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Advanced TC reader out there?
I am running FCP 6.06
My problem used to be solved with miniDV by outputting teh display of the VTR to a VHS or DVD recorder. Now that we are in no-tape world, how does one get to the client a usable copy with TC info visible on the screen? I’ll explain:
I am working on a HD project which has all the footage coming from P2 cards, so I have to Log & Transfer to bring stuff into FCP. Now I need to provide the client with a regular DVD with TimeCode apparent, so they can chose what they want to use. But since each clip starts at 00:00:00:00 and has a unique name such as 004G9, I would like the DVD to not only include the clip’s internal TC (which I accomplish with FCP own TC Reader plugin), but also to include the CLIP and perhaps REEL name together with the TC overlay, so when they watch the DVD, they know which clip has those images.
I found a comercial plugin that does this via a couple extra steps using XML, it is made by Spherico and is called TCR Plus. Since I am a little short on funding and the client too, I would like to find a non-comercial (freeware) or cheaper plugin that does the same. This one is fine, besides the added XML steps, but it costs 45 pounds.
Anybody out there have a low-budget solution? Any info much apperciated. I guess what I am looking for is a “Clip Name Reader” plugin, heh?
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5 Replies
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Hi Alan,
This webpage has some good links for free filters:
https://www.digitalzoo.com.au/lunchtime/lunch_docs/related_02_free.htm
The first downlaod in the list, ‘1z1 filmworks’ has a filter for displaying TC and Reel name.
Unfortunately, I’ve never found a free filter that displays filenames too. I tried to write one, but from what I can tell, there is no function in FXScript that queries the file name of the given clip. But maybe there’s an FXScript guru out there who knows otherwise?
Hope this helps,Matt Lyon
Editor
Toronto -
Alan,
The Spherico plug in is only $50 bucks! Are you really that cheap! Don’t say you want a “low budget” solution. What you really want is FREE! Good luck with that.
Mark
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Sorry Alan
There is no function available with FxScript or the FxPlug SDK that returns the clip name data that you need … if you want this for free you’ll have to wrangle an XML solution such as that already done by Andreas Kiel (Spherico) with his TCR Plus solution. It’s easily doable if you have the programming skill, time and inclination, but if you don’t then you have to contribute something towards someone else’s skill, time and inclination in order to receive the same result … and really, in this game, a 50 buck investment in your business (and the future revenue from your client) is the next best thing to free.
Best
Andy -
Alan,
You can use the TCR Plus filter and Copy/Paste the file names (or whatever) into the filter’s parameter. That wouldn’t cost you anything than time.
Andreas
Spherico
https://www.spherico.com/filmtools -
Thank you Andreas, Matt, Mark and Andy, for all the helpful input.
I understand what you mean by honoring the programmer (our Andreas, in this case) who made such a usefull effort to solve a common need. I also appologise if I sound unwilling to aknowledge this by purchasing the plugin/software.I will probably purchase it as soon as my budget allows, I have no problem with making such a contribution, it’s just a momentary constrain I am in. For now, I will copy and paste, and not include the clip name, which will work fine for now since the timecode is unique for each clip (the cameraman set it this way, incremental TC so that no two clips have the same TC).
Thanks again to all!
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