How to keep Original SMPTE timecode AND export a compressed file?

[Walter Biscardi]

[Isabelle Carbonell] “Here’s what I need to learn: How can I EXPORT and COMPRESS original HD footage that contains the ORIGINAL SMPTE timecode, and RETAIN the SMPTE timecode in the newly compressed and small file.”

All quicktime movies do retain the timecode associated with the original movie file no matter how much you compress them and even if you do an audio only file. We have transcriptions done all the time with quicktime files and the transcriber gives us back the timecode from the original clip. Our clips are compressed all the way down to 160×120 because she doesn’t really need the video, just the audio.

You just drag the raw clip from your Capture Scratch into Compressor and compress that file. That has the original timecode from the camera. Your Transcriber then uses Quicktime Player to view the TC instead of the zero counter.

Our Transcriber has software that includes a foot pedal just like the old tape transcription machines had so she doesn’t even have to type the TC in. She just hits the pedal and the TC is automatically stamped into the document.

We’ve done something like 100 hours of transcriptions over the past two years for our continuing documentaries and haven’t had a lick of trouble with TC matching up.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author.
HD Post and Production
Biscardi Creative Media

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[Ben Holmes]

A quick trawl of teh intertubes drags this up – it’s free too:

https://www.qtsync.com/qtsync.php

See if that gives you a workaround – you cannot export clip timecode with a QT export in FCP…

Ben

Edit Out Ltd
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[Ben Holmes]

Scatch my response – and thanks for the useful info Walter, this will definitely be used for our next batch of translations…

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

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[Bouke Vahl]

[walter biscardi] “All quicktime movies do retain the timecode associated with the original movie file no matter how much you compress them and even if you do an audio only file”

True if you use Compressor, NOT true if you use almost any other application to transcode!

And be warned, Walter’s statement about audio only ONLY works if you put the audio in a QT, it will NOT retain TC if you render to Mp3, wave or Aiff.

But MP3 is going to be big in this department. Sound Devices puts TC metadata in the Mp3 header, and more and more transcriptions applications (including mine) can read it.

If interested, i’ll make something to stamp Mp3 with the original QT tc.
(it’s a small job, and i’ll do it for free if there is a need)

Bouke

https://www.videotoolshed.com/
smart tools for video pro’s

[Isabelle Carbonell]

Interesting.

Okay, one thing I forgot to add. Since I didn’t need to do any editing to the original footage, I just loaded it straight into Quicktime and exported it FROM quicktime. (I wanted to keep working on a project inside FCP while it was processing, and its typically faster than Compressor)

Not through FCP, not through Compressor.

I’ll go ahead and try compressor and report if that worked.

Thanks for all the fast replies from everyone!

-Isabelle
https://www.izaca.com

[Isabelle Carbonell]

[walter biscardi] “All quicktime movies do retain the timecode associated with the original movie file no matter how much you compress them and even if you do an audio only file”

True if you use Compressor, NOT true if you use almost any other application to transcode!

And be warned, Walter’s statement about audio only ONLY works if you put the audio in a QT, it will NOT retain TC if you render to Mp3, wave or Aiff.

Okay… it doesn’t work. Here’s my workflow (very simple).

1. I have my original .mov files (when these are opened in quicktime, the option to select the timecode is available).

2. I drag these into compressor and export the smallest .mov file possible (but I keep the audio good quality for transcribing purposes). Either way, it’s H.264 100kbps, and exports to a .mov file.

3. Once exported I open the compressed file with Quicktime, and it doesn’t allow me to see the original timecode anymore.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks again for all your help
Isabelle
https://www.izaca.com

[Ben Holmes]

Bouke – I think there’s a need. an mp3 would be ideal for transcription, and for when you want to avoid translators coming to you rather than emailing them the interview. In my experience, this question is often asked, and as good to know as Walter’s solution is, this would be better.

Ben

Edit Out Ltd
—————————-
FCP Editor/Trainer/System Consultant
EVS/VT Supervisor for live broadcast
RED camera transfer/post
Independent Director/Producer

https://www.blackmagic-design.com/casestudies/detail.asp?case=therydercup

[John Pale]

[Ben Holmes] “you cannot export clip timecode with a QT export in FCP… “

There is an easy workaround though. Just export the clip using the compression of your choice, then drag it back into the browser. Double click it to load into the Viewer. Go to Modify/Timecode and add the correct starting timecode to the clip. Voila…a timecode track is now added and you now have a compressed clip with timecode.

[Walter Biscardi]

[Isabelle Carbonell] “3. Once exported I open the compressed file with Quicktime, and it doesn’t allow me to see the original timecode anymore.

What am I doing wrong?”

No clue honestly. That’s exactly what we do here all day every day. In fact we retain the TC from the FCP timelines when we export from there.

We retain the original TC on all our quicktime files generated through Compressor on our end. have done so for years now.

Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Editor, Colorist, Director, Writer, Consultant, Author.
HD Post and Production
Biscardi Creative Media

“Foul Water, Fiery Serpent” now in Post.

Creative Cow Forum Host:
Apple Final Cut Pro, Apple Motion, Apple Color, AJA Kona, Business & Marketing, Maxx Digital.

Blog!

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[Isabelle Carbonell]

[John Pale] “[Ben Holmes] “you cannot export clip timecode with a QT export in FCP… ”

There is an easy workaround though. Just export the clip using the compression of your choice, then drag it back into the browser. Double click it to load into the Viewer. Go to Modify/Timecode and add the correct starting timecode to the clip. Voila…a timecode track is now added and you now have a compressed clip with timecode.”

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

That worked, easy as pie, no issues.

I really don’t know why it won’t export the smpte timecode but this workaround takes me two seconds so its no issue at all. Really thanks.

Thanks everyone else for trying to help. Not sure what’s going on in the end.

Best
Isabelle
https://www.izaca.com