opcode studio 4 User Manual
CHAPTER 1: Getting Started
Studio 4 Manual
5
and new products. Also, you’ll receive
Opcode’s periodic newsletter, which con-
tains advanced tips, troubleshooting
techniques and more.
Opcode’s periodic newsletter, which con-
tains advanced tips, troubleshooting
techniques and more.
Opcode technical support hours (Pacific
Time) are 9:00am to noon and 2:00 to
5:00pm Monday through Friday.
Time) are 9:00am to noon and 2:00 to
5:00pm Monday through Friday.
Call (650) 429-2349 for technical support,
but
but
please
try to find the answer in this
manual first.
NOTE:
Technical support hours are sub-
ject to change.
TIMECODE BASICS
The operational portions of this manual
assume you’re familiar with SMPTE Time
Code, MIDI Time Code, and Direct Time
Lock. If you’re not, you should read this
section to develop a basic understanding
of synchronization and the various time-
code formats. Consult music technology
magazines or introductory books if you
need more information about any of these
topics.
assume you’re familiar with SMPTE Time
Code, MIDI Time Code, and Direct Time
Lock. If you’re not, you should read this
section to develop a basic understanding
of synchronization and the various time-
code formats. Consult music technology
magazines or introductory books if you
need more information about any of these
topics.
SMPTE Time Code
SMPTE Time Code is an international
timecode standard created by the Society
of Motion Picture & Television Engi-
neers. It specifies a format for recording
digital timing information onto magnetic
tape; this timing information is divided
into hours, minutes, seconds and frames.
By using SMPTE Time Code (often
referred to simply as “SMPTE”), you can
timecode standard created by the Society
of Motion Picture & Television Engi-
neers. It specifies a format for recording
digital timing information onto magnetic
tape; this timing information is divided
into hours, minutes, seconds and frames.
By using SMPTE Time Code (often
referred to simply as “SMPTE”), you can
synchronize the playback of separate
audio decks, video decks and computers.
audio decks, video decks and computers.
Using SMPTE requires two separate
actions:
actions:
•
Generating the SMPTE Time Code
and recording it onto tape (a process
often referred to as “striping”).
and recording it onto tape (a process
often referred to as “striping”).
•
Reading the SMPTE Time Code off
the tape and using it as a master
timing source for synchronizing play-
back of other tape machines and
computers.
the tape and using it as a master
timing source for synchronizing play-
back of other tape machines and
computers.
There are two types of SMPTE Time
Code: Longitudinal Time Code (LTC),
and Vertical Interval Time Code (VITC).
LTC is recorded on tape tracks that run
linearly across the length of the tape. This
format is recorded on audio tape or on the
audio track of a video tape. VITC is
recorded within the video portion of a
video tape.
Code: Longitudinal Time Code (LTC),
and Vertical Interval Time Code (VITC).
LTC is recorded on tape tracks that run
linearly across the length of the tape. This
format is recorded on audio tape or on the
audio track of a video tape. VITC is
recorded within the video portion of a
video tape.
Since different video systems run at differ-
ent speeds (or “frame rates”), the SMPTE
format also specifies a number of different
rates.
ent speeds (or “frame rates”), the SMPTE
format also specifies a number of different
rates.
The Studio 4 will both generate and read
SMPTE Time Code in the LTC format. If
you have a tape striped with VITC, you’ll
need to use either a VITC-to-LTC con-
verter or a VITC-to-MTC converter such
as Opcode’s Studio AV.
SMPTE Time Code in the LTC format. If
you have a tape striped with VITC, you’ll
need to use either a VITC-to-LTC con-
verter or a VITC-to-MTC converter such
as Opcode’s Studio AV.
The Studio 4 supports five SMPTE frame
rates. These rates are:
rates. These rates are:
•
24 Frames/second—Film frame rate.
•
25 Frames/second—EBU (Euro-
pean) television frame rate.
pean) television frame rate.