Professional SMPTE LTC Timecode Generator for Windows
Converts timecode data into a bi-phase mark encoded audio signal, routable to any audio output — field recorder, camera audio track, or audio interface — for shot synchronisation in film, television, commercial, and gaming production.
Latest release: v2.0.3 - see the Releases page to download.
- Fractional-sample-accurate LTC — no drift at pull-down rates (29.97, 59.94, 47.95)
- SMPTE ST 12-1 standard frame rates: 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 29.97DF, 30
- SMPTE ST 12-3 high frame rate extension: 47.95, 48, 50, 59.94, 59.94DF, 60, 96, 100, 120 fps (toggle HFR rates on/off — keeps the UI clean for standard production)
- Configurable output level — −18 to 0 dBFS slider, default −12 dBFS
- Output channel routing — Left (Ch 1), Right (Ch 2), or Both
- NTP time-of-day sync — sub-second frame alignment from pool.ntp.org
- TC display colour — Amber, Red, or Green
- Compact mode — collapses to TC display + controls, docks above the taskbar
- Free mode — 75 minutes of generation per calendar day, all features included
| Label | Rate | Standard | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23.976 | 24000/1001 fps | SMPTE ST 12-1 | Cinema pull-down, HD streaming |
| 24 | 24.000 fps | SMPTE ST 12-1 | Digital cinema, DCP |
| 25 | 25.000 fps | EBU / PAL | European broadcast — default |
| 29.97 | 30000/1001 fps | SMPTE ST 12-1 | NTSC, non-drop frame |
| 29.97DF | 30000/1001 fps | SMPTE ST 12-1 | NTSC, drop frame — wall-clock accurate |
| 30 | 30.000 fps | SMPTE ST 12-1 | Music, some North American broadcast |
| Label | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 47.95 | 48000/1001 fps | 2× pull-down |
| 48 | 48.000 fps | HFR cinema |
| 50 | 50.000 fps | PAL HFR |
| 59.94 / 59.94DF | 60000/1001 fps | NTSC HFR |
| 60 | 60.000 fps | NTSC HFR |
| 96 | 96.000 fps | High-speed cinema, ST 12-3 |
| 100 | 100.000 fps | PAL HFR, ST 12-3 |
| 120 | 120.000 fps | NTSC HFR, ST 12-3 |
Note on HFR frame number encoding: At frame rates of 60 fps and above, mh LTC Generator v2.0.3 uses standard BCD encoding. The frame counter rolls over at 99 rather than at the true frame count per second. The audio signal timing is sample-accurate at all rates. For sync reference use (e.g. Xsens mocap, witness cameras), the signal is fully functional. Frame-number-dependent workflows at 60+ fps should await a future update. See the user manual, Section 12.5.
| Level | Use |
|---|---|
| −18 dBFS | EBU nominal — calibrated professional systems |
| −12 dBFS | Default — most audio interfaces and cameras |
| 0 dBFS | Avoid — clipping corrupts LTC transitions |
| Component | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 or Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Audio | Any WASAPI-compatible output device |
| CPU | Dual-core 2 GHz or faster |
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Disk | 100 MB |
| Internet | Optional — NTP sync only |
| Mode | Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Free | 75 min/day | All features — daily limit resets at midnight |
| Individual | None | Single machine, MAC-address bound, no expiry |
To register: go to Help → Register / License… in the application. A pre-filled email opens with your system information. Send it, and your license file will be issued within 24 hours.
The release executable is signed with an OV code-signing certificate (Certum) and RFC 3161 timestamped. Submitted to Microsoft WDSI prior to public release. VirusTotal - clean scan.
© 2026 Martin P. Heigan. All Rights Reserved.