The Horita UTG-50 GPS Based Universal SMPTE Time Code Generator is a multi-frame-rate SMPTE time code generator with an internal GPS receiver. The UTG-50 is truly universal and can generate at frame rates of 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97 drop/non-drop frame, or 30 frames-per-second (FPS). The UTG-50 is designed to provide SMPTE time code that represents accurate "real time" time and date. The SMPTE time code time value can be preset and locked to GPS data via an internal GPS receiver, to an internal real-time clock/calendar chip, or to an external time code input.

Date information can be embedded into the user bits of the time code in either HORITA or Leitch formats. Time and date can be set to Greenwich (GMT) or offset to any local time and date. Automatic daylight-savings-time (DST) correction of the time and date is provided and the user can easily setup if and when DST correction is to occur.

The UTG-50 requires an SD composite video input signal in order to display its various "on-screen" setup menus. These menus are separated into various time, date, display, etc., setup screens to provide quick, simple, and easy setup, check out, and monitoring of UTG-50 operation. Once set up, the video input signal is generally not necessary in order for the UTG to operate correctly.

Various time and date display formats are provided if it's desired to overlay time and date onto the input video display.

Up to nine lines of twenty characters each of source ID can be added to the time/date display.

Video genlock feature allows accurate phasing and recording of time code whenever recording time code and video.

RTC chip can be set to GPS time and date to use as an automatic backup should GPS reception be lost.

An "alarm" signal is output if the UTG-50 fails to operate correctly.

User selectable manual and automatic setup modes simplify setting up the UTG-50 for use in typical situations and for special applications of SMPTE time code.

Provides both balanced and unbalanced time code outputs.

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Can this device be used to jam or accept timecode to and from a Tentacle Sync?

A: Yes, if the Tentacle Sync timecode is SMPTE LTC format, the VLR-100 will jam and/or accept timecode from a Tentacle Sync.

Q: 2. Does this work well with newer Macs using USB-C?

A: It depends on what you define as "newer". USB-C refers to the connector type, not the protocol used. The current lineup of Macs all have Thunderbolt 3 on USB-C ports, so yes it works with all of these, as well as older Macs with Thunderbolt 1, 2 ports. Some Macs as recently as 2017 (MacBook and Air) had USB-C ports that did not have Thunderbolt going through them. Apollo x8 works with Thunderbolt 1, 2, or 3 but you must make sure that any Mac that has USB-C connectors is actually using Thunderbolt protocol.

Q: 3. Does this come with the bracket to mount to a ball mount and power cord?

A: The Garmin Drive 53 GPS Navigator BH #GAD53 would come with a suction cup mount and a USB cable for power.

Q: 4. Is this device able to accept a composite video signal with no time code and output a LTC signal slaved to the video?

A: Yes, this device accepts a Composite on BNC and RCA connectors input and has the ability to read VITC or LTC and generate LTC.

Q: 5. Can I daisy chain other Thunderbolt 3 interface (apollo, volt or others/not Universal Audio) and record 4to6 mics same time?

A: You cannot daisy chain other Thunderbolt 3 interfaces with the Apollo Solo Heritage Edition Desktop 2x4 Thunderbolt 3 Audio Interface with SOLO.

Q: 6. Can this output both LTC and VITC at the same time?

A: The VLR-100 reads both VITC and LTC timecode and generates LTC timecode but does not generate VITC timecode. This permits the VLR-100 to translate VITC to LTC.

Q: 7. Will this fit a Joilcan tri-pod? Lower plate width cannot exceed 38 mm.

A: The Fotopro QAL-50 Universal Camera Quick Release Plate can be used in any tripod head that uses the Arca Swiss style plates. So if your Jolican is Area compatible, this plate will fit.

Q: 8. Will this unit put a positional date time stamp overlay on a HD-SDI signal?

A: I am afraid not, this unit works with Composite BNC cables only. You could look in to something like the Datavideo TC-200 & CG-200 HD/SD Character Generator Kit. The Datavideo unit works with HD-SDI and has a user definable clock display.

Q: 9. Is there a simple product that burns a timecode window into HD-SDI? How is it that composite versions are still being sold??

A: Google will have the best answers for both these questions. However, composite video equipment still finds limited use in legacy video systems and applications and in video monitoring applications such as in security and manufacturing systems..

Q: 10. Hello i'd like to know if this cable can be used to jam timecode between a mixpre 6 (II) and an alexa mini

A: Yes, the Ambient Recording TC-IO-35RA Bidirectional Time Code Cable can be used to jam timecode between the Sound Devices MixPre-6 II Recorder and the Alexa Mini Camera.