A time code is a sequence of numeric codes generated at regular intervals by a timing system. Time codes are used extensively for synchronization, and for logging material in recorded media. SOM is also a related term (in the broadcast industry) and stands for 'Start of Message' or 'Start of Media' also known as Time Code (TC) in. Similarly EOM stands for 'End of Message' or 'End of Media' also known as Time Code (TC) out.
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Common time code formats
The SMPTE time code family of timecodes are almost universally used in film, video and audio production, and can be encoding in many different formats:
Other related time and sequence codes:
- Burnt-in timecode
- CTL timecode
- MIDI timecode
- AES-EBU embedded timecode
- Rewritable consumer timecode
- Keykode
Time codes for purposes other than video and audio production:
- IRIG time codes Used for military, government and commercial purposes.
See also
- Binary Coded Decimal
- Jam sync
- Global Positioning System
- Network time protocol
- Time code ambiguity
- Time signal
- Timestamp, denoting the date/time in data logging
- Trusted timestamp, part of a digital signature
- Time-coded vinyls
References
- Timecode: A user's guide, second edition by John Ratcliff, [Focal Press]
- A Technical Introduction to Digital Video by Charles Poynton
External links
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