Each GstBin holds a GstClock instance. Such an instance can be provided by e.g. GstSystemClock or by an GstElement that is part of the GstBin. Such a clock is like a stop-watch - it will be started when the bin starts to play and will be stopped when the bin gets stopped. Once the clock runs, it can do nice things like calling a callback you have registered at regular intervals. The GstClock is still very much under construction. The following code snipped demonstrates how to get the current clock of the bin and how to show its capabillities: GstClock *cur_clock; GstElement *my_thread; ... cur_clock=gst_bin_get_clock(GST_BIN (my_thread)); if(cur_clock) { g_printf("current clock can do : 0x%x\n",GST_CLOCK_FLAGS(cur_clock)); } If the clock does not suit your needs, you need to obtain a instance and set this as the active clock of the bin.