What Is SMPTE Timecode?

Direct definition

SMPTE timecode is the broadcast family of address codes defined by SMPTE (notably ST 12). It counts hours, minutes, seconds, and frames, and exists in drop-frame and non-drop-frame varieties for NTSC-related rates.

The sections below explain how SMPTE timecode is used in transcription and subtitle work, what people often mix up, and which VideoText workflow applies when the next step is a file or review pass.

Key takeaways

• Always store the frame rate with SMPTE values.
• Drop-frame is a counting convention, not dropped video frames.
• Subtitle milliseconds are not the same as frame counts.

Why it matters for captions

If an SCC or broadcast package is labeled 29.97 drop-frame and your SRT was aligned as if it were 30 fps non-drop, cues will drift.

Related terms

• drop-frame timecode
• frame rate
• timecode
• All glossary terms

Sources

1. SMPTE: SMPTE Standards