SMPTE Reader | SMPTE Reader and df code

Hugh Hugh

posted on January 29

Hello,
SMPTE reader seems to be nice for what we want it for but I’m having a problem getting it to work properly.
I’m using the IAC bus for Nuendo to chase- initially it will work, but every minute (didn’t check the tens minutes) the transport skips. This is almost always due to a df/ndf issue. In addition, the sync indicator in Nuendo that should read “sync” when receiving correct tc information, instead reads “29>25” when Nuendo is set to 29.97 fps, or it reads “30>25” when Nuendo is set to 30 fps. There is no reference to 25fps anywhere, neither the Nuendo project nor the SMPTE Reader status display.

The code coming in is 29.97 df.
SMPTE Reader correctly reads code and it’s routed to the IAC bus, confirmed by the fact that Nuendo chases the incoming code from SMPTE Reader.
Setting the Nuendo project to any flavor of 29 or 30, df or ndf, doesn’t fix the situation.

Any ideas? Does SMPTE Reader do df? It’s a nice idea and if it works well I’d happily pay $20 or $30 for it.

Thanks
Hugh Healy
Denali Video

Jan292010

Administrator Administrator

posted on February 1

Hi Hugh!

Are you sure you have the latest version of SMPTE Reader? There once was a buggy version that always generated 25fps MTC – but that was fixed about a year ago.

Have you tried with an other software? I have never tested with Nuendo. (Maybe there is somebody out who has success with Nuendo?)

If you want to, you can send me some of your LTC – timecode – I would be interested in trying it (use the conact link, I’ll send you my iDisk link then)

Well, at all I know SMPTE Reader is known to work, and many people are happy with it. I also do know that there are many issues and problems that may arise. And as I simply haven’t got the time to maintain it and make it perfect it remains freeware.

Regards, Uli

Feb012010

Hugh Hugh

posted on February 8

Hello,
Thanks for responding. I downloaded the latest version on the site. The page lists it as v1.02, the get info of the expanded app is listed as 1.01.
I did a test in Ableton Live, the other app I have that will chase mtc. I set up the control using an external Motu LTC device to ensure I was able to chase LTC in Live. Once that was working I quit Live, disconnected the Motu, then used SMPTE Reader as the tc source via the IAC bus into Live.
When Live is set up with a MTC input of any kind, it blinks an acknowledgement that it is receiving valid sync information even if the filter in the setup window is set to another code type. When Live’s TC filter (which determines it’s absolute position) is set to “All” or “25fps” it chases fine, although at a different absolute position than when using the Motu. When Live is set to any other frame rate – 29df, 29ndf, 30, or 24 – it acknowledges it’s receiving sync info but it won’t chase unless set to 25fps. This tells me SMPTE Reader is outputting 25fps code to the IAC bus, or the IAC bus doesn’t understand 29df. I’m using OS10.5.8.
As originally mentioned my primary app is Nuendo and I’d like to be able to use SMPTE Reader in certain low-profile or very portable situations, but both Nuendo and Live think it’s outputting 25fps code instead of 29df.

Thanks for any help,
Hugh Healy

Feb082010

Administrator Administrator

posted on February 8

Hi!

Well, it seems to be a bug then :(

Give me a few days to get into this.

Sorry for the Issue,

Uli

Feb082010

Hugh Hugh

posted on February 9

Hello,
Thanks, sorry for the bad news. If there’s any testing I can do I’d be happy to, and if there’s a way to contribute financially I’m open to that as well. I haven’t tested the robustness, low cpu hit, or repeatable accuracy of SMPTE Reader, but it has substantial potential because all of us have to lug around LTC>MTC converters and I’m pretty sure folks would use this software if it works well.
Thanks again,
Hugh

Feb092010