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Basic Concept on SMPTE Timecode for Video Editors

By Abhirup Lahiri @tweetabhirup

Hello, Friends, Readers and my Dear Students, I am back here with another topic to discuss with you.
In the field of video editing and film making many of you have come across the term '' Timecode "or more technically " SMPTE Timecode ". In most cases weather it be at Film/TV production floor or in my classroom, I find there is a lot of confusion as to what this term actually mean. As this term SMPTE Timecode is also directly related to "fps or Frames Per Second", I suggest to all my students and like minded readers to this stream to read this blog as I cover the topic "SMPTE Timecode" and it's concept as easiest way I can.
Fundamental concept on Film/Video Timecode :
Timecode is a signal recorded with your video that uniquely identifies each frame on tape /micro data chip. When you capture audio and video in Adobe Premiere CC or maybe Apple Mac's Final Cut Pro you also capture the timecode signal which is displayed in either of the video editing setup you use when you playback your clips. Timecode allows you to recapture your footage from tape or micro chip (using imovie software to capture in case of micro chip) and always get the same frames.
Basic Concept on SMPTE Timecode for Video Editing Students : Timecode is a signal recorded with your video that uniquely identifies each frame on tape /micro data chip. When you capture audio and video in Adobe Premiere cc or maybe Apple Mac's Final Cut Pro you also capture the timecode signal which is displayed in either of the video editing setup you use when you playback your clips. Timecode allows you to recapture your footage from tape or micro chip (using imovie software to capture in case of micro chip) and always get the same frames.  Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere CC (professional NLE software) uses SMPTE Timecode (developed by Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers), 01:24 :16 :23 (in PAL) or 01:24 :15 :29 (in NTSC) is represented as hours :minutes :seconds :frames - using the mentioned format.  In any NLE or Non Linear Editing system (Apple Mac FCP or Adobe Premiere CC), timecode is used for synchronisation between audio and visual footages or clip items,or project interchange (such as Edit Decision List - EDL), and recapturing clips or rush from the micro chip or tape. When you play footage in a sequence, FCP or Adobe Premiere displays the consequent shots or visual media file timecode. Timecode also allows video editors to navigate through your sequences and see how long your edit is,you can export the final edited film measuring the exact length through the timecode duration.
Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere CC (professional NLE software) uses SMPTE Timecode (developed by Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers),
01:24 :16 :23 (in PAL) or 01:24 :15 :29 (in NTSC) is represented as hours : minutes : seconds : frames - using the mentioned format.
In any NLE or Non Linear Editing system (Apple Mac FCP or Adobe Premiere CC), timecode is used for synchronisation between audio and visual footages or clip items,or project interchange (such as Edit Decision List - EDL), and recapturing clips or rush from the micro chip or tape. When you play footage in a sequence, FCP or Adobe Premiere displays the consequent shots or visual media file timecode. Timecode also allows video editors to navigate through your sequences and see how long your edit is,you can export the final edited film measuring the exact length through the timecode duration.
Hope you learned something new today on another basic concept related to Film Editing/Video Editing from this lesson - Write to me how helpful is it to you.
I will come up with other topic in my next publication.
So I hope you will be back here again .
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- Abhirup
from http://abhirups-blog.blogspot.in/
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