Burst Electronics TC-3 User manual

SMPTE Time Code
Generator/Reader
BURST ELECTRONICS INC
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87109 USA
[phone]
[phone] FAX
www.burstelectronics.com
Made in USA
Manual Version 1.4
The TC-3
Hardware, software and manual copyright by Burst Electronics. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means without the written permission of Burst Electronics.

1 TC-3 SMPTE TIME CODE Generator/Reader
OPERATION MANUAL
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ........................................................... 2
SMPTE Time Code ............................................... 2
How to Set Up the TC-3 ....................................... 3
Connecting the TC-3 ............................................ 3
Operation of the TC-3 ...........................................4
Powering Up the TC-3 .......................................... 5
Generating Time Code ......................................... 5
Recording & Play Back of Time Code .................. 5
Presetting Time Code ........................................... 6
Setting the User Bits ............................................. 6
Setting Window Display Size and Position ........... 6
Auto Back Time .................................................... 7
Making a Window Dub .......................................... 7
Adding Time Code ................................................ 8
Jam Sync (Time Code Regeneration) .................. 9
Time Code Display Indicators............................... 9
Specifications ..................................................... 10

2 TC-3 SMPTE TIME CODE Generator/Reader
Introduction
The TC-3 is a SMPTE longitudinal time code generator/reader/re-
generator that uses the audio track (or special TC track if so
equipped), of a VCR, to record/read the time code. The TC-3 uses
the industry standard SMPTE time code format. Time code, read or
generated, is displayed in a “window” keyed over incoming video.
The TC-3 will read time code at play speed.
SMPTE Time Code
SMPTE time code is a standardized format for recording a unique
set of numbers on video tape for each video frame. For the TC-3
these numbers are recorded on the audio track of a VCR and incre-
ment for each frame of video. The time code format is standardized
in the United States by the Society of Motion Picture and Televi-
sion Engineers (SMPTE).
SMPTE time code is composed of two parts: the time code itself
and “user bits”.
The time code consists of hours, minutes, seconds, and frames.
NTSC video has approximately 30 frames of video per second. The
TC-3 accepts a video signal, and when in the generator mode, counts
frames. When 30 frames have been counted the TC-3 increments
the “seconds” count. When the “seconds” count passes 59, the min-
utes count is incremented and so on.
In the reader mode, the TC-3 reads the time code off from tape, and
displays it in a “window” keyed over incoming video.
The user bit portion of the time code is for storing any miscella-
neous information you may want to encode on tape. This informa-
tion could be most anything, such as the date when the tape was
shot, the camera number the tape came from, or even special infor-
mation other equipment might use (if this equipment has the ability
read user bits).

3 TC-3 SMPTE TIME CODE Generator/Reader
How to Set Up the TC-3
The TC-3 has five connectors on its rear panel:
9 VDC IN This is the power input for the unit. Voltage
may be 9 to 12 volts DC, either polarity.
VIDEO IN Time code generated will be synchronized to
the video fed to this connecter.
VIDEO OUT This is a loop-through from Video in. Also a
time code window (keyed over incoming
video) appears on this output.
TIME CODE IN Audio level (1 volt p p) digital time code sig-
nal input to the TC-3.
TIME CODE OUT Audio level (1 volt p p) digital time code out-
put from the TC-3.
Connecting the TC-3
Connect power to the TC-3. Power may be from the AC adapter
module included with the TC-3, or from a user supplied battery
pack. If power is to be supplied from a battery pack, the voltage
should be between 9 and 12 volts DC (polarity is unimportant).
Feed a video signal to the VIDEO IN connecter on the TC-3. This is
the signal from which time code generated will be synchronized.
Note that a video signal must be present at this input for proper
operation of the TC-3. The VIDEO OUT should be connected to
the record deck or a monitor. TIME CODE IN comes from the au-
dio output (Audio out or special time code track output) of a VCR.
TIME CODE OUT goes to the audio in (audio in or special time
code track input) of a VCR.
The above is a basic configuration with which you can record time
code on a tape either by recording “off air”, from another VCR, or
by doing an “audio dub”. Other configurations possible are: time

4 TC-3 SMPTE TIME CODE Generator/Reader
code regeneration, time code “window” sent to a second VCR, etc.
These configurations will be covered later in the manual.
Operation of the TC-3
The TC-3 has 7 push buttons and 4 LED’s for easy operation.
The push buttons are labeled as follow:
WINDOW SIZE Sets the window (time code display keyed over
video) to one of the two sizes, or makes the
window transparent.
WINDOW POS Sets the window to one of the three vertical
positions, or turns the window off.
TIME/UBITS Changes display to either time code or user
bits for reading or setting purposes. LED
ON=user bits.
RDR/GEN Switches between generator and reader modes.
LED ON=generator mode.
RUN/STOP Starts and stops the TC-3. LED ON=stop.
SEL/SET/CLR Used to initially set time code or user bits. If
both SEL and SET buttons are pressed at the
same time the display is reset to zero.
The functions of the LEDs are:
TIME/UBITS Indicates time code or user bits mode ON=user
bits, OFF=time code.
RDR/GEN Indicates which mode the unit is operating in.
ON=generator, OFF=reader.
RUN/STOP Indicates whether the generator is running or
stopped. ON=stopped, OFF=running.
ON Power to the TC-3.

5 TC-3 SMPTE TIME CODE Generator/Reader
Powering Up the TC-3
After setting the unit up as outlined in “Connecting the TC-3”, turn
the unit on. (The power switch is located on the rear panel of the
unit.) Be sure a video signal is applied to VIDEO IN.
After power is applied you should see the time code window dis-
play keyed over video on your composite monitor, and the “ON”
LED should be lit. Also the RDR/GEN and RUN/STOP LED’s
should be on.
Generating Time Code
To start the generator, be sure the unit is in generator mode (RDR/
GEN LED on). Press the RUN/STOP button. The RUN/STOP LED
turns off and the time code window display starts counting. A time
code signal is now being output on TIME CODE OUT that can be
recorded on a VCR.
To stop the generator, press RUN/STOP, the RUN/STOP LED turns
on, and the time code window display stops counting.
Recording & Play Back of Time Code
Put a tape in the VCR, and start recording. Be sure the unit is in
generator mode (RDR/GEN LED on), and press RUN/STOP
(RUN/STOP LED off) to start generating time code. Let the unit
run for a few minutes, stop the generator, and rewind the tape to the
point were you started recording. Press RDR/GEN so that the RDR/
GEN LED is off (reader mode). Play the tape. The TC-3 will now
read the time code just recorded and output it as a window on the
Video Out of the TC-3.

6 TC-3 SMPTE TIME CODE Generator/Reader
Presetting Time Code
To preset the generator for a certain time, first be sure the generator
is stopped (Press RUN/STOP so that the RUN/STOP LED is on).
Then press the SEL button, the first two digits of the window dis-
play will flicker. (The flicker indicates which set of digits is about
to be set.) Next press the SET button until the number you want for
hours is displayed. Press SEL again and repeat the process for min-
utes, seconds, and frames, until the time code you want to preset is
displayed.
After setting frames, pressing SEL once more will make the colon
between seconds and frames flicker. Pressing SET will now cause
the colon to change from a colon to a semicolon and back. This is
the setting for drop frame and non-drop frame operation.
A semicolon (;) indicates drop frame operation, a colon (:) indi-
cates non-drop frame operation. Because NTSC doesn’t have quite
30 frames of video per second (the exact number is 29.97) a cumu-
lative error in the SMPTE time code is present. To correct for this
error the TC-3 operates in a “drop frame” mode, dropping (not count-
ing) 1 frame of video at regular intervals.
Setting the User Bits
To set user bits, press TIME/UBITS so that the TIME/UBITS LED
is on. Now each digit of the user bits may be set using the SEL and
SET buttons in a similar manner as in setting the time code.
NOTE: Pressing the SEL and SET buttons at the same time will
reset the display (either time code or user bits) to all zeros.
Setting Window Display Size and Position
Vertical window size may be set by pressing the WINDOW SIZE
button. This button will also set the window to a transparent mode.

7 TC-3 SMPTE TIME CODE Generator/Reader
Vertical position of the window may be set by pressing the WIN-
DOW POS button. There are three settings for vertical position,
pressing this button a fourth time removes the window display.
Horizontal size and position may be adjusted by two trimmer pots
located on the right panel of the unit.
Auto Back Time
Sometimes you may want time code “pass through zero” at the start-
ing of a tape. The time “before” zero can be set from 30 seconds to
2 minutes in 30 second increments. This is useful to get past tape
leader, or to have a clean start on a tape.
To access the auto back time feature, hold down the SET button
while powering the unit up. Continue to hold the SET button. The
TC-3 will cycle through 00:30, 01:00, 01:30, 02:00. Release the
button when the back time that you want appears.
NOTE: Auto back time will be activated only after the TC-3 has
been preset for a certain time. The selected auto back time stays in
effect until the unit is powered off.
Making a Window Dub
To do a window dub (recording the time code window to a tape)
you will need a prerecorded tape with time code. (This is your source
tape.)
Also needed are two VCR’s. We’ll call the VCR’s Source deck and
Record deck. Connect the VCR’s and the TC-3 as follows:
VIDEO OUT from the Source deck to VIDEO IN on the TC-3.
AUDIO OUT (time code) from the Source deck to TIME CODE
IN on the TC-3.

8 TC-3 SMPTE TIME CODE Generator/Reader
VIDEO OUT on the TC-3 to VIDEO IN on the Record deck.
VIDEO OUT on the Record deck to a monitor.
Optionally, TIME CODE OUT on the TC-3 may be connected to
AUDIO IN (time code) of the Record deck to record time code in
addition to the time code display window video.
Put the Source deck in play and the Record deck in record. Set the
TC-3 for reader mode.
Once time code is detected, the TC-3 will automatically start read-
ing and the time code window will be recorded onto the Record
deck .
If time code is not present on the tape in the Source deck, a time
code window may still be recorded on the tape in the Record deck
by placing the TC-3 in generator mode and starting the generator
after starting the two VCR’s. Note: This will produce a time code
window display, but the source tape won’t have time code so it won’t
have any direct reference to the tape just produced.
Adding Time Code
If you have a tape that doesn’t have time code and would like to
record time code on it, you don’t need two VCR’s if you have a
VCR equipped with audio dub. To record time code to a tape using
audio dub connect the VCR and the TC-3 as follows:
VIDEO OUT on the VCR to VIDEO IN on the TC-3, VIDEO OUT
on the TC-3 to a monitor.
TIME CODE OUT of the TC-3 to AUDIO IN (time code) on the
VCR.
Put the TC-3 in generator mode. Put the VCR in play and audio dub
mode. Start the generator. Time code will now be recorded on the
audio track of the VCR.

9 TC-3 SMPTE TIME CODE Generator/Reader
Jam Sync (Time Code Regeneration)
Jam sync (time code regeneration) is useful if you have a tape with
questionable time code. The TC-3 has the ability to regenerate time
code.
To regenerate time code, do the following:
Set up cabling for two VCR’s and the TC-3 as for “Window dub”.
In audition connect TIME CODE OUT on the TC-3 to AUDIO IN
(time code) on the Record deck.
Set the TC-3 for reader mode, RDR/GEN LED Off. Put the Source
deck in play and the Record deck in record.
As soon as the TC-3 detects time code from the Source deck, switch
the TC-3 to generator mode. The TC-3 will now regenerate time
code based on the last code read while in reader mode.
Time Code Display Indicators
Error detection:
The TC-3 has automatic error detection. If incoming time code is
invalid, such as 12:99:99:99, the entire window display will flicker,
much the same way individual digits flicker when presetting the
generator.
Field one, Field two indication:
Fields one and two are indicated by the colon or semicolon be-
tween the seconds and frames digits. You will notice that the top
portion flickers. What is happening is that for each field this char-
acter is alternating between a period (.) and a colon(:). A period
indicates field one and a colon indicate field two.

10 TC-3 SMPTE TIME CODE Generator/Reader
Specifications:
Video In: Standard 1 Volt, 75 Ohm BNC
Video Out: Standard 1 Volt, 75 Ohm BNC
Time Code In (Audio): -13 to +7 dBm (500 mV to 5 V p-p)
Zin=100K, RCA Connector
Time Code Out (Audio): 0 dBm (0.7 V), Zout=2K, RCA Connector
Time Code: SMPTE 80 Bit Longitudinal Drop Frame/Non-drop
Frame
User Bits: 8 digits setable, format is Hexadecimal (0 - F)
Size: 5.6W x 1.5H x 7.3D inches Aluminum and Steel Enclosure
Power: 120 Vac 60 Hz 3 W AC Adapter or 9 to 12 Vdc 200 mA

11 TC-3 SMPTE TIME CODE Generator/Reader
SMPTE Time Code Generator
Time Code Out Adjustment
BURST ELECTRONICS INC
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87109 USA
[phone]
[phone] FAX
www.burstelectronics.com
The TC-3
An improvement has been made to the TC-3. The Output
level of the Time Code Out signal can now be adjusted.
It is preset to 0 dBm, 0.775 Vac (2 volts peak to peak).
Some VTRs (such as the Sony 9800) might require a higher
audio signal.
The adjustment control is located on the rear panel between
the two RCA jacks. Adjust as required, minimum is 0 V,
max is 1.5 Vac (4.2 Vpp).

12 TC-3 SMPTE TIME CODE Generator/Reader