Timecode Burn-In Without External Tools

Overlay frame-accurate timecode directly onto video output. Embed LTC audio. Configure text position, font, color – all from the web interface. No external graphics workstation needed.

THE PROBLEM AION SOLVES:

Broadcast professionals need timecode visible during production:

  • External graphics workstation required (cost, complexity)
  • Sync issues between video and timecode burn-in (drift)
  • Reconfiguring fonts/colors means IT support
  • Adding embedded LTC audio requires separate audio path
  • Setup time delays production start

THE AION DIFFERENCE:

Aion outputs frame-accurate timecode burned into SDI video. No graphics workstation. No drift. No sync headaches.

Video comes in (SDI or HDMI). Aion overlays timecode text in your chosen position, color, and font. Optionally embeds LTC audio into the SDI signal. Everything stays perfectly synchronized because it’s all happening inside the same device.

WHAT YOU CONFIGURE:

TEXT OVERLAY POSITIONING Place timecode anywhere on the video screen. Control:

  • X/Y coordinates (in pixels, with live preview)
  • Font selection (Noto Mono, Courier, system fonts)
  • Font size (adjustable for visibility on different displays)
  • Text color (click color picker, RGB or hex)
  • Background styling (semi-transparent black, opacity control)
  • Border styling (outlines for on-air visibility in bright environments)

Real-world example: Standard broadcast setup has timecode at bottom-right corner in white text with semi-transparent black background, 30pt font for camera monitor visibility. Sports broadcast: timecode at top-left (behind score graphic), yellow text for visibility through overlays. Archive/QC: timecode at center bottom in large font, high opacity background.

GENLOCK SYNCHRONIZATION Monitor GENLOCK status in real-time:

  • GREEN “LOCKED” = timecode is synchronized to video reference (master clock discipline)
  • RED “OFFLINE” = no sync signal, check cables/reference

Once LOCKED, timecode burn-in is frame-accurate. Every frame of video carries matching timecode.

EMBEDDED LTC AUDIO Simultaneously embed Linear TimeCode as audio stripe on one SDI channel:

  • Select which channel (1-16 on SDI models)
  • Toggle ON/OFF on demand (don’t use = leave disabled)
  • One audio track at a time (can’t embed on multiple channels)
  • Downstream recorders capture audio-embedded LTC for backup/archive

USER BITS METADATA Inject 8 hex digits into both the timecode display AND the embedded LTC signal:

  • Common use: Identify broadcast venue/source (e.g., “01234567” = Studio A, Camera 1)
  • Recorded with every frame (archive metadata)
  • Visible in timecode display
  • Sent to downstream devices via embedded LTC

FOR ENGINEERS:

VIDEO PATH:

  • Input: SDI video with embedded audio (optional)
  • Processing: Real-time timecode text rendering at full resolution
  • Output: SDI with overlayed timecode text
  • Latency: Single-frame processing (negligible sync delay)

TIMECODE TEXT RENDERING:

  • Resolution-independent (scales to video resolution)
  • Anti-aliased text for clean edges at any resolution
  • Sub-frame precision positioning (pixel accuracy)
  • No frame dropping during overlay (guaranteed passthrough timing)

GENLOCK:

  • References video sync signal (black burst or embedded tri-level)
  • Discipline source: master clock (GPS/PTP) synchronized to genlock signal
  • Status indicator: shows lock status and frequency offset
  • Automatic re-lock on signal disruption

EMBEDDED LTC AUDIO:

  • Channel selection: SDI audio channels 1-16 (SMPTE standard)
  • Format: AES3 digital audio with LTC data
  • Samplerate: 48 kHz (broadcast standard)
  • Only active when toggle is ON (no wasted bandwidth when not needed)
  • Survives video re-encode if audio path is preserved

USER BITS:

  • 8-digit hexadecimal field (00000000 to FFFFFFFF)
  • Updates in real-time when changed
  • Embedded in both visual timecode AND LTC audio data
  • Common formats:
    • RRGGBBAA (Reel/Genesis/Break/Action)
    • VVCBFFAA (Venue/Camera/Break/Frame/Action)
    • SSDDTTFF (Studio/Source/Date/Time/Frame)

COLOR CONFIGURATION:

  • RGB color picker (standard web interface)
  • Hex input for precise values
  • Brightness/saturation/hue controls
  • Transparency (0-100% opacity for background)
  • Pre-configured palettes (white, yellow, green for different lighting)

FONT RENDERING:

  • Monospace fonts preferred (timecode should be proportional)
  • System-wide font selection
  • Size range: 10pt to 120pt
  • Line height and character spacing adjustable
  • Anti-aliasing ensures readable output at any size

REAL-WORLD WORKFLOW:

  1. SDI camera feed enters Aion
  2. Timecode configured: white 48pt text, bottom-right, semi-transparent background
  3. Genlock locked to master reference (GREEN status)
  4. Embedded LTC enabled on channel 3
  5. User Bits set to “STUDIOABC” (identity this source)
  6. Output to: broadcast monitors, recorder, graphics system
  7. All three devices receive identical, frame-accurate timecode
  8. Recorder has backup LTC audio track (survives edit, archive recoverable)

Post-production operator sees: ✓ Timecode burns in clearly on every monitor ✓ Video and timecode are frame-locked (no sync drift) ✓ LTC audio embedded for archive reconstruction ✓ Source identification in user bits ✓ One device does all of it (no external graphics system)