A method for synchronizing switching mechanisms or program sequences to an external frame clock pulse, wherein after a given period of time the switching mechanism or program is enabled to be reset and that after this enabling the resetting takes place with the edge of an external clock pulse. Moreover, the resetting takes place immediately after enabling if the edge of the external clock pulse has appeared earlier in time and the resetting takes place in any case no later than after a further given period of time even if the edge of the external clock pulse has not arrived. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also disclosed.