Timecode (LTC) Issues
The LTC Bridge captures linear timecode (LTC) from an audio input and uses it to lead timeline playback through a Director. Problems usually trace to the incoming signal, the audio device, the bridge configuration, or the path to the Director. For setup and configuration, see LTC Bridge.
| Symptom | Likely cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| No signal (volume bar red or absent) | Source level too low, long cable run, or wrong device or channel | Raise the source level or shorten the cable. Confirm the device type, device name, and channel. Channel is 1-based — channel 1 is the first input. |
| Signal present but timecode reads INVALID | A noisy or distorted signal corrupts the bi-phase-mark encoding | Check the Bi-phase mark and Invalid frame counters. Avoid running the LTC audio through anything that resamples or filters it. |
| Playback does not start | No timeline in the Timelines to Lead list, or the Target Director is unreachable | Add at least one timeline to Timelines to Lead. Confirm Target Director points at a reachable Director. |
| Playback control and sync pause unexpectedly (log shows M80020) | The bridge cannot reach the Director | Restore the network path to the Director. Sync resumes once it is reachable again. |
| No signal and the device will not open (log shows M80030 or M80031) | Audio capture failed, or the selected device is unavailable | Reconnect or reselect the audio device. The bridge keeps retrying until the device is available. |
| Playback runs but does not line up with external systems | A constant lead or lag, which is not drift | Use the per-timeline offset to advance or delay each timeline. For audio/video lipsync, use the audio device Latency slider instead. |
| The LTC bridge and the audio renderer share one device | ASIO is single-client and cannot be shared | Put one of the two on WASAPI or WASAPI Exclusive (see Sharing a Card with Audio Input). |
| Standalone and managed bridge conflict | Both target the same exclusive (ASIO or WASAPI Exclusive) device | Close the standalone WATCHOUT LTC Bridge window. A timer icon in the Nodes window means the managed bridge is already running. |
Related
- LTC Bridge — setup, configuration, and the standalone diagnostic window.
- Audio Issues — audio-device problems, including ASIO single-client contention.
- Network Issues — when the bridge cannot reach the Director.