TC2TR Transceiver: Reliable Timecode Synchronisation Over IP
Keeping Audio, Video and Lighting Systems Working Together
In live productions, broadcast studios and professional AV environments, timing is everything. Audio, video, lighting and other equipment often need to operate in precise synchronisation. Even a small timing difference can disrupt a carefully planned sequence.
As productions become more complex, keeping equipment synchronised across different rooms, stages and control locations can be challenging. Traditional timecode connections often require dedicated cabling, adding complexity to installations.
The TC2TR Transceiver from KissBox provides a practical alternative, allowing timecode to be distributed over a standard Ethernet network.
What is Timecode and Why Does it Matter?
Timecode is a system of identifying precise positions within a recording or production. It provides a common timing reference so that different devices know when particular events should happen. For example, during a live performance, timecode can help coordinate lighting changes with a soundtrack or trigger video content at a particular point in a show.
Two commonly used formats are:
LTC (Linear Timecode) - A timecode signal widely used in broadcast, audio and video production to communicate timing information between equipment.
MTC (MIDI Timecode) - A way of communicating timing information through MIDI messages, commonly used in music production and show control systems.
Both serve the same general purpose, but different equipment may require different formats.
Bringing Timecode onto an Ethernet Network
Traditionally, distributing timecode between locations often meant installing dedicated signal cables, particularly where equipment was spread across a venue.
The KissBox TC2TR Transceiver makes it possible to send and receive LTC timecode and MTC timecode over an existing Ethernet network. Instead of running separate timecode cables between distant locations, installers can use network infrastructure to connect compatible equipment.
This is particularly useful in theatres, studios and larger entertainment venues where lighting desks, audio equipment, video systems and control computers may be located in different areas.
How the TC2TR Transceiver Makes Integration Easier
The TC2TR acts as an interface between conventional timecode equipment and an IP network, helping integrators create flexible synchronisation systems without replacing existing equipment.
It offers several practical advantages:
Flexible Distribution - Send timecode between compatible devices across a standard Ethernet network.
Support for LTC and MTC - Accommodate equipment using different timecode formats within a networked installation.
Controlled Latency - Support timing-sensitive applications with predictable network communication.
Power Over Ethernet - Use a compatible PoE network connection for both power and data, reducing the need for separate power supplies.
Expandable Systems - Connect multiple TC2TR units to distribute timecode between different locations.
The TC2TR uses RTP-MIDI for network communication and can also operate as a timecode and MIDI interface for compatible computer applications. For installers, the benefit is greater flexibility when planning and expanding systems, particularly where dedicated timecode cabling would be inconvenient.
Where Can the TC2TR be Used?
The TC2TR transceiver is suitable for professional environments where accurate timing is essential.
In live events and theatre, it can distribute timecode between equipment controlling lighting, audio and video playback.
In broadcast and production studios, it can provide timecode connectivity between compatible production equipment and control systems.
For museums, visitor attractions and immersive experiences, networked timecode can support synchronised audiovisual sequences across different parts of an installation.
The common requirement is dependable communication between systems that need to operate together.
A More Flexible Approach to Timecode Synchronisation
As AV installations increasingly use IP networks, there are clear advantages to bringing established control and timing signals onto the same infrastructure.
The TC2TR allows integrators to retain familiar LTC and MTC workflows while benefiting from network-based distribution. This can reduce dedicated cabling, simplify expansion and make it easier to connect equipment across larger installations.
For professional AV and production environments, it's a practical way to keep systems working together without making the infrastructure unnecessarily complicated.
