EBUtidskode

EBUtidskode, commonly referred to in English as EBU timecode, is a standardized system used to encode time information for audio-visual material. Developed under the European Broadcasting Union, it provides a common reference that enables synchronization of clocks, video frames, and audio across cameras, decks, and editing systems during production, post-production, and broadcast workflows.

The standard builds on the SMPTE timecode concept and adapts it for European broadcasting practice. It is designed to be interoperable with equipment and formats used in European studios and playout facilities, and it supports a range of frame rates corresponding to common video standards such as 24, 25, and 30 frames per second.

A timecode records time as a sequence of hours, minutes, seconds, and frames. Depending on the format and frame rate, it may be carried as Longitudinal Timecode (LTC) on an audio track or as Vertical Interval Timecode (VITC) embedded in the video signal. It may include user bits to store additional information.

EBU timecode is used for tasks such as logging, synchronizing multi‑camera shoots, aligning audio to video, editing, and archival indexing. It supports features like time‑of‑day stamping and running time, aiding precise navigation to specific moments in material.

In practice, EBU timecode remains widely supported in European productions and is commonly used alongside SMPTE timecode in mixed environments. It serves as a baseline for interoperability among broadcast machines, editing systems, and storage formats.