ZoeSync

ZoeSync: A Precision Shutter Tool for Turntable Zoetropes (Phonotropes)

ZoeSync is a utility designed to reveal clear, stable 3D motion from zoetropes spinning on a standard record player (turntable). It acts as a digital shutter that synchronises your camera with the rotation to eliminate motion blur.

Support for Custom Projects

The app supports the three most common animation standards. You select the setting that matches your zoetrope:

Animation Cycles: Supports 12, 18, or 24-frame projects.
Turntable Speeds: Calibrated for 33, 45, and 78 RPM.

How to Use

1. Setup: Place your zoetrope on the turntable. Hold your phone in landscape (horizontal) orientation for the best view.

2. Configuration: Select the RPM of your player and the frame count that matches your physical animation (12, 18, or 24).

3. Sync Calibration: When you first start the app, it performs a Smart Calibration to ensure your phone’s camera sensor is perfectly timed with the rotation. You may notice a brief shift in brightness or a flicker—this "handshake" ensures that even basic or older phone sensors lock onto the correct frame rate for a blur-free image.

4. Lighting: Tap the built-in light button. Note: To freeze figures in motion, the app uses an ultra-fast shutter speed. This makes the screen appear darker than a standard camera app, but it is necessary to ensure the animation is sharp rather than a blurry smear. For the best results, use a bright desk lamp.

5. Capture: Record and save a video of the 3D effect directly to your phone.

Features

Frame Synchronisation: Precision timing for 12, 18, and 24-frame zoetropes.

Multi-Speed Support: Accurate viewing for all standard record player speeds (33, 45, and 78 RPM).

High-Speed Shutter: A precision-locked shutter to eliminate motion blur and ghosting.

Universal Compatibility: Intelligent sensor tuning ensures stable synchronisation works on a wide variety of hardware, from basic models to high-end devices.

Light Utility: Integrated torch control for high-speed camera exposure.

Privacy First: No accounts, no tracking, and no data collection. Your videos stay on your device.

Note: This is a utility app. You need a physical rotating animation (like a 3D-printed zoetrope) and a record player to use it.