. You can see the log by clicking on the last log record item, which is located under the Synchronization button.

Note. A separate journal is maintained for each sequence in the project.

Scaling the Sequence Viewer and Navigating

Zoom in or zoom out using the mouse wheel. Use scrollbars to navigate the sequence area.

SETTINGS

To open the Settings window, click the Settings button on the title bar.

If you want to set the default settings click the Defaults button.

Language selection

You can select a language from the list of available languages.

Media Cache Files

To speed up the synchronization of sequences with previously analyzed media files, Syncaila performs caching. The following settings are available in the Media Cache Files group.

Caching Enabling / Disabling

Enabled by default. Click on the Save to checkbox to disable or enable again.

Directory for Media Cache Files

This is where you can specify the path to Media Cache Files folder. You can change it by clicking the Browse… button and selecting a new path in the pop-up window.

Deleting Media Cache Files

It is performed automatically by default within 30-day storage time for each media cache file. You can enable/disable this option and set the storage time in the checkbox line Auto clear after __ days.

You can also delete all media cache files by clicking the Clean button.

ABOUT LICENSES

Syncaila is distributed as shareware. It has a 30-day fully functional trial period.

During this time, Syncaila works exactly the same as the full registered version. Once the 30-day trial period is over, Syncaila will switch to the free mode, unlimited in time of use, but limited in terms of synchronizing capacity. You can continue using Syncaila under shareware terms or register Syncaila by purchasing a license key.

An internet connection is required to use trial Syncaila version with no limitations. However, you won’t need an internet connection to use Syncaila on the free license terms or with the license key.

Privacy policy

The following types of the licenses are available:

1. Free license – synchronization capacity of up to 2 tracks and 30 clips
2. License Sync-2 – synchronization capacity of up to 2 tracks and unlimited number of clips
3. License Sync-3 – synchronization capacity of up to 3 tracks and unlimited number of clips
4. License Sync-4 – synchronization capacity of up to 4 tracks and unlimited number of clips
5. Full license – unlimited synchronization capacity

If you do not need to sync very large multi-camera projects, you may wish to choose a cheaper smaller license which is sufficient for your tasks.
License upgrade without overpayment is available on request.

END-USER LICENSE AGREEMENT

Syncaila is protected by copyright laws and international copyright treaties, as well as other intellectual property laws and treaties. Syncaila is licensed, not sold.

Syncaila is distributed as shareware. It has a 30-day fully functional trial period.

During this time, Syncaila works exactly the same as the full registered version. Once the 30-day trial period is over, Syncaila will switch to the free mode, unlimited in time of use, but limited in terms of synchronizing capacity. You can continue using Syncaila under shareware terms or register Syncaila by purchasing a license key.

GRANT OF LICENSE

The shareware license grants you:

• 30-day TRIAL – functionally and capacity unlimited, works like the full registered version
• Free synchronization up to 2 tracks and up to 30 clips forever

You are granted a nontransferable non-exclusive right to use shareware copy of Syncaila without time limits, on an unlimited number of computers. You may make as many copies of the unregistered shareware version as you wish; give exact copies of the original unregistered shareware version to anyone; and distribute the unregistered shareware version of Syncaila in its unmodified form via electronic means. You have the ability to register the shareware copy at any time by purchasing a license key. This will convert the shareware into the registered version.

The registered license grants you a nontransferable non-exclusive right to use a licensed copy of Syncaila without time limits, following the restriction to use one copy on a single computer or another digital device.

EXAMPLES OF PAID LICENSES

• LICENSE SYNC-3 – synchronization capacity of up to 3 tracks and unlimited number of clips
• LICENSE SYNC-4 – synchronization capacity of up to 4 tracks and unlimited number of clips
• FULL LICENSE – unlimited synchronization capacity

COOLICOVE reserves the right to change the list of licensing options above. However, old license keys will continue working on the new versions automatically or by a free upgrade.

DESCRIPTION OF OTHER RIGHTS AND LIMITATIONS

You may not use the registered copy of this software if you are not a registered user and does not have legal permission to use it from a registered user.

Storage/Network Use

You may store or install a copy of Syncaila on a storage device, such as a network server, used only to install or run Syncaila on your other computers over an internal network; however, you must acquire and dedicate a license for each separate computer on or from which Syncaila is installed, used, accessed, displayed or run. A license for Syncaila may not be shared or used concurrently on different computers.

Distributing

Shareware. You may not copy, share and distribute the licensed copy of Syncaila and/or license data without the explicit written permission from COOLICOVE.  Any unauthorized distribution of your license data will result in immediate and automatic termination of your license.

Registered. The shareware copies of Syncaila may be distributed unmodified provided any charge is to cover distribution costs only. The shareware copy of Syncaila may be placed on magazine discs as long as the COOLICOVE is informed.

Backup copy

You may make one backup copy of Syncaila and license key.

Rental / Resale

You may not sublicense, rent, lease and sell any version of Syncaila or any portion of it including the license data without the explicit written permission from the COOLICOVE.

Limitations on reverse engineering, decompilation, and disassembly

You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble Syncaila, except and only to the extent that such activity is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation.

Upgrade

You may upgrade minor versions of Syncaila without extra fees. A license for a certain major version of Syncaila may be extended to a higher major version. By decision of the COOLICOVE, this extension may be automatic and free or may involve an upgrade fee.

Termination

Your rights derived from this license agreement will terminate immediately if you infringe upon COOLICOVE, its copyrights or breach the terms of this agreement. Copyright infringement or breaching this agreement may also result in criminal or civil prosecution.

You may terminate this license agreement at any time by destroying all copies of Syncaila in your possession and notifying COOLICOVE.

Copyright

All title and intellectual property rights in and to Syncaila, the accompanying printed materials, and any copies of Syncaila are owned by COOLICOVE or its suppliers. All title and intellectual property rights in and to the content which may be accessed through use of Syncaila is the property of the respective content owner and may be protected by applicable copyright or other intellectual property laws and treaties. This EULA grants you no rights to use such content. All rights not expressly granted are reserved by COOLICOVE.

DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY

The authors make no warranty or representation, either express or implied, with respect to Syncaila, its quality, accuracy, merchantability, or fitness for a particular purpose. Syncaila is provided “as is”, and you, as an end-user, assume the entire risk as to its quality and accuracy.

PRIVACY POLICY

Syncaila team highly respects your privacy. This privacy statement explains how we handle the information we get from you.

Information collected

• When you order one of our products, we ask you for your name, e-mail address, billing addresses, telephone number, VAT number (if you reside in the European Union) and credit card information.
• When you send us an e-mail, we ask your name and e-mail address.
• We may collect your IP address to help in diagnosing possible problems with our servers and in assisting you when you experience any troubles while downloading our products or accessing specific parts of our webpage. We do not use this information for any other purposes.
• We collect general statistical information about visits to our webpage to improve the structure of the online materials presented on the webpage. We do not link the gathered statistical data to anything that may personally identify you.
• We collect statistical information about the usage of Syncaila for the software protection purpose only. This information does not include any private information except your registered name and e-mail if you are the registered Syncaila user. (It is necessary to have the internet connection to use a trial version of Syncaila with no limitations. However, you do not need to have the internet connection while using Syncaila on the free license terms or with the license key.)

Use of personal information

• We use your personal information (your name, e-mail address, billing address, telephone number, VAT number) only to deliver our products, providing user support and software protection.
• We do not share your personal information with any party for any purposes except to complete a necessary financial transaction related to your purchase of our product. We do not add your e-mail address to any unsolicited mailing lists, and we do not disclose it to the third parties without your consent.
• Credit card details that you submit in the order are used for processing the payment only and are not retained for other purposes. When you submit an order online, your credit card details are submitted to the credit institution for the regular processing.

KNOWN PROBLEMS

Confusing synchronization results after loading MTS files from BDMV folders directly