Model 5010 Time Code Master Manual
OVERVIEW
Revision 3.1.1
Page 1-1
1. OVERVIEW
The model 5010 Time Code Master is a full function time code reader/generator system. The model
5010 Time Code Master is available in three versions. The basic 5010 is a dual standard (NTSC/PAL)
combination generator, high speed reader for Linear Time Code (LTC), and contains a high resolution
character inserter which can be delegated to either the generator or reader. The model 5010-VITC
adds Vertical Interval Time Code (VITC) reading and generating capabilities to the basic 5010. The
5010-24 is a special purpose time code generator designed to work 24 FPS time code commonly used
with the high definition 1080P/24 video format. The model 5010-VITC-24 adds Vertical Interval Time
Code (VITC) reading and generating capabilities to the 5010-24. Throughout this manual, references
to the 5010 apply to all versions unless otherwise indicated.
A 16 digit alphanumeric display can be quickly delegated to show the required data. Thus, the
generator will produce uninterrupted time code while the reader may be used to recover time code from
another tape without interfering with the generator function.
The 5010’s time code generator can be preset to lock to its REF VIDEO input source either by simple
frame locking as per EIA standard RS-170, or where a stable RS-170-A source is available, it will
colour lock in accordance with the 4 field NTSC colour sequence. In the PAL standard, either the 4
field or 8 field sequence may be observed.
When 5010-24 is operating in the 24 FPS standard, it genlocks to a 23.98 FPS reference signal.
Where an external 6Hz reference is available, it will lock such that the 00 frame of each second is
coincident with the 6Hz signal. When the 5010-24 is operating in the NTSC standard it genlocks to a
NTSC reference signal.
In NTSC colour systems operation, with a frame rate of 29.97002618 Hz where the time of day is used
for indexing, the generator may be operated in the drop frame mode. Special indicators in the front
panel display and in the character inserter indicate that the unit is operating in the drop frame format.
A frame rate convert mode allows the user to convert between EBU and SMPTE drop frame code for
standard converter applications. In the 5010-24 version, the rate convert allows the user to convert
between 23.98 FPS and 29.97 non drop frame code for high definition 1080p/24 applications. Numeric
offsets may be applied to the converted numbers to accommodate standard converter delays.
The 5010 is capable of displaying time/date information in either the Universal Coordinated Time (UTC)
or the local time that has been adjusted with the appropriate time zone offset from UTC. In local time
mode, the generator encodes the time and date adjusted for the local time zone offset from UTC. In
UTC mode, the generator encodes the UTC time and date received from the receiver antenna. The
reader can be independently set to display either the local time or UTC. When the generator is set to
local time mode, it can be set to automatically adjust for ‘daylight saving’ or ‘summer time’ offsets from
UTC.
Both the generator and reader are capable of working with the unassigned user bits. Several modes of
operation are possible. The generator may be preset to insert decimal values for each group in the
generated code, and the reader will read decimal values for each binary group. In addition, the user
may select the transfer of either reader time or reader user bits into the generator user bits, thus,
allowing pre-edit frame addresses to be preserved when new continuous time code is laid down.
In the time/date mode, the date information will be encoded into the user bits in one of three formats.
The SMPTE 309M standard defines two methods of encoding date information into the user bits. The
