Broadcast Advanced Connections

Genlock and Timecode: Explained

Before learning about Genlock and Timecode individually, it's helpful to understand that they solve two different problems. Although they're often used together in professional productions, one does not replace the other.

Genlock vs Timecode

Imagine four people standing in a row.

Genlock: Everyone Claps Together

Without Genlock, each person claps whenever they want.

👏
   👏
      👏
 👏

With Genlock, everyone claps at exactly the same moment.

👏👏👏👏
👏👏👏👏
👏👏👏👏

It synchronizes when each camera captures a video frame, allowing multiple cameras to stay perfectly in sync during live production.

Timecode: Everyone Numbers Their Claps

Now imagine each clap is assigned a number.

Without Timecode, we do not have labels for the claps, so we cannot tell which clap happened first.

With Timecode, every clap is labeled with a timestamp, so we can tell which clap happened first.

Camera 2
Clap #100
Clap #101
Clap #102

Rather than synchronizing when frames are captured, Timecode gives every recorded frame a common timestamp. This allows editing software to automatically align footage from multiple cameras and recording devices.

Do You Need One or Both?

That depends on your production.

If you're...	You typically need...
Streaming or recording with a single camera	Neither
Recording multiple cameras for editing later	Timecode
Running a live broadcast with multiple cameras	Genlock
Producing professional live broadcasts that will also be edited later	Both

About Genlock

Genlock (Generator Lock) synchronizes the timing of multiple video devices so they all begin each video frame at the same moment.

Instead of each camera running on its own internal clock, connected devices lock to a shared reference signal. This helps enable cleaner switching between cameras and better compatibility with professional production systems.

Genlock is commonly used in Broadcast Studios and Live Event Production.

When to Use Genlock

Common examples include:

• Multiple cameras are connected to a professional video switcher.
• Your production equipment requires a common reference signal.
• You are producing live broadcasts where seamless camera switching is important.

📋What you need

• Video Reference Generator (house sync generator) or compatible reference source
  • Professional productions often use a dedicated video reference generator, such as a Blackmagic Design Sync Generator or an AJA GEN10, to distribute a common synchronization signal to multiple cameras and production devices.
• 75 ohm BNC coaxial cable
• Other production equipment configured to use the same reference signal.

Genlock Connection Setup

1. Connect the SYNC output of your house sync generator to the camera GENLOCK connector.
2. Configure all compatible cameras and production equipment to use the same reference source.
3. Verify synchronization before recording or going live.

📋Important

Genlock carries only a timing reference. It does not carry video, audio, or control signals.

Best Practices

• Use a single master sync generator for all compatible devices.
• Use quality 75 ohm BNC cables.
• Ensure every device is configured for the same video format (for example, 2160p59.94 or 1080p60).
• Verify synchronization before beginning production.

Genlock Specifications

Feature	Specification
Connector	BNC
Direction	Input only
Signal Level	1.0 Vp-p
Cable Type / Impedance	75 ohm coaxial (broadcast video cable)

About Timecode

Timecode is a continuously increasing timestamp assigned to every recorded video frame.

When multiple cameras and recording devices receive the same timecode, each frame shares a common timestamp. This makes footage synchronization much easier during editing and post-production.

Unlike Genlock, Timecode does not synchronize video timing. It provides a shared reference that editing software uses to align recordings.

When to Use Timecode

Timecode is recommended whenever footage from multiple devices needs to be synchronized later.

Common examples include:

• Multi-camera productions
• Interviews
• Broadcast production
• Live events
• Productions using external audio recorders

📋What you need

• External LTC (Linear Timecode) generator or compatible LTC source
• 75 ohm BNC coaxial cable
• Recording devices configured to use the same timecode source

Timecode Connection Setup

1. Connect the LTC output of your timecode generator to the camera TIME CODE connector.
2. Configure all compatible cameras and recording devices to use the same timecode source.
3. Verify that every device is receiving matching timecode before recording.

📋Important

Timecode carries timing information only. It does not carry video, audio, or control signals.

Best Practices

• Use one LTC generator for every camera and audio recorder.
• Verify matching timecode before recording.
• If using portable timecode generators, jam-sync every device before production begins.
• Avoid disconnecting the timecode source during recording.

Timecode Specifications

Feature	Specification
Connector	BNC
Direction	Input only
Signal Type	LTC (Linear Timecode)
Cable Type / Impedance	75 ohm coaxial (broadcast video cable)

About SFP+ Fiber Output

The PTZOptics Rise 4K camera includes an SFP+ (Enhanced Small Form-factor Pluggable Plus) port that allows you to transmit a 4K 12G-SDI video signal over fiber optic cable. While traditional SDI connections use coaxial cable, an SFP+ fiber connection extends the distance you can send uncompressed video while providing greater immunity to electrical interference.

📋What you need

• Compatible SFP+ transceiver module
• LC duplex fiber cable
• Matching SFP+ transceiver (or compatible fiber receiver) on the other end

Fiber Connection Setup

Before you begin ensure your camera is powered on and connected to your network via Ethernet.

When powered, the Rise 4K camera performs a startup sequence:

1️⃣

Self-calibration: During startup, the camera moves through its full range of motion while both the green (Standby) and blue (Power) LEDs are on. When self-calibration is complete, the camera returns to Preset 0

2️⃣

Ready: Once the camera stops moving and the green LED turns off, your camera is ready to use.

Rise 4K includes a built-in SFP+ cage, which accepts a compatible SFP+ transceiver module.

1. Install your compatible transceiver

2. Then connect an LC duplex fiber optic cable between the camera and a compatible receiving device.

3. On the receiving device end install a compatible SFP+ transceiver to connect to your video switcher or fiber receiver.

📋Requirements

The receiving device must also have a compatible SFP+ transceiver or use a fiber receiver that converts the optical signal back to 12G-SDI.

Fiber Connection Diagram

Camera
┌──────────────────────────────┐
│ [ SFP+ Port ]                │
└────────────┬─────────────────┘
             │
      SFP+ Transceiver
             │
      LC Fiber Cable
             │
      SFP+ Transceiver
             │
   Video Switcher / Fiber Receiver

SFP+ Specifications

Feature	Specification
Video Format	12G-SDI over Fiber
Fiber Type	Single-mode (SMF)
Maximum Data Rate	Approximately 11Gbps
Connector Type	LC Duplex
Transmission Distance	Up to 10km (6.2 miles) with single-mode fiber
Stream Carry	Uncompressed 4K Video, Embedded Audio, Timecode, Closed Captions, Ancillary (ANC) Data