Adding time code to existing video

Frankenbike wrote on 8/10/2009, 4:16 PM

I have video for a recreational project that comes from multiple sources. Some are from Mini-DV tapes, some from my own Canon HG21.

I'd like to load the video into Vegas Pro, add time code to the tracks, save the video with the time code, set up a time code window to save a burned version that I can hand off to a volunteer assistant to log the time code and content, and then be able to read that time code without a burn window when I'm editing.

Can someone point me to someplace where this is explained if it's been covered, or point me in the right direction for accomplishing this? Thanks.

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Frankenbike

Comments

ushere wrote on 8/10/2009, 4:59 PM

amazing what you get from googling:

Tools - Scripting - Add Timecode to all Media

When finished using the timecode

Tools - Scripting - Remove Timecode from all Media

or

Apply the timecode FX to the clip while it's still in the media pool.
Then drag it to the timeline and you'll see actual tape timecode (as opposed to timeline timecode).

i regularly send clients tc dubs - with both the methods.

leslie

i might add, it's all in the manual....

Frankenbike wrote on 8/10/2009, 6:45 PM

Thank you. At least now I have a base option to go with. This does seem to start the time at 00:00:00:00 for each clip. I was hoping to change the hour on each clip, so I never had the same time code twice. I don't think the clips from the Canon (it's an HDD HD cam) have built in time code, and I haven't found a way yet to set time code, so it may not put unique time code on each clip (every time you stop and start, it's a new clip).

You don't happen to know of any way to change the time code numbers by any chance, do you? Otherwise, awesome advice. Thank you very very much.

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FB

rs170a wrote on 8/10/2009, 7:02 PM

You don't happen to know of any way to change the time code numbers by any chance, do you?

RMB (right mouse button) on top of the ruler that's on top of the timeline and you'll get a menu.
Select the Set Time at Cursor option and then set the beginning timecode to 01:00:00:00 or whatever else you want.
Make sure the script ushere mentioned is not active as it shows source timecode and this is timeline timecode.

Mike

ushere wrote on 8/10/2009, 8:34 PM

if you're really screwed up with tc from tape, do want i do with clients 'oopss, sorry there's a break or two in tc....'

take all footage to tl, render to your preferred 'lossless' codec (i usually use mxf). new project, drop mxf onto tl with either of the previously mention tc's for burn in window dub.... (and use the mxf / whatever as your editing source)

leslie

Frankenbike wrote on 8/14/2009, 12:17 AM

I found it. Right clicking the clip in Project Media and getting the properties window up, there's a radio button for "Use custom timecode". That does it.

This way, I shouldn't get any duplicated timecodes until I hit 23 hours from my assistant.

Thanks everyone for pointing me in the right direction after I was spinning around. Now on to crazier problems.