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Glossary

AARDVARK        A large, anteater-like animal found in Africa
ANALOG CLOCK    A "face" clock with traditional hands
ASCII           American Standard Code for Information Interchange. Numerical code for conveying text or other data. Typically sent over a serial interface
BLACK           A composite video signal providing Sync, Blanking, reference Black level and, usually, color burst
CLOCK           A Time-of-Day clock, as opposed to a stopwatch-type elapsed timer
CLOSURE         An isolated relay switch output for controlling external equipment; usually for control circuits, not AC power  
COLOR BURST     A sample of color subcarrier sent in the video signal to synchronize the color system in the receiver 
COMPOSITE       In the case of video, a signal with combined sync, monochrome and color components
COMPONENT       In the case of video, when two separate signals are sent, one for sync & monochrome components ("Y"), the other for color components ("C")
CONVERTER       Unit which interprets a time code supplied to it and outputs the data using a different time code standard (within the limitations of the new standard)
DA              Distribution Amplifier. Device for connecting one output to many loads or condition a signal to drive long cables
EBU             European Broadcasting Union. The European version of SMPTE, sets various technical standards, including EBU Time Code 
ESE             Don't ask
FILTER          A tinted plastic window, increases perceived contrast of LED displays
GENERATOR       Time Code generator. System which encodes time data into a serial bitstream 
GPS             Global Positioning System. Satellite system supplying time & navigation data
INSERTER        Unit which inserts data into a video signal in the form of visible characters
IRIG            Inter-Range Instrumentation Group. Time Codes used principally by the military, originally on missile ranges
LED             Light Emitting Diode. Technology used for most of our time displays
LX              Our rugged, attractive heavy-gauge aluminum enclosure, with black "powdercoated" finish
MASTER CLOCK    An accurate Time-of-Day clock used as a master time source for other equipment or remote displays
OPTION          A factory-order option, as opposed to a user-selectable mode
POWDERCOAT      A process in which electrostatically deposited powder is baked to a hard, durable finish
PPS             Pulse-Per-Second; same as Hertz, though pertaining specifically to a pulse, not a sinewave, signal
RACKMOUNT       Aluminum enclosure mounted to a panel, usually 19" wide, for mounting in equipment racks
READER          Unit which interprets a Time Code supplied to it and provides output of the recovered data in some form
SLAVE           A remote time display, connected to a Master Clock and synchronized via Time Code
SMPTE           Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers. Sets many technical standards for audio & video, including SMPTE Time Code
SYNC            Video signal pulses which signify the beginning of video lines and fields. These are encoded in composite video, or may sent separately
TC76            The first ESE Time Code, sent 20 bit (6 digit, up to 23:59:59) Clock data or 4 digit Timer data to 99:59
TC89            Replaced TC76, includes PM bit and data Format ID code. Still available for compatibility with older slaves
TC90            Current standard ESE Time Code, readable on microprocessor-based ESE slaves, sends 24 bit (6 digit, up to 99:99:99) Clock or Timer data, Date and Auxiliary data
TCXO            Temperature Compensated Crystal Oscillator. Used as accurate time reference in Master Clocks
TIME CODE       A serial digital signal used to convey time data
TIMER           Elapsed time counter; a digital stopwatch
UTC             Coordinated Universal Time. Atomic time, also the local time in Greenwich (London), England during non Daylight-Saving months.
VITC            Vertical Interval Time Code. A Time Code that is "hidden" in the vertical interval (nonvisible portion) of a video signal; a version of SMPTE Time Code.
Y/C             See COMPONENT
ZYGOTE          Word you giggled at in science class

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