How to add timecode

[Mike Kujbida]

If you mean source timecode, apply the timecode FX to the clip while it’s still in Project Media.
Drag it to the timeline and render.
There’s also an Add Timecode to All Media script that you can run.
With this script, it doesn’t make any difference if the clip is in Project Media or on the timeline as it adds source timecode.

[John Rofrano]

> With this script, it doesn’t make any difference if the clip is in Project Media or on the timeline as it adds source timecode.

This is a really important point to understand. If you add the Sony Timecode FX to the media, it will show the media’s timecode which you may or may not want to display depending on how many clips you are placing on the timeline and if the timecode is unique and the customer can identify the clips to tell you which timecode from what clip.

If, however, you just want a continuous running timecode that both you and the customer can use as a reference to talk about shots, then you might want to add the timecode to the track or if you have multiple tracks, add it to the Master Video Bus. This will give you continuous timecode regardless of media.

It is important to understand how adding the FX to these different places will produce different output so that you get the desired results.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Mike Kujbida]

John, if I add the Timecode FX to the clip while it’s on the timeline, then yes, it shows it as timeline timecode.
However, if I run the script I mentioned, then it displays the Timecode FX as source TC, not timeline TC.
I just confirmed this on Vegas Pro 8.0 c with a clip I shot for one of my daughters a month ago.
Adding the FX to the clip shows TC at 00:00;00:00 at the beginning of the clip and 00:08:27:19 at the end.
Running the script however shows it starting at 00:06:16:29 and ending at 00:14:44:16.

[John Rofrano]

Yes that’s what I was trying to explain (and not very well apparently). 😉 That you will get different timecode depending on where you add the Timecode FX so be sure to use the proper method depending on the outcome that you want.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Diane Sosnoski]

Thanks so much for the help! I need the source timecode so the scripting method is perfect. My other editing system, Rex RT, is easier to use than Vegas, but it only adds timeline timecode and you can’t record it to tape. Vegas is really pretty great in offering all these options.
Thanks again,
Diane

[Mike Kujbida]

“Vegas is really pretty great in offering all these options.”

And that’s why we like it so much 🙂

[Diane Sosnoski]

I captured Tape 1 (after setting preferences). All the clips are different lengths and the numbering starts with 19. What did I do wrong?

[Mike Kujbida]

The capture utility defaults to splitting scenes based on whenever you hit the record button so I’d expect most scenes to be of different lengths.

Before you start capturing, you’re given the option to give the tape a name. My guess is that you (accidentally?) entered 19 at this time.
You also have a rename clips option after capturing is done so maybe you did it then?

[Diane Sosnoski]

Thanks Mike,

Although I’ve had Vegas for a few years, I’ve always used Rex to capture. It does so in 4 Gig segments so I was unprepared for all the splitting that occurred when capturing in Vegas. That said, I should have noticed that the splits mirrored my record start times.
The file name problem happened because I recaptured the tape after the first time I saw all those splits and the original files were still in the capture bin. I’m trying to get used to this new way of editing and hopefully won’t have to bug you any more.

Thanks again for the quick and helpful response,
Diane

[Mike Kujbida]

Diane, don’t feel the need to apologize.
This forum is here to answer questions that anyone from newbie to seasoned pro might have so feel free to come back any time.
I’ve been using Vegas since version 1.0 and there are days I feel like an amateur 🙂