Synchronize the DSR-45 as a 'slave' to an external unit with SMPTE Timecode

I have been successful synching up an Alesis M20 Pro ADAT audio unit as a 'slave' to the DSR-45 using the SMPTE TC (timecode) output, but I've been experiencing occasional loss of TC lock with the DSR-45, which results in the audio muting for a portion of second or so. This would be unacceptable in a live performance setting. What I also have tried, unsuccessfully thus far, is to sync up the DSR-45 as the slave to the M20 so the video plays from the DSR-45, and the 8-channels of audio come out of the M20. Play control is by the M20 with the DSR-45 is under slave control (the opposite of above). The video was dubbed from Final Cut Pro 4 via the DV iLink. I have he DSR-45 TC/UB set to 'EXTERNAL'. I've tried both settings for 'TC RUN'. I can see the timecode coming in from the M20 when I press the DSR-45's REC button. Is there something I'm missing here to make this scenaro work? Your help would be appreciated. We need this for Friday night so time is certainly against us. Thx, Richard Talbot Euphony Sound