UDC Timecode Debuts From HRS Control

High Resolution Systems, developers of the popular UDC (universal device controller) software, announces UDC Timecode, a new feature in the protocol translation portion of the UDC Pro Plus package. UDC Timecode enables users to sync UDC control with external timecode or turn UDC in to a timecode generator itself.

"Customers have requested timecode capabilities in UDC for concert tours, trade show exhibits, and theater installations," says HRS's Drew Taylor. "It extends functionality for any project customers want to automate and adds scalability to new projects when they use a timecode automation tool like UDC Software."

UDC integrates a Kiss-Box LTC and MTC transceiver, which allows users to deploy the standard Ethernet network to distribute SMPTE LTC timecode and MTC Midi timecode to any part of their system. "Kiss-Box enables customers to receive LTC or MTC timecode in UDC and add timecode triggers so they can execute a macro at specific timecode intervals or automate control in theaters, museums, concert tours, or theme parks," Taylor explains. "It's an additional benefit for current customers looking for timecode driven automation solutions."

UDC Timecode supports a wide array of timecode-driven devices, including video playback, processors, switchers, recorders, and lighting control consoles; it also extends Art-Net protocol.

"Customers can manually enable or disable the external synchronization of timecode and manually drive the event at times," he adds. "This is useful if one portion of a show is synchronized with timecode and another portion is not."

Derek Ytreeide, technology specialist with Riverview Systems Group, Inc. in Milpitas, California, was one of those who approached HRS Control about offering timecode capabilities to customers. "We needed to implement a complex video playback system in addition to cueing specific lighting commands for our client. UDC was a perfect solution to trigger the video, but we needed it to go further and trigger the lighting cues as well," he says. "UDC already had an internal timecode generator, so they needed to program a way to send out that signal with Kiss-Box in between."

Ytreeide already implemented UDC Timecode successfully for Riverview's client Symantec at the RSA Security conference in San Francisco and is preparing to use UDC Timecode again for their client at the American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) conference in Chicago.

UDC Timecode is available now for customers who have a protocol translation license on UDC Pro Plus.