Panasonic AJ-SD255 User Manual

Time code/user bit

Time code

The time code is used when the time code signal generated
by the time code generator (time code signal generator) is to
be recorded on the tape, its values are to be read by the time
code reader (time code signal reader), and the absolute
position of the tape is to be displayed in increments of hours,
minutes, seconds and frames.
The time code is written in the sub-code area (data area) of
the helical track. Time codes for VTR playback speeds can
be read from stop mode to slow-motion playback up to high-
speed playback (approx. 100x when using DVCPRO tapes).
The time code values are indicated using the display and
superimpose functions.

TCR 00

↑

Hours

Minutes Seconds Frames

User bit

“User bit” refers to the 32-bit (8-digit) data frame among the
time code signals which has been released to users. It
enables operator numbers values to be recorded.
The alphanumeric characters which can be used for the user
bit are the figures 0 to 9 and the letters A to F.

Setting the internal time code

(1) Set the VTR to stop mode.
(2) Select “TC” using the COUNTER button.
(3) Set the run mode for the time code generator

using setup menu No. 513 (RUN MODE).

REC:

The internal time code generator is advanced during
recording.

FREE:

When the power is on, the internal time code generator
is advanced regardless of the operation mode.

(4) Set the TCG switch to REGEN mode.

REGEN:

In this mode, the continuity of the original time code is
maintained.
A more detailed setting can be performed using setup
menu No. 503 (TCG REGEN).

PRESET:

In this mode, recording is commenced from the value
which was set by the TC PRESET button.

(5) To preset the time code or user bit, take the

following steps.

Set the TCG switch to “PRESET.”

Select “TC” or “UB” using the COUNTER button.

When the TC PRESET button is pressed, operation is
transferred to the setting mode, and the setting digits
start flashing on the counter display.
Operate the joystick, and set the preset value.
Left, right

→ for moving between digits; up, down →

for changing the setting
• When the RESET button is pressed, the preset

value is reset to zero.

The preset value is set by pressing the TC PRESET
button.

Setting the external time code

(1) Set the VTR to stop mode.
(2) Select “TC” using the COUNTER button.
(3) Set the TCG switch to EXT. (External time code

selection)

(4) The following settings can be selected with

setup menu No. 505 (EXT TC SEL).

LTC:

The LTC signal input to the TIME CODE IN connector
(BNC) on the rear panel is recorded as time code.

VITC:

The VITC of the input video signal or time code on
IEEE1394 is recorded.

Reproducing the time code/user bit

(1) Set the VTR to stop mode.
(2) Select “TC” or “UB” using the COUNTER

button.

(3) Press the PLAY button.

Playback starts and the time code is shown on the
display.
When the SUPER switch is set to ON, the time code
value is superimposed on the video signals from the
VIDEO MON connector.

Note:

When the time code signal cannot be read, the
time code is automatically interpolated by the
CTL signal. The display appears as shown below.

Note:

The LTC must be synchronized with the video
signal.

T R 00:01:04:07

When the time code
signal cannot be read,
an asterix ( ) is
displayed.

“ ”: 1, 3 field
“ ”: 2, 4 field

The colon between the seconds
and frames changes to a period
during drop frame mode.
(For AJ-SD255P)