<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "iOS: 27.0.0 -",
    "iPadOS: 27.0.0 -",
    "macCatalyst: -",
    "macOS: 27.0.0 -",
    "tvOS: 27.0.0 -",
    "visionOS: 27.0.0 -",
    "watchOS: 27.0.0 -"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "CoreMedia",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/CoreMedia/CMClock/nextPreferredStartTimePattern()",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Instance Method",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Instance Method",
    "modules" : [
      "Core Media",
      "CoreMedia"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "s:So10CMClockRefa9CoreMediaE29nextPreferredStartTimePatternAbCE0ghI0VSgyF"
  },
  "title" : "nextPreferredStartTimePattern()"
}
-->

# nextPreferredStartTimePattern()

Returns the pattern of preferred start times, such as for synchronization with an external genlock signal.

```
func nextPreferredStartTimePattern() -> CMClock.StartTimePattern?
```

## Discussion

When a genlock signal is present and disciplined, this function returns a matched time pair in the near future
and the delta between successive times.

---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)