Some notes on TIMECODE

What's it?

Timecode is the address of every frame that is 'printed' on it when you record video onto a tape using a camera or a video tape recorder. Remember: The camera or the VTR needs to have a timecode generator in order to provide the address. The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers developed this technology. Hence the name SMPTE timecode.

What are its uses?

Timecode allows you to know how much footage you have recorded & is represented in terms of HH:MM:SS:FF where H stands for hour, M for minutes, S for seconds & F for frames. For example, if the timecode shows 00:24:21:06, it means that you have recorded 24 mins, 21 seconds & 06 frames.

Timecode is also used to synchronize two different recordings done on two different recording equipment. It also helps editors to determine how much video/audio can/should be inserted during editing.

There are two kinds of timecode: LTC (Linear Time Code) & VITC (Vertical Interval TimeCode).

LTC: To put it simply LTC is the irritating tone that one hears sometimes on colour bars before the programme begins. The beep occupies a channel on the tape. It's called Linear or Longitudinal TimeCode since it occupies space across the length of the tape. This is mainly used by broadcasters since timeslots & scheduling is important. However, the machine has to be running & the tape has to be in motion if one has to identify the LTC.

VITC: This is another type of timecode that is hidden in the video track & helps one identify the exact frame even when the tape is not being played. You will see in action when you sit on a linear edit suite. It's placed in sections of the video signal which are not displayed on the screen. This time between frames is called the "vertical blanking interval". Therefore, this type of timecode is called Vertical Interval Timecode.