Timecode Display

 
 


PieroF_Timecode_Display_v4.2.fxscript.zip: (click the link to Download)

What does it do ?

NB: Update now from v4.0 or 4.1: version v4.2 includes bug fixes for versions 4.x! (see also Version History below)

Timecode Display is a freeware filter that displays the Timecode information for clips. Its main purpose is to provide Final Cut Express users with a functionality otherwise reserved to Final Cut Pro users: displaying and “burning” the clip source timecode by means of the FCP built-in filter Video/Timecode Reader. In FCP this filter displays the current playhead Timecode, but doesn’t provide any other information, nor has the flexibility of this Timecode Display. Timecode Display may possibly be useful also to FCP users (see also Bug Warning below).

The main displayed information is the current timecode, that is, the timecode at the playhead position; but you can choose to display also the timecodes of the IN and OUT points, and/or the timecodes of the start and end of the clip’s media file, as well as the clip “handles” size.

Three types of timecode are available: the source timecodes (as in FCP) as recorded by the camcorder, otherwise not visible in FCE; or the FCE timecodes, that are relative to the media start, as usually displayed in the FCE windows; or the clip timecodes relative to the clip IN point (See note (a) for FCP users).

The generated text is formatted and positioned in the frame at your choice, and its output format (as described in Timecode) is compliant with the SMPTE standards, including the NTSC drop-frame convention.

As a bonus the filter has the ability to display also Date and Time: unfortunately, to my knowledge, there is no way for the filter to read Date and Time info embedded in the clip (as it does for the timecode), so a semiautomatic or semimanual solution is made available: you write the date and time for a convenient timecode of your choice in the clip (media start, IN, or OUT, or other) and the filter will display the correct date and time at each frame of the clip.




In the above example, the italic value in the middle line (currently 00:06:33:20) is kept updated during playback and displays the timecode of the current playhead position and the current frame rate (@ 25 fps = frames per second); the top line contains both the media start timecode for the clip, in brackets [00:06:14:14], and its IN point timecode 00:06:33:20; finally the bottom line contains both the OUT point timecode for the clip 00:07:05:23, and its media end timecode, in brackets [00:07:05:23]. In this example the OUT point is set to the end of the clip media, so they have identical values (no “handle”).


Note that, if the timecode information is needed only during the edit session, you can easily remove or disable the filter before exporting the movie; if instead you need the timecode information “burned” into the movie, just leave it there and it will appear also in the exported movie.

Basic usage

After its Installation drag the filter Timecode Display v4.0 from the Video Filter > pf folder of Effects into the Viewer on the clip of which you want see the timecode and or the date, and then set the controls.

In general the default values are sufficient (in the above example also the Media Start/End Timecode option is selected), but if needed you may select any combination of the 6 controls following the Timecodes selection (Source timecode by default):

  1. •Current TC, always the middle line in italic

  2. •In/Out TC, on the top and bottom lines, no brackets

  3. •Media Start/End TC, on the top and bottom lines, always in brackets

  4. •Handles Size; always prefixed by a sign: in the top line -xx:xx:xx:xx is the difference between the media start timecode and the IN point; in the bottom line +xx:xx:xx:xx is the difference between the media end timecode and the OUT point

  5. •Reel Name, always in the middle line, in italic, as defined during the media capture

  6. •Show fps: it displays “@ xx fps”

By default the output values are stacked as in the picture above and centered in the frame over a grey, half transparent box. If you need more flexibility in positioning or formatting the output, or need to display also the date and time, refer to the next section Advanced Usage.

Compatibility, Disclaimer

This Timecode Display filter has been tested in Final Cut Express HD v4.0.1 and Final Cut Pro v6.0.2, but it will likely work also in other versions of FCE and FCP as long as they provide support for the fxscript language (see also the Disclaimer).

Version History

Bug warning: Version v4.2 is still a beta version: if the plugin is used in FCP (only), an open issue prevents from displaying correct FCE or clip timecodes. Instead no known issue exist when displaying Source Timecodes in either FCE or FCP, or FCE or clip timecodes in FCE.

v4.1 and 4.2 - Important bug fixes for the v4.0 version. A new control is now used: “Plugin used in:”.

v4.0 - Re-coded: now working with all allowed frame rates in FCP: p24, i50 (PAL), p25, i60 (NTSC), p30, p50, p60; it now displays the actual timecode of a clip depending also on the containing sequence frame rate.

v3.3 - Interface improvements (thanks Tom Wolsky).

v3.2 - The frame rate information (“@ xx fps”) is now optional.

v3.1 - Added the possibility to simulate Date and Time information.

v3.0.5 - Added the possibility to display Reel Name and to add a transparent box under the text.

v3.0.4 - Fixed NTSC handling of drop frames - Added the choice of timecode type.

Advanced Usage

After its Installation choose the filter as described in Basic Usage above, and then set the following controls.


  1. •Plugin used in: (default: FCE): it is necessary to tell the plugin whether it is used in FCE or in FCP:

  2. ‣FCE: the plugin is used in FCE

  3. ‣FCP: the plugin is used in FCP. If you use this plugin in FCP, don’t forget to set this control to FCP: otherwise the wrong values are displayed!

Display Format:


  1. •Timecodes (default: Source TimeCode): it is one of the following:

  2. ‣Source TimeCode: the original timecode values are displayed as recorded by the camcorder while shooting, and then recorded by FCE into the media files while capturing. This way the filter displays timecodes otherwise hidden by the FCE, but used by Reconnect Media and Project Capture.

  3. ‣FCE TimeCode: the timecode values are displayed relative to the start of the media file. The displayed values are those displayed by FCE in the current timecode field of the viewer for the clip.

  4. ‣Clip TimeCode: the timecode values are displayed relative to the IN point of the clip (see Note (a))

  5. •Current TC (default: ON): if checked the timecode value is displayed for the frame under the playhead. This may be source, or FCE, or clip depending on the selected Timecodes. Note: if no other display option is selected the current timecode is displayed even if Current Timecode is OFF.

  6. •IN/OUT TC (default: ON): if checked the timecode values are displayed for both the IN and the OUT points of the clip. These may be source, or FCE, or clip depending on the selected Timecodes. In case of clip timecode the IN value is always 00:00:00:00.

  7. •Media Start/End TC (default: OFF): if checked the timecode values are displayed for both the start frame and the end frame in the clip media file. It is always displayed surrounded by square brackets and it may be source or FCE depending on the selected Timecodes. In case of FCE type the Media Start/End Timecode value is always 00:00:00:00. In case of clip timecode no Media Start/End Timecode is displayed independent of this checkmark.

  8. •Handle Size (default: OFF): if checked the sizes are displayed of the two clip handles. In other words the difference between Media Start and the IN point timecodes is displayed (always a negative timecode value) and the difference between Media End and the OUT point timecodes is displayed (always a positive timecode value). These are always displayed prefixed by their sign.

  9. •Reel Name (default: OFF): if checked the reel name of the clip is displayed in front of the Current Timecode. The reel name of the clip is defined in the Capture window.

  10. •Show fps (default: ON): if checked the current frame rate is displayed after the Current Timecode.

Text Style:


  1. •Font, Style and Color: they set the text style for the counter (default: Lucida Grande, regular, white)

  2. •Size (default: 70): font size is a percentage of 1/12th of frame height.

Box Style:


  1. •Center Point (default: centered in the frame = 0,0): it sets the position of the Box in the frame.

  2. •Align (default: Center): it defines the alignement of the text within the Box

  3. •Display (default: Stacked): when Display = Stacked, up to 4 lines are displayed (see examples below) depending on the Display Format selection: the first with Media Start, left Handle Size, In point, the second with the current timecode, the third Date and Time, the fourth with OUT point, right handle size, and Media End. Which values are displayed depends on the above options.
    When     Display = Inline the above timecode values are displayed on a single line, the same order.

  4. •Line Spacing (default: 100): it allows to add or remove blank space between timecodes.

  5. •Opacity (%) (default: 50): it defines the opacity for the Box under the timecodes.

  6. •Color (default: Black): it defines the color for the Box.

Date and Time (manual):


  1. •Show Date and Time (default: OFF): if checked a date and time information is displayed based on the input provided with the following controls.

  2. •Format (default: Date hh:mm:ss): you can choose one of 7 formats for displaying the Date and Time:

  3. Date hh:mm:ss, Date hh:mm, Date h:mm am/pm, hh:mm:ss, hh:mm, h:mm am/pm, Date.

  4. Where hh=hours, mm=minutes, ss=seconds, h=hours 1-12. The displayed value is computed based on the following control information:

  5. •Date (default: Jan 1, 2007): is a fixed, free text that might in fact contain any message.

  6. •Time (hh:mm:ss) (default: 00:00:00): is a value with format [[hhh:]mmm:]sss defining a time according to the standard conventions where hhh means hours, mmm minutes and sss seconds. However it is not required that mmm and/or sss be in the range 0-59: any value is allowed. So, as examples: 120 means 00:02:00 (120 sec = 2 min); 1:: means 01:00:00 (1 hour); 120:0 means 02:00:00 (120 min = 2 hour), etc.

  7. The above Date and Time values must refer to one of the reference points (e.g. Media Start, or IN Point, etc.) that can be selected with the Above values refer to control. The filter will display an updated hh:mm:ss information for any frame position in the clip (note: Date never changes).

  8. •Above values refer to (default: Media Start): it is one of the following:

  9. ‣Source Timecode 00:00:00:00: the input Date and Time values refer to the first frame of the recording while shooting with the camcorder. Using this selection you can enter the same value for all clips captured from that record on MiniDV.

  10. ‣Media Start: the input Date and Time values refer to the start of the media file. In this case the values to be set into Date and Time above may easily be read with the support of external tools (e.g. iMovie or FootTrack).

  11. ‣IN Point: the input Date and Time values refer to the IN point of the clip.

  12. ‣OUT Point: the input Date and Time values refer to the OUT point of the clip.

  13. ‣Media End: the input Date and Time values refer to the end of the media file.


Timecode Display Examples:

  1. A. With all the default values the output looks like this:

  2. 00:06:33:20

  3. 00:06:35:02 @ 25fps

  4. 00:07:05:23


  6. Where the displayed timecode is the source timecode, the IN point is at absolute 00:06:33:20 and the OUT point at 00:07:05:23. The playhead is on absolute position 00:06:35:02.

  7. B. With Timecodes = Source Timecode (default) and all are options checked the output looks like this:

  8. [00:06:14:14]   -00:00:19:06   00:06:33:20

  9. Reel: DV16 - 00:06:35:02 @ 25fps

  10. 00:07:05:23   +00:00:00:00   [00:07:05:23]


  12. Where the clip media file starts at absolute 00:06:14:14 and ends at 00:07:05:23; the IN point is at absolute 00:06:33:20 and the OUT point at 00:07:05:23 (OUT point is at the end of the media file). The left handle is then of 00:00:19:06 frames while the right handle is empty. The playhead is on absolute frame 00:06:35:02. The reel was named DV16 during capture.

  13. These values are used also in the example of the Timecode description.

  14. C. With Timecodes = FCE Timecode and all options checked (but Reel Name) the output looks like this, for the same clip and playhead position as above:

  15. [00:00:00:00]   -00:00:19:06   00:00:19:06

  16. 00:00:20:13 @ 25fps

  17. 00:00:51:09   +00:00:00:00   [00:00:51:09]


  19. Where the clip media file starts at relative 00:00:00:00 (always) and ends at 00:00:51:09; the IN point is at relative 00:00:19:06 and the OUT point at 00:00:51:09 (OUT point is at the end of the media file). The left handle is of 00:00:19:06 frames as above, while the right handle is empty. The playhead is on relative frame 00:00:20:13.

  20. D. With Timecodes = Clip Timecode and all options checked (but Reel Name) the output looks like this, for the same clip and playhead position as above:

  21. 00:00:00:00

  22. 00:00:01:07 @ 25fps

  23. 00:00:32:03


  25. Where the clip IN point is at local 00:00:00:00 (always) and the OUT point at 00:00:32:03. The playhead is on relative frame 00:00:01:07. No media start/end nor handle sizes are displayed, since they’d be meaningless.

Date and Time Display Examples:

  1. A. With just the Date and Time display option selected the output looks like this:

  2. Jan 1, 2007 12:06 am

  3. B. With Current Timecode and Date and Time display options selected the output looks like this:

  4. 00:44:05:20 @ 25fps

  5. Jan 1, 2007 12:06 am

Date and Time Setup - Example of Process (tip):

  1. To get a correct Date and Time all over a clip you must first set the Date and Time values for one out of the 5 reference points in the clip, selecting the proper Above values refer to value. The most common selection is the default Media Start point, since other tools are able to read the Date and Time (e.g. iMovie and FootTrack) exactly for that point.

  2. A possible process to set the correct date and time, using FootTrack (FT) as a support application, is the following:

  3. 1.in FCE capture the movie from the MiniDV camcorder;

  4. 2.then apply DV Start/Stop Detect to the clip, and then Make Subclips;

  5. 3.in FT make sure the options Detects DV Start/Stops when importing and when capturing are set in the FT Preferences/Importing panel;

  6. 4.in FT use File/Import Video to import the media file already captured by FCE (from the FCE Capture Scratch folder): FT creates the same number of clips as FCE, without actually duplicating the media file. However, different from FCE, for each new clip FT displays date, time and timecode of the first frame at its Media Start (see Figure 1);

  7. 5.in FCE apply the Timecode Display filter to all the subclips

  8. 6.finally for each FCE subclip manually copy Date (es. 14/4/2006) and Time (es. 15:28:00) from the Recorded line (NB: not from the T/C in/out line!) in the corresponding FT clip, into the filter control  Time (hh:mm:ss); make sure Media Start is selected in the control Above values refer to (see Figure 2).

  9. Tip: The last 2 steps may be substituted by: apply the Timecode Display filter to the first clip, write only the Date field, Copy the clip (cmd-C) and Paste Attributes (alt-V) to all remaining clips. This avoids writing the same date many times: only the Time must be set for each single clip.

  10. Figure 1 - Date, Time and Timecode displayed by FootTrack


  12. Figure 2 - FCE Timecode Display filter controls set to the same values as in FootTrack



Notes:

  1. (a)Note for FCP users: the clip timecode in this filter is not the clip time as defined in FCP. The clip timecode in Timecode Display is the number of frames measured from the clip IN point; the clip time in FCP, instead, is a possibly new value for the source timecode resulting from applying either a different frame rate, or the Time Remap function: it does not refer to the IN point.