About Timecode
Timecode is a dataset saved with each video that can uniquely identify each frame of video within a file. It can be used for shot referencing, logging or multi-cam shoots.
Mavis Camera uses a format based on SMTPE timecode (developed by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers) which represents hours, minutes, seconds and frames.
Timecode allows you to navigate through your footage using a cross platform identifier for each frame of video. The hours, minutes and seconds act like a normal 24 hour clock meaning they count up from 00 and roll back over to 00 after they reach a maximum value of 23, 59 and 59 respectively. The frame count is based on the recording format. If we are shooting at 30fps, this would mean the frame count would roll back over to 00 after the value 29.
Putting all this together, the maximum timecode value we can have when shooting at 30fps is:
23:59:59:29
Going past this point is called crossing midnight.
Mavis Camera can embed timecode into a dedicated track included in the video file. The timecode track can be driven from four different modes:
- Manual
- Time of Day
- UltraSync BLUE
- External
Manual mode
Manual mode allows a user to pick a customer timecode start time. The manual timecode can be configured to always start from the manual value or to be a cumulative.
If we select ‘Cumulative’, this means the timecode value will start from the value we have selected plus the cumulative durations of all the recordings made after we selected the manual timecode value.
Let have a look at an example. Let’s say our manual timecode value is 01:00:00:00 and we record three videos all exactly five seconds long.
Using cumulative manual timecode each video would have the following timecode track:
Video A: 01:00:00:00
Video B: 01:00:05:00
Video C: 01:00:10:00
If we de-select ‘Cumulative’, this means each time we tap the record button the timecode will alway start from the value we have entered.
In this example the manual timecode for each video would be:
Video A: 01:00:00:00
Video B: 01:00:00:00
Video C: 01:00:00:00
Manual mode can also be used to aid with shot logging. Let say we want log some shots that would have traditionally been identified using a reel number. In this instance we can set the hours part of the timecode as our reel number and use it to log and organise the shots that are associated with a reel.
Tip: When using this system of logging it is best to avoid crossing midnight as this will mean you have duplicate reels. If you are logging lots of shots, this may become confusing.
Time of Day mode
Time-of-Day mode saves the current time in hours, minutes, seconds and frames. Let say you tap the record button at exactly 3.30pm. This means our start timecode would have the value:
15:30:00:00
If you make a recording that is exactly two minutes, thirty four seconds and five frames long our end timecode value will be:
15:32:34:05
UltraSync BLUE / AtomX SYNC mode
With support for UltraSync BLUE / AtomX SYNC, Mavis Camera can be paired to a super accurate external time source. The sync technology works across all multicamera formats, from large-scale professional cameras to DSLRs and GoPros, allowing you to keep Mavis Camera in sync with all your other sources. You can also connect multiple copies of Mavis Camera to a single BLUE / SYNC meaning all your Mavis Camera videos can be in perfect sync.
For more information about UltraSync BLUE / AtomX SYNC support, checkout this support article: UltraSync BLUE / AtomX SYNC
External mode
In some instances, Mavis Camera can also be driven from an external timecode.