This standard defines a transmission format for conveyance of linear (LTC) or vertical interval (VITC) time code data formatted according to SMPTE ST 12-1 in 8-, 10-, or 12-bit digital television data interfaces. Time code information is transmitted in the ancillary data space as defined in SMPTE ST 291-1. Multiple time codes can be transmitted within a single digital video data stream. Other information (such as real time clock, film transfer, DTTR tape timer, and user-defined information) may also be carried in the ancillary time code packet.

This standard is applicable to digital television data interfaces, whether high definition or standard definition.