Control track longitudinal timecode: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:40, 27 December 2015

Revision as of 12:34, 2 January 2019

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'''[[Control track]] longitudinal''', or '''CTL''', '''timecode''', developed by [[JVC]] in the early 1990s, is a unique technique for embedding, or ''striping'', reference [[SMPTE]] [[timecode]] onto a videotape.

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Conversely, CTL timecode is an ''absolute'' timecode with specific digital references for every frame of video. Thus, a tape with CTL timecode can always display current timecode position accurately, even if the tape is moved from one machine to another. CTL timecode embedding can be transferred when making a copy, as long as the recording machine supports CTL timecode. Because CTL timecode ''is'' SMPTE timecode, its timecode can be interchanged with other SMPTE timecode schemes, like VITC and LTC (linear, audio track) timecode, as well as SMPTE timecode devices like timecode readers, generators, window dub inserters, MIDI synchronizers, and edit controllers.

CTL timecode is vulnerable to any gaps or problems in a tape's control track, but so is LTC and VITC timecode. The acronym ''LOCT'' (pronounced ''locked''), used by many video professionals, can mean "Loss Of Control Track", and/or "Loss Of Continuous Timecode".

==See also==