SIST EN 60461:2011

Time and control code (IEC 60461:2010)

This International Standard specifies a digital time and control code for use in television, film, and accompanying audio systems operating at nominal rate of 60, 59,94, 50, 30, 29,97, 25, 24 and 23,98 frames per second. This International Standard specifies a time address, binary groups, and flag bit structure. In addition, the standard specifies a binary group flag assignment, a linear time code transport, and a vertical interval time code transport.
This International Standard defines primary data transport structures for linear time code (LTC) and vertical interval time code (VITC). This standard specifies the LTC modulation and timing for all video formats. This standard also defines the VITC modulation and location for 525/59,94 and 625/50 analogue composite and component systems only.
NOTE The digital representation of analogue VITC (D-VITC) is specified in SMPTE 266M and is defined for 525/59,94 and 625/50 digital component systems only. High definition formats, such as those documented in SMPTE 274M and SMPTE 296M, should use ancillary time code (ATC) as specified in SMPTE 12M-2 (formerly SMPTE RP 188) for transport of time code in the digital video data stream. For future implementations of time code for digital standard definition formats, the use of ATC rather than D-VITC is encouraged.

Zeit- und Steuercode (IEC 60461:2010)

Code temporel et de pilotage (CEI 60461:2010)

La IEC 60461 :2010 spécifie un code temporel et de commande numérique destiné aux systèmes de télévision, films et systèmes audio annexes, fonctionnant à des fréquences image nominales de 60, 59,94, 50, 30, 29,97, 25, 24 et 23,98 images par seconde. La présente Norme internationale spécifie une structure d'adresse temporelle, de groupes binaires et de bits drapeaux. Cette norme spécifie en outre une affectation des drapeaux des groupes binaires, un transport linéaire du code temporel et un transport du code temporel dans l'intervalle vertical. Cette quatrième édition annule et remplace la troisième édition parue en 2001, dont elle constitue une révision technique. Par rapport à l'édition précédente elle comporte la modification significative suivante: est ajouté le code temporel pour des systèmes de télévision à balayage progressif de fréquence image supérieure à 30 images par seconde. La présente version bilingue (2012-02) correspond à la version anglaise monolingue publiée en 2010-03.

Časovni in krmilni kod (IEC 60461:2010)

Ta mednarodni standard določa digitalni čas in krmilno kodo za uporabo v televiziji, filmu in spremnih avdiosistemih, ki delujejo pri nominalni vrednosti 60, 59,94, 30, 29,97, 25, 24 in 23,98 okvirov na sekundo. Ta mednarodni standard določa časovne naslove, binarne skupine in strukturo signalnega bita. Poleg tega ta standard določa dodelitev signala binarne skupine, prenos linearne časovne kode in prenos vertikalne intervalne časovne kode.
Ta mednarodni standard določa primarne strukture za prenos podatkov za linearno časovno kodo (LTC) in vertikalno intervalno časovno kodo (VITC). Ta standard določa modulacijo LTC in časovno razporeditev za vse videoformate. Ta standard prav tako določa modulacijo VITC in lokacijo samo za 525/59,94 in 625/50 analogne kompozitne in komponentne sisteme.
OPOMBA: Digitalna predstavitev analogne VITC (D-VITC) je določena v SMPTE 266M in je opredeljena samo za digitalne komponentne sisteme 525/59,94 in 625/50. Formati visoke definicije in tisti, dokumentirani v SMPTE 274M in SMPTE 296, morajo uporabljati pomožno časovno kodo (ATC), kot je opredeljena v SMPTE 12M-2 (prej SMPTE RP 188) za prenos časovne kode v digitalnem videopodatkovnem toku. Za nadaljnje implementacije časovne kode za standardne definicije digitalnih formatov se spodbuja uporaba ATC pred uporabo D-VITC.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 29-May-2011
• ICS: 33.160.40 - Video systems
• Technical Committee: AVM - Audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 07-Apr-2011
• Due Date: 12-Jun-2011
• Completion Date: 30-May-2011
• Ref Project: EN 60461:2011 - Time and control code

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN 60461:2005 - Time and control code for video tape recorders
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2023
• Replaces: SIST EN 60461:2005 - Time and control code for video tape recorders
• Effective Date: 13-May-2010

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN 60461:2011
01-julij-2011
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 60461:2005
ýDVRYQLLQNUPLOQLNRG,(&
Time and control code (IEC 60461:2010)
Zeit- und Steuercode (IEC 60461:2010)
Code temporel et de pilotage (CEI 60461:2010)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 60461:2011
ICS:
33.160.40 Video sistemi Video systems
SIST EN 60461:2011 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN 60461:2011

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SIST EN 60461:2011

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN 60461

NORME EUROPÉENNE
March 2011
EUROPÄISCHE NORM

ICS 33.160.40; 33.170 Supersedes EN 60461:2001


English version


Time and control code
(IEC 60461:2010)


Code temporel et de pilotage Zeit- und Steuercode
(CEI 60461:2010) (IEC 60461:2010)




This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2011-01-02. CENELEC members are bound to comply
with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard
the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified
to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus,
the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia,
Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B - 1000 Brussels


© 2011 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.
Ref. No. EN 60461:2011 E

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SIST EN 60461:2011
EN 60461:2011 - 2 -
Foreword
The text of document 100/1515/CDV, future edition 4 of IEC 60461 prepared by Technical Area 6,
Professional electronics storage media, data structures and equipment, of IEC TC 100, Audio, video and
multimedia systems and equipment, was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and was approved
by CENELEC as EN 60461 on 2011-01-02.
This European Standard supersedes EN 60461:2001.
EN 60461:2011 includes the following significant change with regard to EN 60461:2001: The time code
for progressive television systems with a frame rate greater than 30 frames per second is added.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN and CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent
rights.
The following dates were fixed:
– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
(dop) 2011-10-02
national standard or by endorsement
– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
(dow) 2014-01-02
with the EN have to be withdrawn
Annex ZA has been added by CENELEC.
__________
Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 60461:2010 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.
In the official version, for Bibliography, the following note has to be added for the standard indicated:
IEC 61169-8:2007 NOTE  Harmonized as EN 61169-8:2007 (not modified).
__________

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SIST EN 60461:2011
- 3 - EN 60461:2011
Annex ZA
(normative)

Normative references to international publications
with their corresponding European publications

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

NOTE  When an international publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod), the relevant EN/HD
applies.

Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

ISO/IEC 646 1991 Information technology - ISO 7-bit coded - -
character set for information interchange


ISO/IEC 2022 1994 Information technology - Character code - -
structure and extension techniques


ITU-R BT.1700 2005 Characteristics of composite video signals for - -
conventional analogue television systems


SMPTE 170M 2004 Television - Composite Analog Video Signal - - -
NTSC for Studio Applications


SMPTE 258M 1993 Television - Transfer of Edit Decision Lists - -


SMPTE 262M 1995 Television, Audio and Film - Binary Groups of - -
Time and Control Codes - Storage and
Transmission of Data


SMPTE 309M 1999 Television - Transmission of Date and Time - -
Zone Information in Binary Groups of Time
and Control Code

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SIST EN 60461:2011

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SIST EN 60461:2011
IEC 60461
®
Edition 4.0 2010-03
INTERNATIONAL
STANDARD


Time and control code


INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
PRICE CODE
X
ICS 33.160.40; 33.170 ISBN 978-2-88910-197-9
® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission

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SIST EN 60461:2011
– 2 – 60461 © IEC:2010(E)
CONTENTS
FOREWORD.6
INTRODUCTION.8
1 Scope.9
2 Normative references.9
3 Terms, definitions and reserved .9
3.1 Terms and definitions .9
3.2 Reserved.11
4 Time representation in 30 frames per second and 60 frames per second systems .11
4.1 Definitions of real time and NTSC time.11
4.1.1 Definition of real time.11
4.1.2 Definition of NTSC time .11
4.2 Time address of a frame.11
4.2.1 Definition of time address of a frame.11
4.2.2 Non-drop frame – Uncompensated mode .12
4.2.3 Drop frame – NTSC time compensated mode.12
4.3 Colour frame identification in NTSC analogue composite television systems.12
5 Time representation in 25 frames per second and 50 frames per second systems .12
5.1 Definition of real time.12
5.2 Time address of a frame.12
5.3 Colour frame identification in PAL analogue composite television systems .13
5.3.1 Colour frame identification .13
5.3.2 Logical relationship .13
5.3.3 Arithmetic relationship .13
6 Time representation in 24-frame systems.13
6.1 Definitions of real time and NTSC time.13
6.1.1 Definition of real time.13
6.1.2 Definition of NTSC time .14
6.2 Time address of a frame.14
7 Structure of the time address and control bits.14
7.1 Numeric code .14
7.2 Time address .14
7.3 Flag bits .14
7.3.1 Definition of flag bits .14
7.3.2 Drop frame flag (NTSC composite television system only) .14
7.3.3 Colour frame flag (NTSC and PAL composite television systems only).14
7.3.4 Binary group flags.15
7.3.5 Modulation method specific flag .15
7.4 Use of the binary groups.15
7.4.1 Binary group flag assignments .15
7.4.2 Character set not specified and unspecified clock time (BGF2=0,
BGF1=0, BGF0=0) .15
7.4.3 Eight-bit character set and unspecified clock time (BGF2=0, BGF1=0,
BGF0=1).15
7.4.4 Date/time zone and unspecified clock time (BGF2=1, BGF1=0,
BGF0=0).16
7.4.5 Page/line multiplex system and unspecified clock time (BGF2=1,
BGF1=0, BGF0=1) .16

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SIST EN 60461:2011
60461 © IEC:2010(E) – 3 –
7.4.6 Clock time specified and unspecified character set (BGF2=0, BGF1=1,
BGF0=0).16
7.4.7 Unassigned binary group usage and unassigned clock time (BGF2=0,
BGF1=1, BGF0=1) .16
7.4.8 Date/time zone and clock time (BGF2=1, BGF1=1, BGF0=0) .16
7.4.9 Specified clock time and page/line multiplex system (BGF2=1,
BGF1=1, BGF0=1) .16
7.5 Clock time reference – Binary group flag combinations.16
8 Linear time code application.17
8.1 Code word format .17
8.2 Code word data content .17
8.2.1 LTC code word content .17
8.2.2 Time address.17
8.2.3 Flag bits .17
8.2.4 Binary groups .18
8.2.5 Synchronization word .18
8.2.6 Biphase mark polarity correction .19
8.3 Modulation method .19
8.4 Bit rate .20
8.5 Timing of the code word relative to a television signal .20
8.6 Linear time code interface electrical and mechanical characteristics.21
8.6.1 Measurements .21
8.6.2 Rise/fall time.21
8.6.3 Amplitude distortion .21
8.6.4 Timing of the transitions.21
8.6.5 Interface connector .21
8.6.6 Output impedance.21
8.6.7 Output amplitude .21
9 Vertical interval application – Analogue television systems .26
9.1 Code word format .26
9.2 Code word data content .26
9.2.1 VITC code word content.26
9.2.2 Time address.29
9.2.3 Flag bits .29
9.2.4 Binary groups .29
9.2.5 Field mark flag.30
9.2.6 Synchronization bits.30
9.2.7 Cyclic redundance check code .30
9.3 Modulation method .31
9.4 Bit timing .31
9.5 Timing of the code word relative to the television signal .32
9.5.1 525/59,94 television system .32
9.5.2 625/50 television system .32
9.6 Location of the address code signal in the vertical interval .32
9.6.1 Location of the VITC code.32
9.6.2 525/59,94 television system .32
9.6.3 625/50 television system .32
9.6.4 Component television system.32
9.7 Redundancy .32

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SIST EN 60461:2011
– 4 – 60461 © IEC:2010(E)
9.8 Vertical interval time code waveform characteristics.33
9.8.1 Waveform characteristics.33
9.8.2 Logic level .33
9.8.3 Rise/fall time.33
9.8.4 Amplitude distortion .33
10 Relationship between LTC and VITC .33
10.1 Time address data.33
10.2 Binary group data .33
10.2.1 General .33
10.2.2 Transferring vertical interval binary group data to linear binary group
data.34
10.2.3 Transferring linear binary group data to vertical interval binary group
data.34
10.3 VITC and LTC code word comparison .34
11 Progressive systems with frame rates greater than 30 frames per second .36
11.1 Time address of a frame pair in 50 and 60 frames per second progressive
systems.36
11.2 Implementation guidelines .36
Annex A (informative) Explanatory notes .37
Annex B (informative) Converting time codes when converting video from 24 fps
television systems.39
Bibliography .42

Figure 1 – Linear time code source output waveform .20
Figure 2 – 29,97/30 frame linear time code example.22
Figure 3 – 25 frame linear time code example .23
Figure 4 – 24 frame linear time code example .24
Figure 5 – Linear time code relationship to 59,94 frame progressive video example .25
Figure 6 – 525/59,94 vertical interval time code address bit assignment and timing.27
Figure 7 – 625/50 vertical interval time code address bit assignment and timing .28
Figure 8 – Vertical interval time code waveform .31
Figure 9 – Example of frame labeling for 50 and 60 frames per second progressive
systems .36
Figure B.1 – Example of conversion of 23,98 fps video to 525/59,94/I .40
Figure B.2 – Example of conversion of 24 fps high definition video to 625/50/I .41

Table 1 – Binary group flag assignments .15
Table 2 – LTC time address bit positions .17
Table 3 – LTC flag bit positions .18
Table 4 – LTC binary group bit positions.18
Table 5 – LTC synchronization word bit positions and values .19
Table 6 – VITC time address bit positions.29
Table 7 – VITC flag bit positions.29
Table 8 – VITC binary group bit positions .30
Table 9 – CRC bit positions.31
Table 10 – VITC logic level ranges .33

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SIST EN 60461:2011
60461 © IEC:2010(E) – 5 –
Table 11 – Summation of VITC and LTC codeword bit definitions .35

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SIST EN 60461:2011
– 6 – 60461 © IEC:2010(E)
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________

TIME AND CONTROL CODE


FOREWORD
1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote
international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To
this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications,
Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC
Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested
in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-
governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely
with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by
agreement between the two organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international
consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all
interested IEC National Committees.
3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National
Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC
Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any
misinterpretation by any end user.
4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence
between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in
the latter.
5) IEC itself does not provide any attestation of conformity. Independent certification bodies provide conformity
assessment services and, in some areas, access to IEC marks of conformity. IEC is not responsible for any
services carried out by independent certification bodies.
6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and
members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or
other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and
expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC
Publications.
8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of
patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard IEC 60461 has been prepared by technical area 6: Professional
electronics storage media, data structures and equipment, of IEC technical committee 100:
Audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment.
This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2001, of which it
constitutes a technical revision.
It includes the following significant change with regard to the previous edition: The time code
for progressive television systems with a frame rate greater than 30 frames per second is
added.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
CDV Report on voting
100/1515/CDV 100/1616/RVC

Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
voting indicated in the above table.

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SIST EN 60461:2011
60461 © IEC:2010(E) – 7 –
This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until the
stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
A bilingual version of this publication may be issued at a later date.

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SIST EN 60461:2011
– 8 – 60461 © IEC:2010(E)
INTRODUCTION
IEC 60461 was originally developed for analogue television recording systems and thus dealt
only with interlaced television systems operating with frame rates up to 30 frames per second.
It is, however, flexible enough in design to be used in digital television systems, both standard
definition and high definition. The support for progressive video systems with frame rates
above 30 frames per second is described in this International Standard.
Clauses 4, 5, and 6 specify the manner in which time is represented in frame-based systems.
Clause 7 specifies the structure of the time address and control bits of the code, and sets
guidelines for storage of user data in the code. Clause 8 specifies the modulation method and
interface characteristics of a linear time code (LTC) source. Clause 9 specifies the modulation
method for inserting the code into the vertical interval of a television signal. Clause 10
summarises the relationship between the two forms of time and control code. Clause 11
summarises time code implementations for video formats with frame rates greater than 30 fps.

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SIST EN 60461:2011
60461 © IEC:2010(E) – 9 –
TIME AND CONTROL CODE



1 Scope
This International Standard specifies a digital time and control code for use in television, film,
and accompanying audio systems operating at nominal rate of 60, 59,94, 50, 30, 29,97, 25, 24
and 23,98 frames per second. This International Standard specifies a time address, binary
groups, and flag bit structure. In addition, the standard specifies a binary group flag
assignment, a linear time code transport, and a vertical interval time code transport.
This International Standard defines primary data transport structures for linear time code (LTC)
and vertical interval time code (VITC). This standard specifies the LTC modulation and timing
for all video formats. This standard also defines the VITC modulation and location for
525/59,94 and 625/50 analogue composite and component systems only.
NOTE The digital representation of analogue VITC (D-VITC) is specified in SMPTE 266M and is defined for
525/59,94 and 625/50 digital component systems only. High definition formats, such as those documented in
SMPTE 274M and SMPTE 296M, should use ancillary time code (ATC) as specified in SMPTE 12M-2 (formerly
SMPTE RP 188) for transport of time code in the digital video data stream. For future implementations of time code
for digital standard definition formats, the use of ATC rather than D-VITC is encouraged.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of
the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO/IEC 646:1991, Information processing – ISO 7-bit coded character set for information
interchange
ISO/IEC 2022:1994, Information technology – Character code structure
...