Sound Devices 633 - Manual (Page 53)

Timecode
The 633 holds accurate timecode for up two hours between battery changes using its internal, Li-Ion
timecode battery. After two hours without power, the 633 reverts to a slightly less-precise time-of-
day crystal to maintain the date/time of the unit. This timecode battery is charged whenever the 633
is powered up.
If the time-of-day clock is reset during the production day or if the timecode mode is changed from
24 hour run to another mode and back, the timecode value will change. You must re-jam all timecode
devices to ensure proper synchronization.
File-based recorders place a timecode and frame rate stamp in the bEXT and iXML chunks of an
AES31 (Broadcast WAV) file. During playback, the 633 generates SMPTE timecode from this number
and extrapolates it based on the timecode frame rate.
All files generated by the 633 have timecode numbers that begin on the 0 frame (or 02 in DF modes)
and end on the 0 frame such that a file’s duration is always an integer number of seconds long. If
necessary, pre-roll and post-roll is dynamically applied to accomplish this. This simplifies synchroni-
zation in post-production.
Sound Devices Wave Agent Beta for Mac OS and Windows computers allows users to add or edit Begin-
ning Timecode Stamps. (
See “Wave Agent”, page 71 )
The timecode value is always displayed on the all Meter Views. By default, the timecode frame rate
is displayed on the L, R, X1-X4, RTN Meter View only and the recorder sample rate is displayed in
that position on all other Meter Views. The following image shows the L, R, X1-X4, RTNL, RTNR
Meter View with default settings.
Time code value
Time code frame rate
To toggle this display mode (so that the recorder sample rate is displayed on the L, R, X1-X4, RTNL,
RTNR Meter View only and the timecode frame rate is displayed on all other Meter Views), press
and hold the Meters Button, then slide the RTN / FAV Switch left.
The display position and size of the timecode and absolute time can be switched on all Meter Views
from Setup Menu option TIMECODE > Display Mode.
Timecode Modes
The timecode mode determines if the 633 generates or reads timecode and when timecode runs and
stops. Timecode mode is changed from the Setup Menu option TIMECODE > Timecode Mode.
Timecode
633 User Guide and Technical Information
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