Steinberg Time Base User Manual

							TIME BASE
Glossary 9 – 91
Non-contiguousNot a continuous, predictable sequence, i.e. 1,2,3,4,6,8,9.
The counting method DF-TC is such a sequence.
NTSCA system of coding color information for television. Mainly used
in the USA and Japan. 
Named after the National Television System Committee.
OffsetOffset is the difference between two Time Codes. 
Offsets are frame accurate and are displayed in HH:MM:SS:FF 
format. Time Base, set to offset, delivers the offset Time Code on 
all Time Code outputs.
PALPhase Alternate Line – A system of coding color information for tele-
vision. Mainly used in Europe, many parts of Africa and Asia. 
Post ProductionActivities that take place after the raw footage has been shot for a 
motion picture or video program. Includes editing and audio pro-
cesses like ADR, Foley and Mixing.
Pre-RollIs the amount of time which Time Base subtracts from a Locate 
Address, to start a connected device playing early so that when the 
actual Locate Point is reached, all devices are sure to be running in 
proper sync.
RAMRandom Access Memory – Here: The battery buffered storage of 
Time Base. Setups are recalled from here at power up.
S/P-DIFSony-Philips Digital Interface – The consumer standard similar to 
AES/EBU for digital audio data. 
Jointly developed by Sony and Philips.
Sample rateSample frequency, defined through the Word Clock.
SequencerA device or program that can record/playback performance data for 
electronic instruments. Mainly MIDI is used as communication protocol.
SetupDefinition of all Time Base parameters. Stored in various fixed presets 
and 4 user definable presets. 
SMPTESociety of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. 
An industry standards committee. Responsible for developing the 
SMPTE Time Code.
Sony 9-pinA machine control bus, originally developed by Sony and included in 
Sony video devices. Currently part of many other professional devices.
SpeedSpeed, Frame Rate and Rate are synonymous. Time Code speed is 
counted frames per second (fps)
SRThe abbreviation Time Base uses for Sample Rate. 
						

							TIME BASE
9 – 92 Glossary
Sync WordA Sync Word is the 16-bit “Sync” data word at the end of each 
80-bit LTC Time Code frame. It indicates speed, direction and frame 
end and indicates the end of each Time Code word.
Time Code formatDefines the type and frame rate used. Example: 30NDF is a Frame 
rate of 30fps and non drop frame.
Track Select
Track ArmingProcedure to enable (arm) a specific track of a tape machine for 
recording.
TRSAbbreviation for Tip-Ring-Sleeve. A 1/4” balanced wired jack.
T= inphase, R= outphase, S= screen
USBAbbreviation for Universal Serial Bus – Fast serial bus on computers.
VarispeedHere: The playback speed of digital audio devices is sped up or 
slowed down by varying the frequency of the Word Clock.
Video InserterAllows visible Time Code to be inserted into the video picture.
Video SyncA reference video signal, generated by an extremely stable source. 
(SPG – sync pulse generator/blackburst generator/house sync). Can 
be used to control the speed of video machines and Time Base.
VITCVertical Interval Time Code. An alternative to the LTC/SMPTE format. 
It is recorded above the visible picture onto two lines in the blanking 
(invisible) part of the video signal.
VST System LinkA method for sample-accurate synchronization and control of digital 
audio workstations, developed by Steinberg.
VTMVirtual Time Base Machine – Emulation of a machine that can be 
controlled via MMC.
VTM-9Virtual Time Base Machine 9-Pin – Emulation of a 9-pin Machine 
(Sony protocol).
VTRAbbreviation for Video Tape Recorder.
Word ClockAn extremely stable sync signal source that is used to define the 
speed at which digital audio data is converted and transmitted.