From Manufacturer
The GPS3 SMPTE Time Code Generator/Reader from Horita provides exact time and position in SMPTE longitudinal timecode format for recording on videotape. The code is synchronized to standard time through an interface to a GPS receiver. Time synchronization provides direct correlation of GPS position data with the video recording. GPS3 is used when only time synchronization is required during video acquisition. Because each logged position has a GPS time-tag, the GPS position data can later be matched to the associated videotape images by the GPS3-synchronized timecode. Improved position accuracy can be obtained by applying differential correction when post-processing the raw GPS data logged in the GPS receiver or computer. Unlike the GPS1, the GPS3 adds real-time position data to the user bits of the SMPTE timecode once per second. The position data is subject to the accuracy limitation as imposed by GPS selective availability, unless real-time differential correction is provided in the GPS receiver.
The GPS3 generates and reads SMPTE timecode and provides a video window display of time or user bit data. It features an RS-232 serial output port for timecode and user-bit data input to a computer serial port. The HORITA Time Code TOOLKIT tape logging software is included with GPS3. The serial RS-232 timecode and user-bit data output can be received through a serial port on an IBM compatible PC operating under DOS and running a HORITA program. PC log is provided in the TOOLKIT. The program captures the timecode at the moment a key is pressed. Following the time/position capture, additional comments can be typed through the keyboard. When the Enter key is pressed, the program returns to tracking timecode until the next key entry. The log is recorded as an ASCII file which can easily be displayed, edited, or printed. The TOOLKIT also contains several other programs, including a pop-up timecode calculator program, TC-WINCALC, which simplifies calculation of time durations between SMPTE drop frame timecode addresses. TC-WINCALC also exports timecode, user bits, and other calculator values directly into and out of word processor documents, database or spreadsheet fields, and more.