Time Code; Frame Rate - Sound Devices 788T-SSD User Manual And Technical Information

Time Code

The 788T holds accurate time code for up six hours between battery changes using its internal, Li-Ion
time code battery. After six hours without power, the 788T reverts to a slightly less-precise time-of-
day crystal to maintain the date/time of the unit. This time code battery is charged from internal or
external power whenever the 788T is powered up.
If the time-of-day clock is reset during the production day or if the time code mode is changed from
24 hour run to another mode and back, the time code value will change. You must re-jam all time
code devices to ensure proper synchronization.
File-based recorders place a single time code stamp in the BEXT and iXML chunks of an AES31
(Broadcast WAV) fi le. The 788T generates SMPTE time code from this number and extrapolates it
based on the time code frame rate for playback.
All fi les generated by the 788T have time code numbers begin on the 0 frame (or 02 in DF modes). If
necessary, pre-roll is dynamically applied to accomplish this. This simplifi es synchronization in post-pro-
duction. Furthermore, all fi les end on the 0 frame such that a fi le's duration is always an integer number
of seconds long. If necessary, post-roll is applied to accomplish this.

Frame Rate

A single time code frame rate is selected in the Setup Menu option TIMECODE: FRAME RATE.
Sound Devices strongly recommends that the appropriate frame rate be confi rmed with Post Production
prior to the start of production.
The 788T supports all of the common production time code frame rates, including:
• 23.976 – This frame rate is most often used in productions shooting with Sony high defi nition
video cameras. Counts 0.1% slower than real time.
• 24 – Frame rate of standard fi lm. Sometimes, it is also used in high-defi nition video production.
• 25 – The frame rate of PAL video. Most often used in video and fi lm production in Europe and
other PAL based nations.
• 29.97 – The frame rate of NTSC color video. Most often used in the USA and other NTSC based
nations. Counts 0.1% slower than real time.
• 29.97DF – The frame rate of NTSC video modifi ed to match real time. Drop frame time code is
primarily used in the NTSC broadcast industry where it is often required that the time code of
fi nished program material refl ects actual real time duration.
• 30 – Originally, the standard frame rate for American black and white television. Today, it is
most often used to sync sound to fi lm where transfer to NTSC video is expected.
• 30DF – This is a rarely used non-standard frame rate. Do not use unless specifi cally requested
by production. Counts 0.1% faster than real time.
• 30+ – This setting is specifi c to Sound Devices recorders. Records at 48.048 sampling rate at 30
frames per second but stamps the fi le at 48kHz, 30 frames per second.
788T/788T-SSD User Guide and Technical Information
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