Timecode is a metadata-level form of synchronization, meaning it does not affect how the source devices are actually recording their medium. The goal of timecode is to synchronize all the cameras and audio recorders on set so that in post it’s a matter of clicks to sync them all up correctly. Timecode Signal And Work Flow On A Film Set So if you ever hear that in post, that means mute that audio channel and tell your editor to read it as timecode.įor more information about an overview of how genlock works and specifically how it’s different from timecode, this article explains it easily. Just so you have the knowledge, this is what LTC timecode sounds like: So now it’s just easier to send out audio signals for timecode. This is probably because of the downside to LTC, the fact that it has to be moving to be read, stopped mattering much when everything went digital. Most often you’ll be dealing with LTC, even with a video camera that has a specific timecode input. In short, LTC is an audio based signal, VITC is part of the video signal. The advantage of VITC is that, since it is a part of the playback video, it can be read when the tape is stationary.” VITC (pronounced “vit-see”): recorded directly into the VBI (vertical blanking interval) of the video signal on each frame of video. To read LTC, the recording must be moving, meaning that LTC is useless when the recording is stationary or nearly stationary. “longitudinal timecode” and “LTC”: suitable to be recorded on an audio channel, or by audio wires. There are two main types of SMPTE timecode: LTC and VITC. (Small note if you see a semicolon next to the frames like this 02:01:59 29 your frame rate is using drop frames.)
#TIMECODE LOCKIT FREE#
Most timecode will be used in 24hr free run mode. The hour’s portion can also be used as a 24-hour clock. You’ve probably seen by now what a timecode counter looks like. It’s assumed that you’ll always be working with this protocol so it’s not needed to clarify it. SMPTE just stands for Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, the people who created the standard. We’re actually working specifically with SMPTE timecode. Wikipedia states: “A timecode is a sequence of numeric codes generated at regular intervals by a timing synchronization system.” It is a feature included in some lockit boxes, though, so it’s good to know what it is.įor most production gigs the only synchronization you need to worry about is timecode.
The only time you’d see them on set is if there’s more than one recorder and wanted to make sure their clocks were completely in phase with each other. Unless you’re working in high-end sound production, you do not need to worry about wordclock either.
#TIMECODE LOCKIT SOFTWARE#
You do not need to worry about genlock in post because software will automatically align the frames of all footage. Any time you need to combine two or more videos’ sources into one. It is a common mistake though and you’ll look like a jerk correcting everyone.Īn important thing to note is that genlock is only important during live feeds, such as for television broadcast. If someone uses the word sync to mean timecode, that is technically incorrect. Genlock (generator locking) is most often simply called ‘sync’, it’s even labeled as such on lockit boxes. This is used to synchronize multiple devices and media (both audio and video) on a metadata level. This is used to synchronize multiple digital audio sources’ sample rates to be in phase with each other. This is used to synchronize multiple video sources’ field rates to be in phase with each other. There are three types of sync: Genlock (Sync) Terminology Of Various Forms Of Synchronization With that short introduction, here’s a Complete Guide to Timecode. The most common form of timecode displays hours, minutes, seconds and frames on a linear display in hh:mm:ss:ff format or as an alphanumeric string such as “00:00:01” (hour 00 minute 01 second).
It was developed in 1967 for film production by EECO, an electronics company that developed video recorders, to keep track of individual shots when there were multiple cameras filming at the same time. Timecode is a system that measures time by dividing it into frames and, sometimes, sub-frames.
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