SMPTE ST 12-1:2014
Time and Control Code
Scope
Defines the time and control code used by television and audio systems at 60, 59.94, 50, 48, 47.95, 30, 29.97, 25, 24, and 23.98 frames per second. It specifies the structure of the time address, binary groups, and flag bits, and two carriers: linear time code (LTC) for recording on linear media or a serial interface, and vertical interval time code (VITC).
Notes
This is the document that defines what crews call LTC or SMPTE timecode. On 17 June 2026 SMPTE opened its whole standards catalogue at no cost, so the full text can now be read without membership or purchase. Approved 20 February 2014.
Where to get it
SMPTE Standards Library — full text PDF
Sources
- SMPTE ST 12-1:2014 Time and Control Code (full text) — SMPTE primary
- SMPTE Makes Its Standards Freely Accessible — SMPTE
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