The HOME Timecode Generator app is a tool for generating or modifying SMPTE 2110-40 streams containing LTC and VITC timecode information.

One use case is where you may have several sources all contributing to a program where the different sources pass through different processing paths and, therefore, the associated timecodes with each of these sources become asynchronous. Each of these sources could then be recorded as part of an ISO recording. The asynchronous timecodes could cause problems at a later date should the ISO recording be required to perform some post-production work.

The app is also able to generate or modify Source ID data in a SMPTE 2110-40 stream. This allows the tracking of signal through complex workflows, and allows the original source to be identified. Similar to 'Idents' burnt into the video, but without burning the information into the picture, instead the information is carried as part of a 2110-40 stream.

One Timecode Generator (TCG) app provides up to eight independent senders, where each sender transmits timecode via a SMPTE 2110-40 (Metadata) stream.

For timecode, the app can receive time from a variety of sources and then apply an offset to it, or freerun. 

The available time sources are:

  • Input VITC
  • Input LTC
  • PTP Time
  • UTC Time
  • Freerun

The offset can be applied in hours, minutes, seconds, frames; both positive and negative offsets are permitted (or no offset at all).

The app also supports a configurable Rejam time.

This app is part of the current release of HOME Apps, and benefits from the usual advantages of a HOME Apps environment: deployment on standard network servers; instant availability; flexible resource allocation through Lawo Flex licensing; integration with external broadcast control systems, such as Lawo's VSM.

Key Features & Specification

I/O

  • 1x input receiver (RX 1): supports Metadata (only), no Video or Audio streams.
  • Up to 8 output senders (TX 1 to TX 8); support Metadata (only), no Video or Audio streams.

General

  • Generated Timecodes: Input VITC, Input LTC, PTP Time, UTC Time or Freerun.
  • Up to 8 different ST2110-40 timecode feeds are possible per app instance.
  • Detailed offset parameter settings: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Frames and Timezone.
  • Signals are output as ST 2110-40 (metadata) streams.
  • All timecodes generated by the app are based on the PTP signal that is used to synchronize the app.

Control

  • Data sources:
    • HOME API (NATS)
    • NMOS (via HOME's NMOS Exporter)
  • Configured and managed by HOME
  • All parameters available via HOME API; allows integration with external broadcast control systems.