Managing Frame Number View on video clips

Melachrinoso wrote on 12/18/2023, 7:00 PM

In Vegas Pro 18 I can see that video clips on the timeline show numbered frames throughout.

How does Vegas generate and display those numbers ? What source ? Does Vegas imbed them in the clip or are they variable ?
Can they be edited to synchronize, in editing, 2 videos from different sources ?

I refer to videos already recorded.

Thank you

Comments

mark-y wrote on 12/18/2023, 7:32 PM
  1. Yes, they can display as frames. Right click on the clock display and select "Absolute Frames." Vegas gets the numbers from the Project Frame Rate, which is an independent variable, and not from the video frame rate, which is a constant.
  2. No, they cannot. Frame numbers are unrelated to embedded timecode, and cameras synced with cables record the time of each frame, not the "number" of frames.
DMT3 wrote on 12/19/2023, 7:36 AM

The frame numbers displayed are determined by the settings under PROPERTIES of each file. Vegas defaults to a beginning time of 00:00:00:00. You can have this displayed as frame numbers or timecode, but it is not the actual source timecode. If your video file has actual timecode, Vegas will read that and use it. You can also set a custom timecode. ( I have done that based on the time/date stamp sometimes)

mark-y wrote on 12/19/2023, 8:31 AM

[edited]

Since you are interested in syncing files from unslaved cameras, you can try Happy Otter Scripts tool named AudioSyncR. There is a learning curve, but it works better than more expensive options.

 

https://tools4vegas.com/home/

DMT3 wrote on 12/19/2023, 9:16 AM

@mark-y No, that is not what I am referring to.
This is the option I am referrring to. It is based on each file.

mark-y wrote on 12/19/2023, 9:23 AM

Ok, got it. I was focused on the display.

Have a great Holiday!

Melachrinoso wrote on 12/19/2023, 1:38 PM

Thanks Mark-y and DMT3 for your suggestions.

Indeed I now see that Preferences (Right click on clip) shows which source Vegas uses for the clip frame count, or other. Default seems to be the File Source radio button. But if I select Custom, instead, one can dial in any starting number for the frame count of the clip in question. Usually 0 start seems ok. And Trimmer reads the exact frame while scrubbing. Neat. Solved my problem.

Thanks.

Howard-Vigorita wrote on 12/22/2023, 1:45 PM

@Melachrinoso If you want to manipulate timecode embedded in a clip or inserted manually into Vegas media properties, the Timecode FX will make it visible on the preview screen. I usually apply it as a media fx and manipulate it in media properties via the custom timecode setting. There's also a handy Vegas script by @jetdv that will read file-system timestamps (see: script tutorial) and apply them as custom time-stamps to selected audio clips. It also works on video clips if you select audio clips sharing the same media. If you have a clapper slate with a digital display, you can record it to video and use these Vegas features for visual multicam alignment... a cellphone display can work almost as well.

Melachrinoso wrote on 12/25/2023, 2:26 PM

Thanks Howard-Vigorita for your additional recommendations. Being able to view and manipulate the time codes and the frames count simplifies for me synchronizing different cameras where there is no access to a clapper or a clicker.

Cheers.