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SMPTE Time Code – Virtually Unchanged After Almost 50 Years

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Eyes Of A Generation.com

New Richard Wirth Article…The SMPTE Time Code

This is a perfect detailed follow up to the Smith Block and video editing stories I posted here a few weeks back. Here’s the story of how the time code came to be and, having been around for almost half a century, how it has withstood the test of time.

Some of the most interesting parts of this are the rare videos he found while doing the research – like the CMX600 promotional film that gives a detailed demonstration of the first non linear editor in detail by taking you through the editing of a musical piece. Thanks to our friend Richard Wirth for composing this very interesting article. Enjoy and share! -Bobby Ellerbee

http://provideocoalition.com/pvcexclusive/story/timecode-virtually-unchanged-after-almost-50-years

SMPTE Time Code – Virtually Unchanged After Almost 50 Years

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  So goes the old proverb. SMPTE Time Code is like that.  While the entire production and post world around it has changed radically, time code has remained virtually the same.

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3 responses to “SMPTE Time Code – Virtually Unchanged After Almost 50 Years”

  1. Scott Abbott

    Another wonderful article.

  2. James Shea

    I recall recording time code onto audio channel 1 of U-matic videotapes to be able to achieve frame-accurate editing with them. Also, the high-pitched sound of time code often could be heard on the air during silent passages of program material. T.C. was prone to leaking into program audio.

  3. Richard Melton

    Many years ago I was a 1″ VTR field engineer. We had to interface our machines to many different editing systems. Often times when there was a problem, it turned out to be something odd with the time code recorded on the tape. As you can see from the photo of the front and back of the book, I just about wore out my “Time Code Handbook” from carrying it around all those years. The copyright date of this book is 1982. If my memory is correct, I bought it at the NAB store, probably in 1983 or 1984.

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