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Getting started with the TimeLink LTC Generator

The TimeLink LTC Generator produces an accurate audio timecode that can be used by Protern Video, Dartfish and Telemetry Overlay to sync data with video. This article covers how to use the device.

  1. TimeLink LED lights
  2. Charging the TimeLink
  3. Turning on/off the TimeLink
  4. How to use the TimeLink
  5. Mounting Options
  6. Usage Tips

TimeLink LED lights

The TimeLink has five LEDs in this pattern: 🟢      🟢 🟢 🟢 🟢 

The left most LED is the power and status LED. The four LEDs on the right indicate the battery level.

Power and status LED states

  • Solid green (not flashing): TimeLink is on and no audio cable is plugged in.

  • Slow flashing: TimeLink is on, audio cable is plugged in and TimeLink is looking for a GPS satellite. It is not yet ready for filming.

  • Fast flashing: TimeLink is on, audio cable is plugged in and TimeLink is producing an LTC audio signal and is ready for filming.

Battery LED states

To see the battery level, press the power button while the TimeLink is on. During charging, the battery LEDs will flash showing you the current battery level.

  • 🟢 🟢 🟢 🟢  - Fully charged

  • 🟢 🟢 🟢 ⚪️ - 95-75% battery level
  • 🟢 🟢 ⚪️ ⚪️ - 50-75% battery level
  • 🟢 ⚪️ ⚪️ ⚪️ - 25-50% battery level
  • ⚪️ ⚪️ ⚪️ ⚪️ - Battery is drained

A fully charged TimeLink will be able to generate an LTC time code for around 20 hours.

Charging the TimeLink

To charge the TimeLink LTC Generator, just plug it in to a standard USB charger. From a completely dead battery it will take approximately two hours to fully charge. When the TimeLink is plugged in, the four LEDs to the right will show the current charge level. The device is fully charged when all four LEDs are solid green.

Turning on/off the TimeLink

Holding the button down at the top corner will turn on the TimeLink. To turn off, hold the button for 2 seconds.

How to use the TimeLink

Here are the steps to ensure the TimeLink is producing an LTC timecode that can be used in Protern Video, Dartfish and Telemetry Overlay for accurate syncing of video to GPS time coded data.

  1. Turn on the TimeLink. The power/status LED will turn solid green.
  2. Plug in the audio cable to the TimeLink. You may need a USB to 3.5mm adapter that came with the purchase of your device.
  3. Plug the audio cable into your video camera's microphone port.
  4. The power/status LED will slowly flash green while it is looking for GPS satellites. The TimeLink is not created an LTC audio signal yet.
  5. Place the TimeLink outside for it to connect to the GPS satellites.
  6. The TimeLink is ready for filming and is producing an LTC audio time code when the power/status LED is rapidly flashing green.

Important: TimeLink needs to be plugged into your camera's Mic (microphone) port. Plugging it into the headphone port - a common mistake - will result in video with no audio time code. 

Mounting options

Your TimeLink will have come with a shoe adapter. This can screw into the bottom of the TimeLink and flat end can slide into your camera shoe. Alternatively, you can use velcro to attach the TimeLink to the camera.

Usage Tips

  • Ensuring your TimeLink has a good view of the sky will result in the most accurate time code
  • Turn your TimeLink on at least 5 minutes before you need to film anything so that it has enough time to connect to the satellites
  • Leaving your TimeLink plugged in 20 minutes after the last battery LED stops flashing will result in a fully topped off charge
  • Your TimeLink will not start looking for a GPS satellite until the audio cable, or USB adapter is plugged into the back
  • If you lose your USB-3.5mm audio cable adapter, you can replace it with any USB-C to 3.5mm adapter or cable that does not have a DSP (digital signal processor) chip built into it.
  • If your video has not LTC time code in the audio, first double check that the TimeLink