Subframe

In audio and video timecode operations, a Subframe is a subdivision of one SMPTE or MTC frame. Subframes are generally considered to equal 1/100 of a frame. There is no actual component this small in a timecode word, but the subframe information can be interpreted by monitoring the phase sync of the individual bits making up the signal. In some equipment a slightly more coarse resolution of 1/80 of a frame is used. While often referred to as a subframe, this 1/80 of a frame is more accurately known as a bit, as it refers to any of the 80 bits of individual data that are transmitted as part of a standard timecode word. There are also other derivations of the subframe in use.