Offset

Offsets are used when working with SMPTE time code or MTC. Normally synchronization equipment will try to align the time code values when synchronizing two (or more) devices. So, for example, when the master has a time code value of 00:15:20 the synchronizer will try to align any slave machines so their time code values match exactly. In some situations it’s necessary to for the machines to be “offset” from one another in time. Consequently most synchronization equipment allows positive or negative offset values to be programmed for each device, which will cause the machine to track that amount ahead of or behind the master’s time code value. This provides an easy way to keep the machines in sync with one another without having to restripe the time code.