Leitch CSD-5300 Clock System Driver (1991)

In the mid-1980s, Canadian broadcast equipment manufacturer Leitch Video was developing a master clock driver which could set itself by making a telephone call to another unit using its built-in modem. At the same time, the National Research Council of Canada was devising plans of a network of clocks which could synchronize each other and disseminate time via the telephone network. The two entities teamed up to create the Leitch CSD-5300, an intersection of timekeeping, broadcast video, and telephony that I think is rather beautiful. This is the history and a demonstration of said system.

As mentioned in the video (beginning at 1:37:23), I am making this CSD-5300 available to call, realizing, in my own little way, the NRC's original goal of a nationwide network of CSDs that could provide time at local numbers. There are two numbers, the first based in Michigan, USA at (989) CSD-TIME ((989) 273-8463), and the second based in New Brunswick, Canada at (506) 408-0067. If you call using a Leitch CSD-5300 or CSD-3901, your unit will grab the time from my unit. My unit will serve the time in Atlantic Time, so the proper offset will need to be set. If you call using a terminal or computer connected to a modem, you can interact with the unit (demonstrated beginning at 1:11:46). If you call and then not interact with the unit, it will wait for 20 seconds, send the time three times, and then hang up.

I would love to know if you call the unit, whether you called with another CSD or a terminal/computer, and how the call worked out.

Table of Contents:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:02:39 - What is time code?
00:07:25 - History
00:10:24 - What is time code used for?
00:15:37 - Physical overview
00:42:44 - Internal components
00:55:58 - Modem demonstration - calling the NRC
01:10:35 - Configuration via serial or phone connection
01:22:22 - Slave clock demonstration
01:36:21 - YOU can call this CSD-5300
01:43:48 - Conclusion

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