Specifications

STUDIO EQUIPMENT
HORITA
936
SMPTE TIME CODE EQUIPMENT
For Desktop, Rack Mount or Field Use
Horita offers a full line of SMPTE LTC and VlTC
time code readers, generators, inserters and
translators. The LTC line offers choice and
flexibility, from the basic WG-50 Play Speed
Reader/Inserter to the complete TRG-50 PC
Generator/Search Speed Reader/Window
Inserter with RS-232 interface and TC-TOOL
KIT tape logging software. VITC products
provide generator, reader/window inserter
and translator functions, enabling
translation between LTC and VITC, as well
as having a full-function VITC system. LED units, like the TCD-100 and VLR-100, provide visual displays, as well as
reader/generator functions. The TCI-50 and RLT-50 allow time-code to be inserted into, or extracted from, an RS4-22 data
stream. The GPI-50 is a time code based dual general purpose interface.
A complete studio clock and time code system is available with the Horita GPS-MTG. The system uses the accuracy of the
atomic clocks in the Global Positioning System and generates time of day, zone, and date SMPTE time code. Compatible
LED and video overlay display units show time of day and date for any time zone. When the studio time code is needed in
the field, the palm-sized battery operated, PTG mini-time code generator can be set to the GPS-MTG, providing multiple
field cameras with precise time/date time code, in step with each other and with the studio master.
Horita also offers color bar, test signal, blackburst and sync generators; matte and safe area generators; serial control
titler and keyboard controlled titler; counters; timers and stopwatches. All products are available in desk top, rackmount
and field packages. They are all versatile, affordable and easy to use.
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Types of Time Code Equipment
SMPTE time code equipment generally falls into
one of three categories: generators, readers, and
character inserters (or window dub inserters). The
generator creates the time code signal. Time code
readers “read” the electronic time code signal,
decode it and display it. The display may be an
LED readout, or it may be superimposed over the
video. Window dub inserters are generally used to
produce work copies of the master tape, with the
time code display “burned” into the video picture.
Other time code based equipment fill a variety of
needs. Translators allow interchange between LTC
and VITC, or into RS-422 /RS-232 protocols to
communicate time code information to VCRs,
edit controllers and computers. A GPI (General
Purpose Interface) uses time code to electronically
trigger events in production, playback, scientific
experiments, etc.
What is SMPTE Time Code?
Adopted in the late 1960s by the Society of Motion Picture and Television
Engineers, SMPTE Time Code is an industry standard frame numbering
system that assigns a specific number to each frame of video in hours,
minutes, seconds and frames format. There are two SMPTE formats for Time
Code: Longitudinal Time Code (LTC) and Vertical Interval Time Code (VITC).
LTC is an audible electronic digital signal recorded on an audio or time code
channel of a VCR or audio recorder. VITC is a visual frame identification code
recorded in the vertical blanking interval of each video field. VITC time code
must be recorded at the same time as the video, and it can be read in VCR
pause mode. LTC time code offers more flexibility than VITC in that it may be
recorded prior to recording the video (prestriped), during production, or
added to the tape at a later time (post striped). However, it does use up an
audio channel, and the tape must be moving in order to read it.
Why is SMPTE time code so important? The answer can be stated in two
words: Accuracy and repeatability. With time code, every frame of video is
given its own unique identifying number. Once recorded, that time
code/video frame relationship will be the same every time the tape is played.