We have been using the SMPTE generator to sync other machines for a long time, but I must admit that it has been a while now. (Except for setting up remote links for Audio Post Sync which worked well)
For the record, we never-ever had any problems with it. Not saying that there can’t be any right now.
But the list of possible problems is endless.
Just a few things that come to mind:
-SMPTE readers are very sensitive to the level of the SMPTE stream, so you should play with the levels a bit.
-Sure there is no spill from another channel/source at those “error” places.
-Are the systems clocked to the same House clock? (video reference)
-Frame reference vs clock reference?
-What are the error reading settings on the slave machine? (Dropout frames & inhibit restart)
-Try Jam Sync?
Etc …
Fredo