What is TBC (Time Base Correction)?

A Time-Base Corrector (TBC) is used in video production to correct and stabilize timing errors in analog video signals. It is particularly important when working with older analog video sources or when transferring analog video to digital formats. TBCs help eliminate distortions and artifacts caused by timing discrepancies, ensuring a more stable and consistent video signal. Many video mixers have a built-in TBC function, but there are also standalone TBC units. For glitch e card. The effectiveness and visual result of TBCs varies wildly between devices. Some can perfectly stabilize any glitched video signal, while others struggle. While TBCs are traditionally used for video correction aart, TBCs are mainly useful because they can stabilize a video signal that is output by a glitch box, or stabilize a video signal before it comes into a glitch box. This stabilization is critical for glitch art, where intentional distortions are introduced. Without a stable baseline, glitch effects may be challenging to control, and the results may vary unpredictably. TBCs also help prevent signal dropout when outputting a glitch device to a device other than a CRT TV, such as a USB capturnd stabilization, glitch artists may intentionally exploit these devices to create unique visual effects. By misusing or repurposing a certain device’s TBC, artists can introduce intentional errors and distortions. One famous example is pushing the TBC on a Panasonic WJ-AVE5 video mixer so that it artfully stutters and pauses segments of the image. For more information on TBCs and their usefulness for glitch art, check out this video by YOVOZOL .