What Is Timecode?
Timecode is one of the core concepts at the foundation of all professional video editing. In this section, you'll learn what timecode is, how to read it, and how to use it in Final Cut. Timecode is a label that uniquely identifies each frame of video in your production. In fact, when you record or play back a videotape, you are actually recording, or playing back, more than just audio and video. You are also recording timecode. Each frame of video, and its corresponding audio, is assigned a unique, sequential timecode label.Final Cut reads that timecode and uses it to make sure all your clips and edits are exactly where you want them.Timecode consists of eight numbers, grouped in pairs and separated by colons or semicolons. The first pair of numbers (01) represent the hourin this example, hour 1. There are 24 hours of timecode, starting at hour 00 and ending at hour 23. In a DV environment, all recordings start at hour 00. In a professional environment, timecode can be preset. One of the tricks professional camerapeople often use is to change the timecode hour to reflect the number of tapes being shot. Thus, the first tape would be set to hour 1, the second to hour 2, and so on. This helps keep track of tapes and shots during the editing process.The second pair of numbers (23) represents minutes. There are 60 minutes of timecode, starting at 00 and ending with 59. When the 60th minute arrives, the minutes reset to 0 and the hours increase by 1.The third pair of numbers (15) represents seconds. There are 60 seconds of timecode, starting at 00 and running through 59. When the 60th second arrives, the seconds reset to 0 and the minutes increase by 1.The fourth pair of numbers (08) represents frames. There are three principal frame rates: 24, 25, and 30 frames per second. Frames are displayed from 0 to 23, or 24, or 29, depending upon frame rate. Then, the frame number resets to 0. | Who Uses What Frame Rate? |
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| Frame Rate | Used Where |
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| 30 frames per second | NTSC videoNorth America and Japan | | 25 frames per second | PAL videoRest of the world | | 24 frames per second | Film, most high-definition video, a few DV cameras | Final Cut can edit any of these three frame rates. However, only one frame rate can be selected per sequence. You need to create different sequences for each frame rate you want to edit. A project can contain multiple sequences, each with different frame rates, as needed.
NOTE | The Power of Timecode
The power of timecode is that, since every frame has its own unique identifying number, every frame can be precisely located and displayed. This makes it possible to do frame-accurate edits.In Final Cut, a clip is identified by both its reel name and its timecode, which is why keeping the reel names accurate is so important.Timecode is a label that identifies each frame (the way that "Fred" and "Ginger" uniquely identify two dancers). There are two types of timecode: drop-frame and non-drop-frame. The difference between the two is that drop-frame timecode is used when you want to represent real time, whereas non-drop-frame timecode gives every frame a perfectly sequential number.All DV footage uses drop-frame timecode; professional formats can select between the two. Final Cut also has the capability to select between the two. Which should you choose? If you are shooting DV footage, stay with drop-frame timecode.In a professional environment, non-drop-frame time code is used in film, commercial, DVD, and animation work. Drop-frame timecode is used in any program that will be broadcast, cablecast, or any situation where knowing exactly how long a sequence runs in real time is important.Because timecode is a number, Final Cut uses it to make calculations regarding clip location, duration, playhead placement, and edit points. That's why you are able to move the playhead by simply typing an "offset timecode." What you are saying to Final Cut is, "Please move the playhead forward (+) or backward () the number of frames I type next."In the example at the end of the preceding exercise, we moved the playhead forward 30 frames and backward 45 frames. Remember, there are 30 frames of video in every second of time for NTSC video. |
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