GH5 and Sync with TimeCode in VP16

eikira wrote on 3/22/2019, 11:53 AM

Hey everyone.

First the Specs:
Windows 10, Build 1809
Vegas Pro 16, Build 361

Videos:
3 Clips
MP4, 1080p, 50fps, 422, 10bit

downloadable for testing:
https://cloud.rashiti.com/index.php/s/random

Problem, cant sync videos based on intigrated timecode.

I resetted the Timecode run to FreeRun on Zero

1. Clip: PGH52072.MP4
ID                             : 3
Type                           : Time code
Format                         : QuickTime TC
Duration                       : 12 s 480 ms
Time code of first frame       : 00:00:00:00
Time code, striped             : Yes
Encoded date                   : UTC 2017-03-22 17:23:19
Tagged date                    : UTC 2017-03-22 17:23:19
Bit rate mode                  : CBR

Then i resetted the Timecode run to FreeRun on Zero

2. Clip: PGH52073.MP4
ID                             : 3
Type                           : Time code
Format                         : QuickTime TC
Duration                       : 3 s 840 ms
Time code of first frame       : 00:00:00:00
Time code, striped             : Yes
Encoded date                   : UTC 2017-03-22 17:23:50
Tagged date                    : UTC 2017-03-22 17:23:50
Bit rate mode                  : CBR

3. Clip: PGH52074.MP4
ID                             : 3
Type                           : Time code
Format                         : QuickTime TC
Duration                       : 12 s 960 ms
Time code of first frame       : 00:00:03:21
Time code, striped             : Yes
Encoded date                   : UTC 2017-03-22 17:25:20
Tagged date                    : UTC 2017-03-22 17:25:20
Bit rate mode                  : CBR

No matter if i try sync on Media TC or on File Date/Time Recording i get the same error:

In english, more or less one or more files had no valid offset informations.

I never used TC in Vegas, and i tried if it would be something that helps me for a possible future project. So what do i miss here completely?

Comments

fr0sty wrote on 3/22/2019, 12:12 PM

I had a friend who was trying to do something similar, he had an audio recorder and a gh5 he was trying to sync with timecode. He said Resolve was able to do it correctly, but Vegas would not read TC data from the audio files out of his recorder. I posted here asking about it and everyone had no idea. We ended up just giving up on it.

eikira wrote on 3/22/2019, 12:34 PM

Giving up sounds a bit disencouraging. I mean that is a feature any self claimed Pro Video Editingsoftware should be able to handle =(

There has to be a solution for it.

Kinvermark wrote on 3/22/2019, 2:46 PM

Try re-wrapping your gh5 files to mov using ffmpeg (Vegasaur has an interface for this). This has worked for me in the past for gh5 8 bit files; I don't know about 10 bit.

Timecode is inconsistently implemented, so there are problems with many "Pro" NLE's, particularly with non-professional cameras (that means GH5 too) and formats (mp4). Mov support is better.

You could also transcode your files to cineform AVI using the free version of Resolve. Vegas will read timecode in these files. Or get really "fancy" and colour grade & then transcode on export. Finish in Vegas. That's what I do.

eikira wrote on 3/22/2019, 2:57 PM

Try re-wrapping your gh5 files to mov using ffmpeg (Vegasaur has an interface for this). This has worked for me in the past for gh5 8 bit files; I don't know about 10 bit.

@Kinvermark

i have vegasaur, but never used it for that. can you explain me how to do that re-wrapping? because recoding/transcoding into a different codec is no real solution and way more time consuming.

Eagle Six wrote on 3/22/2019, 3:15 PM

@eikira have you tried Happy Otter Scripts - Import Assist? That may provide a work around that may be more convenient for you.

https://www.vegascreativesoftware.info/us/forum/happy-otter-scripts-for-vegas-pro--113922/

eikira wrote on 3/22/2019, 3:41 PM

@Eagle Six well i dont intend to spend extra money for a function which should be working right of the box. Because the timecode is clearly written in the files, but for some reason Vegas refuses to use it. It looks like i need once more to open a ticket to magix, would not be the first time to proof to them clearly that something they claim in their software to be present, not working at all.

Eagle Six wrote on 3/22/2019, 3:48 PM

@eikira well, OK, certainly your choice. But the Happy Otter Scripts is a free beta and if it gets you working, it does not hinder you from opening a ticket with Magix. You may also find some other tools within those scripts which could be helpful. Just a suggestion.

Kinvermark wrote on 3/22/2019, 7:08 PM

@eikira

Don't be too critical here. Vegas DOES support timecode, just not all timecode everywhere in all formats from all cameras, even if those cameras write in non-standard ways, etc, etc, ….

AFAIK, MP4 didn't even support timecode "out of the box" - this "feature" was added later and maybe is a little odd.

But I digress. You can use Vegasaur to re-wrap to mov by using the custom command in the smart-trim feature.

eikira wrote on 3/22/2019, 11:21 PM

@Kinvermark

@eikira

Don't be too critical here. Vegas DOES support timecode, just not all timecode everywhere in all formats from all cameras, even if those cameras write in non-standard ways, etc, etc, ….

Why should i not be critical? Vegas claims to be for professionals, its even in their productname. And how many Timecode formats are there? As far as i can see, the GH5 uses QT Timecode, cant be that new and surprising of a standard format.

AFAIK, MP4 didn't even support timecode "out of the box" - this "feature" was added later and maybe is a little odd.

Well thats where one should be critical. First of all MP4 is nothing new anymore 10 years ago with Sony Vegas Pro 8 i would have agreed and understood it.
And its not even an MP4 problem alone. I made now also a test with MOV files, the timecode format is the same, meaning it uses QT Timecode. And this time i dont get an error, but it handles every clip as its starts from 00......

But I digress. You can use Vegasaur to re-wrap to mov by using the custom command in the smart-trim feature.

Ok, i said i have Vegasaur, but still dont know how to do that exactly. Can you explain what commands i have to put in?

fawtz wrote on 3/24/2019, 7:55 AM

Giving up sounds a bit disencouraging. I mean that is a feature any self claimed Pro Video Editingsoftware should be able to handle

-- especially considering Vegas was *at first* one of the best audio editors you could find, *then* became a video editor at v.3 if memory's good. Where the legacy ?! And that is exactly what used to set Vegas apart from all the competition; being able to properly edit both video and audio with the same program.

Why should i not be critical? Vegas claims to be for professionals, its even in their productname.

-- *THAT*. Instead of concentrating on bells'n'whistles for a moment, the new owners should really straighten all the TC issues and give a serious kick in the audio department which has been left aside during all those Sony years. And I mean PRO audio, so yes: Broadcast Waves Files support at input, output and all over the place in-between.