Force LENA Pro to sync two or more recorder clocks

LENA Pro does not adjust a recorder's clock if it is within 1 minute of the LENA computer's clock (either fast or slow).

This means two recorders' clocks could differ by up to 2 minutes, even after being connected to the same LENA Pro computer.

This article presents a work-around for syncing two or more devices when the planned analyses require more precise clock time agreement.

Important notes:

  • Setting the clock affects the starting timestamp of the next recording only.  Any data already contained on the device has already been timestamped, and those values will not change.
  • The onboard clock of each device drifts continuously.
  • Different recorders' clocks drift at different rates from one another.  
  • The clock will begin to drift as soon as it is set, so to minimize the difference between "real time" and "recorder time," minimize the amount of time between setting the clock and pressing REC.

1. Ensure LENA is closed.

2. Change the LENA computer's clock time.

(This step typically requires admin rights on your computer.)

The clock can be reset in several ways - here is one method:

  1. Click the clock on your taskbar.
  2. Click Change date and time settings...
  3. Click Change date and time.
  4. Adjust by a significant amount - say 45-50 minutes.  

Resist the urge to simply adjust the time zone instead - that won't work.  

3. Launch LENA.

4. Connect each recorder to the LENA software.

  1. Power on a recorder.
  2. Connect it to the software.
  3. You should be prompted to adjust the "DLP" (recorder) clock.  
  4. Agree to the adjustment.  
  5. Disconnect the recorder.  

Repeat for as many devices as required.

Now your recorder clocks are very wrong!  This will trigger an adjustment when you connect to the LENA computer with the correct time.

5. Close LENA.

6. Correct the computer's clock time.

Follow the same steps as before to set the computer to the correct actual time.

7. Launch LENA.

8. Connect each recorder to the LENA software.

Follow the same steps as before to force LENA to prompt you to adjust each recorder's clock:

  1. Power on a recorder.
  2. Connect it to the software.
  3. You should be prompted to adjust the "DLP" (recorder) clock.  
  4. Agree to the adjustment.  
  5. Disconnect the recorder.  

Now your recorder clocks are all set to the same time, down to the second.