What Denecke does

Denecke, Inc. is a privately held, micro-scale manufacturer (1–10 employees) specializing in SMPTE/EBU timecode synchronization hardware for the professional film, television, commercial, music-video, and concert production industries. Founded by Mike Denecke in 1975, the company self-positions as the industry standard for electronic time code slates, a status it has held since introducing the TS-1 Time Code Slate in 1985. The company is headquartered and manufactures its entire Dcode® product line on premises at 242 S. Young Avenue, Post Falls, Idaho.

Its core technology is precision timecode generation, reading, distribution, and display built around patented smart-slate architectures (U.S. Patent #7,200,320 for the TS-C and U.S. Patent #4,646,167 for the TS-2). The product portfolio spans four active categories: time code slates (TS-C, TS-3/TS-EL, TS-TCB); time code readers and distribution amplifiers (TC-DA, TC-1, TC-MAXI); time code generators (JB-1, GR-2, SB-4, SB-T); and a smaller line of professional audio accessories (PS-1A, PS-2, PS-T microphone power supplies). The company also maintains the legacy Cine Sync® line of electronic interlocks and footage/frame counters for film editing tables, plus the TimeCode ToolBox iOS app. The flagship TS-TCB slate was developed in collaboration with Timecode Systems and adds RF-locked readout, stick-closing transmission, and iOS-mirrored metadata.

Denecke's business model is centered on direct-to-professional hardware sales through a global network of authorized dealers, supplemented by a repair services arm that charges $110/hour standard ($150/hour rush), plus parts. Product pricing is not publicly disclosed. Sales and marketing rely on the company's website, an authorized dealer locator, and organic social channels (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) used primarily for product updates and instructional content. The company remains privately held with no disclosed institutional investors, parent company, or funding rounds; following founder Mike Denecke's death in March 2000, operations have continued under successor leadership honoring the founder's product vision.

Name

Denecke

Legal name

Denecke, Inc.

Website

https://denecke.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Denecke, Inc. is a privately held micro-manufacturer of SMPTE/EBU time code equipment — smart slates, readers, generators, and audio accessories — serving professional film, television, commercial, music-video, and concert production crews through a global authorized dealer network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Time Code Equipment

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (3343)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825)

akta.pro primary industry

Music Programming & MIDI Production (MPAIAHAH)

Keywords

• Time code equipment
• Production sound gear
• SMPTE time code
• Film production accessories
• Electronic time code slates

Headquarters

HQ city

Valencia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Time Code Equipment Sales: Sale of time code slates, readers, generators, and audio accessories to professional film and video production companies
2. Repairs and Maintenance: Repair services for time code equipment at $110/hour standard rate, $150/hour rush rate, plus parts

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Denecke, Inc. manufactures the Dcode® line of professional time code equipment for the entertainment industry, including Time Code Slates, Time Code Readers, Time Code Generators, Audio Accessories, and Cine Sync® editing interlock equipment. All products are manufactured on-premises in Post Falls, Idaho, and are sold to professional film, television, commercial, and music video production crews worldwide through an authorized dealer network. The company also offers repair services and a TimeCode ToolBox iOS mobile app.

Product overview

Denecke, Inc. manufactures the Dcode line of professional time code equipment for the entertainment industry. The product portfolio includes: Time Code Slates (TS-C, TS-3/TS-EL, TS-TCB) for on-set synchronization; Time Code Readers (TC-DA, TC-1, TC-MAXI) for reading time code from VTRs and editing equipment; Time Code Generators (JB-1, GR-2, SB-4, SB-T) for generating and syncing time code; Audio Accessories (PS-1A, PS-2, PS-T) including microphone power supplies; and Cine Sync equipment (K-2, EC-2TC, EC-2RM) for film editing synchronization. The company also offers the TimeCode ToolBox mobile app for iOS devices. Denecke's products are manufactured in Post Falls, ID and are used extensively in film, video, and music production worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Dcode®: The main product brand for Denecke's time code equipment including slates, readers, generators, and audio accessories.
• Cine Sync®

Products and services

• TS-C Time Code Slate A compact full featured smart slate capable of reading, generating and displaying SMPTE/EBU time code for professional film and video production. Protected by U.S. Patent #7,200,320.
• TS-3/TS-EL Time Code Slate Reads and displays SMPTE/EBU Time Code with internally mounted SB-2 Syncbox Time Code Generator for professional film and video production.
• TS-TCB Timecode Slate Displays and reads SMPTE/EBU time code with accurate RF-locked readout, transmission of stick closing timecode, and a second ultra-bright LED dot matrix display to mirror metadata from iOS applications. Developed in collaboration with Timecode Systems.
• Dcode TC-DA Distribution Amplifier Compact timecode distribution amplifier and re-shaper measuring 3.00" x 1.06" x 1.50" and weighing 4 oz. Re-shapes low level timecode up to 3 Volt peak to peak level for driving professional equipment.
• TC-1 Time Code Reader Reads SMPTE and EBU time code from VTRs, videocassette recorders, film editing machines, and film synchronizers. Special order item.
• TC-MAXI Time Code Reader Studio Time Code Reader displaying SMPTE/EBU time code with large four inch LEDs. Special order item.
• Dcode JB-1 SyncBox Time Code Generator Compact timecode generator measuring 1.84" x 1.36" x 0.63" and weighing 2 oz. Features a display and menu system, reads, generates and jam syncs to all standard frame rates including 23.976 for HD shoots.
• GR-2 Master Clock Precision time code generator/reader designed for production sound recording.
• Dcode SB-4 SyncBox Time Code Generator Designed to replace the SB-3 in the Denecke line of Time Code Generators, featuring a display and menu system for ease of use and display of timecode and settings.
• SB-T Time Code + Video Sync Generator Reads, generates and jams to all standard frame rates including 23.976 for High Definition Video.
• PS-1A Microphone Power Supply Low noise, Phantom 48 volt microphone power supply for professional production audio use.
• PS-2 Dual Channel Microphone Power Supply Low noise, Phantom 48 volt dual channel microphone power supply for professional production audio.
• PS-T Microphone Power Supply Low noise T-Power 12 volt microphone power supply for professional production audio.
• K-2 Electronic Interlock Cine Sync K-2 Electronic Interlock designed to interlock the KEM Universal, Junior and RS-Super editing tables enabling them to be operated together as a single unit.
• EC-2TC Footage/Frame Counter Cine Sync universal footage/frame, time/frame counter for film editing rooms.
• EC-2RM Rack Mount Counter Cine Sync studio footage rack mount counter designed for film dubbing and screening rooms.
• TimeCode ToolBox App Mobile app designed to Read and Generate LTC time code using iOS devices.
• Repair and Maintenance Service Repair and maintenance services for Denecke time code equipment, offered at $110/hour standard rate with half hour minimum and $150/hour rush rate, plus cost of replacement parts. Warranty period for repairs is 90 days and does not cover water damage.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 30% faster telecine transfers compared to traditional sync methods
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Timecode SystemscoreTechnology or IntegrationCollaboration with Timecode Systems for the TS-TCB Time Code Slate development. The TS-TCB features RF-locked readout, transmission of stick closing timecode, and ultra-bright LED dot matrix display to mirror metadata from iOS applications. This partnership brings together Denecke's slate expertise with Timecode Systems' wireless time code technology.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Zaxcom: Designs and builds wireless professional audio systems and time code-enabled recorders/IFBs for film and broadcast; comparable as a niche pro-audio hardware specialist serving sound mixers and production crews.
• Timecode Systems: Direct peer and existing integration partner — manufactures wireless/networked time code products (including those integrated into Denecke's TS-TCB), serving the same film/broadcast/concert sound mixer customer base.
• Transvideo (formerly Aaton): French heritage maker (Aaton-Cantar lineage) of on-set digital slates and professional monitors for film and TV; one of the closest historical direct competitors to Denecke's time code slate line.
• Ambient Recording: Manufacturer of professional time code equipment for film and broadcast production (Lockit boxes, sync boxes, timecode slates). Closest direct competitor on time code generators and slate products.
• Sound Devices: High-end professional audio/film production equipment maker (recorders, mixers, timecode-enabled products like the 833, MixPre). Directly comparable as a specialist hardware vendor to the same production sound mixer and TV/film crew buyers.

Broad incumbents

• Canare: Broadline manufacturer of professional audio/video cable, connectors, and signal distribution gear for broadcast and production; overlaps on the audio accessory and signal distribution side of Denecke's catalog.
• Tascam (TEAC): Long-established manufacturer of professional and prosumer audio recorders with embedded timecode (e.g., DR-60D, HS-P82); broader portfolio but overlaps on timecode-equipped portable production audio gear for the same end users.
• ARRI: Major incumbent in film and TV production equipment (cameras, lighting, accessories); comparable as a high-end specialty hardware brand serving the same production sound and camera assistant buyers, though much larger and broader in scope.
• Blackmagic Design: Broad provider of cameras, switchers, converters and timecode accessories for video/broadcast production. Sells affordable time code generators and embedders that compete at a different price tier but same workflow.

Emerging players

• Senal Professional Audio: Makes pro audio accessories for video/film production including microphone power supplies and field audio gear that overlap with Denecke's Dcode PS-1A/PS-2/PS-T phantom power line.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Denecke_Inc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DeneckeINC
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
• Instagraminstagram.com/Denecke_Inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Denecke