FCP and QT timecode discrepancy

[Robert Longwell]

We export with Batch Export and Export Quicktime Move with Chapter Markers. Our QTs do not have a Time code track. The QT window only has “standard” and “frame number”. The properties view also does not have a time code track.

How are you getting TC tracks in your exported sequences??

For that matter, when I look at captured QT files that do have TC tracks, the TC numbers do not match up to the same TC numbers as displayed in FCP.

Robert Longwell

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Robert Longwell] “How are you getting TC tracks in your exported sequences??
“

Simply by exporting. What version of QT are you on?

Open quicktime and then open the preferences. You will notice that there’s a section called timecode in the general section. Check the box that says ‘Show timecode when available”.

Jeremy

[Robert Longwell]

I have that enabled. We’re running FCP 6.0.1, OS 10.4.10 and QT 7.2. Out of the 8 FCP bays I’ve never seen a TC track from an exported QT file. I could be wrong, and would welcome it in this case 🙂

Although like I said, even the captured QT files that *do* have a TC track, the TC is not accurate compared to FCP TC.

So let me ask you, when you view your QT files with TC tracks, are the TC numbers accurate? If you set a marker is the same TC shown in QT the same TC shown in FCP? Be sure to make sure the QT file has a long enough duration to really show a difference, like 30-45 minutes long.

Robert Longwell

[Adriel Brunson]

I’ve been dealing with this issue for weeks.

We subtitle our programs, about 30:00 long, with 12 to 14 languages. I exported the final edit with sound to a h.264 file and used a 3rd party program to manage the subtitles with final delivery on DVD using DVD Studio Pro.

By the end of every 30:00 program I had a time shift with the h.264 file running about two seconds longer than the m2v (MPEG2) file. This happened no matter how I exported the file – Compressor, QuickTime Conversion, Export for Soundtrack, etc. And it happened with all file formats except m2v through Compressor – then it matched the program length shown in FCP.

Today, after reading this post, I exported from FCP using the Export QuickTime Movie choice. This export matched the timing with the m2v file and the FCP timeline perfectly.

I opened it in QT Player and the Inspector window showed perfect program length. But… the Movie Properties window showed the +2:00 length. Very weird.

I believe it has something to do with timecode at 29.97 vs 30 fps. Whatever it is, at least I now know how to output a QT file directly from FCP with correct time.

Thanks for the help,
-a-

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Robert Longwell] “So let me ask you, when you view your QT files with TC tracks, are the TC numbers accurate?”

Yep.

[Robert Longwell] “Although like I said, even the captured QT files that *do* have a TC track, the TC is not accurate compared to FCP TC. “

I find them to be accurate.

[Robert Longwell] “Be sure to make sure the QT file has a long enough duration to really show a difference, like 30-45 minutes long.”

I have not tested this as I usually log and capture rather than capture in one big swoop, which could be your problem if your footage has tc breaks.

[Jeremy Garchow]

“[Robert Longwell] “Be sure to make sure the QT file has a long enough duration to really show a difference, like 30-45 minutes long.”
“

I just tested and they are accurate. i exported a 2.5 hour timeline with 5 markers. Every marker in the timeline matches the timecode of the SEQUENCE timecode (not the individual clip timecode) exactly to the frame.

Jeremy

[Robert Longwell]

We definitely don’t have TC breaks, we’re using Network HD masters.

Jeremy what version of FCP, QT and OS are you using? What frame rate and codec are you using for capture & export?

We’re FCP 6.01, QT 7.2, OS 10.4.10. Most everything we capture is DVCProHD 23.98 and DV50 29.97.

Robert Longwell

[Jeremy Garchow]

[Robert Longwell] “We’re FCP 6.01, QT 7.2, OS 10.4.10. Most everything we capture is DVCProHD 23.98 and DV50 29.97.”

That is pretty much exactly my setup with the same formats.

If you export a Quicktime Movie (not conversion) with current settings, you don’t get timecode?

[Rafael Amador]

I think the breaking of TC in capture shouldn’t be an issue. FC set a TC (not in your case..) always on exporting via QT. It doesn’t matter if you impor still, movies or sequences,or even you make graphics wthin FC. The TC should be there on exporting. Is a video application.
I’m my case I have never noticed FC exporting like that. I’m working with FC6.01 and QT7.2
Rafael

[Jeremy Garchow]

It was not until QT 7.1.6 that you could export user selected sequence timecode or that you could see proper tc in captured QT clips.

Jeremy