History of SMPTE/Frame Rates

Let's give a little history lesson. In 1967, The US Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers introduced that which we call SMPTE time code. The original uses of SMPTE timecode include synchronizing video and audio together in film. However, like any technology, it can adapt to other industries including, you guessed it... pyrotechnics! In short, SMPTE is a way to synchronize different systems together so they play/execute at the same time. SMPTE was designed to operate at different "frame rates" in order to match the film industry who uses frames in film. For example, a specific sound or lighting cue may start and end at defined frames which occur at fractions of seconds. The COBRA 18R2 Upgrade Kit supports 30 frames per second.

COBRA also offers sample 90 minute SMPTE time code file. Don't worry, we'll explain this further in SMPTE using COBRA Show Creator and SMPTE using General Audio Source.

Was this article helpful?
0 out of 1 found this helpful

Comments

0 comments

Article is closed for comments.

Articles in this section

Our Support Team Hours:
We can be reached by phone at 518-741-4300 or email help@cobrafiringsystems.com
Emergency Shoot Site Support
COBRA offers a 24-hour support system for on-site emergencies. If you are on a shoot site and encounter a show-stopping issue, please reach out to us via phone at 929-930-6868.